Top Programs Led by Ranked 2026s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week we updated the ranking of the 2026 class. Midway through the season, we see some of the ranked sophomores playing key roles for some of the state's top teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We looked at some sophomores playing important roles for ranked 6A schools. Now take a look at some 2026s coming up big for 4-1A ranked teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1624974' first='Cooper' last='Carr'] (ranked #13 in the class), 6-foot-2 guard, 2026, Baldwin:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently added [player_tooltip player_id='2327579' first='Colton' last='Collum'] to the 2026 class rankings at #35. That gives Baldwin, currently ranked #10 in 4A, two players on the 2026 list. But Carr has stepped into the lead role for the Bulldogs, replacing his brother Caleb, an all-stater who graduated last year. Cooper is doing it all this year, including getting his teammates the ball by racking up assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1541007' first='Amare' last='(AJ) Batiste'] (ranked #5 in the class), 6-foot-2 guard, 2026, Wichita Collegiate:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After impressing everyone by riding a trio of freshmen to the state tournament last year, Collegiate has struggled to get everyone healthy and on the court. Yet they are still ranked #8 in 3A, due in large part to the playmaking and competitiveness of Batiste. He has taken on the lead scorer's role and excelled. He is an athletic, creative guard who was special so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2328079' first='Kellen' last='Green'] (ranked #40 in the class), 6-foot guard, 2026, Oxford:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oxford needed someone to step up following graduation losses, and Green has done so after playing an important role as a freshman. He is doing some of everything for the Wildcats, who are ranked #8 in 2A. He is a consistent double-figure scorer and grabs a surprising number of rebounds from the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2211369' first='Gavin' last='Thalheim'] (ranked #41 in the class), 5-foot-11 guard, 2026, Northern Valley:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a freshman, Thalheim was called upon to play a big role in Northern Valley's fantastic regular season a year ago. His role has been reduced somewhat this year, but he's still an important member of the #1 in 1A Div II. He has particularly stepped up on the glass and on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2211372' first='Edward' last='Horinek'] (ranked #42 in the class) 6-foot guard, 2026, Beloit-St. Johns:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Horinek played a very important role in getting the Blujays to the state tournament last year. He's trying to do it again, guiding the team to the #9 spot in 1A Div II. He is a shooter, but is also a competent ball handler and distributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->