Round One Standouts from Thursday
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Teams from 1A, 3A and 5A had the spotlight on Wednesday. The even numbered classes took the court on Thursday and turned in some memorable performances. Here are some standouts from Thursday’s games. Eric Smith Eric Smith 6'3" | SF…
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Continue ReadingTeams from 1A, 3A and 5A had the spotlight on Wednesday. The even numbered classes took the court on Thursday and turned in some memorable performances. Here are some standouts from Thursday’s games.
Eric Smith Eric Smith 6'3" | SF Atchison | 2025 State KS , 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Atchison:
For a team that went to state last year and returned nearly everyone, it’s impressive how big of a role a new guy has taken. Smith was a reserve last season, but has blown up as a junior and become Atchison’s go to guy. He is strong, tough and versatile. He can handle the ball and is particularly good at penetrating to get to shots near the goal. He can play with his back to the basket. And he hit both his three-point attempts last night. Smith turned in an efficient 7-12 shooting, 3-3 from the line and grabbed 9 boards. He is one of the best blue-collar types going.
Tanner Heckel Tanner Heckel 6'0" | CG Lyndon | 2024 State KS , 6-foot guard, 2024, Lyndon:
Heckel is part of a very talented group, but he stood out last night as a special talent. He dominated the game, nearly outscoring Conway Springs singlehandedly. The game stayed close enough that Heckel had to keep going full bore, and he scored in every way possible to get to 31 points. He attacks the basket so relentlessly that he wound up shooting 17 foul shots.
Sterling Big Men:
Like they’ve been doing for a couple of years now, Sterling’s post players dominated, this time against Plainville. 6-foot-5 senior Carson Gray is a huge and powerful post who is almost impossible to move off the low block. He efficiently got 18 points for the Black Bears. His partner in crime, 6-foot-1 senior Gabe Riffel isn’t as tall, but is equally is powerful and tough. He’s a relentless rebounder a threat in the midrange as well as at the goal. He tossed in 16 points and grabbed 17 boards. Throw in 6-foot-5 forward Boston Ekart Boston Ekart 6'5" | SF Sterling | 2026 State KS , who plays a different style but has tons of length, and Sterling has a front line that’s tough to match.
Wichita Northwest’s Energy:
The Grizzlies know who they are. They are not an efficient group – they barely shot 30% in their win over Blue Valley Northwest – but they just keep attacking. Guards Tasean Williams Tasean Williams 5'7" | PG Wichita Northwest | 2024 State KS and Eli Benning Eli Benning 6'0" | PG Wichita Northwest | 2025 State KS are as quick and daring with the ball as any tandem you’ll find. They made just 11 of 33 shots, but they drew fouls, getting the Huskies into a ton of foul trouble. Other Grizzlies, including Darrian Hammond Darrian Hammond 6'0" | CG Wichita Northwest | 2026 State KS , Jerome Henderson, Jayce Glaper and Liam Calvert can really run, which means the whole group is racing on the attack all the time.
Wichita Heights’ efficiency:
While Wichita Northwest won without shooting a high percentage, Wichita Heights barely missed in their opening game against Campus. The team shot 32-49 for the game. Long forward Chase Robinson Chase Robinson 6'4" | PF Wichita Heights | 2025 State KS ran and jumped to high percentage attempts, and he hit all 10 of them. TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'5" | SG Wichita Heights | 2024 State #176 Nation KS (pictured) never looks like he’s out of control, and it showed in his 5-6 shooting. Those two combined for 42 points. Heights has other weapons, and they all clicked Thursday.