Kansas Preview: Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League I Set to Shine

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League I has consistently produced strong competition and teams capable of deep postseason runs in recent years. In this preview, I take a deep dive into the league — spotlighting a few sleeper teams, breaking down the top contenders, revealing my pick to win the conference, unveiling my “Top 5” All-Conference selections, and projecting this season's Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Sleepers - Hutchinson, Campus</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hutchinson enters the winter season in transition, having lost key experience and production from last year's squad. As they work to establish a new identity and continue building a strong program culture, they'll lean heavily on one of the league's more promising young talents in [player_tooltip player_id='2477696' first='Lamar' last='Govain']. Govain is an impressive scorer with a long, athletic frame. He can fill it up in a variety of ways — attacking off the dribble or pulling up with consistency from deep. With increased opportunity, Govain is poised to take a major step forward this season and could post some eye-catching box scores. If Hutchinson's young supporting cast can grow into their roles and provide reliable help, this team has the potential to be more competitive than expected. While they may not finish in the top half of the AVCTL I this year, they should show flashes of what's to come — laying the groundwork to make a serious push in the following season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a difficult 2024–2025 campaign, Campus looks primed to make a big leap this season. Last year, they were easily the youngest team in the AVCTL I, gaining valuable experience while battling through the daily challenges of varsity competition. Now, with that foundation in place, they bring back a roster full of promising young talent capable of pushing the league's top teams on a more consistent basis. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2401742' first='Tamarien' last='Moore'] is poised to be their top offensive threat. A skilled and athletic scorer with a strong frame, Moore has the tools to be a breakout player. He's a smooth shooter — both from three and off the dribble — and can score from all levels of the floor. Moore also has the ability to get to the rim and finish through contact or over defenders with touch and control. The return of guards [player_tooltip player_id='2623482' first='Jayden' last='Starbird'], [player_tooltip player_id='2829765' first='Ja'Myias' last='Caldwell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2815780' first='Kaden' last='Williams'] will also be key for Campus. Starbird is a reliable perimeter scorer who stretches defenses with his shooting, while Caldwell and Williams bring toughness and leadership as traditional-style point guards. Both defend at a high level and excel at creating for others with their aggressive, yet smart, attacking styles. If this group continues to develop and builds stronger cohesion, Campus could turn heads this season. Don't be surprised if they become a tough matchup for even the top teams in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Contenders - Salina South, Maize, Derby</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enter Salina South — a program that has struggled to get over the hump in recent years. This season, however, the Cougars will be looking for a breakthrough as they aim to field a team capable of competing in the always-tough AVCTL I. It might surprise some to see them on my contender list, but I believe they have enough returning talent to take a step forward and become a legitimate factor in the league race. Salina South returns two of its top three scorers, along with several young players ready to embrace bigger roles. Gavin Devoe and Sawyer Walker are expected to lead the way offensively. Devoe is an intriguing prospect — a long, skilled forward who can operate with his back to the basket or step out and knock down threes with a consistent shooting stroke. He's capable of attacking off the dribble, using smart footwork and pivots to find angles, and he impacts the game on the glass, both by finishing defensive possessions and creating second-chance opportunities. Walker brings perimeter firepower as a knockdown shooter who excels moving without the ball to find open looks. He can also generate his own shot off the dribble, frequently working out of ball screens and dribble handoffs to get to his spots. Kobie Henley, a developing young guard, adds even more upside to this core. He's a versatile scorer with the ability to handle the ball, attack off the dribble, and create offense. If this core can elevate the play of their supporting cast, Salina South has the potential to make a serious push toward the top of the standings. Don't be surprised if they emerge as a dark horse contender, pushing the league's best teams and generating buzz as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maize looks to build on last season's trip to Wichita, returning both production and experience — and featuring arguably the top player in the AVCTL I, [player_tooltip player_id='2208970' first='Brayden' last='Myovela']. The Eagles will go as far as Myovela takes them, as he will be the driving force on both ends of the floor. An aggressive, athletic scorer, Myovela thrives at creating offense. He welcomes contact and frequently initiates it, finishing with either hand off the bounce. He also brings versatility as a mid-range and perimeter shooter. Defensively, his athleticism and strong build allow him to pressure the ball, create deflections, and force turnovers, while rebounding at a high level for a guard. [player_tooltip player_id='2245744' first='Ty' last='Willits'] will also play a key role this season, stepping into a larger role after showing flashes last year. Willits is a knockdown shooter who moves well without the ball — constantly relocating, lifting, and drifting into space. He's a threat in transition, regularly spotting up or attacking the rim, where he's capable of finishing above the rim in the open floor. With Myovela and Willits leading the way and several young contributors continuing to develop, Maize should be firmly in the league title race — with a real chance to challenge for the top spot deep into February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending league champion Derby enters the 2025–2026 season looking to defend its AVCTL I title. While the Panthers lose a large and experienced senior class, they return a talented core with both skill and big game experience — more than enough to keep them firmly in the championship conversation. [player_tooltip player_id='2205706' first='Avant' last='Riley'] will lead the way. He's elite with the ball in his hands, constantly creating and maintaining advantages while reading the defense with poise. Riley has a strong sense of when to look for his own shot and when to facilitate. He's a smooth, confident shooter with deep range and uses his strength and control to create separation and absorb contact. Cale Clingan anchors the frontcourt and is coming off a strong summer of development. He's dynamic in transition, running the floor hard and finishing above the rim with flair. In the halfcourt, Clingan brings versatility — able to score with his back to the basket using fadeaways and touch shots, while also stretching the floor with a highly efficient perimeter jumper. [player_tooltip player_id='2820782' first='Greg' last='Stiger'], a contributor as a freshman, returns as a key piece in the rotation. Known for his three-point shooting, Stiger will look to expand his role this year by becoming more of an offensive centerpiece — attacking off the bounce and initiating sets with the ball in his hands. As always, Derby features a reliable supporting cast, with a deep rotation of role players who understand their jobs and execute within the system. With their strong returning core and solid depth, Derby should once again be a force at the top of the AVCTL I, likely battling Maize South for the league crown as the season pushes into March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Champion - Maize South</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing third in the league last season, Maize South looks poised to level up and compete for the AVCTL I title this spring. The Mavericks return the most experience in the league, with the majority of their roster back in action — giving them a clear edge in chemistry and continuity. Cy Stucky will lead the way with his physical presence and versatile skill set. Offensively, he uses his size to establish deep post position and score consistently around the rim. He's a willing screener who understands how to roll into space and has even shown the ability to stretch the floor, knocking down perimeter shots during scoring runs. Stucky can also face up and attack off the dribble, while showcasing solid court vision to get others involved. At point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2816224' first='Jalen' last='Batiste'] returns as the team's primary ball handler. Coming off a strong sophomore campaign, Batiste has added noticeable size and strength. He thrives in transition, creating offense on the break, and is equally effective organizing sets in the half court. A crafty ball handler, Batiste keeps defenders off balance and creates scoring opportunities with his creativity and strong finishing ability. He also reads defenses well, making pinpoint passes and operating comfortably in the mid-range. Paxton Scott and Tucker Lowe will also be key contributors looking to elevate their impact. Scott is an elite shooter with ball-handling ability and plays with great confidence. Lowe can also stretch the floor with his shooting, and he's effective attacking closeouts and getting to the basket when needed. With a strong, experienced core and several younger players competing for rotation spots, Maize South has all the pieces to make a serious run at the league title. Their ability to play multiple styles and their roster depth make them my pick to take home the AVCTL I crown in 2025–2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Top 5 All-Conference Team</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2208970' first='Brayden' last='Myovela'] | 6'3" Guard | Maize</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2205706' first='Avant' last='Riley'] | 5'10" Guard | Derby</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cale Clingan | 6'8" Forward | Derby</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cy Stucky | 6'6" Forward | Maize South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2816224' first='Jalen' last='Batiste'] | 6'4" Guard | Maize South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Player of the Year - [player_tooltip player_id='2208970' first='Brayden' last='Myovela'] | 6'3" Guard | Maize</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2208970' first='Brayden' last='Myovela'] is my pick for 2025–2026 Player of the Year. A dynamic athlete, Myovela will have the freedom to influence the game on both ends of the floor. He's a well-built perimeter player with a tight handle and a strong finishing package at the rim. He also shoots confidently from the perimeter and continues to evolve as a playmaker, consistently looking to create for teammates by forcing defensive rotations and making smart reads. On the defensive end, Myovela leverages his size and athleticism to guard multiple positions and pressure ball handlers into mistakes. He's also a strong rebounder, using his frame to secure boards and generate extra possessions for his team. If he can take over games in high-pressure, late-game situations, Myovela has the potential to power Maize to another deep postseason run -- and become one of the toughest covers in the AVCTL I.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->