Kansas Preview: Twin Valley League Teams Poised to Compete

<p>Next up: the Twin Valley League. I break down the teams and players to watch, spotlight a sleeper squad, analyze the top contenders, and reveal my pick to win the conference. Plus, I unveil my All-Conference “Top 5” and project this season's Player of the Year.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Sleeper - Doniphan West</em></h3>   <p>Doniphan West faced its share of challenges last season, but there's reason for optimism heading into the new campaign. The team returns a key piece in senior Kolter Peterson, who will be the driving force behind the Mustangs' push to climb the Twin Valley League standings. Peterson is a skilled and experienced guard who brings both leadership and versatility. Offensively, he's capable of carrying the scoring load thanks to his smooth shooting stroke and deep range. He's shown the ability to knock down three-pointers consistently, with a fluid release that makes him a constant threat from beyond the arc. But he's more than just a shooter — Peterson is also comfortable with the ball in his hands, possessing a solid handle and the poise to initiate offense, especially in half-court sets. Expect him to take on a dual role this season: primary scorer and playmaker, responsible for generating offense both for himself and his teammates. His ability to stretch defenses should create space for others to operate, and his decision-making will be key in setting the tone for a team looking to take a step forward. Defensively, Peterson will also be the tone-setter. He brings strong on-ball pressure, often turning opposing ball-handlers and disrupting rhythm. His combination of footwork, anticipation, and effort makes him one of Doniphan West's most reliable perimeter defenders. While it's unlikely that the Mustangs leap into the top tier of the league this season, a move toward the middle of the standings is a realistic and achievable goal. With Peterson leading the way, Doniphan West should be more competitive on a nightly basis — pushing opponents, grinding out games, and showing clear progress throughout the year.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Contenders - Frankfort, Centralia, Axtell</em></h3>   <p>Frankfort is poised to be right back in the mix at the top of the Twin Valley League this winter, returning one of the league's most dynamic players to lead the way. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2211366' first='Wes' last='Anderson'] will be the engine for this Frankfort team — a high-level athlete known for his scoring ability and relentless attacking style. Last season, Anderson delivered several explosive scoring performances, many of them coming against quality opponents, showcasing both his toughness and skill against top competition. Anderson is at his best when playing downhill. He uses his quick first step and explosiveness to get into the paint, where he consistently finishes through contact and absorbs physical play. He's fearless around the rim and often draws defenders, which opens up opportunities for his teammates. With the ball in his hands frequently, Anderson will serve as both a scorer and facilitator, capable of creating offense not only for himself but also for those around him. His athleticism allows him to get to his spots efficiently, whether slashing to the rim, pulling up in the mid-range, or creating in isolation. As a primary initiator, his ability to read defenses and make smart decisions will be key to Frankfort's success. The X-factor for Frankfort this season will be consistent contributions from the supporting cast. If the role players can step up and take pressure off Anderson by knocking down open shots, defending at a high level, and providing energy, Frankfort has the pieces to challenge the top contenders in the league.</p>   <p>Centralia enters this season looking to stay near the top of the league standings, following a strong campaign last year. While the team graduated several key seniors, they return one of the league's top talents in junior Quentin Alderfer, who will now step into an even larger role. Alderfer is poised to be the clear focal point of this Centralia team — and he's more than capable of carrying that responsibility. He plays with a steady composure and quiet confidence, particularly when handling the ball. Whether operating in the half-court or pushing the pace, Alderfer remains in control and makes smart, poised decisions. Offensively, he brings a versatile skill set. He's a reliable catch-and-shoot threat from the perimeter, able to stretch the floor and force defenses to close out hard. But what makes him especially dangerous is his combination of size, length, and feel — tools that allow him to attack off the dribble and finish inside. He's not overly flashy, but he's efficient, and he uses his frame well to create scoring angles around defenders. With more touches and a greater offensive workload this season, expect Alderfer's production to increase not only as a scorer but also as a playmaker. His vision and willingness to involve teammates should become a bigger part of his game, especially as defenses key in on him. The big question for Centralia will be how quickly the supporting cast can step up around him. If Alderfer is able to elevate the play of those around him early in the season, building chemistry and confidence with new contributors, Centralia has a strong chance to remain a top-tier team in the league once again.</p>   <p>Axtell has become a household name in Kansas high school basketball in recent years, consistently fielding disciplined, competitive teams built on the foundation of strong coaching, high-IQ players, and relentless effort. That winning formula remains in place heading into this season, even as the program faces the challenge of replacing two key contributors from last year's squad. The next wave of Axtell talent is already stepping up, led by Colin Shaughnessy and Logan Sandmann — two players poised to shoulder larger roles and keep the Eagles firmly in contention for a league title. Colin Shaughnessy will serve as the team's primary playmaker and tone-setter from the perimeter. A seasoned, experienced guard, Shaughnessy brings poise, versatility, and a well-rounded offensive game. He handles the ball confidently, especially in transition, where he thrives at probing defenses, reading coverages, and delivering the right pass at the right time. His unselfishness stands out, and he's equally comfortable creating for teammates as he is looking for his own shot. A known threat from beyond the arc, Shaughnessy's three-point shooting forces defenses to close out aggressively, which he uses to his advantage — attacking closeouts, getting into the paint, and finishing with touch and creativity. He's a highly efficient scorer who makes smart decisions, doesn't force shots, and elevates the players around him. On the defensive end, Shaughnessy is a tone-setter as well. He defends with effort and urgency, frequently makes hustle plays, and has a knack for taking charges or securing key rebounds to end possessions. His leadership and two-way impact will be critical to Axtell's success. Logan Sandmann, meanwhile, brings a physical presence in the frontcourt. He embraces contact and does the dirty work around the rim — battling on the boards, boxing out, and creating extra possessions through effort and anticipation. Sandmann was a major reason for Axtell's success last season, constantly flipping momentum with key rebounds, second-chance points, and tough finishes inside. What's especially exciting about Sandmann is his growing confidence and athleticism in the open floor. He's shown the ability to run the court with energy, finish in transition — sometimes above the rim — and energize the crowd with high-impact plays. As his offensive skill set continues to evolve, he could become one of the most dominant frontcourt players in the league this winter. While I've picked Hanover as the favorite to win the Twin Valley League, don't expect Axtell to fall far behind, if at all. With a strong returning duo and the culture of consistency they've built, Axtell should once again be neck and neck with the league's elite as the season progresses into February.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Champion - Hanover</em></h3>   <p>After a solid 2024–25 season, I'm picking Hanover to take the next step and capture the Twin Valley League title. This year's team returns a core group of experienced players and emerging contributors, giving the Wildcats a strong blend of leadership, depth, and upside. With returning production across multiple positions, Hanover looks poised not only to compete for the league crown but also to make a deep postseason run. Leading the charge is Braylon Meyn, a versatile guard who will be the engine of Hanover's offense and the tone-setter on defense. Meyn thrives with the ball in his hands, using a tight handle and elite quickness to break down defenses in the half court and in transition. He's an assertive scorer who can get downhill and finish through contact, but he's just as dangerous pulling up from mid-range, where he's shown touch and consistency. Defensively, his athleticism and anticipation allow him to pressure opposing ball handlers and generate turnovers. Expect Meyn to play major minutes as the primary creator and on-ball defender, taking on both leadership and production responsibilities. Tanner Bruna returns as a key presence and leader. Last season, he carved out a vital role as Hanover's second scoring option and one of its top rebounders. Offensively, he provides reliable scoring and can also create his own shot when needed. With added strength and experience, Bruna will likely take on more responsibility anchoring play on both ends, while also offering veteran leadership to a younger supporting cast. Cooper Bruna, expected to move into a larger role this year, brings high energy and effort to both ends of the floor. Defensively, he's active in passing lanes and can guard multiple positions thanks to his foot speed and instincts. Offensively, he contributes as a slasher who can finish at the rim and knock down open shots when defenses collapse. His role will likely expand as a glue guy — someone who defends, rebounds, and makes hustle plays that don't always show up in the box score but are essential to winning. Kadrick Cohorst is another player poised for a breakout season. As a high-IQ guard with excellent vision, Cohorst thrives as a facilitator. He reads defenses well, makes sharp passes off the dribble, and understands when to control tempo and when to push in transition. While not a volume scorer, he has shown the ability to knock down shots when left open and can penetrate to create for others. Expect him to take on the lead guard duties when Meyn plays off the ball, giving Hanover multiple playmaking threats on the floor. Hanover's depth is a significant strength. With several rotation players who can step in and contribute, they will have the flexibility to match up with different styles of play throughout the season. Their core group combines skill, athleticism, and basketball IQ — all the ingredients of a potential state contender. If this team continues to develop and stays healthy, I fully expect Hanover to not only win the Twin Valley League but to make a serious run at a state championship.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Top 5 All-Conference Team</em></h3>   <p><em>Braylon Meyn | 6'2" Guard | Hanover</em></p>   <p><em>Tanner Bruna | 6'0" Guard Hanover</em></p>   <p><em>Colin Shaughnessy | 6'2" Guard | Axtell</em></p>   <p><em>Quentin Alderfer | 6'1" Guard | Centralia</em></p>   <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2211366' first='Wes' last='Anderson'] | 5'10" Guard | Frankfort</em></p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Player of the Year - Braylon Meyn | 6'2" Guard | Hanover</em></h3>   <p>Braylon Meyn is my pick for Player of the Year — and for good reason. As the leader of a talented Hanover squad, Meyn brings a complete skill set and a unique ability to control the flow of the game on both ends of the floor. His versatility stands out; whether it's pushing the tempo in transition or settling into a half-court offense, Meyn can dictate pace and adjust his style of play based on the matchup. What sets him apart offensively is his combination of athleticism, ball-handling, and shooting range. He excels at getting downhill and attacking the rim, using quick first steps, body control, and touch around the basket. Defenders have to respect his ability to finish, which opens up passing lanes for him to distribute effectively to teammates. His court vision continues to develop, and he shows great awareness in drawing defenders and kicking out to shooters or finding cutters in motion. He's also deadly from the perimeter. Meyn has a smooth and confident shooting stroke, capable of pulling up in the mid-range or stepping out beyond the arc with consistency. That three-level scoring threat makes him incredibly tough to guard — especially with a strong supporting cast around him. Opponents won't be able to key in on him with traps and exotic defenses as easily, which should give him more space to operate and elevate his impact. Defensively, Meyn brings intensity and intelligence. He's quick laterally, capable of locking down primary ball-handlers, and has a knack for anticipating passes and forcing turnovers. His ability to guard multiple positions and make winning plays on that end of the floor sets him apart as a true two-way star. With his leadership, polished skill set, and ability to influence games in so many ways, Braylon Meyn is not just Hanover's top player — he's the most impactful player in the league.</p>

Next up: the Twin Valley League. I break down the teams and players to watch, spotlight a sleeper squad, analyze the top contenders, and reveal my pick to win the conference. Plus, I unveil my All-Conference “Top 5” and project this season's Player of the Year.