Player of the Year in 1A-I and 1A-II Could Be Season-Long Battle

Both 1A-I and 1A-II are poised to deliver compelling storylines this winter, as the battle for player of the year honors in each classification promises to stretch from opening night to the final buzzer of the season. What makes this year especially intriguing is the depth of returning talent across both levels — from dominant post players who control the paint to dynamic guards capable of taking over games with their scoring and playmaking. The mix of established stars and emerging standouts should make the player of the year conversation as unpredictable as it is competitive. Several players enter the season with proven track records — state tournament experience, all-league honors, and breakout performances from last winter — while others are ready to elevate their roles and make their mark on a bigger stage. When the talent pool is this deep, the result is often a more balanced race at the top. Teams with multiple all-state-caliber players can make serious runs in their respective regions, and individual matchups between contenders could play a major role in shaping not only postseason seeding but also award considerations. Over the next few weeks, I'll be breaking down some of the key names to watch in both 1A-I and 1A-II — players whose production, leadership, and impact could separate them from the pack. Each brings a unique skill set and storyline to the court, and by season's end, any one of them could be the one holding the player of the year title.   Jack Herd | 6'4" Forward | Senior | South Central (1A-I)   Herd might be the most physically imposing player in all of 1A basketball, consistently overpowering opponents with his strength, athleticism, and relentless energy. He plays with a forceful presence on both ends of the floor, setting the tone for South Central through his aggression and intensity. In the open court, Herd runs the floor like a guard, often taking the ball coast to coast and finishing above the rim with authority — his dunks are delivered with pure power and enthusiasm that can swing momentum in an instant.   Around the basket, Herd's explosiveness and physicality make him a dominant rebounder. He uses his strong frame to carve out position, pursuing the ball with two hands and finishing plays through contact. Despite his power, he also possesses surprising quickness and mobility for his size, which allows him to guard multiple positions and apply pressure defensively throughout games.   Offensively, Herd shows more polish than many expect from a power-oriented player. His footwork in the post is advanced — utilizing pivots, spins, and fakes to create separation and score efficiently around the rim. Whether facing up or playing with his back to the basket, he demonstrates touch, balance, and the ability to finish over or through defenders.   With his combination of physical dominance, agility, and improving skill, Herd looks primed for a breakout season. Expect him to put up big numbers while leading South Central on a deep postseason push.   [player_tooltip player_id='2488757' first='Brecken' last='McGuire'] | 6'1" Guard | Junior | Olpe (1A-I)   McGuire is the lone non-senior on this list, but his age does nothing to diminish his impact or qualifications. Already playing with the maturity and confidence of an upperclassman, he brings a calm, composed presence to Olpe's backcourt and has the skill set to take over games in a variety of ways. Offensively, McGuire's shooting range is exceptional — he can stretch defenses well beyond the arc, forcing opponents to extend coverage and opening driving lanes for himself and teammates. His quick release and confidence from deep make him a constant threat to change the momentum of a game with a single scoring run.   Beyond his perimeter shooting, McGuire is highly creative as a finisher. He has great body control around the rim, finishing with either hand and using extension or touch to score over length. He's equally comfortable attacking in transition or in the half court, where he varies his pace effectively to keep defenders off balance. Once he gets a defender on his hip, McGuire shows advanced instincts as a facilitator — drawing help defenders and delivering well-timed drop-offs or kick-out passes to open teammates.   That blend of shot-making, poise, and playmaking makes McGuire one of the most dynamic underclassmen in Kansas small-school basketball. As his confidence and leadership continue to grow, he should emerge as both a player-of-the-year contender and the driving force behind another deep postseason run for Olpe.   Drake Skirvin | 6'6" Center | Senior | Burlingame (1A-I)   Skirvin stands out as one of the most unique and dominant players at the 1A level. His rare combination of size, athleticism, and skill makes him a true difference-maker — the kind of player who can single-handedly shift the momentum of a game. Few opponents possess the physical tools to match his presence on both ends of the floor, and even fewer can contain the energy and intensity he brings each night.   While he's capable of operating effectively in the half court, Skirvin truly thrives in transition, where his speed and explosiveness allow him to finish plays above the rim and put constant pressure on opposing defenses. Offensively, he plays with a powerful, attacking mindset — finishing through contact, dunking with authority, and creating second-chance opportunities through relentless rebounding. His ability to control the glass not only fuels his own scoring but also generates extra possessions for his team.   Defensively, Skirvin anchors the paint with his shot-blocking ability, timing, and length. He alters countless attempts around the rim and uses his wingspan to deflect passes, disrupt ball handlers, and spark fast-break opportunities. His defensive versatility allows him to impact the game both as a rim protector and as an on-ball defender capable of switching onto smaller players.   Fans across the state should expect plenty of highlight-reel moments from Drake this season — dunks, blocks, and big-time plays that will bring crowds to their feet. Simply put, he's the kind of talent that doesn't come around often at the 1A level, and his presence alone makes his team a contender every time they take the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='2403178' first='Gavin' last='Wahl'] | 6'5" Forward | Senior | South Gray (1A-I)   Operating primarily as a point forward, Wahl brings a rare blend of versatility and control that allows him to impact every facet of the game. Defensively, his length, anticipation, and basketball IQ make him a true matchup problem for opponents. He's capable of guarding all five positions — moving fluidly on the perimeter to contain guards while using his size and timing to challenge shots and protect the rim. His awareness in help situations and ability to read rotations often lead to steals, deflections, and transition opportunities for South Gray.   On the offensive end, Wahl serves as the team's primary initiator, comfortably handling the ball and orchestrating the attack. He has a strong understanding of how to draw multiple defenders, creating mismatches and open looks for teammates. His unselfishness and vision allow him to thrive as both a playmaker and a scorer. Wahl can stretch the floor with a confident outside shot or use his length, footwork, and touch to score effectively around the basket.   That balance of size, skill, and intelligence makes Wahl one of the most complete players in his classification. His ability to fill the stat sheet — rebounding, facilitating, scoring, and defending at a high level — should once again put South Gray in position for another deep postseason run.   Ed Horinek | 6'0" Guard | Senior | Beloit-St. John's (1A-II)   Horinek enters the winter as one of the premier small-school guards in Kansas and the unquestioned catalyst for Beloit-St. John's offensive attack. Everything the Blujays do runs through him — he's comfortable controlling tempo, initiating sets, and creating off the dribble. Quick and decisive with the ball, Horinek excels at reading and reacting to defensive coverages, particularly when operating out of ball screens. His ability to split defenders and penetrate the lane makes him a constant threat to collapse defenses, where he can either finish creatively around the rim or pull up with a smooth floater or touch shot.   Beyond his ability to create off the bounce, Horinek's perimeter shooting adds another dimension to his game. He has a compact, efficient release and is especially dangerous when catching and shooting or coming off dribble handoffs. That willingness to hunt shots keeps defenders on edge and opens driving lanes for both himself and his teammates.   In transition, Horinek thrives at pushing the pace, advancing the ball quickly up the floor either off the dribble or with well-timed outlet passes. His awareness and decision-making help Beloit-St. John's generate easy scoring opportunities before defenses can get set.   Defensively, Horinek brings the same energy and instincts that make him effective on offense. He's active in passing lanes, uses quick hands to poke balls free, and consistently turns defensive stops into fast-break chances. His anticipation and competitiveness on that end of the floor set the tone for his team and often spark momentum-changing plays.   Braylon Meyn | 6'2" Guard | Senior | Hanover (1A-II)   Meyn is expected to lead Hanover this season and remains one of the most recognizable talents in the area. A dynamic, multi-sport athlete, Braylon's combination of athleticism and skill makes him a matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he thrives as both a slasher and a perimeter threat, forcing defenders to respect his ability to score in multiple ways. His explosiveness allows him to attack closeouts, finish through contact, and elevate over defenders, while his improving perimeter jumper prevents opponents from simply sagging off.   With the ball in his hands, Meyn plays with confidence and control. He's strong off the bounce and comfortable operating in an uptempo setting, using sharp footwork, body control, and a series of creative dribble moves to maneuver past defenders. In the half court, he demonstrates a natural feel for the game — using pivots, head fakes, and shot fakes to generate separation and create clean looks from all three levels.   His shooting continues to progress as well, showing a smooth, repeatable release and growing consistency from deep. That combination of athleticism, shooting touch, and composure gives Hanover a versatile offensive leader capable of taking over games. As Meyn continues to refine his all-around skill set, he should remain one of the top small-school players to watch across Kansas this season.   Colin Shaughnessy | 6'2" Guard | Senior | Axtell (1A-II)   Shaughnessy steps into the spotlight this season as Axtell's primary scorer and playmaker, taking the reins for a program that once again projects to be among the strongest in its classification. Colin has long been recognized as a dangerous perimeter shooter — a player capable of catching fire from deep and stretching defenses with his range. When he finds a rhythm, he can score efficiently from multiple spots on the floor, forcing opponents to adjust their coverage.   Over the past season, Shaughnessy also showcased growth in his ability to attack off the dribble. He reads closeouts well, using quick decision-making to get downhill, where his body control and length allow him to finish with creativity around the rim. While he's highly effective off the ball — using smart cuts, timing, and spacing to free himself — expect to see him handle the ball more frequently this year. That expanded role should highlight his strong passing instincts and floor vision, enabling him to create offense not just for himself but also for teammates.   Defensively, Shaughnessy brings a versatile and disciplined presence. He's capable of guarding multiple positions, using lateral quickness and strength to contain perimeter scorers while also battling inside against bigger opponents when needed. His defensive IQ shows through in his rotations, closeouts, and willingness to do the small things that impact winning — rebounding outside his area, diving for loose balls, and taking charges.   With his blend of shooting, playmaking, and two-way competitiveness, Shaughnessy is poised to be the driving force behind another deep run for Axtell this season.

Both 1A-I and 1A-II are poised to deliver compelling storylines this winter, as the battle for player of the year honors in each classification promises to stretch from opening night to the final buzzer of the season. What makes this year especially intriguing is the depth of returning talent across both levels — from dominant post players who control the paint to dynamic guards capable of taking over games with their scoring and playmaking. The mix of established stars and emerging standouts should make the player of the year conversation as unpredictable as it is competitive. Several players enter the season with proven track records — state tournament experience, all-league honors, and breakout performances from last winter — while others are ready to elevate their roles and make their mark on a bigger stage. When the talent pool is this deep, the result is often a more balanced race at the top. Teams with multiple all-state-caliber players can make serious runs in their respective regions, and individual matchups between contenders could play a major role in shaping not only postseason seeding but also award considerations. Over the next few weeks, I'll be breaking down some of the key names to watch in both 1A-I and 1A-II — players whose production, leadership, and impact could separate them from the pack. Each brings a unique skill set and storyline to the court, and by season's end, any one of them could be the one holding the player of the year title.