Kansas Check-In: Has the Conversation in Kansas City Changed?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a full month of competition, it's time to take another look at the Kansas City area teams and reassess what we now know about them — and where they appear to be headed. The early portion of the season has already produced a number of surprises, from breakout performances by individual players to programs exceeding expectations and reshaping the local landscape. While there is still a significant portion of the season remaining, the action on the floor so far has offered valuable insight into team identities, strengths, and potential trajectories moving forward. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at five teams whose stock has risen over the first month of the season and examine the reasons behind their early success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Notable Teams</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bonner Springs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>It's hard to point to a team that has been more impressive early in the season than Bonner Springs. The Braves have rolled through their opening schedule, highlighted by a decisive win over a very tough Ottawa squad, and currently sit at a perfect 6–0. Their blend of depth and experience has been evident from the start and should continue to pay dividends as the calendar moves closer to postseason play in March.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2211348' first='Kelan' last='Gruver'] leads the way and continues to build on an outstanding career, impacting the game as a true do-it-all guard who can score, facilitate, and defend at a high level. Behind Gruver, the combination of [player_tooltip player_id='2820802' first='Jaiden' last='Jones'], Jason Jones, and Prince Donnell provides Bonner Springs with multiple sources of production, making the Braves both deep and difficult to game plan against. Gruver has already posted several monster performances in the early going, and if he can maintain that level of play while guiding this group, Bonner Springs appears well-positioned for a strong finish — even as the schedule becomes more challenging in the new year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bishop Miege</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Miege has compiled an impressive résumé to this point in the season, mixing decisive wins in games they've controlled from start to finish with quality victories over strong, well-established programs. Perhaps their most notable win came against Father Tolton, a program that consistently fields talented teams and has been a tough matchup in recent years. Banking those early wins should provide the Stags with added confidence as they move into the more challenging portion of their schedule.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the biggest differences for Miege this season has been its depth, which appears stronger than in recent years. The combination of [player_tooltip player_id='2205719' first='Liam' last='Tesmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2820764' first='Keenan' last='Poulsen'], and Keyvonte Hudson has given the Stags a reliable foundation. Tesmer and Poulsen form a steady backcourt capable of handling the ball, creating offense, and leading the team, while Hudson has emerged as a high-impact player due to his scoring ability and overall versatility. When paired with a supporting core of Jayden McDaniel, Wesley Walsh, and Jaylen Johnson, Miege boasts impressive balance and depth and continues to trend upward as the season progresses.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Atchison</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Atchison has long been known as a steady and competitive program, with multiple recent trips to the state tournament, but this season feels different. The Phoenix look like a legitimate Final Four contender with the potential to compete for a state title. Off to a perfect 7–0 start, they've handled strong opponents such as Junction City and Eudora in convincing fashion, further reinforcing their early-season momentum.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of Atchison's greatest strengths is its ability to come at you in waves, particularly in the backcourt. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2245740' first='Kael' last='Williams'], Trey'Von Gillum, Josiah Thompson, Jeremiah Thompson, and Zy'Dronn Mays give the team multiple ball-handlers, scorers, and defenders, allowing them to maintain pressure and control tempo throughout games. That guard play is complemented by size and physicality on the interior from Yogi Purdy and Javontae Kelley, enabling Atchison to match up well with virtually any opponent and dictate the flow of play. With its balance, depth, and consistency, this group appears poised to continue trending upward and should firmly be a factor when the season reaches its conclusion.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blue Valley Northwest</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>It comes as little surprise that Blue Valley Northwest is once again enjoying a strong season, as sustained success has become the standard for the Huskies. After a tough early loss to what appears to be a very strong Life Prep squad, Blue Valley Northwest has responded well, steadying itself and building momentum as the season has progressed. The Huskies have consistently challenged themselves, matching up against quality programs from across the state and region, and have looked dominant for long stretches as a result.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Like the other teams on this list, Blue Valley Northwest thrives on versatility and depth, featuring a roster filled with players capable of impacting the game in different ways. The Huskies are guard-heavy, with [player_tooltip player_id='1530221' first='Ayden' last='McGibboney'] leading the attack, while [player_tooltip player_id='2205712' first='Elijah' last='Bwami'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2205725' first='Tommy' last='Chapman'] provide reliable scoring and athleticism on the wings. [player_tooltip player_id='2205720' first='Lincoln' last='Elliott'], Zach Fritz, Bryson Werner, and [player_tooltip player_id='2205705' first='Aidan' last='Ihm'] further bolster an already talented perimeter group, giving the Huskies multiple options offensively and defensively.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One area to watch as the season continues is the development of Vincent Matteoni, whose growth could be especially important against bigger, more physical opponents. His ability to provide size, strength, and interior presence has already shown flashes early in the year and will be worth monitoring. With their balance, depth, and experience, there is little doubt that Blue Valley Northwest has the pieces in place to make a deep run as postseason play approaches.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Piper</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Piper earns a spot on this list largely because of the challenging schedule they've embraced early in the season. The 5A Pirates faced some of the toughest competition in the region during the first month, taking on programs like Seaman, Topeka West, Shawnee Heights, and Mill Valley. While they finished 2–2 in those contests, all four games were tightly contested, and their win over Mill Valley stands out as particularly impressive.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The schedule won't get any easier as the season progresses, with multiple high-profile matchups still on the horizon. These challenging tests will continue to harden the team and should pay off come postseason time. Piper also boasts one of the top players in 5A right now in [player_tooltip player_id='2209781' first='DJ' last='Jackson']. With Jackson leading the way and a supporting cast of impact players around him, the Pirates are a compelling team to watch. Alamar Brooks, [player_tooltip player_id='2211352' first='Cooper' last='Crawford'], and Johnny Vogel provide key secondary production, while the roster's depth — including role and bench contributors — gives Piper balance and versatility that could carry them deep into the spring.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Future Matchups to See</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bonner Springs at Eudora - January 16th, 7:30 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bishop Miege vs. Rockhurst - January 27th, 7:00 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Atchison at Washington - January 16th, 7:00 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blue Valley Northwest vs. Benton - January 6th, 7:00 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Piper vs. Oak Park (Neutral Site) - January 10th, 8:00 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->