Stars of the 2A Championship
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The Wabaunsee Chargers started the season 1-10, injuries and COVID quarantines preventing them from playing to their potential. Once they got over that hump, they went on a historic run to the state final. But the Cinderella season was finally…
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Continue ReadingThe Wabaunsee Chargers started the season 1-10, injuries and COVID quarantines preventing them from playing to their potential. Once they got over that hump, they went on a historic run to the state final. But the Cinderella season was finally halted by Hillsboro 59-50.
Here are some of the top performances in the final game:
Brekyn Ratzlaff Brekyn Ratzlaff 6'0" | PG Hillsboro | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Hillsboro:
Ratzlaff showed in the first quarter why he is one of the top young guards in the state. His playmaking was on display with some drives to the hoop and a long 3-pointer. He is adept at breaking down a man-to-man defender and penetrating to kick out to an open shooter. With the ball, he has style and a little bit of swagger, as well as a lot of toughness. On defense, the best description for the 6-foot-1 guard is ‘sneaky.’ He has great anticipation and constantly gets his hands on the ball. He finished with 16 points, and was the creative leader of the champs.
Matthew Potucek, junior, Hillsboro (pictured):
A lot of the toughness of the Trojans is provided by this 6-foot guard/wing. He takes a licking, and dishes some out too. He is built like a linebacker and drives to the goal with abandon. His defense and rebounding are just as integral as his offense. He had 18 against Belle Plain, 9 points and 10 boards against Lyndon, and finished with a team-high 17 points in the championship game.
Grayson Ratzlaff, junior, Hillsboro:
Providing athleticism and rim protection was the 6-foot-7 Ratzlaff. He is long and graceful, but also provides the physical toughness that is Hillsboro’s trademark. He had his hands on a lot of balls at the defensive end, slapping it out of the hands of Chargers, intercepting passes or blocking shots in the lane. He pulled down a couple of rebounds in traffic with ferocity. He finished 7-12 from the field for 14 points, and led all rebounders with 11.
Tyler Lohmeyer, senior, Wabaunsee:
The senior left it all on the floor in his final game. He chased plays full court, made several deflections and steals, and hounded the Trojans’ bigs when the ventured to the perimeter. He is solidly built and physical, and provided the toughness in the lane for Wabaunsee. He only produced 6 points in the final, but had 19 against Valley Falls and 20 against Hoxie.
Dawson Schultz, senior, Wabaunsee:
While Wabaunsee returns a lot of talent from this team, they will really miss the mature leadership and grit of Lohmeyer and Schultz. The 5-foot-9 guard was a fiery defender, battling the talented guards of Hillsboro toe-to-toe. He handled the ball and guided the Charger attack, crashed the boards, and played with the intensity that embodied the special Wabaunsee season.
Brayden Meseke Brayden Meseke 6'0" | CG Wabaunsee | 2022 State KS , junior, Wabaunsee:
Meseke simply refused to lose with anything left in the tank. He took over the game in the second half, making ferocious drives and impossible shots in the lane. His 7-15 shooting is remarkable considering the degree of difficulty of his attempts. He hit three 3-pointers and scored 15 points in the second half, finishing with 22 total. Though just 5-11, Meseke is really good at grabbing the rebound in traffic and then pushing it up the floor through traffic. His teammates are able to sprint up the floor when Meseke grabs a board, because it always turns into a fast break opportunity.