New Year, New Names: 2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Savailio "Mister" Smith (pictured) is a new name to the Kansas basketball scene. The transfer to Bennington brought a rare combination of physical gifts and basketball skills. He's long, solidly built, and can spring. He handles the ball and can play a variety of positions. He's averaging 18 points on a crazy 73% shooting. He's the top new name in the 2A classification, but he's not alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few more new names that are shaking up 2A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyler Crane</strong>, 6-foot-1 forward, 2023, Stanton County:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a slow start, Crane has really found his groove. He got on a string of seven straight games in double figures, He capped that run with 27 in a game against a team from Colorado. Of late, Crane has picked up his stroke from behind the arc. The senior is active on the boards, grabbing 6 rebounds a game too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169871' first='Kaeden' last='Kasselman']</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2025, Garden Plain:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Owls have played an absolutely brutal schedule for a 2A team, and they've suffered some heartbreaking losses. Their 2-7 record can certainly be excused. Kasselman has stepped forward as a team leader, including going to 22 and 25 points in his last couple of games. He's a big bodies forward who plays with physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyson Snyder</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2023, Holton:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A senior who is really stepping up, Snyder has helped the Wildcats to a 6-2 record, with both their losses coming to tough opponents. Snyder shows off some serious spring. He moves without the ball and makes himself available for passes in the paint or finding openings on the perimeter. He's been shooting it at a high clip this season too, averaging over 20 points on the season. He blew up for 32 against Bonner Springs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Uriah Tillapaugh</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, West Elk:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems every year West Elk graduates an athletic big and another steps into the void. Tillapaugh has taken a big step forward in his minutes and production this season. The 7-1 Patriots are getting great play in the paint and on the glass from the big junior. After throwing in 29 in a blowout of Bluestem, Tillapaugh is averaging 16 points and 9 boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->