Best in Central Kansas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June is high school team month. After a spring spent with club programs, players return to their high schools for a few weeks of practice and scrimmaging with their high school teammates. So that's a good time for Prep Hoops to look around the state for a “Best of” series.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we move across the landscape, we come to the middle part of the state. Here's our take on the Best in Central Kansas:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top ranked senior – #10, [player_tooltip player_id='1270299' first='Eli' last='Lawson'], 6-foot-7 center, 2024, Bennington (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season did end quite like the Bulldogs would have liked, but the future is bright. They return one of the best big men in the state regardless of class in Lawson, who has proved himself in club action against opponents from throughout the Midwest. He's fundamentally skilled and has a host of moves on the block. The long, powerful senior averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top ranked junior – #14, [player_tooltip player_id='1740754' first='Barrett' last='Moddelmog']g, 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Moundridge:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If people didn't know a lot about this guy prior to the 2A state tournament, they heard his name when he hit the buzzer beater to lift the Wildcats over St. Marys. He scored 35 points in the Wildcats' three-game run to the title. He supported the Wildcats' senior leaders with 16 points and 5.5 boards per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most Underappreciated – [player_tooltip player_id='1461340' first='Will' last='Cravens'], 6-foot-3 guard, 2024, Ellsworth:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guy has an exciting game. Cravens is a high riser with good size for a combo guard. He carried a big load for the Bearcats last year, scoring 22 points and dealing out 3.5 assists per game. He shows in club action that he's much more than a scorer. But when Ellsworth needs production, Cravens can get in the paint and create a variety of shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top rising talent – <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2209727' first='Ian' last='Premer']</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2026, Great Bend:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most impactful ninth graders in the state last year, Premer stepped right into the lineup. He's big, athletic and skilled. The level of competition was not too much for him as he averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds and earned first team in the All-Western Athletic Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top team – McPherson:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hands down, this will be the team to watch in the central part of the state. They came up short against Hugoton in last year's 4A tournament, but they will bring everyone back minus post player <strong>Mason Miller</strong>. Their collection of guards will be among the best in any classification. They will feature seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1436793' first='Kyden' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1461339' first='Cory' last='Muehler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1953952' first='Kreighton' last='Kanitz'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556702' first='Owen' last='Pyle']</strong>, but that's not all the talent on the Bullpups roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->