Final look: 1A Div II with Big Shoes to Fill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at the last of the classes, we're looking at players who might take the place of all-state graduates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some returning 1A Div. II players who will have the chance to fill some big shoes (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2393807' first='Eli' last='Broxterman']</strong>, 5-foot-11 guard, 2025, Axtell:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaac Detweiler</strong> was the ringleader, but Axtell relied on some really good guys who return. <strong>Brandon Smelzle</strong> will bring size to the lineup, but Broxterman will take up some of Detweiler's role at guard. Broxterman averaged 12 points per game as a sophomore and gained great experience on the trip to state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davin Hamby</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2024, Pawnee Heights:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No way anyone replaces <strong>Alec Carlson</strong>, who scored nearly 2,000 points in his career. But Hamby gained great experience and can stuff the stat sheet, even if he doesn't go for 20 every night. He dished out 3 assists per game and can score at all three levels. He was consistently in the teens in scoring, and erupted for 25 against a tough Meade team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Kerschenske</strong>, 6-foot-4 center, 2024, Stafford:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small schools rarely can replace a guy like 6-foot-6 <strong>Josh Hildebrand</strong>, an athletic all-stater. But Stafford is blessed to have another long, solidly built big in Kerschenske. He averaged 8 points and 8 boards as a sidekick to Hildebrand, hitting 53% of his attempts. He will be capable of much more as the team's leading returner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2393818' first='Zach' last='Oswald']</strong>, 6-foot-3 center, 2025, Lebo:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lebo doesn't have anyone in line to replace star guard <strong>Landon Grimmett</strong>. They can, however, go big with Oswald and forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387736' first='Grayson' last='Shoemaker']</strong>. Oswald is a powerful space eater who can really clean up on the boards. He averaged 11 points and 8 boards on the state tournament run as a sophomore. He averaged 11 points per game at the tournament on 11-21 shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387785' first='Jackson' last='Risley']</strong>, 6-foot-1 forward, 2024, Caldwell:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teagan Thompson </strong>put together a couple of really nice seasons leading the Outlaws. He was a versatile producer on the court. Helping fill his absence will be Risley, a versatile forward who plays bigger then 6-foot-1. He chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists as a junior. He went for 20 or more points four times, including the last game in which he went down fighting with 23 against Cunningham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->