Kansas Preview: North Central Activities League Deep and Talented

I turn my attention to the North Central Activities Association, diving into what promises to be a competitive and interesting race this season. In this in-depth preview, I spotlight a sleeper team that could shake things up, analyze the top contenders vying for the league title, and reveal my pick to win the conference. I also unveil my preseason All-Conference “Top 5” selections and share my projection for the 2025–26 Player of the Year.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sleeper - Beloit</h3>   Beloit enters the 2025–26 season with questions to answer but plenty of potential to remain competitive. The Trojans lose a significant amount of production from last year's team — including their top two scorers — which leaves a noticeable void in offensive leadership. However, what they lack in returning firepower, they may make up for in experience, chemistry, and senior depth. This year's team will be anchored by a deep senior class that has been part of the program's core for several seasons. The group is highlighted by Luke Cheney, Charlie Burke, Brody Litton, and Joel Rexroat, all of whom bring valuable experience and familiarity with the system. That continuity should provide a strong foundation, especially early in the season as the team works to define its identity. The biggest key for Beloit will be establishing a go-to scoring option — someone who can step into a leadership role and consistently produce when the game is on the line. Between Cheney and Litton, the Trojans may have that answer. Cheney brings perimeter skill and the ability to space the floor, while Litton provides interior toughness and a physical presence in the paint. If the two can develop a strong inside-out dynamic, Beloit could be a tough matchup on both ends. Burke and Rexroat will also be counted on to bring energy, defensive effort, and secondary scoring — all vital if Beloit wants to pull off upsets and work their way into the middle tier of the league standings. With their experience and chemistry, this group shouldn't be overlooked. If roles solidify and one or two players rise to the challenge, Beloit has the potential to surprise teams and finish higher than expected.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders - Ellsworth, Southeast of Saline</h3>   Ellsworth is ready to take a major step forward this season, emerging as a legitimate contender in the league. With their top two scorers returning and a roster filled with experience, the Bearcats have the tools to compete at a high level and challenge for a top spot in the standings. Leading the charge is Tucker Goss, a high-motor guard who plays with intensity, passion, and edge. Goss thrives on the defensive end, where his energy and physicality make him one of the most disruptive on-ball defenders in the league. He consistently applies pressure, forces turnovers, and uses those stops to ignite his offensive game. Offensively, he's at his best in the open floor — pushing tempo, attacking downhill, and finishing through contact. He embraces physical play, often initiating contact and drawing fouls as he gets to the rim. His relentless style sets the tone for Ellsworth on both ends. Alongside him, Cooper McGowan might be the most active and versatile player in the league. He impacts games in virtually every area — defending multiple positions, crashing the glass, facilitating the offense, and scoring when needed. McGowan's motor never stops; he's constantly pursuing loose balls, diving into passing lanes, and generating second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds and steals. In transition, he's dangerous, using his size and length to finish strong at the basket. Defensively, his length allows him to guard the ball effectively and disrupt passing lanes, making him a key piece on both sides of the court. With Goss and McGowan leading the way — and a deep, experienced roster behind them — Ellsworth looks ready to make a serious run this season. While Sacred Heart remains the clear favorite, the Bearcats should be firmly in the mix for second place, and a strong finish could put them in striking distance of a league title late in the season.   After a third-place finish in the North Central Athletic Association last season, Southeast of Saline looks ready to re-enter the contender conversation in 2025–26. With a proven star in [player_tooltip player_id='2403142' first='Gannon' last='Jacobson'] and a supporting cast poised to take the next step, the Trojans have the potential to challenge the league's top teams — including powerhouse Sacred Heart. Jacobson returns as one of the most skilled and intelligent scorers in the league, and he's expected to continue his upward trajectory this season. What makes him so difficult to defend is his crafty, unconventional style. He can knock down threes both off the catch and off the dribble, forcing defenders to stay honest on the perimeter. But his game doesn't stop there — Jacobson also possesses a quick and elusive first step, which he uses to get into the paint, where he's highly effective finishing with either hand. He's especially good at extending the ball away from defenders, finishing through contact, and creating tough angles around the rim. Jacobson won't have to do it alone. Tiernan Ptacek is a rising player who showed real growth last season and is expected to take on a bigger role this year. A left-handed guard with shiftiness, confidence, and ball-handling ability, Ptacek can break down defenses and get into the lane consistently. He also brings value as a multi-positional defender and should play a key role on both ends of the floor. As his impact increases, he could provide the secondary scoring and playmaking that will allow Jacobson more freedom offensively. The key for Southeast of Saline will be getting consistent production from their role players. If others can step up and contribute — especially on the defensive end and the glass — this team has the toughness and star power to push Sacred Heart and potentially shake up the top of the standings. With Jacobson leading the way and Ptacek emerging as a strong second option, Southeast of Saline could be a dangerous and overlooked team in the league.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Champion - Sacred Heart</h3>   Sacred Heart put together an elite campaign in 2024–25, finishing the season with just one blemish — a late-season loss — in what was otherwise a dominant run. Heading into this winter, the Knights look fully capable of continuing that momentum, returning a huge amount of production, experience, and leadership. With one of the most complete rosters in the state, Sacred Heart has the tools to contend for a state title once again. The heart of this team lies in its core four: Will Tuttle, Noah Hines, Maddox Wells, and Dominic Matteucci — a group that combines talent, versatility, and big-game experience. Will Tuttle leads the way with a rare combination of size, skill, and shooting efficiency. Arguably the league's most accurate shooter, Tuttle has proven he can stretch the floor with deep, consistent three-point range. He's just as dangerous on the interior, where he uses his frame to score through contact and work the glass. His ability to impact the game inside and out makes him one of the toughest matchups in the area. Noah Hines adds another layer to Sacred Heart's offense with his ability to initiate the offense and shoot at a high level from beyond the arc. A capable ball-handler with good vision, Hines balances scoring and playmaking well, and looks poised to increase his production this year. His ability to control tempo and make smart decisions will be key as he takes on more of a leadership role. Maddox Wells and Dominic Matteucci are two names that could break out in a big way this season. Both are strong defenders and versatile offensive threats, capable of contributing in transition and executing in the half-court. Wells brings intensity on both ends of the floor, while Matteucci shows great instincts and toughness, often making winning plays that shift momentum. As their roles expand, expect them to become more consistent contributors and potential difference-makers in big games. With depth, chemistry, and high-end talent across the board, Sacred Heart not only looks like the team to beat in the North Central Athletic Association -- but a legitimate threat to cut down the nets in March at the state tournament.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 (6)* All-Conference Team</h3>   Noah Hines | 6'1" Guard | Sacred Heart   Will Tuttle | 6'3" Wing | Sacred Heart   Maddox Wells | 5'9" Guard | Sacred Heart   [player_tooltip player_id='2403142' first='Gannon' last='Jacobson'] | 6'1" Guard | Southeast of Saline   Owen Just | 6'0" Guard | Minneapolis *   Cooper McGowan | 6'2" Wing | Ellsworth *   *=Tied   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Player of the Year - Will Tuttle | 6'3" Wing | Sacred Heart</h3>   I see the race for North Central Activities Association Player of the Year coming down to two standouts: Will Tuttle and [player_tooltip player_id='2403142' first='Gannon' last='Jacobson']. While both are talented players, I'm giving the edge to Tuttle — largely due to the success I expect Sacred Heart to have this season and Tuttle's ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. Tuttle possesses an ideal blend of length, strength, and skill, making him a true inside-out threat. He's a high-level shooter, connecting on a very efficient percentage from beyond the arc last season. What separates him as a shooter is not just his accuracy, but his awareness — he's always ready to catch and fire, constantly moving without the ball to find space and stretch defenses. His perimeter threat creates driving lanes, especially when defenders close out too hard, allowing him to attack off the bounce and either finish or force defensive rotations. Tuttle's offensive versatility — as a shooter, slasher, and isolation scorer — makes him a matchup problem night in and night out. Tuttle also benefits from a talented and balanced supporting cast, which should allow him more freedom within the offense. Expect him to be featured in isolation sets and pick-and-pop actions, where he can exploit mismatches and create pressure on opposing defenses. Defensively, Tuttle holds his own as well. His size and physicality make him a factor on the glass, and he's a reliable presence guarding multiple positions. He rebounds at a high level and doesn't shy away from contact, often helping close out possessions or generating second-chance opportunities. All things considered, Tuttle's combination of shooting, size, two-way impact, and team success make him my preseason favorite for Player of the Year in the NCAA.

I turn my attention to the North Central Activities Association, diving into what promises to be a competitive and interesting race this season. In this in-depth preview, I spotlight a sleeper team that could shake things up, analyze the top contenders vying for the league title, and reveal my pick to win the conference. I also unveil my preseason All-Conference “Top 5” selections and share my projection for the 2025–26 Player of the Year.