PREVIEW: Frontier League

Eric Pannell

October 24, 2019 @ 08:00 PM

Frontier League Baldwin (1-20, 0-11) Key Losses: Monroe Morgan (6’2, G), Nathan Cessna (5’11, G) Baldwin will be looking to replace its leading scorer and third-leading scorer from last season with the graduation of Morgan, who averaged 12.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs will be leaning on Jordan Barth for production this season as the 6’0 guard averaged 9.2 points per game as a junior last season. Bonner Springs (20-3, 10-0) Key Losses: Keyon Thomas (5’11, G), Alan Watson (5’9, G), Nasjon Porter (6’0, G) Bonner Springs will be replacing one of the state’s top guard combinations in Keyon Thomas and Alan Watson as the pair proved to be dynamic at both ends of the floor. The Braves will also have to replace Nasjon Porter, a 6’0 guard who averaged 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. This season, Bonner Springs will be looking to do-everything guard Rishaud Dockery, as well as Ethan Byers, who averaged nearly five points last season. The Braves could also get a boost from a pair of 6’6 junior forwards, Corland Hervey and Caden Lipp. Eudora (10-10, 5-5) Key Losses: Rock Jerome (6’2, G), Lonnie Ford (6’3, F) Eudora loses a lot in senior guard Rock Jerome and forward Lonnie Ford, but return several players who have varsity experience. Leading the way this season will be guard Noah Watkins and Brett Breedlove, as the Cardinals attempt to get back to the top of the league. KC Piper (21-4, 8-1) Key Losses: Trey Bates (6’0, G) KC Piper will have to replace Trey Bates, one of the state’s premier point guards last season, and 6’5 do-it-all forward Braijion Barnes, but return Bates' younger brother, Tamar Bates, who has emerged as one of the state’s premier prospects. Tamar Bates will be joined by 6’4 2020 Gabe Eskina, a skilled forward and 6’4 2020 Ty Shelley, who is among the state’s top outside shooters. Louisburg (9-14. 5-7) Key Losses: Kohl Vogel (5’7, G). Louisburg is coming off a 9-14 season a year ago, but return a lot of key pieces in 2019-20, including 2022 wing Julian Margrave, 2020 F Madden Rutherford, 2020 guard Michael Waldron, 2020 guard Ben Gutterman and others. Ottawa (12-9, 7-2) Key Losses: NA The Cycolnes are poised for a big season in 2019-20, armed with a deep and talanted roster that features one of the league’s top all-around players in forward Kobe Johnson. Johnson and guard Cade Gollier will form a tough 1-2 punch this season. Mix in senior guard Jayson Brown, sophomore guard Noah McCullough and the Cyclones could challenge for a league title this season. Paola (6-16, 3-8) Key Losses: Corbin Grant (6’4, F) Paola had a tough go of things last season, but return one of the league bright young players in 6’3 2022 forward Trey Moala as well as several seniors who will help shoulder the load, including Lamont Hill, Garrett Williams and Ryan Wokutch among others. Spring Hill (13-11, 5-5) Key Losses: Brennen Feeback (6’5, F), Easton Jones (6’5, F), John Frakes (6’11, C). Spring Hill had several of the Kansas City area’s most underrated performers last season and a big, athletic front line that featured standout Brennen Feeback, do-everything wing Easton Jones and 6’11 big man John Frakes. With those players gone, the Broncos will be looking to several players to play at a high level this season, including 6’5 2020 wing player Alex Johnson, among others. Tonganoxie (10-12, 3-8) Key Losses: Hayden Robbins (6’2, G) The Chieftains will lean on senior Elijah Tyner and a talented 2021 class in 2019-20 for production. The team went 10-12 last season and lose xx Robbins from that squad who averaged 10.7 points per game and led Tonganoxie in rebounding at 6.2 per contest. However, returning this season is Dallas Bond who averaged 13 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season as a sophomore. Mix in Tyner, and Rylee 2021 Beach, who got key varsity minutes last season, and the Chieftains appear poised for a breakthrough season.