AVCTL I basketball preview

*Kansas Pregame will release its second annual Winter Preview late next week. This year we're trying something new by releasing some of our preview coverage of basketball and wrestling online prior to the release of our complete digital edition of the magazine, followed the second week of December by distribution of hard copies. Follow along here and on social media for complete distribution details. COACHES, don't see your team listed or have updates to your lineup? Email us details at pregamequestionnaires@gmail.com.

AVCTL Division I basketball looked ready to cap a season for the ages last March with the Maize boys in Class 5A and Derby girls in Class 6A.

Both had won first-round games in their respective state tournaments; both were still unbeaten and both were favorites to bring home state titles.

But, sometimes, things don't work out the way you want them to.

Maize was stunned in the 5A semifinals by eventual champion Andover Central, a member of AVCTL Division II, and Derby fell to Washburn Rural, ending its chances for a second straight state championship.

Both teams rebounded to finish third to wrap up one-loss seasons.

Oh, so close.

There's work to be done for both programs before the 2019-20 season begins. Maize lost 10 seniors from last year's team, including Kansas Pregame 2018 Winter coverboy Caleb Grill, now at Iowa State, while Derby's four-year starter, and covergirl, 6-foot-6 Kennedy Brown, is now at Oregon State.

But, don't shed too many tears for either program.  Both will be very competitive again.

BOYS

The CAMPUS Colts are receiving plenty of preseason recognition as not only the team to beat in the league, but also a club to challenge for state honors in Class 6A.

Head coach Chris Davis returns four starters from a 17-5 team that was eliminated by Wichita Southeast in last year's sub-state championship game.

Sterling Chapman, a 6-4 junior, averaged 14.6 points per game last year and is joined by his older brother, Steele Chapman, a 6-1 senior who scored 8.0 points a game. Both earned second-team all-league honors. Also back are 6-4 senior Shawn Warrior (14.0 ppg.) and 6-5 senior Thomas King (11.2), who both scored in double figures last year.

When asked what his team's goals were this season, Davis said, "Obviously, to win our league and play on Saturday night in Koch Arena."

In case you didn't know, Koch Arena hosts the 6A state tournament.

MAIZE High must replace all five starters from last year's 24-1 team, including guard Caleb Grill, who earned all-state honors and is now at Iowa State.  K.J. Hampton (junior) and Jacob Hanna (sophomore) were the only non-seniors on the Eagles' state tournament roster.

"We're looking to improve throughout the year and compete in every game to give ourselves an opportunity to win," head coach Chris Grill said. "Huge keys will be to pick up some early season wins in tight ball games."

SALINA CENTRAL has a new coach in long-time assistant Ryan Modin, who replaces Doug Finch. Under Finch, the Mustangs were one of the more consistent programs in Class 5A over the last decade.

Seven seniors graduated from last year's 17-6 team that lost in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament. Caden Kickhaefer, a 6-4 junior, is the lone returning starter. He averaged 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds last year on a team that relied on the 3-point shot. Those numbers are expected to improve considerably this season. Seniors Aaron Watson, Jevon Burnett, Christian Tedlock and junior Reed McHenry return after lettering.

"We have upperclassmen who have played behind some of the best teams we've had and now they are excited for the opportunity to lead our team," Modin said.

SALINA SOUTH expects a big jump in victories this season with five players returning who started at one time or another for last year's 8-13 team - 6-2 senior Ty Garrett (4.3 ppg.), 6-3 junior Colin Schreiber (10.0), 6-1 junior Josh Jordan (7.3), 6-2 junior A.J. Johnson (11.6) and 5-9 junior Devin Junghans (11.0). Jordan joined the team at mid-season as a transfer from Sacred Heart and missed the last part of the year with an injury.

"This team will be very athletic and will look to push the tempo on both ends of the floor," head coach Jason Hooper said. "I'm excited about this team and look forward to getting started."

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The NEWTON Railers took a hit during the offseason when standout guard Ty Berry transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy. The 6-foot-3 Berry averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists last year and recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball with the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big 10.

The Railers, 11-10 last year, also lost Damarius Peterson (14 ppg., 8 rpg.) to graduation, but return three starters - 6-3 senior Alex Krogeimer (11.5 ppg.), 5-10 senior Jaheem Ray (2.9) and 6-2 junior Jaxon Brackeen (4.4). Krogimer earned post-season honors last year and will be a three-year starter.  Ray and Brackeen will handle the point-guard duties.

Everything that could go wrong last year for the DERBY Panthers did. The Panthers suffered their first losing season (8-13) under head coach Brett Flory. Three projected starters missed the season with injuries and Derby lost eight games by single digits. But they ended their season with a 36-point win over an 18-2 Topeka High team in the sub-state semifinals before losing a close game to Free State in the finals.

"The good that came out of all this was we got a lot of young players valuable playing experience," Flory said. "We are a little undersized, but this is probably the most athletic team I've ever had, and certainly the deepest."

Ten players return after getting varsity experience last year, including 5-10 senior guard Tre Washington (11.0 ppg) and 6-4 sophomore Amari Thomas (7.0 ppg.). Seniors Grant Adler and Jacob Karsak are back after missing last year with football injuries and the Panthers also have a talented sophomore class to choose from.

Pictured: Nick Bonner is one of 12 returning Derby players who will try to help the Panthers rebound from last year's rare losing season. (Photo by Adam Suderman/Derby Informer)

HUTCHINSON will look to improve on last year's 4-17 record with 6-8 senior Weston Krause (5.8 ppg., 4.5 rpg.) and 6-0 senior Joe Blake (4.3 ppg.) returning as starters.  Also back are junior lettermen Jake Huhs, Brenton Burns and Treyton Peterson.

"We'll have a veteran group most of mostly seniors and juniors," said coach Ted Webster. "Defensive toughness and intensity will be key strengths for us."

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GIRLS

The Kennedy Brown era may be over at DERBY, but the Panthers will likely continue to be a force within the AVCTL-I and Class 6A.  Brown was part of a senior class that was 63-7 over the last three years and finished first, second and third in the state tournament.

"Many might think after losing such great player that we will be rebuilding," head coach Jodie Karsak said. "I would agree with that at some level, but with a lot of experience returning along with some very talented young players, we believe we will have a team that will continue to be very competitive."

The Panthers return two starters from last year's 23-1 team - senior guard Sydney Niles (7.0 ppg., 5.3 rpg.) and junior Katelyn Kennedy (4.0 ppg.). Niles has been a starter since her freshman year and was second-team all-state in 6A last year, while Kennedy was honorable-mention all-league.

Expectations are high once again for the MAIZE Eagles, and for good reason. The Eagles return five players who started at one time or another for last year's 18-4 team and they have added Eisenhower transfer Kyla Freners, a 5-5 sophomore, who averaged 14.6 points and 6.0 assists per game as a freshman.

Sydney Holmes, a 5-8 junior, averaged 10.1 points a game and will be joined by returning starters Emily Laham (6.2 ppg.), Cassandra Onwugbufor (6.9), Baylee Miller (5.6) and Joscelyne Espinoza (1.2). The tallest returnee - 6-1 junior Olivia Wedman - lettered last season.

"I look forward to this season to see how much our young players have improved," head coach Jerrod Handy said. "5A basketball is really strong in this area and it'll be a challenge to get through the sub-state tournament."

SALINA CENTRAL returns three starters from last year's 12-10 team and will feature two of the top sophomores in Class 5A. Kadyn Cobb, a 5-9 senior who has signed with Missouri Western, is back after averaging 9.0 points a game.  Also returning is 5-9 senior guard Peyton Griffin (2.0 ppg.) and 5-5 senior letterman Sara Opat (1.0 ppg.).

The two sophomores are 5-5 guard Aubrie Kierscht and 5-10 forward Hampton Williams. Kierscht earned second-team all-league honors last season, averaging 15.0 points per game and is one of the league's top 3-point shooters. Williams averaged 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds as the first player off the bench.

"Our biggest strength will be our ability to shoot the basketball," said head coach Chris Fear. "I'm confident we're going to be tough to defend, but we do not have great size in the post and will have to work as a unit and be very aggressive rebounding the basketball."

NEWTON has a new head coach with a familiar name. Kate (Lehman) Bremerman returns to her hometown after spending time as the coach at Plainville. At press time, Bremerman wasn't sure who her returning players would be from last year's 10-11 team. Marah Zenner was an honorable-mention all-league player last year as a junior.

"We will be looking to run a quick offense and a gritty defense," Bremerman said. "We expect to have a very young team and will be looking for several underclassmen to step up and fill varsity roles."

SALINA SOUTH returns two starters from last year's 8-14 team that won a post-season play-in game against Great Bend before losing to Goddard in the first round of 5A sub-state play.  Kylie Arnold, a 5-5 sophomore, started for much of the season and averaged 4.7 points and 2.3 assists per game.  She earned honorable-mention all-league honors.  Also returning is senior starter Lauren Raubenstine, a 5-7 guard.

"We are going to try and play at a faster pace this season to try and increase our overall scoring production," said head coach Ryan Stuart. "We will definitely be an undersized team, but we feel this team has the potential to be the most athletic we've had during my tenure as head coach."

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HUTCHINSON returns two starters from last year's 7-14 team for head coach Conor Reilly - 5-9 senior Gabbie Posch and 5-7 senior Tina Robertson. Posch, who earned honorable-mention all-league honors last year, averaged 9.3 points a game and Robertson scored 7.9 a contest. Both are expected to increase those totals dramatically this season.


The CAMPUS Colts were, and still will be, a young team this season. Four of the top eight returning players from last year's 4-17 team are sophomores. Three starters return for head coach Josh Curtiss - sophomores Tya Tindall (8.0 pp.) and Tristin Smith (4.0 ppg.) and senior Kelsey Huggans (5.0 ppg.).  Also back is senior guard Venus Thanasouk, who would have started last season, but was injured.  Tindall earned second-team all-league honors.

"We aren't a big team, but we will play hard for 32 minutes," Curtiss said. "Taking care of the basketball and getting defensive stops are keys to our success."

*Kansas Pregame will release its second annual Winter Preview late next week. This year we're trying something new by releasing some of our preview coverage of basketball and wrestling online prior to the release of our complete digital edition of the magazine, followed the second week of December by distribution of hard copies. Follow along here and on social media for complete distribution details. COACHES, don't see your team listed or have updates to your lineup? Email us details at pregamequestionnaires@gmail.com.