By Matt Browning
Campus was undefeated and playing in the 6A semifinals before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown state tournaments last March and while the Colts lost significant talent from that team, the cupboard is far from bare. Wichita State commit and first team all-state guard Sterling Chapman returns. Even though Campus graduated many prominent players, it will still be a factor in 6A.
Andover was also undefeated and set to play Kapaun in the 5A semifinals last March and the Trojans bring back first team all-state forward Jack Johnson and second team all-league forward Isaiah Maikori. The Trojans will undoubtedly be one of the 5A contenders.
Bishop Carroll was primed to win its second title in three years in 2020, but were shockingly upset by Andover Central in the sub-state finals. The Eagles bring back two first team all-league players this season in leading scorer Enrique Lankford and double-double machine Alex Littlejohn. Carroll will also depend on players from last season’s JV team that went undefeated.
Kapaun Mount Carmel was often overshadowed by its crosstown rival, but the Crusaders, who were a state semifinalist, bring back a trio of seniors that have coach John Cherne thinking big things in 2021. Blake Danitschek was a first team all-league performer last season, Grant Johnson was second team and Tiger Jones was honorable mention.
Derby went 14-8 last season and brings back Amari Thomas and Issac Ray, both of whom were all-league honorable mention last season. The Panthers will also add East transfer Fontaine Williams to their talented roster. Derby will be a team that can get to the 6A Tournament.
Augusta made it to the 4A semifinals last season and while the Orioles graduated Jaren Jackson and Zach Davidson—both first team all-league players—they do return three starters in Ely Wilcox (second team all-league), Ryan Andrews (honorable mention) and Brendan Parker (honorable mention).
Andale graduated five players off last season’s state tournament team, but the Indians bring back two starters in Eli Rowland and Caden Parthemer. Several young players will need to step up if Andale hopes to return to the state tournament.
Eisenhower lost four-year starter Jordan Vincent from last season’s 17-win team, but the Tigers have two key players returning in Nick Hogan, who was a second team all-league post player last year and Cody Houser, who was an honorable mention all-league forward.
Buhler will count on four players to play the majority of the minutes, as the Crusaders are not an overly deep team. Max Alexander made the first team all-league team last year, while Taiden Hawkinson, Isaiah Hernandez and Reed Scott were varsity contributors last season.
Maize went 12-9 last season and the Eagles bring back Jacob Hanna, who was a first team all-league forward and honorable mention all-league players Winston Bing and Kyle Grill.
Valley Center went just 10-12 last season, but return its top two scorers from last season in Eli Issacs (first team all-league) and Gabe Phillips (second team all-league). The Hornets also will have Collegiate transfer Kanoa Ashley.
Heights and Southeast figure to be teams that finish in the top-half of the City League. The Falcons bring back Bronxon Frierson, who was all league honorable mention, while the Buffaloes return Rone Smith.
Hesston finished 21-2 last season, but fell to Haven in the sub-state finals. The Swathers return first team all-league guard Cason Richardson and second team all-league forward Brayden Schilling. Hesston will again be one of the handful of teams in 3A who can win a state title.
Cheney brings back first team all-league forward Harrison Voth and second team all-league forward Luke Grace from last season’s 20-win team. The Cardinals also return four other contributors from last season. In Voth and Grace, Cheney returns one of the best duos in 3A.
Belle Plaine went 17-5 last season and lost to Garden Plain in the sub-state semifinals. The Dragons return significant talent this season in first team all-league players Eli Wiseman and Austin Hilton and second team all-league forward Tim Bible. With other key players also returning, Belle Plaine will be one of the most talented teams in 2A.
Garden Plain made it to the 2A semifinals last season before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the tournament. While the Owls graduated four key seniors from last year’s team, there is still plenty of talent in the program. First team all-league forward Tyler Dreiling is back, as well as Gabe Mannebach and Anthony Hays. Garden Plain still has the talent to get back to the state tournament.
Berean Academy went undefeated in the regular season before being upset by Stockton in the first round of the 1A Tournament. The Warriors bring back first team all-state guard Chase Wiebe, as well as several other players who saw significant minutes a year ago. Even though Berean moves up to 2A, it will still be a team to watch in the postseason.
Wichita Collegiate lost significant talent from last season’s team that defeated Colby in the first round of the 3A Tournament, including 2022 Top 50 recruit Grady Dick, who transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy. The Spartans will build around the Fair brothers: Michael and Wesley.
Haven brings back a dynamic duo in Darby Roper and Zane Jacques from last season’s team that went 21-3. Roper was a first team all-league selection, while Jacques made the all-league honorable mention team. The Wildcats also return several other players who saw varsity minutes last season.
Hutchinson Trinity went 14-8 last season and lost to Sterling in the sub-state semifinals, but the Celtics return one of the top players in 2A in Lucas Hammeke, who averaged over 20 points per game last year. Trinity also brings back the Gray brothers—Landon and Walt—who played significant minutes last season.
Wichita Trinity only won eight games last season, but the Knights bring back seven varsity players, including Christian Williams, who was a second team all-league forward a year ago.
Caldwell returns six players who played key roles from last season’s 15-7 team, including Trey Strnad, who was an honorable mention all-league forward last season.