HIGH-SCHOOL

Mid-East League high school boys basketball team starting season. Here's what their coaches expect.

Seth Kinker
Topeka Capital-Journal

The basketball season is upon us.

We talked to the league coaches for breakdowns on their teams, their top players to replace, their top returning players, key position battles and new players that could make an impact this season along with their outlook and schedules for this season. 

*Home games are in bold, all varsity start times are 7:30 or 7:45 unless otherwise noted 

Riley County 

Last season: 9-10

Top players to replace: Avery Holle (Guard/Forward 12.7 pts 6.2 rebs, 2 ast), Connor Holle  (Forward, 12.6 pts, 4 rebs)

Top returning players: Trey Harmison (6’1 PG Sr  12.5 pts 5.5 rebs 4 ast, injury from football will have him sidelined for a majority of the season if not all.  Hard-working kid, All-League last year, had a great summer of basketball), Ty Webber (5’10 Sr. 5.5 pts per game, solid player, shoots and plays solid defense), Korin Koenig (6’1 Sr. 2.5 pts per game, will be needed to step up in the scoring department, however already a very good defender and rebounder, one of the guys who can do whatever you ask and play any position you need.)

Other returning players, players that could contribute: Kolton Payne (5’9 Sr., missed junior season due to knee surgery, played varsity as a sophomore), Zak Zeller (6’1 Sr. Athletic and strong, should help fill the void in the frontcourt), AJ Wilane (6’6 Sr., tall and athletic, has been working hard over the last few years, should be a big help inside for us on offense and defense), Camden Foltz (5’10 Sr., smart and tough basketball player, will do whatever we ask, can shoot from outside and also be successful in the paint)

Fifth-year head coach Dustin Webber: 3 of our 5 starters I anticipated starting the season with haven’t practiced much at all, getting them all back and healthy after Christmas break would go a long way towards us being successful.  Even without all of them back, I think we can compete with anyone most nights, we have several seniors in line to help contribute and it will depend on how many can step up and compete.  

Schedule

12/10 at Silver Lake 

12/14 vs. Clay Center 

12/20 at Beloit

1/4 at Rock Creek

1/7 vs. Rossville

1/11 vs. St. Marys 

1/14 vs. Silver Lake 

1/18 at Tournament, TBD 

1/21 at Tournament, TBD 

1/22 at Tournament, TBD 

2/1 at Marysville

2/4 vs. Rock Creek

2/8 at Concordia

2/15 vs. Council Grove 

2/24 at St. Marys 

Rock Creek

Last season: 22-3

Top returning players: Zac Becker – 6’2” – SR – Guard (Zac is a good leader for our team. He can play inside and out and can shoot the ball very well), Konrad Carlson – 5’10 – SR – Guard (Quick and athletic player and a great defender. He can score from anywhere on the court), Grant Dugan – 6’4” – SR – Post (Long and athletic and is a good finisher around the basket. Works hard to get every rebound), Eyan Phipps – 6’8 – SR – Post (Eyan is a shot blocker and is still growing as a player.  He has made great strides this summer), Ethan Burgess – 5’10” - JR – Guard (Good ball handler and has a feel for the game.  Ethan understands the game), Logan Sturdy - 5’10” – JR - Guard (Athletic and can score), Dalton Whitworth – 5’10 JR – Guard (Ball Handler and can shoot the ball.  Good passer) 

Nineteenth-year head coach Jim Johnston: We are going to be a quick and athletic team, and we will be able to space the floor and play at a fast pace. We lost a great group of senior leaders and everybody on our team is going to have to step up and fill their roles. Our kids know they have a tradition to maintain and they have put in the time to improve and be ready for the season. 

Schedule

12/7 vs. Abilene

12/10 at Council Grove

12/14 vs. St. Marys 

12/17 at Wabaunsee

1/4 vs. Riley County 

1/7 at Silver Lake 

1/11 at Rossville 

1/14 vs. Wabaunsee

1/28 at Wamego

2/1 vs. Centralia

2/4 at Riley County 

2/8 vs. Marysville 

2/11 at St. Marys 

2/15 at Chapman 

2/18 vs. Silver Lake 

2/22 vs. Rossville

Rossville

Last season: 1-20

Top returning players: Guard Kade Perine (6.2 PPG, 1.8 APG, 2.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG), Guard Aiden Garcia (4.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG), Center Brody Lietz (4.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 40% eFG%) 

Other returning players, players that could contribute: Center Raphael Cooney (3.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Guard Camden Horak, Forward Avery Crosswhite

4th year head coach Eammon Bradley: We will be a very young team. We have a large freshman class coming in with some talent and they will most likely have to contribute at the varsity level, ready or not. They will be helped by some returners though. Guys like Kade Perine, Brody Lietz, and Raphael Cooney have all had pretty good offseasons and some sophomores like Camden Horak and Avery Crosswhite will have to step in and compete for varsity time. We are looking forward to the challenge of competing with such a young group, but its a challenge our kids are ready for. 

Schedule

12/7 vs. Bishop Ward, Irish Classic Tournament 

12/10 at Chapman vs. Sacred Heart, Irish Classic Tournament

12/13 at Wamego 

12/17 vs. Atchison 

1/4 at Silver Lake 

1/7 at Riley County 

1/11 vs. Rock Creek

1/13 vs. Valley Heights

1/14 vs. St. Marys 

1/18 at Oskaloosa Tournament, TBD

1/21 at Oskaloosa Tournament, TBD

1/22 at Oskaloosa Tournament, TBD

2/1 at St. Marys 

2/4 at Wabaunsee

2/8 at Osage City

2/11 vs. Silver Lake 

2/15 vs. Wabaunsee

2/18 vs. Riley County

2/22 at Rock Creek

Silver Lake

Last season: 5-15

Top players to replace: Andrew Osterhaus (PG, 7.8 ppg, 3.25 apg), Dawson Wyre (PF/C, 9.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Ryan Sterling (SG/SF/PG, 4.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Top returning players: Luke Womack (5’10, Sr, SG/SF, 7.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2 years Varsity), Carson Johnson (6’1, Sr. PF/C/SF, 2.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2 years Varsity), Gannon Remer, (6’1, Sr. PF/SF, 3.1 ppg, 3.15 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2 year Varsity), Brogan Renfro (5’10, Sr. SG/SF, 2 years Varsity), Kamryn Kaniper (6’5, Jr. SF/PF/SG/C, 10.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.47 apg, 3 bpg, 2020-21 Honorable Mention All-League, 3 years Varsity)

Other returning players, players that could contribute: Troy Heiman (6’0, Jr. PG, Saw action in 10 games last season), Dylan Vande Velde (5’9, Jr. PG/SG, Saw action in 3 games last season), Sam Kaff (5’9, Sr., PG/SG, Transfer), Jack Schonfelt (5’9,Sr. PG/SG), Ian Stithem (6’2, Jr. SF/PF/C, Saw action in 2 games last season)

Second-year head coach Johnny Roberts: The team is looking to build off the success of 3 league wins over Riley, Wabaunsee and Rossville. Need to fill the void at PG and key leaders from a season ago. Team filled with potential, athleticism and energy.   

Schedule

12/7 at Council Grove

12/10 vs. Riley County 

12/17 vs. St. Marys 

1/4 vs. Rossville

1/7 vs. Rock Creek

1/11 at Wabaunsee 

1/14 at Riley County 

1/18 at Tournament, TBD

1/21 at Tournament, TBD

1/22 at Tournament, TBD

1/25 vs. Santa Fe Trail

1/28 at Sabetha 

2/1 at Osage City 

2/4 at St. Marys 

2/7 at Pleasant Ridge 

2/11 at Rossville

2/18 at Rock Creek 

2/22 at Royal Valley 

2/24 vs. Wabaunsee

St. Marys

Last season: 19-4

Top players to replace: Danny Moylan, Isiah Holz

Top returning players: Jaxon Hurla (5’9, Sr, PG, 9 ppg, 4.5apg), Keller Hurla (6’1, Jr, G, 14 ppg), Noah Jacobson (6’4, Sr, G, 5 ppg), Luke Homan (6’2, Sr, G, 2 ppg, 2 rpg), Fred Criqui (6’7, Sr, F, 12 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 bpg)

Other returning players, players that could contribute: Daniel Ewing (6'2, Sr, F), Cody DeDonder (5’8, Sr, G), Brady Hurla (5’10, Fr, PG, Very skilled freshman that could play right away), Greg King (5’8, Sr, PG, Didn’t play last year but very quick guard)

5th year head coach Will Spradling: We return our top 3 leading scorers from last year and a lot of other really good pieces.  We hope to build off of the season we had last year.  Everyone on the team can shoot the ball at a high level but we will still focus on playing inside out.         

Schedule

12/7 at Nemaha Central

12/10 vs. Mission Valley

12/14 at Rock Creek

12/17 at Silver Lake

1/4 at Wamego

1/7 vs. Wabaunsee

1/11 at Riley County

1/14 at Rossville

1/20 at Topeka Invitational, TBD 

1/21 at Topeka Invitational, TBD 

1/22 at Topeka Invitational, TBD 

2/1 vs. Rossville

2/4 vs. Silver Lake 

2/8 vs. Centralia

2/11 vs. Rock Creek

2/15 at Osage City 

2/18 at Council Grove 

2/22 at Wabaunsee 

2/24 vs. Riley County 

Wabaunsee

Last season: 13-12

Top returning players: Brayden Meseke (PG 14 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.8 APG), Cade Oliver (G, 11.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2 APG), Eli Oliver (G, 9.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG)

Other returning players, players that could contribute: Logan Clark (G), Zach Frank (PG), Jacob Meseke (F), Lanson Parry (G), Bryton Reves (G), Ryan Schutter (F) 

3rd year head coach Christian Ulsaker:  We have a solid group of players returning. Brayden Meseke and Cade Oliver will be 3 year starters and Eli is also a returning starter. We plan on having more depth this next year. We have a large Junior class that has players with a lot of Junior Varsity experience. I am expecting big things from our returning starters and for some of the Juniors/Sophomores to fill some big shoes. 

Schedule

12/ 7 - Tournament, TBD 

12/9 - Tournament, TBD 

12/10 - Tournament, TBD 

12/17 vs. Rock Creek

1/7 at St. Marys 

1/11 vs. Silver Lake 

1/14 at Rock Creek

1/20 at Panther Classic, TBD

1/21 at Panther Classic, TBD 

1/22 at Panther Classic, TBD 

1/28 at Riley County 

2/1 vs. Lyndon

2/4 vs. Rossville

2/8 vs. Mission Valley 

2/11 vs. Riley County 

2/15 at Rossville 

2/18 at Herington 

2/22 vs. St. Marys 

2/24 at Silver Lake 

Contact Seth Kinker at skinker@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @SethKinker.