15 CLASS 2A BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2023-24
 

GANNON BECKER, HORTON
 
Becker helped Horton end a 15-year state tournament drought last year, with the Chargers reaching the Class 2A state tournament for the first time since 2008. A three-year starter at point guard, Becker averaged 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while also being a standout on-ball defender for the Chargers. He shot 36% from 3-point range and added 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game, earning first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors and an honorable mention All-Class 2A selection.
 

ETHAN DILLINGER, ERIE
 
Dillinger, a senior, and junior teammate Reid Duff earned All-Tri-Valley League first-team honors last season as the Red Devils grabbed a share of the league title. The 6-foot-8 Dillinger gives new coach Braven Born a cornerstone to go with three other returning starters. Dillinger averaged 15.9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals for Erie, which was 13-9 last season.

 

ZAC EVANS, VALLEY FALLS
 
Evans opened eyes around the state to his potential at the 2022 Class 2A state tournament as a sophomore when he averaged 18 points per game at the tourney, helping Valley Falls to a fourth-place state finish. He carried the momentum from that state-tourney performance into last season when he took over as the Dragons’ scoring leader and averaged 20.2 points per game. He also chipped in 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals a contest, earning first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors as well as being an honorable mention All-Class 2A pick. Evans is closing in on 1,000 career points with a chance to get into Valley Falls’ top-five career scoring list.
 

GUS GROTE, JAYHAWK LINN

Grote returns for his senior season after earning Three Rivers All-League first-team honors a year ago. The 6-foot-3 forward-center averaged a double-double last year with 13.0 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Jayhawk Linn finished 15-6 after losing to St. Mary’s Colgan in the opening round of sub-state.
 

COLTON HARBIN, WICHITA COUNTY

Harbin has been a model of consistency the last two seasons for the Indians. He upped his scoring average slightly from 13.4 points as a sophomore to 14 last year as a junior. Harbin cracked 20 points in four different games last season, scoring a season-high 26 against Elkhart. He was a first-team All-Hi Plains League pick last year and earned honorable mention on KSHSAA Covered’s All-2A team. The Indians went 15-6 last season. Harbin has played a key role in Wichita County’s football success over the last two seasons, helping the Indians win the Eight-Player Division I title in 2022 and finish runner-up to Lyndon this past season.

 

TANNER HECKEL, LYNDON
 
A transfer from Inman, Heckel has already made a huge impact in Lyndon, turning in a statistically historic season in leading the Tigers to their first-ever state football championship as Lyndon went 13-0 and won the Eight-Player Division I state title. Heckel could have just as big of an impact on the hardwood after being a first-team All-Class 2A selection for the Teutons last year after averaging 17.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.1 assists per game last year. He’s a two-time All-Heart of America selection as well and one of the top all-around athletes in the state, also capturing state track titles last year in leading Inman to a state championship.
  

BROCK KEITH, MEADE

Keith led the Buffaloes with 18.5 points per game, adding 6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a junior. He had 10 games with 20 points or more, including a 30-point outing against Ingalls. Keith notched a double-double against Satanta with 22 points and 10 rebounds. He earned third-team All-2A honors by KSHSAA Covered and was a first-team All-SPIAA pick. Meade went 19-4 last season, losing to Medicine Lodge 46-41 in the sub-state finals. Cole Kinnamon enters his first year as coach of the Buffaloes.
 

 

 

JALEN MASSEY, LYNDON
 
With the graduation of older brother Darian, Jalen became Lyndon’s lead point guard last year as the Tigers fell just short of getting back to the state tournament after finishing third in 2022. He ranked second on the team in scoring at 11.1 points per game while dishing out 5.2 assists per contest. Massey added 3.1 steals and 2.8 rebounds per game and was a first-team All-Flint Hills League pick and honorable mention All-Class 2A. He also was huge in helping Lyndon capture its first-ever state football championship last week with the Tigers finishing as undefeated Eight-Player Division I state champions.
 

BARRETT MODDELMOG, MOUNDRIDGE
 
While the now-graduated Landon Kaufman and Logan Churchill were spotlight players on Moundridge’s state championship team last season, Moddelmog was a steady force himself. The 6-foot-3 guard-forward chipped in 14.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as the Wildcats won their first title in 26 years with a 23-3 record. The player Moundridge calls “Bear” won’t have to bear the load for a talented returning group, but he does offer new coach Dustan Kanitz a capable option.

 

MADDEX MORENO, WEST ELK
 
Moreno is one of three returning starters for the Patriots, who finished 11-10 last season and in the middle of the pack in the South Central Border League. The 5-11 guard averaged 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals to earn all-league first-team honors. With seniors Uriah Tillapaugh (12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Martin Shipley (6.0, 2.3), West Elk has core production in place. Improvement could hinge on what the Patriots get from the rest of their rotation.

 

CALEB OUELLETTE, BELLE PLAINE
 
Belle Plaine made a strong run to the 2A sub-state finals last season, knocking off top-seeded Sedan before falling to eventual state runner-up Wichita Independent by eight points. Ouellette’s play helped the Dragons post a 13-10 record. The 6-foot-3 center averaged 12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists to earn All-Central Plains League honorable mention. His role figures to increase with the graduation of all-league Isaac Bible.

 

KEVEON RUIZ, MEDICINE LODGE
 
Ruiz, a talented dual-threat quarterback on Medicine Lodge’s 1A state semifinal team this fall, played a key role in the Indians’ run to a third-place finish at last season’s 2A state basketball tournament. The 6-foot-3 Ruiz averaged 13.3 points and 4.9 rebounds as part of an underclassmen-dominated team that finished 19-7. Ruiz was an All-Class 2A third-team and All-Central Plains League first-team choice.

 

JACKSON SCARLETT, SEDGWICK
 
Scarlett and the Cardinals found the treacherous Heart of America League to be unforgiving last year as they dropped from 14 victories two seasons ago to 5-16. But with the 6-foot-3 Scarlett among four returning starters, Sedgwick has the experience to regain its footing. Scarlett averaged 12.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 39.2% from 3-point range. He earned All-HOA second-team honors and All-2A honorable mention.

 

MISTER SMITH, BENNINGTON
 
Smith combined with fellow senior Eli Lawson to give Bennington a formidable front line last season. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds to earn All-Heart of America League second-team honors. With guard Talan Pickering offering a proven third scoring option, Bennington has the core to make a second straight state appearance after it ended a 15-year drought last March.