Ranking the Wichita area’s top 25 boys basketball players for the 2019-20 season
High school basketball season begins Thursday night and kicks into high gear Friday.
Here are the top 25 boys players in the Wichita area for the 2019-20 season.
1. Xavier Bell, Andover Central, G, Sr.
Bell was an All-Metro and Top 5 selection last season after leading Andover Central to its first boys basketball state championship. Bell averaged 20 points and 6.7 points per game. He holds Division I opportunities in basketball and football.
2. Jackie Johnson III, Wichita Southeast, PG, Jr.
The former North standout has joined his cousin and coach, Joe Mitchell, at Southeast. In his first season with the Buffaloes, Johnson helped them to a third-place finish at state and earned All-Metro honors.
3. Gradey Dick, Collegiate, G, So.
Dick is already one of the top prospects in the country. Graded as a five-star recruit by some outlets, he holds offers from Wichita State, Kansas and others. He helped Collegiate to a sub-state championship game last year.
4. Jordan Vincent, Eisenhower, PG, Sr.
Vincent pledged to Emporia State during the offseason but reopened his recruitment Nov. 13. An All-Metro caliber player, Vincent is looking to get the Tigers back to the state tournament for the fourth time in five years.
5. Easton Hunter, Andale, G, Sr.
Hunter has been one of the top players in the Wichita area almost his entire career. His Indians were upset in the state quarterfinals last year; he is seeking to take them a couple of steps further in 2019.
6. Sterling Chapman, Campus, G, Jr.
Chapman is a lengthy guard who can get to the basket. He works well alongside his brother, Steele, and could help lead Campus to new heights in 2019.
7. Trey Reid, Maize South, PG, Sr.
Reid is one of the most watchable players in the area. He wears his emotions when he plays and has the game to back it up. He is a shifty guard who has a pure three-point stroke.
8. Alex Littlejohn, Bishop Carroll, F, Jr.
Littlejohn has taken massive steps since getting to Bishop Carroll. As a junior, he figures to take another as potentially the best post player in the area with the graduation of Maize South’s All-Metro center, Kael Kordonowy.
9. Steele Chapman, Campus, G, Sr.
Chapman is arguably the best defender in the area. The energy he brings is unmatched, and he is the engine behind the Campus offense, too.
10. Tanner Mans, Bishop Carroll, SG, Sr.
Mans has been the No. 2 or No. 3 option at Carroll for a couple of years, but this season, it’s his show. With the ball in his hands more, he will be called upon to lead the Eagles.
11. Shawn Warrior, Campus, SF, Sr.
Warrior was snubbed with an honorable mention tag in AVCTL I last season. He is one of the more athletic players in the area, with the ability to take over a game from anywhere on the floor.
12. Daylan Jones, Wichita East, SF, Jr.
.JPG "_MG_3725 (2).JPG")
Jones has blossomed into a fairly complete player. His length makes him a tough player to guard and get past. He will be a big key to East’s success in 2019.
13. Koby Campbell, Rose Hill, G, Sr.
Campbell is one of the best-kept secrets in the area. Playing at Rose Hill in the less-covered AVCTL IV has kept him relatively under the radar, but everything the Rockets do goes through him.
14. Thomas King, Campus, SF, Sr.
King flourished in his first season at Campus after coming out of the homeschool system. King is a long wing with a stride that makes him seem to glide over the floor.
15. Micah Jacques, Wichita Southeast, SF, Sr.
Jacques is back for his final season at Southeast. One of the program’s most consistent players throughout his career, he will be the senior leader of the Buffaloes.
16. Jack Johnson, Andover, G, Jr.
Johnson is a bouncy guard who is looking to take Andover over the top this season.
17. Keither Florence, Campus, F, Jr.
Florence is a massive post in his first season at Campus after transferring from Wichita Heights.
18. Jaren Jackson, Augusta, G, Sr.
Jackson was the engine behind Augusta’s state championship game appearance last season in 4A.
19. Blake Danitscheck, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, SF, Jr.
Danitscheck might be the best pure shooter in the area and is looking to get Kapaun back on track.
20. Max Alexander, Buhler, PG, Jr.
It’s a huge story anytime a player transfers from McPherson to Buhler, especially when it’s one like Alexander.
21. Cody Stufflebean, McPherson, F, Sr.
Stufflebean, a Kansas State football pledge, is a tough player to guard because of his size inside.
22. Eli Wiseman, Belle Plaine, G, Jr.
Wiseman is one of the fastest players in the state with the ball in his hand. He will flourish under first-year coach Lonnie Lollar.
23. Enrique Lankford, Bishop Carroll, SF, Jr.
Lankford has been a nice complementary piece for Carroll but will fill a bigger role this year.
24. Amos Alford, Wichita East, SG, Sr.
Alford is the brother of Tor’e Alford, who was a two-time All-Metro selection at Derby.
25. Baron Biermann, Andale, PG, Sr.
Biermann is a reliable point guard who gets the Indians organized on both ends of the floor.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThe selection process
Preps reporter Hayden Barber selected these players based on questionnaires sent to coaches, last year’s performances and his own personal evaluation and knowledge of Wichita area high school athletics.