Sterling’s Blake Smith – Prep Performance of the Month – Presented by Hog Wild Pit BBQ
Looking for the chance to win back-to-back state titles, Sterling senior Blake Smith hopes all the work he has put in will help him and his team do just that. “Not a lot of people even get the chance to win one so the chance to win back-to-back years is awesome. And then just getting […]
Solomon’s Calvin Mattison – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Freedom Drains
By Cooper Chadwick Last year, the Solomon Gorillas finished 11-10 and junior Calvin Mattison is looking to finish his first year as an upperclassman with a more successful season. Mattison, a center for the Gorillas averaged 13.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks – all of which led the team. Now as a junior, Mattison […]
Ell-Saline’s Trey Williams – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Berry Material Handling
By Cooper Chadwick Last year Trey Williams averaged 12 points per game along with six rebounds and is hoping to perform even better in hopes of playing collegiate ball. Being a key player for Ell-Saline for the last three seasons, head coach Marty Wendel has high hopes for Williams senior year. “He might be one […]
Ellsworth’s Cooper McGowan – Salina Area Poll Winner – Presented by Visit Wichita
By Blake Chadwick Ellsworth senior Cooper McGowan has built a reputation as one of the most versatile and complete athletes in the state. At 6’4”, McGowan is a do-it-all forward who thrives on both ends of the court. McGowan’s strengths come from his defensive versatility, allowing him to guard nearly every position on the floor. […]
Smoky Valley’s Ty Heitschmidt – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Peoples Bank and Trust
By Blake Chadwick Smoky Valley senior Ty Heitschmidt has been a big force in the paint the last couple of years for the Vikings. The senior primarily plays center but can slide over to power forward when needed, giving the Vikings flexibility and toughness down low. Heitschmidt’s passion for basketball began early, playing in a […]
Southeast of Saline’s Abigail Pearson and Kyiah Samuelson – Presented by Inspire Hearing Center
By Hayden Swope Southeast of Saline is bringing the heat this season as they return both Abigail Pearson and Kyiah Samuelson. After several years of success, they don’t plan on stopping now. “We have been league champions throughout my high school career and I intend to continue this streak,” Pearson said. “We have been the […]
Lyons’ Sierra Belote – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Tory Tipp State Farm, New Image Trucking, and Goans Renovations
By Hayden Swope Sierra Belote of Lyons has been ready to take on her senior season all year, and is excited to accomplish her long list of goals and ambitions for the season ahead. “One of my main goals this year is to focus on my mindset,” Belote said. “One thing I have learned is […]
McPherson’s Rylie Whitfield – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by S7 Safety Products
By Hayden Swope Rylie Whitfield of McPherson has been putting in the work in multiple sports, and as basketball season arrives, she’s putting all that preparation out on the court. “Basketball shape is by far the hardest to get in out of my three sports,” Whitfield said. “Going on runs and getting shots up is […]
Concordia’s Charlize Cash – Salina Area Poll Winner – Presented by WSU Tech
By Hayden Swope Concordia’s Charlize Cash has spent the entire offseason training for the moment she gets to step back out on the court. Cash was a first team all-league selection for the Panthers last season. “I am preparing for the season by getting in the gym and getting shots up, going on runs and […]
McPherson’s Jett Pyle – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Horizon Real Estate
By Matt Browning The McPherson boys basketball program has won back-to-back state championships and returning all-state guard Jett Pyle’s sole focus this season is to make it three in a row. “I am most excited for playing with my friends and defending our state championship one last year,” Pyle said. “I want to have a […]