By John Mesh
The 2024-25 high school boys basketball season begins Friday night with several area schools in action.
The Hutchinson High School girls and boys basketball teams open the season Tuesday at home against Maize at the Salthawk Activity Center.
The Salthawks play Reno County rival Buhler Dec. 13 at Buhler.
Hutchinson High School boys
The Hutchinson High School boys basketball team, coached by Bryan Miller, return one starter from last year in senior Terrell King.
King, a 5-foot-10 senior point guard, averaged 14 points, 4 assists and 2 steals a game last year. He was a unanimous first-team all-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League selection.
King has started every game for the Salthawks since his sophomore season. Two years ago with King in the starting lineup, the Salthawks placed fourth at the Class 5A state tournament.
“He is an All-State All-League returner,” said Miller. “He will be a coveted in-state college prospect.”
Other key players for the Salthawks are seniors Taishaun Govain (6-3), Levi Kepler (6-3) and Lucas Whitt 6-1.
“I am very excited for the upcoming season and the opportunity to coach this group,” Miller said. “We have a strong senior class led by Terrell King that will provide a lot of leadership and production. We have more size along our frontline than in years past which should allow us to do some different things defensively and hopefully be really good on the glass.
“If we can stay healthy, make open shots from the perimeter, and take care of the basketball, we will have a chance to compete at a high level again.”
Hutchinson posted a 15-7 record in 2023-2024. The season ended with a 69-54 loss to Great Bend in the Class 5A sub-state tournament championship game at Great Bend. King scored 21 points and Govain 6.
Hutchinson defeated Great Bend 71-61 during a 2023-2024 regular-season game at the Great Bend High School gymnasium.
The Hutchinson-Great Bend rematch is Jan. 17, 2025, at the Salthawk Activity Center in Hutchinson.
“Our schedule this year looks a little different than in years past, opening up with a very good league opponent (Maize at home),” Miller said. “We will go back to the McPherson Invitational Tournament, which is one of, if not the best mid-season tournament in the state. We have also added Andover to our schedule, who is a very talented and well coached team.
“Practices have gone pretty well for the most part. The guys are competing and getting acclimated to the system and the details. I am encouraged by their day to day efforts and energy and cannot wait to see how that transfers over the games.”
KSHSAA Covered: “Hutchinson was 15-7 a year ago and returns unanimous All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail I selection Terrell King, who averaged 13.8 points per game.”
2024-2025 Hutchinson High School boys basketball schedule
Dec. 10 Maize
Dec. 13 at Buhler
Dec. 17 at Haysville Campus
Dec. 20 Arkansas City
Jan. 7 at Maize South
Jan. 10 at Salina South
Jan. 14 Valley Center
Jan. 17 Great Bend
Jan. 21 Derby
Jan. 30 McPherson Tournament
Jan. 31 McPherson Tournament
Feb. 1 McPherson Tournament
Feb. 4 Maize South
Feb. 7 Salina South
Feb. 11 at Valley Center
Feb. 14 at Derby
Feb. 18 Haysville Campus
Feb. 21 at Newton
Feb. 25 at Maize
Feb. 28 at Andover
March 4-8 Class 5A West sub-state
March 12-15 Class 5A state tournament, Emporia
Hutchinson Trinity boys
The Hutchinson Trinity Catholic High School boys basketball team opens the season Friday night against the Haven Wildcats at the Cheney Preseason Tournament.
Seniors: Jackson Dozier 5-7; Malachiey Alvarez, 5-8; Max Ryan, 5-10; Lincoln Barnes, 6-0; Aaron Gust, 5-10.
Juniors: Alex Guajardo, 6-0; Cameron Kiser, 5-8; Roberto Guerrero, 6-0; Matt Armour, 6-2; Haru Kumamoto, 5-7.
Sophomores: Augustine Bell, 5-5; Beau Towell, 6-0; Ian Rios, 5-8; Lucas Griffith, 5-9; Tyler Schletzbaum, 5-10.
Freshman: Jonathan Springer, 5-4; Jacob Thomas, 5-10; Luke Towell, 5-5.
The Celtics are coached by Anthony White. Assistant coaches are Brenden Miller and Jeff Reimer. The team manager is Damacio Vargas.
Hutchinson Trinity boys schedule
Dec. 6 Haven at Cheney Tournament
Dec. 9 Pratt
Dec. 10 Wellington Home
Dec. 14 Cheney Tournament Away
Dec. 17 Wichita Classical Home
Jan. 7 Sterling Away
Jan. 10 Marion Home
Jan. 11-13-18 Cunningham Tourney (C Team Boys)
Jan. 14 Ell-Saline Home
Jan. 17 Remington Away
Jan. 20-24 Sterling Tourney (Boys/Girls)
Jan. 28 Smoky Valley Away
Jan. 31 Sacred Heart Home
Feb. 4 Central Christian Academy Away
Feb. 7 Sedgwick Home
Feb. 14 Berean Academy Home
Feb. 15-17 Lyons Tourney (JV Boys)
Feb. 18 Bennington Home
Feb. 20 Moundridge Away
Feb. 21 Inman Away
March 12-15 Kansas Class 2A State Tournament
Buhler boys
Buhler boys schedule:
Dec. 6 at Nickerson
Dec. 10 Goddard
Dec. 13 Hutchinson
Dec. 17 at McPherson
Dec. 20 Mulvane
Jan. 7 Circle
Jan. 10 Winfield
Jan. 14 at Augusta
Jan. 17 at Clearwater
Jan. 23-25 at Salina Invitational TBD
Jan. 31 at Hesston
Feb. 4 El Dorado
Feb. 11 at Wichita Collegiate
Feb. 14 McPherson
Feb. 18 at Mulvane
Feb. 21 at Circle
Feb. 25 at Winfield
Feb. 27 Augusta
Nickerson boys
League: Central Kansas League
Coach: Parker Bruce
Coach’s career record: 6-36
Seniors: Garrett Crossman, Alex King, Rashawn Walker, Dallas Yoder, Riley Linn, Trenton Wood.
Returning Honors: Garrett Crossman HM-CKL.
Top Players in the League: Reed Friesen, Hesston; Braxton Creed, Halstead; Arley Morrell, Pratt; Nash Wray, Haven; Dalton Bontrager, Haven.
Coach Parker Bruce comments: “We are a much more experienced group than we have been in the past. We have some things we need to iron out to get our team to it’s full strength, but I’ve been impressed with where we were at so far. It’s been nice not having to start from ground 0 with this group, and the younger guys have done a great job going into it head first and have caught on quickly. We are looking to continue to build on the previous two seasons and hopefully take another big step this season.”
Nickerson boys basketball schedule
Dec. 6 Buhler
Dec. 9-13 Larned Keady Classic
Dec. 17 at Haven
Jan. 3 Cheney
Jan. 10 Kingman
Jan. 14 Larned
Jan. 17 at Smoky Valley
Jan. 20-25 St. John Mid-Winter Classic
Jan. 31 at Pratt
Feb. 4 at Andale
Feb. 7 Pratt
Feb. 8 Hillsboro JV Boys Tournament
Feb. 11 Halstead
Feb. 14 at Hoisington
Feb. 15 Hillsboro JV Boys Tournament
Feb. 18 at Hesston
Feb. 21 Hillsboro
Feb. 25 Haven
Feb. 28 3A Boys Sub-State Quarterfinals
March 5 3A Boys Sub-State Semifinals
March 7-8 3A Boys Sub-State finals
March 12-15 3A State Basketball Tournament, Hutchinson Sports Arena
Inman boys
Mascot: Teutons
Class: 2A
Head Coach: Cody Liebelt
Years at School: 1st Year
League: Heart of America
Record at current school: (0-0)
2023-24 Record: 7-14
League Record: 0-9
Last Season Finish: 8th Place
Previous Seasons for Inman:
2023-2024: 7-14 2A (Lost in Sub State Quarterfinals)
2022-2023: 18-4 2A (Lost in Sub State Semi Finals)
2021-2022: 18-5 2A (Lost in Sub State Finals)
2020-2021: 9-12 2A (Lost in Sub State Quarterfinals)
2019-2020: 13-8 2A (Lost in Sub State Semi Finals)
Returning Starters:
Name Height Grade PPG APG RPG
Carston Seidl 6-1 10 5.9 0.7 2.25
Malachi Brunk 6-1 10 4.7 1.0 3.6
Tyler Martisko 622 11 2.4 1.31 2.75
Coach Liebelt’s comments: “Having only three seniors, we will be a very young team overall. Our kids had a great summer and worked very hard in the weight room. The kids are very coachable and want to improve. We have to begin to establish the culture and identity we want.”
Inman boys schedule
Dec. 6 Minneapolis 4:30 Minneapolis
Dec. 10, 12, 13 Moundridge Early Season Tournament
Dec. 10 Moundridge 6/7:30 Moundridge
Dec. 12 Hillsboro 3/4:30 Moundridge
Dec. 13 Lyons 3/4:30 Moundridge
Dec. 17 Kingman 4:30 Inman
Dec. 20 CCA 4:30 Inman
Jan 7 Ell-Saline 4:30 Ell-Saline
Jan 10 Classical 4:30 Inman Homecoming
Jan 14 Berean Academy 4:30 Inman
Jan 17 Marion 4:30 Marion
Jan 20,21,23,24,25 Boys/Girls Tournament TBD St. John
Jan 31 Bennington 4:30 Bennington
Feb. 4 Sedgwick 4:30 Inman
Feb. 7 Remington 4:30 Inman
Feb. 11 Sterling 4:30 Sterling
Feb. 14 Moundridge 4:30 Moundridge
Feb 18 Little River 4:30 Inman
Feb. 21 Trinity 4:30 Inman
Feb 27-March 8 Sub -State Tournament TBD
March 12-15 State Tournament TBD
Head coach: Cody Liebelt
Assistant coach: Brock Blair
Halstead boys
Halstead coach Adam Glendening is back for his second season. The Dragons posted a 7-14 during his first season.
schedules https://www.maxpreps.com/ks/halstead/halstead-dragons/basketball/schedule/
Returning starters and letterwinners are seniors Braxton Creed, Kohen Corona, Joey Millspaugh, Matthew McClain and Keaston Shields, junior Noah Diehl and sophomore Reece Carmichael.
Expected to contribute are Jackson Wendling, Noah Brantley, Brayton Hunnell, Gavin Healey, Carlos Martinez and Mario Diaz.
Top teams and players in the league or districts: Pratt, Hesston.
Halstead boys 2024-2025 schedule
Dec. 6 at Rose Hill
Dec. 10 Wichita Defenders
Dec. 13 Tournament, Conway Springs
Dec. 14 Tournament, Opponent TBA
Dec. 17 Hillsboro
Dec. 20 Smoky Valley
Jan. 7 at Abilene
Jan. 10 at Wichita Trinity Academy
Jan. 14 Pratt
Jan. 16 Larned
Feb. 4 at Hesston
Feb. 7 at Hillsboro
Feb. 11 Nickerson
Feb. 18 at Smoky Valley
Feb/ 21 Elyria Christian
Feb. 25 at Hoisington
Reno County Sabres boys
Coach: Mark Nisly (5th year, 51-65).
Last year: 17-11 (5th Place National Division II Homeschool Tournament).
Key returning players
6-4 jr F Luke Asberry
5-11 jr G Joshua Schmidt
5-11 so PG Bo Smith
6-4 so F Jett Smith
6-2 jr F Bruce Kingsley
6-0 jr G Koby Washington
5-10 sr G Brecken Guthrie
5-7 pg Cohen Evans
Coach Mark Nisly comments: “This team lost seven seniors from last year’s 17-11 team, but bring back starting big man Luke Asberry and reserve guards Joshua Schmidt and Bo Smith. They also return a very strong JV group that finished 1st at their national tournament and will step right into bigger varsity roles. They also add talented freshman Wyatt Kingsley to the mix and have depth, size and speed at multiple positions. Expectations will be for this team to compete at a high level as well as continue to develop as a young team.”
Sterling boys
The Sterling Black Bear boys basketball team return seven athletes with playing experience from a team that placed fourth at the Kansas Class 2A tournament last year.
Sterling opens the season Friday at Hillsboro and then plays Great Bend Tuesday in the first round of the Kingman Tournament.
The Black Bears play Clearwater in the second game of the Kingman Tournament next Friday (Dec. 13). Sterling plays an opponent to be announced at the tournament Saturday, Dec. 14.
Sterling posted a 22-4 record in 2023-24, tied for first in the Heart of America League, placed third in the Kingman Tournament, won the Sterling Invitational and captured a sub-state title.
The Black Bears’ coach Derek Schneider has a 224-119 record in 16 seasons at Sterling. Assistant coaches are Eric Wendell and Chad Bennett.
Sterling returns Boston Ekart (first team HOA), 6-6 junior (11.8 points and 4.3 rebounds a game); Zane Farney, 5-11 junior (3.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists); Blake Smith, 6-0 junior, (7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists); Wyatt Newberry, 5-10 junior, (2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds); Logan Issac, 6-0 junior; Cameron Morris, 6-1 sophomore; and Tucker Haas, 5-11, sophomore.
KSHSAA Covered: “Moundridge’s top challenger could come from within its own league as Heart of America rival Sterling is licking its chops for another shot at knocking off the Wildcats. The Black Bears suffered one of their two regular season losses to Moundridge and then fell to the Wildcats in the state semifinals. Four seniors graduated, including first-team all-leaguer Isaac Briar, but fellow first-teamer Boston Ekart does return.”
Sterling boys 2024 schedule
Dec. 6 Hillsboro
Dec. 10 Great Bend at Kingman Tournament
Dec. 13 Clearwater at Kingman Tournament
Dec. 14 Opponent TBA at Kingman Tournament
Dec. 17 at Hoisington
Dec. 19 at Marion
Jan. 7 Hutchinson Trinity Catholic
Jan. 10 at Moundridge
Jan. 14 Central Plains
Jan. 17 Bennington
Jan. 21 Opponent TBA at Sterling Invitational
Jan. 23 Opponent TBA at Sterling Invitational
Jan. 24 Opponent TBA at Sterling Invitational
Feb. 4 at Classical School of Wichita
Feb. 7 at Berean Academy
Feb. 11 Inman
Feb. 14 Remington
Feb. 18 at Wichita Central Christian Academy
Feb. 21 at Ell-Saline
Feb. 25 Sedgwick