Area Players Selected for KBCA All State Teams

Three area high school Basketball players were named to the 2023-24 Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-State Team.

Marilyn Soeken, a junior from Central Plains High School was named Honorable Mention on the Class 1A Division l Girls team while senior Peyton Ryan from Central Plains earned Honorable Mentions accolades on the Class 1A Division l Boys team.  Peyton is the younger brother of former Lady Oiler standout and current Iowa State Cyclone Emily Ryan and his coach is his older brother Michael Ryan.  

The Central Plains Girls, coached by Pat Stiles reached the Class 1A Division l St. John Sub-State Semifinals this past season before falling in overtime to Spearville, bringing an end to their long string of state tournament appearances that resulted in eight state titles which also included a state-record 138-game winning streak.  The Central Plains Boys reached the Class 1A Division l St. John Sub-State Championship game where they narrowly lost to Central Prairie League rival LaCrosse.

Making the Class 3A Boys First Team was senior Will Cravens of Ellsworth.  Cravens led the Bearcats, coached by Brett Rolfs to the Class 3A Hoisington Sub-State championship and Ellsworth's first appearance at the Class 3A State Tournament since 1991 where they lost in the Quarterfinals to eventual state champion Wellsville.