Sports in Kansas has released its annual list of player of the year winners across the seven classifications in Kansas. A media panel of over 45 members in Kansas vote to compile finalists and winners annually.
Capsules are provided by Chet Kuplen of Sports in Kansas. Media day at the McPherson Community Building was handled by Chet Kuplen, Keaton Coad, Brett Cleland of Sports in Kansas. Along with Carol Swenson who talked to our winners about the McPherson Globe Refiners, the first Olympic Gold Medal Basketball Team. Photos by John Biehler Jr. for Sports in Kansas. Postseason honors are powered by Watco, Mammoth, Nex-Tech Wireless, SAFE, Lewis Automotive Group and McPherson Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Sports in Kansas All-Classes & 6A Boys Basketball Player of the Year
T.J. Williams, Wichita Heights, Sr.
Williams scored 1,278 points, 546 rebounds, 280 assists, 150 steals, 112 blocks in his career as one of the most complete 6A players in Kansas history. He is the first player in the storied Wichita Heights program with 1,000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 250+ assists. Williams averaged 14 poings per game, 7.1 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks as a senior in leading his team to a state runner-up finish. Williams finished second the last two seasons after capturing a title as a sophomore. He will play at Wichita State at the next level.
Sports in Kansas 5A Boys Basketball Player of the Year
Will Thengvall, Kapaun, Sr.
Thengvall led Kapaun to the 5A state title by scoring 17.6 points per game this season and averaged nearly seven rebounds per game. Thengvall was the leading scorer in this years 5A state tournament as he scored 73 points over three state tournament games, 12 more than any other 5A player in the tournament.
Congrats to Kapaun on winning the 5A state title and Steve Eck on winning coach of the year as well as Will Thengvall on his 5A POY and top 5 all-classes selection. Marine World is proud to support KMC basketball, visit us online at www.marineworld.com
Sports in Kansas 4A Boys Basketball Player of the Year
Gabe Pyle, McPherson, Jr. & Kyden Thompson, McPherson, Sr.
McPherson captured the 4A state title in undefeated fashion and were led by several key players this season. Both Gabe Pyle and Kyden Thompson were named CO-MVPs of the AVTCL-III and they also tied in the 2024 POY voting. Thompson was one of the best point guards in the state with 13.6 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 apg. Thompson was a B-team player in middle school and will now graduate as a player of the year in the state of Kansas. Pyle is one of the best shooters in Kansas and averaged 16.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals over his junior season. He comes from quite the basketball family as both of his older brothers were Mr. Kansas Basketball and his sister, Grace, was the Sports in Kansas 5A girls player of the year. Pyle was also named the Non-Senior 4A, 5A, 6A Player of the Year.
Sports in Kansas 3A Boys Basketball Player of the Year & 3A/2A Defensive Player of the Year
Bryce Beisner, Beloit, Sr.
Beisner, a 6’7” senior, was the most complete player in 3A this season as he was a star on offense and defense for the Trojans as he doubles up as 3A Player of the Year and 3A/2A Small School Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 16.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game. 2.5 blocks per game. 2.4 assists per game. He finished his career with 1,115 points, 621 rebounds, 238 blocks and 123 assists. Beloit finished third place this season in 3A.
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Congratulations on being selected as 3A Sports in Kansas Player of the Year, Bryce Beisner! – Mom, Dad, Allison, Daisy
Congratulations Bryce Beisner, 3A Player of the Year! We are so proud of you! Love, Your Traveling Family Fun Club
Congratulations on a great season and career, Bryce! We are proud of you! – Beloit Jr/Sr High School Booster Club
Sports in Kansas 2A Boys Basketball Player of the Year
Tanner Heckel, Lyndon, Sr.
Heckel is likely the top three-sport senior athlete in the state of Kansas. Before he earned all-classes Top 5 in basketball this year, he earned Top 11 football honors in the fall after scoring 72 touchdowns in leading Lydon to the state title and has a full-ride scholarship next year to play defensive back at Division I Illinois. He scored 19.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.3 spg in leading Lyndon to a state runner-up finish. Heckel is also a multiple time state champion in track and field. Heckel scored 1,549 points in his career (three years at Inman, senior year at Lyndon). He was a four-time first team all-league pick and a three-time all-state pick in basketball and football.
Sports in Kansas 1A-I Boys Basketball Player of the Year
Joey Dyck, South Gray, Sr.
Dyck averaged 21.8 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 assists per game as a senior in leading the Rebels to the 1A-I state champipnship under head coach Mark Applegate. Dyck averaged 17.7 points per game over his career along with 7.9 rebounds per game. He was also an all-state pick last season. Fun fact: He has six siblings.
Sports in Kansas 1A-II Boys Basketball Player of the Year
Luke Albers, Cunningham, Jr.
Albers led Cunningham to the state championship as a junior in averaging 21.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game and 3.3 steals per game. Albers has had quite the team success as well, winning a state football championship as a sophomore in the fall of 2022, taking state runner-up this last fall in 2023 and winning the state basketball championship this month. Albers and teammate Will Wegerrer were two of the top scroers in the state this season for head coach Bob Stackhouse. It was the first ever state boys basketball title for Cunningham.
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Congratulations on being named player of the year! We are so proud of you! Love, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Cooper, Gentry and Hayden
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Sports in Kansas 4A-6A (Large Classes) Defensive Player of the Year
Dasean Lewis, Hugoton, Sr.
Lewis was one of the most complete players in the state this season in leading Hugoton to a state runner-up finish, one year after capturing the 4A state title in 2023. He averaged 14.2 points per game, 2.7 steals per game, 2.7 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per game as a senior. He also took 40 charges in his career at Hugoton under head coach Trey O’Neil.
Sports in Kansas 1A-I & 1A-II (Small Classes) Defensive Player of the Year & Small School (3A-1A) Non- Senior Player of the Year
Chase Honarvar, Bishop Seabury, Jr.
Honarvar was one of the most impressive players in the state this season and passes the eye test at 6’7”. He averaged a triple double the entire month of February. The junior averaged 15.3 rebounds per game, 14.7 points per game, 7.5 blocks per game, 2.7 assists per game and a steal per contest in leading his team to a 1A-I state runner-up finish. In the 2024 state tournament, he averaged 18.7 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 3 apg, 5.3 bpg over the three games in Colby. He takes home top honors for non-senior player of the year in 3A and below and defensive player of the year honors in 1A-I & 1A-II small classes.
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Seabury Athletics is very proud of you, Chase Honarvar! Leader on and off the court!
Mom and Dad are super proud of you and all your hard work. Keep it up kid! Congratulations the Seabury team on an awesome season and congratulations to Jace “Boogie” Smith on also making first team 1A-I.
Top 5 All-Classes Team
David Cobin, De Soto, Sr.
Joey Matteoni, BV Northwest, Sr.
Will Thengvall, Kapaun, Sr.
Tanner Heckel, Lyndon, Sr.
T.J. Williams, Heights, Sr.
Top 5 Player Capsules
T.J. Williams, Wichita Heights, Sr.
Williams scored 1,278 points, 546 rebounds, 280 assists, 150 steals, 112 blocks in his career as one of the most complete 6A players in Kansas history. He is the first player in the storied Wichita Heights program with 1,000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 250+ assists. Williams averaged 14 poings per game, 7.1 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks as a senior in leading his team to a state runner-up finish. Williams finished second the last two seasons after capturing a title as a sophomore. He will play at Wichita State at the next level.
Will Thengvall, Kapaun, Sr.
Thengvall led Kapaun to the 5A state title by scoring 17.6 points per game this season and averaged nearly seven rebounds per game. Thengvall was the leading scorer in this years 5A state tournament as he scored 73 points over three state tournament games, 12 more than any other 5A player in the tournament.
Congrats to Kapaun on winning the 5A state title and Steve Eck on winning coach of the year as well as Will Thengvall on his 5A POY and top 5 all-classes selection. Marine World is proud to support KMC basketball, visit us online at www.marineworld.com
David Cobin, De Soto, Sr.
Cobin averaged over 19 points per game as a senior and was one of the most complete players in the state also with 5.4 assists per game, 4.1 steals per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. He scored 1,267 points in his career, grabbed 397 rebounds, 287 assists and 236 steals. De Soto finished as 18-5 on the season. He also helped his team to a state runner-up as a sophomore. Likeley the best basketball player in school history.
Joey Matteoni, Blue Valley Northwest, Sr.
Matteoni averaged 19.8 points per game in leading his team to the state tournament in 2024, one year after capturing the 2023 state title. He will play at Division II power Northwest Missouri State at the next level. He was also the EKL Player of the Year. He also averaged 8.5 rebounds per game as a senior.
Tanner Heckel, Lyndon, Sr.
Heckel is likely the top three-sport senior athlete in the state of Kansas. Before he earned all-classes Top 5 in basketball this year, he earned Top 11 football honors in the fall after scoring 72 touchdowns in leading Lydon to the state title and has a full-ride scholarship next year to play defensive back at Division I Illinois. He scored 19.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.3 spg in leading Lyndon to a state runner-up finish. Heckel is also a multiple time state champion in track and field. Heckel scored 1,549 points in his career (three years at Inman, senior year at Lyndon). He was a four-time first team all-league pick and a three-time all-state pick in basketball and football.
