welcome from the gkcbca - Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches

WELCOME FROM THE GKCBCA
A
s President of the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches
Association (GKCBCA), it is my pleasure to welcome all of you
to the GKCBCA All-Star Challenge.
The GKCBCA, represented by more than 600 area high school,
college and youth coaches, is working to improve the quality of
basketball in the greater Kansas City area, to provide scholarships
for deserving student-athletes and to bring attention and
recognition to the sport we love – high school basketball.
Tonight’s games feature some of the best high school basketball players to ever step on the
hardwood in this area. These 48 senior boys and girls have made us proud while representing
their schools, their communities and our area in local, regional and state competitions.
Some have been conference champions, All-Metro players and state champions.
For one last time, we get an opportunity to see them as high school stars, before they
embark on a great journey to college and into their professional careers.
We thank all of our Corporate Teammates for their support of high school basketball and the
GKCBCA. We thank you for attending and supporting high school basketball. And, we thank
these fine athletes for all of the hours of hard work, dedication and commitment they have
given us over the years. Enjoy the games!
Sincerely,
CORPORATE
PARTNERS
The Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association (GKCBCA) would like to thank the following
corporations and partners for their involvement
with the GKCBCA, as well as their support for today’s games.
Corporate Teammates
Dr. James DiRenna, Jr. & Family
Hasty Awards
Under Armour
Nill Brothers Sporting Goods
Twin Lakes Insurance Agency
Sonic Drive-Ins of Kansas City
Johnny’s Tavern
KCSC Sports Photography
Niles Media Group
Special Thanks
Shawnee Mission South High School and the
Shawnee Mission School District, USD 512, for
hosting the 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star
Challenge
Game Photos
To view and purchase photos from tonight’s
games, visit www.kcsports.net.
Roger Stirtz
GKCBCA President
Liberty High School Head Boys Basketball Coach
Table of Contents
About the GKCBCA............................................3
GKCBCA Hall of Fame Inductees.........................6
Tom Colwell Award............................................7
Eddie Ryan Award......................................... 8-9
Girls Rosters....................................................10 All-Academic Team..........................................15
Boys Rosters....................................................11 Barrett Wepler #4 Award.................................16
DiRenna Award..........................................12-13
Walt Tylicki Memorial Award...........................14
The Official Souvenir Program of the 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge is produced by the
Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association. All rights reserved.
2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge • 1
THE GREATER KANSAS CITY
BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION
Overview
T
he Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association
(GKCBCA) is a not-for-profit organization that was created in
the fall of 1997.
The idea for creating the organization came from head coaches Ed
Fritz (Blue Valley Northwest HS), Chuck Minor (then of Schlagle
HS) and Rick Zych (Park Hill South HS). Working with other coaches
in the area, bylaws and policies were established and plans were
put in place for the Association to begin operating.
Since its establishment, the GKCBCA has worked hard to support
and improve the quality of basketball in and around the greater
Kansas City area and recognize excellence at both playing and
coaching levels.
The GKCBCA membership represents high schools, several
colleges and universities, as well as many youth leagues and
organizations. The Association is open to all youth, junior high,
high school and college men’s and women’s basketball coaches
(including assistants) in the greater Kansas City area.
Programs and Highlights
T
he GKCBCA holds two coaching clinics in the fall of each year.
More than 300 coaches from the Kansas City area attend these
clinics. The list of speakers for past clinics is quite impressive and
has included Bob Huggins, Steve Alford, Mike Anderson, Bill
Self, Roy Williams, Frank Martin, Bruce Pearl, Bruce Weber, Deb
Patterson and Norm Stewart.
Achievement Award, Walt Tylicki Memorial Award, and the
GKCBCA Hall of Fame.
Mission Statement
T
he Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association was
founded for the purpose of supporting and improving the
quality of basketball in the greater Kansas City area. The objectives
of the organization are as follows:
• Promote strong relationships with all basketball-related
organizations.
• Create educational opportunities for coaches.
• Recognize excellence at both the playing and coaching levels.
• Support other charitable organizations.
Organization
A
volunteer Board of Directors governs the organization. The
Board consists of officers and representatives from Missouri,
Kansas and “at-large.”
The GKCBCA’s biggest event is the annual All-Star Challenge. This
weekend-long event begins with an awards show, held this year
at Shawnee Mission South High School.
The show is held to honor the players and coaches selected
to participate in the All-Star Challenge, recognize academic
excellence, and to announce several coaching and playing awards
such as the DiRenna Award which is given to the top high school
male and female player in the Kansas City area. The coaching
awards include the Eddie Ryan Award, Tom Colwell Lifetime
2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge • 3
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GKCBCA HALL OF FAME
S
ince 1999, the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association has honored area coaches and individuals with induction into the GKCBCA Hall of Fame.
The criteria for selection include: minimum of 20 years as a head basketball coach (high school or college), with 15 years in the Kansas City area, a
minimum of 300 career wins as a high school varsity or college head coach, positive role model for players, school and community; and achieved positive impact/
influence on Kansas City basketball and their own program(s).
Class of 2013
Roger Giger‘s 31-year career includes a unique
combination of coaching and leadership positions
in school administration.
Dan Miller began his 21-year tenure as Head
Coach of the Hickman Mills’ Varsity Basketball team
in 1984, after serving as assistant coach under Glen
McDonald for seven years. Under Miller’s tutelage,
the Cougars posted more than 350 wins, won eight
Conference Championships, seven district titles,
and played in the state finals twice.
Giger was the head girl’s coach for 26 years and the
head boy’s coach for 2 years at North Platte High
School. Prior to that he served 1 year as the head
girls coach in Elk Creek, Nebraska.
During his coaching career, his teams won
an impressive 395 games and captured 6
KCI conference championships, 5 district
championships (including the first ever district tile in school history for the boys
team in 2011), and made 2 trips to the Final Four (1989 and 2006). Overall,
he guided his teams to seven 20-plus win seasons and was named Northwest
Missouri District Coach of the Year twice (1989 and 2006).
In addition to coaching, Giger served as a Junior High Principal for 12 years and a
High School Principal for 4 years. He also served as the KCI Conference secretary
for 19 years and was named northwest Missouri MIAA AD of the year in 2007.
Working in the education profession is a family affair for the Gigers. His wife, Lisa
spent over 30 years as an educator and daughter Miranda is currently a 3rd grade
teacher and son Mitch is student teaching at Park Hill.
Following an early retirement from Missouri in
2005, Coach Miller moved to the Kansas side and
served as Varsity Head Coach at Shawnee Mission
North High School for two years. Though he officially retired in 2007, Miller has
worked as the Varsity Assistant Coach at Raymore Peculiar High School in Missouri
for the last six years, where he continues to enjoy the process of coaching and
mentoring.
Dan Miller was honored as Conference Coach of the year five times during his
career, and was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in
2008. He received the prestigious Lambert Award in 1991 from William Jewell
College, which honors the region’s top prep coach. In addition, he was honored
as Coaching Legend of 2010 from the annual Jim Draper Basketball Tournament.
Miller is currently enjoying his retirement and the ability to spend more time with
family and friends. He is the proud father of four children, Trisha, Kyle, Brooke,
and Kellie, is father-in-law to Troy and Kasey, and takes great pleasure in his four
grandchildren, Hayden, Paige, Hudson, and Cheyenne.
Past Inductees
Class of 2012
Fred Turner
Class of 2011
Steve Ingram
William A. Madison III
Class of 2010
Bill Durham
Kenny Vance
Class of 2009
Jim Baker
John McFall
Class of 2008
Rocky Lamar
Brad Gaines
6 • 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge
Class of 2007
Kermit Deterding
Ken Kerwin
Class of 2002
Herb Webster
Max Hayes
Class of 2006
Dale Williams
Bill Lenz
Class of 2001
Terry English
Gil Hanlin
Wayne Lathrop
Randy Springs
Class of 2005
Chuck Minor
Ron Millard
Class of 2004
Glen McDonald
Pete Hile
Class of 2003
Diana Tingler
Tom Colwell
Class of 2000
Doug Bruce
Larry Holley
Tom O’Dell
Paul Sexton
Class of 1999
Jack Bush
Jim Campbell
Larry Jansen
Bud Lathrop
Fred Pohlman
Walt Shublom
TOM COLWELL
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
I
n 2003, the GKCBCA Lifetime Achievement Award
was renamed the Tom Colwell Lifetime Achievement
Award, in honor of the longtime coach at Bishop
Miege, Blue Valley North and St. Thomas Aquinas
high schools, in addition to prior positions as head
coach and athletics director at St. Benedict’s College
(now Benedictine College).
In his more than 40-year career, Tom taught and
coached more than 7,500 students and athletes, and
inspired dozens of former students and players to
pursue teaching and coaching careers.
Tom Colwell passed away in 2002, but his
influence can still be felt throughout the greater
Kansas City basketball scene. His former assistant
coaches and players include (but are not limited
to): Sean Reilly (St. Thomas Aquinas HS), Ed Fritz
(Blue Valley Northwest HS), Mark Huppe (Rockhurst
University), Bill O’Connor (Rockhurst University) and
Doug Bruce (Rockhurst HS Athletics Director).
2013 Winner
Mike Brinsko’s retirement at the end of
this past season capped a 45-year career
in coaching that spanned 6 decades and 3
states (New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas)
Brinsko’s coaching awards are too numerous to
list here, however, included in those recognitions
During his career, he spent 22 years coaching in
the state of Kansas (10 at Highland Park and 12 at
Shawnee Mission West). Brinsko’s overall career
record is an impressive record of 687 wins against
325 losses, a 68% winning percentage. Brinsko’s
teams captured 22 league titles and made 16 state
tournament appearances including three third
place finishes, two runner-up finishes, and the 1990
Colorado Class A State Title while coaching at Swink.
are being named the Coach of the Year in 2006
by the Sunflower League, the Kansas City Star in
2005, the Denver Post in 1990, the New Mexico
Basketball Coaches Association in 1986, and the
Iowa Basketball Coaches Association in 1978.
Brinsko credits his success to his wife of 45 years,
Diana and their three children, Chris, Andi, and Tony.
Past Winners
Award Sponsor
The Official Photographer of the GKCBCA
www.kcscsports.net
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
Joe Grantham, De La Salle/Rockhurst/Park Hill/St. Theresa’s
Roger Jackson, Bishop Lillis HS/ Bishop Ward HS/ Rockhurst HS/ Bishop Miege HS
Jack Smith, Liberty HS
Tom Goddard, Windsor/Raytown HSs
Walt Shublom, Wyandotte HS & Kansas City Kansas CC
Jim Draper, Erie/Blue Valley/Arkansas City/Oak Park/Grandview/Blue Valley Northwest HS
Lee Kariker, William Jewell College
Norb Schmidt, long-time KCMO-area coach
Keith Lindsay, KCK-area basketball
Lafayette Norwood, Johnson County CC
Jim Gurley, Shawnee Mission South HS
2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge • 7
EDDIE RYAN COACHING AWARD
PRESENTED BY
T
he Eddie Ryan Award is presented annually to the top boys and girls
coach in the Greater Kansas City area.
Eddie Ryan began his coaching career in 1948 where he served as
head coach at Rockhurst College. After a brief stint at Rockhurst, he
later went on to coach Pembroke Country Day School until his tragic
death in 1964.
During his tenure at Pembroke, he led the Raiders to four
consecutive Missouri state tournaments from 1955-58, capturing the
state title in 1956 and 1957. During his 10-year career at Pembroke,
Ryan compiled an overall record of 213-60, winning 19 or more games
in all but two seasons.
In 1966, former players of Eddie Ryan established the award in
memory of their coach. In addition to his outstanding record, Ryan was
noted for his unselfish desire to work with high school age athletes and
was respected for the positive influence he exerted on his players.
It is in the spirit of Ryan’s hard work, success, integrity,
sportsmanship and disregard for personal recognition that the award
is presented. The inscription on the “Eddie Ryan” plaque was composed
by Ernie Mehl, former sports editor of The Kansas City Star, and reads:
“We who played for him and who still care for him as he cared for
us, dedicate this award to Eddie Ryan in the belief that what he taught
and what he coached, the morals he instilled, the code he himself
respected and asked that it be accepted by others; in his concern for
all, his warmth, his sincerity is best remembered and which will, like
the sun, beam down through the years, all these constitute a memorial
which will live in our hearts.”
Past Winners
Boys Coaches
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
Mike McBride, Basehor-Linwood
Dan Parra, Sumner Academy
Gary Belcher, Kearney
& Rick Zych, Bishop Miege
Randy Farris, Grandview
Mark Scanlon, Raytown
Roger Stirtz, Liberty
Kevin Nichols, Cameron
Todd Magwire, O’Hara
John McFall, Olathe South
Bud Lathrop, Raytown South
Rick O’Neil, Spring Hill
Rick Zych, Bishop Miege
Larry Hogan, Leavenworth
& Chuck Minor, Schlagle
Rick Allison, Pembroke Hill
Mark Nusbaum, Liberty
Todd Magwire, Bishop Hogan
Don Bechard, Gardner-Edgerton
Fritz Gabler, Barstow
Jack Bush, Central
Chuck Minor Schlagle
John McFall, Olathe South
Tom Colwell, Blue Valley North
Bud Lathrop, Raytown South
& Paul Sexton, SM South
8 • 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
Doug Bruce, Rockhurst
Glen McDonald, Lee’s Summit
Doug Bruce, Rockhurst
Phil Seifert, Pembroke Hill
Harold Brown, Lathrop
Randy Springs, Wyandotte
Vic Mitchell, Van Horn
Randy Springs, Wyandotte
Gil Hanlin, Blue Springs
Warren Landess, Central
Jack Bush, Central
Jack Bush, Central
Bud Lathrop, Raytown South
Max Hayes, Center
Tom Goddard, Raytown
Jack Bush, Central
Bill Madison, Manual
Bud Lathrop, Raytown South
Bill Madison, Manual
Bud Lathrop, Raytown South
Roy Flook, Sumner Academy
Bud Lathrop, Raytown South
Walt Shublum, Wyandotte
Jim Wilkinson, Central
Girls Coaches
2012 Joel Branstrom, Olathe Northwest
& Andrew Unrein, Blue Valley
2011 Rick Hetzel, St. Thomas Aquinas
2010 Steve Ingram, Olathe South
2009 Chris Stubbs, Platte County
2008 Kristin Mallory, Lawrence
2007 Brad Oyler, Liberty
2006 Ron Millard, Shawnee Mission South
2005 Ann Fritz, Blue Valley North &
Mark Spigarelli, Pembroke Hill
2004 Rick Hetzel, St. Thomas Aquinas
& Brian Bubalo, Lee’s Summit
2003 Terry English, Bishop Miege
2002 Tricia Lillygren,
Lee’s Summit North
2001 Rick Hetzel, St. Thomas Aquinas
2000 Ann Fritz, Blue Valley North
& Steve Ingram, Olathe South
1999 Mark Spigarelli, Pembroke Hill
1998 Jim Baker, Liberty
1997 Ann Fritz, Blue Valley North
1996 Larry Jansen, Lee’s Summit
1995 Mark Spigarelli, Pembroke Hill
& Terry English, Bishop Miege
2013 RYAN AWARD WINNERS
ED FRITZ
Blue Valley Northwest
Ed Fritz led his team to a perfect 25-0 record and the Kansas Class 6A
State Championship this past season. As part of the Huskies run to the
championship they captured their third consecutive Eastern Kansas League
(EKL) title and provided Coach Fritz with his 500th career victory, a 57-52
win over #24 nationally ranked De La Salle.
The Huskies finished the season ranked 19th by USA Today and 10th by
MaxPreps. This was their fourth consecutive appearance in the state
championship final and their combined record for the past three seasons
is a remarkable 71-4.
Prior to becoming the head coach at Blue Valley Northwest, Fritz served
as the head men’s coach at Baker University, was an assistant coach at the
University of Nebraska-Kearney and was the head boys basketball coach at
Center High School.
In addition to receiving the Eddie Ryan Award, Coach Fritz was the 2012
recipient of the Paul Lambert Award and has been recognized as the Coach
of the Year by the EKL.
RICK HETZEL
St. Thomas Aquinas
Rick Hetzel led his team to a 24-1 record and the Kansas Class 5A state
championship. On their way to the state crown his team captured an
undefeated Eastern Kansas League (EKL) title and provided Coach Hetzel
with his 300th career win.
This is the fourth time (2001, 2004, and 2011) he has received the Eddie
Ryan Award, which is the most ever by a girl’s coach. Hetzel was also
named the National Midwest Coach of the Year in 2004.
Hetzel’s overall record is an outstanding 308 wins against only 63 losses.
The state championship was his fourth overall with previous titles in KS
Class 5A in 2011 and KS Class 6A in 2001 and 2004. In addition, he has led
his team to six runner-up finishes, a third place finish last season and 19
straight state tournament appearances which is a Kansas record.
Prior to his current position at Aquinas, Hetzel has served as an assistant
girls coach at Notre Dame de Sion and as an assistant men’s basketball
coach at UMKC and O’Hara High School. Coach Hetzel has two children,
Kori (23) and Tyler (19).
Basketball is truly a family affair for the Fritz’s. Ed’s son Vince who is a junior
is a key member of their championship team. Also, his wife Ann currently
serves as the head girl’s basketball coach at Blue Valley North.
2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge • 9
Kansas Girls All-Star Roster
NumberName
4 Kelsey Brooks
5 Kennedy Kirkpatrick 10 Alexis Hughes
12 Stephanie Lichtenauer
14 Ali Pollard
22 Tanner Tripp
24 Bailey Geiman
30 Jaylah Jackson
32 Haleigh Cindrich
34 Christian Keys
42 Mikey Crall
44 Hunter Thomas
School
Olathe Northwest
Lawrence Free State
Bishop Miege
Mill Valley
Blue Valley North
Mill Valley
Blue Valley
Olathe Northwest
St. Thomas Aquinas
Blue Valley North
Olathe Northwest
Blue Valley Southwest
Coaches:
Ron Millard
Noah Simpson
Missouri Girls All-Star Roster
NumberName
4 Karyla Middlebrook
5 Maddie Nelson
10 Marissa Preston
12 Kindred Wesemann
14 Lexi Williams
22 Nieka Wheeler
24 Kelsey Barrett
30 Mackenzie Cook
32 Elsie Greenwood
34 Ashley Guenther
42 Grace Keane
44 Lizzy Wendell
10 • 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge
School
Blue Springs
Smithville
Staley
Pleasant Hill
O’Hara
William Chrisman
Raytown
Kearney
Penney (Hamilton)
Truman
Notre Dame de Sion
Blue Springs
Coaches:
Mark Spigarelli
Trevor Mosby
Alicia Leimkuehler
Pam Weiss
Kansas Boys All-Star Roster
NumberName
4 Trey Bales
5 Scott Edwards
10 Tyler Clement
12 Montell Cozart
14 DeAndre King
22 Vance Wentz
24 Roy Clayter
30 Jay Temaat
32 Josh Pedersen
34 Nathan Stacy
42 Zach Schneider
44 Joey Lillis
School
Olathe Northwest
Blue Valley North
St. Thomas Aquinas
Bishop Miege
Washington
Shawnee Mission East
Lansing
Shawnee Mission West
Shawnee Mission South
Mill Valley
Shawnee Mission East
Blue Valley West
Coaches:
Mike Brinsko
Jack Schreiner
Missouri Boys All-Star Roster
NumberName
4 Justin Pitts
5 Brian Kaufmann
10 Anthony Woods
12 Zach Starr
14 Lane Titus
22 Kyle Baker
24 C.J. Bolton
30 Tyler Anderson
32 Jeff Leeson
34 Trevor Gregory
42 Kyle Wolf
44 D’Vante Mosby
School
Blue Springs South
St. Pius X
Park Hill South
Liberty North
Truman
O’Hara
Drexel
Lee’s Summit North
St. Joseph Lafayette
Lee’s Summit West
Rockhurst
Fort Osage
Coaches:
Josh Wison
Chad Wright
Chad Jones
John Vickers
2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge • 11
THE DIRENNA AWARDS
I
n 1954, Dr. James A. DiRenna
established the DiRenna Award to
annually honor the top boys basketball
player in the Greater Kansas City area. In
1997, the award also began recognizing
the top girls player.
Dr. DiRenna, who passed away
in 1996, was a well-known surgeon,
teacher and hospital developer. He also
provided financial assistance to several
students attending medical school.
Dr. DiRenna enjoyed sports as much as his work in the medical
profession. In addition to the DiRenna
Award, he also supported the Greater
Kansas City Golden Gloves by serving as
its general chairman and establishing a
scholarship fund for amateur boxers.
His son, Dr. James A. DiRenna, Jr.,
has continued the tradition of this award
with the assistance of the Greater Kansas
City Basketball Coaches Association. The
award is presented each year at the AllStar awards show in April, prior to the AllStar Challenge basketball games.
Past Winners
Boys’ Award
2012 Benny Parker, Sumner Academy
2011 Tyler Kalinoski, Olathe East
2010 Daylen Robinson, Northeast
2009 Alec Burks, Grandview
2008 Marcus Denmon, Hogan Prep 2007 Conner Teahan, Rockhurst
2006 Isaac Miles, Bishop Miege
2005 Marcus Walker, O’Hara
2004 Marcus Walker, O’Hara
2003 Quinton Day, Paseo
2002 Quinton Day, Paseo
2001 Wayne Simien, Leavenworth
2000
Matt Frieje, Shawnee Mission West
1999 Kareem Rush, Pembroke Hill 1998 JaRon Rush, Pembroke Hill
& Victor Williams, Wyandotte
1997 JaRon Rush, Pembroke Hill
1996 JaRon Rush, Pembroke Hill 1995 Derek Hood, Central
1994 Eric Bowie, Raytown South
1993 Vinson Smith, Schlagle
1992
Chad Elston, Shawnee Mission West
1991 Greg Gurley, Shawnee Mission South
1990 Jevon Crudup, Raytown South
1989 Chris Heller, Raytown South
1988 Anthony Peeler, Paseo
1987 John Cooper, Rockhurst
1986 Harold Mitchem, Rockhurst
1985 Tim Honeycutt, Raytown South
1984 Barry Bailey, Central
12 • 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
Girls’ Award
Shawn Case, Van Horn
Calvin Thompson, Wyandotte
Steve Harris, Blue Springs
Russ Morman, William Chrisman
Jon Sundvold, Blue Springs
Michael Coleman, Central
John Crawford, Northeast Mick & Rick Allison, Center
Steve Schall, Raytown South Clay Johnson, Manual
Mike Goodpaster, William Chrisman
Walter Johnson, Lincoln
Felix Jerman, Manual
Kevin Wall, Rockhurst
Martinez Denmon, Lincoln
Kent Scott, Raytown South
John Stacy, Bishop Hogan
John Stacy, Bishop Hogan
Bruce Sloan, Center
Warren Armstrong, Central
Bob Bauers, Rockhurst
Larry Norris, Southeast
Don Dee, Lillis
John Cunneen, Redemptorist
Jim Whipple, Van Horn
Jackie Gilbert, Lincoln
John Hickman, Central
Jim Hoffman, Northeast
Roger Wendell, East
Kent Bryan, Southeast
2012 Emiah Bingley, Lee’s Summit West
2011 Natalie Knight, Olathe South
2010 Natalie Knight, Olathe South
2009 Morgan Johnson, Platte County
2008 Taber Spani, Metro Academy
2007 Danielle Adams, Lee’s Summit
2006 Morgan Henderson,
Notre Dame de Sion
2005 Keisha Walker, Hickman Mills
2004 Erneisa Bailey, Pembroke Hill
2003 Erneisa Bailey, Pembroke Hill
2002 Claire Coggins, Lee’s Summit North
2001
Christie Brown, Lee’s Summit North
2000 Tracy Lozier, Blue Valley North
1999 Tracy Lozier, Blue Valley North
1998 Shahidrah Roberts,
Blue Valley North
1997 Cheryl Rowles, Park Hill
Semi Ojeleye, Ottawa, averaged 38.1 points
per game this season while leading his team to
an undefeated season and the Kansas Class 4A
state title. He now owns the single-season and
career scoring marks (previous record was 2,554)
in the state of Kansas. He has been named to the
Kansas All-Class/All-State team each of the past
3 years and was named the Kansas Gatorade
Player of the Year. A 4.0 student, he will
continue his career next year at Duke University
Clayton Custer, Blue Valley Northwest, led
his team to an undefeated season and their
first Kansas Class 6A state title. He averaged
22 points and 4 assists per game. He has
been named first team all-conference and
all-state and the player of the year in the EKL.
Just a junior, Clayton who has given an oral
commitment to Iowa State, returns to lead the
Huskies again next season.
Zach Schneider, Shawnee Mission East, was
chosen the Sunflower Player of the Year and
first team all-state after helping his team
to a school-record 21 wins and a final four
appearance in Kansas Class 6A. He averaged
16 points and 8 rebounds per game. His 1,005
career points rank 4th all-time in school history.
Justin Pitts, Blue Springs South, was the
leader scorer and defensive stopper for a team
that finished 24-3. He now owns the school’s
single-season and career steals records while
averaging almost 17 points per game. Pitts
is a two-time all-conference and all-district
team member and received first team all-state
recognition this season.
Kyle Wolf, Rockhurst, averaged over 19 points
and 10 rebounds per game while leading
the Hawklets to the Missouri Class 5 state
championship. Wolf scored 30 points and had
12 rebounds in the championship game and
averaged over 26 points per game during the
playoffs. He was a first team all-state selection
and named the Player of the Year by the
Missouri Basketball Coaches Association.
2013
DiRenna Finalists
Lizzy Wendell, Blue Springs, averaged 18.5
points and 7.5 rebounds to go along with 3
steals and 2 assists per game this season. She is
a two-time all-conference, all-district, and allstate selection. Wendell and fellow DiRenna
finalist, Karyla Middlebrook, were only the
second and third players to reach the state
semi-finals every year of their careers and their
overall record was 109-15. Wendell will attend
Drake University next year.
Karyla Middlebrook, Blue Springs, averaged
11.9 points and 4 assists to go along with 4
rebounds per game this season. She is a twotime all-conference, all-district, and all-state
selection. Middlebrook and fellow DiRenna
finalist, Lizzy Wendell, were only the second
and third players to reach the state semi-finals
every year of their careers and their overall
record was 109-15. Middlebrook will attend
Texas Tech next year.
Kelsey Brooks, Olathe Northwest, averaged
17 points per season while helping her team
win the Sunflower League championship and
reach the Kansas Class 6A state tournament
for the second consecutive season. Brooks
was named the Sunflower Player of the Year in
addition to receiving all-state honors. She is a
two-time DiRenna finalist and will attend the
University of Arkansas next season.
Maddie Nelson, Smithville, led her team to
a third place finish in Missouri Class 4, which
was their third consecutive state tournament
appearance. She scored over 1,000 points
in her career and has been named to the allconference, all-district and all-state teams.
Tia Weledji, St. Thomas Aquinas, led her team
to a Kansas Class 5A state title along with an
undefeated EKL league crown. She led the
team in scoring at 13.5 points per game and
anchored a strong defense. Weledji has named
the MVP of the EKL and a member of the allstate team. Just a junior, Weledji will be a part
of the Aquinas squad next season.
2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge • 13
WALT TYLICKI MEMORIAL AWARD
H
e never coached a state
championship, but in
the hearts and minds of
everyone who knew him,
Walt Tylicki was truly a
champion.
The star of the team, the
12th man, the academically
gifted, and the academically
challenged, all were equal in
his eyes. He was their coach.
Walt’s abiding faith in
the basic goodness and worth of every person was a transforming
power in the lives of thousands of young men and women, on and
off the court.
Walt Tylicki’s legacy serves as the template for selecting
recipients of this award.
The GKCBCA established the Walt Tylicki Memorial Award
in 2006 to recognize longtime educators and coaches who have
devoted an entire career to helping people become better athletes
and students.
Tylicki, a graduate of Rockhurst University, turned his love of
basketball into a long career as a teacher, counselor and assistant
coach, spending 29 years at Bishop Miege High School.
2013 Winner
Kevin Levetzow, a 1981 graduate of
Northwest Missouri State University
has been teaching and coaching for
the past 31 years.
He began his career at North Platte
High School (1982-85) in Dearborn,
MO where he taught for three years
while coaching 3 different sports each
year. In 1985, he became a teacher/
coach at Park Hill High School where
he has remained for the past 28 years.
During his career at Park Hill he served as an assistant football
coach for 18 years, an assistant baseball coach for 4 years, and
an assistant basketball coach for 14 years. This year, while still
teaching at Park Hill, he served as an assistant basketball coach
on former Park Hill coach Rich Sula’s staff at Turner High School
Levetzow is currently the Park Hill High School 2012-13 nominee
for the Northland Chamber’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Past Winners
2012 Mike Nelson, Park Hill South
2011 Kelly Ponzer, Shawnee Mission South High School/ Shawnee Mission School District 2010 Jim Hutchens, Kearney School District
2009 Larry Park, Avila University/Ottawa University/
University of Missouri-Kansas City/Rockhurst University
2008 Bill Reardon, Bishop Miege High School
14 • 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge
2013
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS
The criteria for selection includes (1) citizenship/character/leadership; (2) academics/honors (GPA, ACT, SAT, class rank); and
(3) basketball accomplishments.
Girls
Mikey Crall, Olathe Northwest
Caroline Dupont, Blue Valley North
Ereka Hunt, Pembroke Hill
Grace Keane, Notre Dame de Sion
Anna King, Shawnee Mission Southwest
Ali Pollard, Blue Valley North
Boys
Craig Bolton, Drexel
Tyler Clement, St. Thomas Aquinas
Jay Corwin, Blue Springs
David Nelson, Olathe South
Mason Schoen, Blue Valley Northwest
Samuel Vafossan, Excelsior Springs
2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge • 15
BARRETT WEPLER #4 AWARDS
I
n addition to being named to the All-Academic Team, each member is a finalist for the Barrett Wepler #4 Award.
One boy and one girl will be selected to receive the award and will receive a $1,000 scholarship through the support of Sonic DriveIns of Kansas City.
The award is named to honor Barrett Wepler, a basketball player at Liberty High School who passed away in November 2006 after
collapsing during a practice.
Past Winners
Boys
Brandon Chapman, Liberty
Ryan Zech, Kearney
Alexander Klonowski, Kearney
Winn Clark, Shawnee Mission East
Spencer Harris, William Chrisman
Girls
Miya Smith, Lincoln Prep
Kassidy Ritchel, Truman
Taylor Forster, Oak Park
Kameryn Groom, Liberty
16 • 2013 GKCBCA High School All-Star Challenge