2016-17 KBCA Basketball Preseason Rankings - click here

The high school basketball season gets underway in Kansas next week as the month of December looms and 17 area teams are set to open the basketball season ranked by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association as they have released their preseason rankings. 

Class 1A-Division I enters the season with the most area teams in the polls between the girls and boys rankings. The defending 1A-DI State champ Centralia lady Panthers are set to open the season preseason ranked #1, coming off a 25-1 record last year and the State title and enter the season riding a 24-game winning streak and entering another basketball season on the high of a State volleyball title. The Hanover lady Wildcats open the year ranked #3 in 1A-DI coming off a season in which they went 18-7 and made the 1A-DI State tournament. The lady Raiders of Immaculata also enter the season preseason ranked in 1A-DI as they check in at #9 in the Top 10 looking to take steps forward after a 10-11 season last year. 

The 1A-DI boys poll also features an area team starting the season #1 as the Hanover Wildcat boys enter the season coming off a 21-6 record last year and fourth place finish at State and a 8-Man DII State football title this year. The defending 1A-DI State champs in the Centralia Panther boys open the season preseason ranked #5 coming off a 19-7 record last year and the State championship. 

A trio of Twin Valley League teams are also ranked in Class 1A-Division II to open the season with the lady Eagles of Axtell set to open the year ranked #1 after finishing as State runner-up last year with a 21-4 record and coming into the basketball season riding a high from the volleyball season in which they won the 1A-DII title. The Wetmore lady Cardinals might have finished just 13-14 last year but got to State and took fourth upsetting the one seed Norwich in the first round and enter this year preseason ranked #5 in 1A-DII. 

In the boys 1A-DII poll the Axtell boys are set to open the season preseason ranked #8 after a 12-12 season last year. 

Class 2A features three area teams open the basketball season ranked as the Troy boys, Jackson Heights boys and Valley Falls girls are set to start the year ranked. Valley Falls girls put together a strong season last year finishing 25-1 and taking third at State and enter this year preseason ranked #4 in 2A. While in the boys poll the Troy Trojans will start the year ranked #5 after a 19-4 campaign last year, while the defending 2A boys State champs in Jackson Heights are set to open the year ranked #8 in the Top 10. 

Four area teams are set to open the basketball season in Class 3A in the rankings with three coming in the boys Top 10. Marysville Bulldogs lead the way for the area teams in the 3A preseason rankings checking in at #5 coming off a 9-13 season last year. While Big Seven League squads in Nemaha Central and Sabetha are set to start the season ranked #6 and #9, respectively. The Thunder finished 18-5 last year, while Sabetha finished 24-2 and State runner-up last year. In the girls 3A rankings the lady Bluejays of Sabetha will open the season ranked #6 after a 24-2 and State runner-up finish last year. 

Class 4A-Division II polls feature a pair of girls Big Seven League teams to open the season as the lady Tigers of Jeff West and lady Wildcats of Holton are set to open the year ranked #5 and #7, respectively. Jeff West notched a 13-9 record last year, while Holton finished 12-9 last year. 

The basketball season is set to tipoff next week. Make sure to pick up FREE copy of the KNZA Inc Courtside Guide to get ready for the basketball season (full location list)