A year ago when the Hays High Indians swept through the Western Athletic Conference boys basketball schedule with an unblemished 8-0 record, it seemed possible but perhaps improbable they could repeat it in 2021-22.
However, that is exactly what the Indians did, winning all eight games by double-digit margins (13 points being the closest), including two wins over Class 6A tournament entry Dodge City.
In addition, a year ago, junior Jace Linenberger made the first-team, all-WAC list along with then Player of the Year Dylan Schwarz. With Schwarz graduated, it was time for Linenberger to move into the leadership role for Coach Alex Hutchins.
As a result, the 6-6 Linenberger, in the tradition of a true post man, finished off a brilliant senior year to earn 2022 WAC Player of the Year honors.
“It meant a lot to get it (award) in my senior year,”
Linenberger said. “I wanted to get stronger and be more of a leader and win the WAC. We did all of those so it was a good year.”
Linenberger and his teammates were still recovering from a sub-state loss to eventual 5A state champion Topeka Seaman that denied them a return trip to the state tourney.
The Indians completed a 20-2 season, with the only other loss coming at home in December to Class 6A powerhouse Lawrence-Free State. A year ago, the Indians lost in the state quarterfinals to Topeka West when Schwarz went down with an injury in the early minutes of that game.
“I stretched some of the distance for my shooting but nothing crazy outside,” he said. “I wanted to continue to score in the paint. I was the only true big man in our lineup, so I knew I’d have to clean up the middle, rebound and play strong defense.”
Defensively, Linenberger said, he became more aware of where to play on the court in certain situations.
“I just made sure to know where to be and to talk and communicate with my teammates,” Linenberger said. “I think I was more locked in on the defensive end of the court this year than last.”
Linenberger finished his final year by averaging 18.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game while also shooting 61 percent from the field. He checked in a 71 percent from the free throw line and scored in double figures in all 22 games while also adding in seven double-doubles (points-rebounds). His season high in rebounds was 16 against Abilene.
The home win against Dodge City that sealed the WAC title was among the top highlights for Linenberger in his senior year.
“Winning it (WAC) means a lot, and to beat Dodge City twice was a nice way to go out,” he said. “The difficulty in the WAC is we play everyone twice and the second time around is always tougher because the other teams make adjustments from the scouting report. You’ve just got to be more locked in when you play a team twice.”
Linenberger had high praise for his teammates and his head coach.
“We had a bunch of guys who could step up in any game,” Linenberger said.
That was reflected in the all-WAC teams, where senior Carson Kieffer joined Linenberger on the first team while Jordan Dale and Noah Weimer earned second-team honors.
“I enjoyed having him as a coach,” Linenberger said of Hutchins, who played his high school ball at nearby Scott City for highly-regard coach Glenn O’Neil. “He’s a coach you can really connect with. He’s a good player’s coach.”
Linenberger has not made up his mind about his future college plans, but hopes to have a clearer vision of that after spring break and into the early spring.
“Depending on the next level, I know I’ll have to improve my ball-handling and outside shooting to play on the wing,” he said. “I need to extend my (shooting) range a tiny bit.”
The remainder of the first team was comprised of Cooper Scheck of Dodge City, Tae Rosales of Garden City and Stefan Spray of Great Bend. All are seniors.
2022 WAC All-Conference – Boys Basketball
First Team
| Player | School | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jace Linenberger | Hays | Senior |
| Carson Kieffer | Hays | Senior |
| Cooper Scheck | Dodge City | Senior |
| Tae Rosales | Garden City | Senior |
| Stefan Spray | Great Bend | Senior |
Coach of the Year: Alex Hutchins, Hays
Second Team
| Player | School | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Taylor | Dodge City | Senior |
| Sage Koelsch | Great Bend | Senior |
| Jordan Dale | Hays | Senior |
| Isaiah Taylor | Dodge City | Junior |
| Jace Steinmetz | Garden City | Junior |
