Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) appears to have all the pieces in place for a
run at its first GEICO Nationals title. The Buffaloes, who check in at No. 3 the preseason MaxPreps Top 25, combine a strong
mix of returning contributors and talented newcomers to a team that
finished last season in the same place they begin 2020-21.
The
addition of MaxPreps All-Americans Kennedy Chandler and Gradey Dick bolsters the rotation. Both players averaged more than 20 points per game in 2019-20 with their previous schools – Chandler in the Memphis area and Dick at nearby Wichita Collegiate.
Sunrise Christian Academy features plenty of size as four
projected starters stand 6-foot-7 or taller. Returners Kenny Pohto (6-11) and Zach Clemence (6-9) will again be joined by Top 15
senior Kendall Brown (6-8). Deiman Reyes (6-8) provides additional frontcourt depth.
The
Buffaloes also return one of the top sixth men in high school hoops as Willie Lightfoot is expected to play a key role again.
Following a 22-3 campaign a year ago, the Buffaloes face a daunting schedule competing
in the newly-formed National Interscholastic Basketball League. That will mean games against Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), La
Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.),
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), Oak
Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant,
Utah) at some point in the season.
Wing Kendall Brown
File photo by Andy Mitchell
Height: 6-8 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 12 | Status: Committed to Baylor
Height: 6-1 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 13 | Status: Committed to Tennessee
Height: 6-9 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 41 | Status: Committed to Kansas
Height: 6-7 | Class: Junior (2022)
National rank: 35 | Status: Uncommitted
Height: 6-0 | Class: Junior (2022)
National rank: 153 | Status: Uncommitted
Height: 6-11 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 171 | Status: Committed to Minnesota
Height: 6-8 | Class: Senior (2021)
National rank: 256 | Status: Uncommitted
Forward Zach Clemence
File photo by Andy Mitchell
