KANITZ, CHURCHILL LEADS 2025/26 WILDCATS

WILDCATS AIMING FOR A STATE TITLE

By Staff

          MOUNDRIDGE – Losing just once, and it was in the state title game is how the Moundridge boys basketball team closed the 2024/25 season giving the Wildcats ample ammunition to strive for a state title run again in 2025/26.

          After winning a state title two seasons ago in his first year as head coach, Dustan Kanitz has set the bar high  beginning his third season with his 48 wins and just four losses after taking over the Wildcat program from long-time head coach Vance Unrah. The Wildcats won both the Heart of America League title and the Hillsboro Trojan Classic Championship last season.

          It could be a real test this season as Moundridge will need to replace three key players from the past two seasons in Bear Moddelmog, Henry Hecox, and Zach Dixon. Moddelmog was the Class 2A Player of the Year and now suits up for Hutchinson Community College. Hecox directed the offense for most of the past three seasons and Dixon was the big six-foot-five body in the paint.

          Not all is lost though as Heath Churchill and Kaizer Kanitz both return after starting last season. Churchill is a lengthy six-foot-four forward who put up 10.0 points, grabbed 5.0 rebounds, and dished out both a pair of assists and steals last season while garnering honorable mention all-state and league honors. Kanitz is the six-foot-one point guard that directs the offense where he averaged 5.0 assists, 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game in 2024/25. Kanitz also gained honorable mention all-state honors while making second-team all-league and grabbing the school record for assists.

          “We return two starters from our Class 2A second-place team,” noted coach Kanitz. “The guys competing for the other starting spots all have varsity experience in big games. With our team’s length and athleticism, we have the potential to be an exceptionally good defensive team.”

          Projected to be the other three starters includes seniors Layton Schmidt and Jesse Lutz. Schmidt is a tall, six-foot-five center and Lutz will be a six-foot guard. The third starter is a big addition as Easton Shahan joins the team after starting and making honorable mention all-state plus all-Central Kansas League honors playing last season for Hillsboro. Shahan could be a difference maker as he scored 12.0 points, grabbed 5.0 rebounds, dished out 3.0 assists and swiped 2.0 steals per game as a Trojan last season.

          In addition, Josh Koehn returns as a five-foot-eleven guard who played a lot of varsity minutes last season and Fynn Burge will be back on the court. Burge is a six-foot-one senior who missed last season due to a knee injury.

          Concluding his pre-season reflections, Kanitz added, “I was pleased at how well the ball moved at a fast pace this summer as we had a lot of success playing in transition while winning the 2025 McPherson College summer league. This team will be battle tested this year playing in the strong Heart of America League and scheduling several new matchups with larger schools. These guys truly enjoy competing together and embraced the opportunity to be part of the basketball tradition held in our community.”

The Wildcats opened the 2025/26 season on Tuesday with a resounding 54-30 road victory over Haven. They return to the hardwood on Friday hosting Elyria Christian.

WILDCAT GRADUATES:

Bear Moddelmog – Class 2A player of the year

Henry Hecox

Zach Dixon

WILDCAT RETURNING STARTERS:

Heath Churchill, sr, 6’4”, f – 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, multiple honorable mention all-state, HOA

Kaizer Kanitz, sr, 6’1”, pg – 7.0 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, multiple honorable mention all-state, 2^nd team all HOA

(Kanitz holds Wildcat career record for assists)

WILDCAT PROJECTED STARTERS:

Layton Schmidt, sr, 6’5”, c – 3.3 points, 3.0 rebounds

Jesse Lutz, sr, 6’0”, g – 3.0 points

Eastan Shahan, sr, 6’4’ g – 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assist, 2.0 steals at Hillsboro, honorable mention all-state, all CKL

WILDCAT PROJECTED KEY CONTRIBUTORS:

Fynn Burge, sr, 6’1”, g – did not play due to knee injury a year ago

Josh Koehn, jr, 5’11”, g

2025/26 WILDCAT SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Dec. 2 – at Haven, won 54-30

Friday, Dec. 5 – hosting Elyria Christian

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – vs. Lyons in Moundridge Tournament

Thursday, Dec. 11 – vs. Hillsboro in Moundridge Tournament

Friday, Dec. 12 – vs. Inman in Moundridge Tournament

Tuesday, Dec. 16 – hosting Little River

Friday, Dec. 19 – hosting Sedgwick

Tuesday, Jan. 6 – hosting Bennington

Friday, Jan. 9 – at Sterling

Tuesday-Saturday, Jan. 20-24 – at Hillsboro Tournament

Tuesday, Jan. 27 – hosting Garden Plain

Tuesday, Feb. 3 – at Berean Academy

Friday, Feb. 6 – hosting Marion

Tuesday, Feb. 10 – at Ell-Saline

Friday, Feb. 13 – at Inman

Monday, Feb. 16 – at Hesston

Thursday, Feb. 19 – at Hutchinson Trinity

Friday, Feb. 20 – hosting Remington

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)