Taking Up Some Space : 9 Small School Bigs to Watch in 2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of centers and power forwards have entrenched themselves as top college prospects. Heading into the 2027 season there are bunch that should be watched given how their games have been maturing. Get to know nine bigs from the 1A and 2A ranks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1266902"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ade3ae28236b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Hanover post is one of the top talents in the 1A Division II classification. With an ability to absorb contact on turnaround jumpers and on basket drives she is a bonafide walking three point play. A unanimous first team all-state pick by KBCA, KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas she also was named to the Twin Valley League's first team in 2026. The Wildcat's captured the 1A Division II state title in 2024 and 205 before falling to rival Linn in the final last season. She will lead a Wildcat team with depth, size and experience as a favorite in the quest to return the state championship trophy to Hanover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156039"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ade3ae2823ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lanky Wildcat post will be one of the primary drivers of the Wildcat's success in 2027 as she is a part of a group of returners who enjoyed a 2A state title in 2025 and a fourth place finish last year. She is a three level scorer with length and handles that elevates well off the catch. A returning all-stater (KBCA 3rd team, KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas honorable mention), she also made all Heart of America League (second team) for the second time. The junior has attracted interest from University of Nebraska-Kearney among others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892365"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ade3bdb838ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After reaching the 1 A Division I state tournament the past two years (2026 quarterfinals. 2025 fourth place) Getz and company are gunning to challenge for a title. A all-state pick by KBCA, KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas a year ago she is a returning Northwest Kansas League first teamer. Experience and fundamentally sound controlling the ball her size enables her to overpower many opponents and her soft hands and scoring know-how leave some to describer her as a throwback, power post player. A role she enjoys. While I am unaware of what offers and interest she has attracted I guarantee it is not an if she plays college ball, it is where. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216211"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ade3ae2822ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gibbs and the Panthers came up short in their bid to repeat as 1A Division I state champs last season to finish third, a slot they also finished in 2024. But with rival Wabaunsee moving back up to 2A, the road to a title could take a different path. A Twin Valley League first team selection in 2026 she is an experienced, steady presence who is a walking double-double. She finishes through contact, controls the strong positioning and is gritty. A consensus all-state pick (two-time second team, KSHSAA third team and Sports In Kansas second team).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["922987"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ade3ae28225a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The unanimous first team 1A Div I all-stater and Twin Valley League selection is attracting collegiate attention from the NJCAA D I level and it is well deserved. State tournament experienced (2025 champs, 2026 and 2024 third place) she brings legitimate size, quality shot blocking, transition consistency, steadily improving quickness and a rising scoring game to make her one of the top posts in the classification. After wiping out Pretty Prairie for third at state the Panthers are a favorite to challenge for the championship in 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1268053"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ade3ae2824e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joy and her teammates never have a night off in the brutal Twin Valley League. A top returner, she was a second team all-league pick. This season will offer an interesting change, a post-season that finds them in the 2A classification. What Joy brings to table is good hops, speed and terrific hands. She is also used to battling some of the top small schools posts in the state from that happen to reside in the TVL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240075"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f83d15ab511"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Orten and the Chargers finished runner-up in the 1A Div I state tournament a year ago to end the season with 24 wins. After a year in that class Wabaunsee moves back to 2A. Only a close loss to state runner-up Doniphan West prevented them from reaching the state tournament that season. Orten will be key driver of the team's success in 2027. A returning all-Flint Hills League and all-stater at for the past two seasons she has generated interest from NAIA schools to play in college. Long, athletic with good transition speed she is a consistently solid defender and a strong offensive force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216027"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f83d85543c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seems comes into her senior season following a 2026 season where she picked up two-time Mid-Continent League third team and KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas 3A honorable mention honors. Returning to 2A after bouncing up to 3A last season Seems and the Panthers hope to, at the minimum, match the 2025 team's success. The team reached the quarterfinals after running the MCL table. Seems brings legitimate size and length to the table. She transitions well and is a consistent scoring and rebounding presence in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934573"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ade3ae28246c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Redmen wrapped up a 14-win 2026 with a sub-state loss to eventual 2A state runner-up Ellinwood and returns all-league experience, size and a quality post who missed the 2025 season in Weltmer. She was tied for second in scoring for the team (7.8 ppg), second in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and led the team in free throw attempts (84). A smart defensive presence with good strength. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->