Sports in Kansas Names Hugoton Duo Co Players of the Year

Sports in Kansas 4A Boys’ Player of the Year: Ryle Riddlesperger/Carson Bennett, Hugoton

SIK noted Hugoton as a state contender since the season-opening Hays City Shoot-Out. The Eagles opened 1-2 with a single-figure loss to 6A Olathe West and an overtime defeat at Hays High. Hugoton never lost again and picked up its first-ever boys’ basketball state title. Coach Trey O’Neil, a two-time SIK Player of the Year at Scott City, has done superb work in his first two seasons as Hugoton’s head coach. Before this season, Hugoton had made two all-time final fours, in 1951 and 2016, per historian Carol Swenson.

Seniors Ryle Riddlesperger and Carson Bennett were interwoven in the Eagles’ success. They led Hugoton to the state tournament three of four seasons. This winter, Hugoton was 23-2.

They finished 2-3 in GWAC voting behind Hunter Vaughn of 3A Colby. Riddlesperger delivered 18.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. This season, Riddlesperger scored 464 points and made a school record 112 treys, which led Kansas. He shot 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range. Riddlesperger sank 80 percent of free throws (28 of 35). In 84 career games, Riddlesperger scored 1,033 points, along with 164 rebounds and 142 assists. He is Hugoton’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers.

Hugoton won the GWAC all four years and the Sterling Invitational three straight seasons. Riddlesperger has an offer from Seward County Community College. He was the Most Inspirational Player of the Sterling tournament this weekend and broke the tournament record for most 3s made.

“We really did that!,” Riddlesperger said. “A team full of champions all because of hard work and showing up for each other, every single day. Proud to represent Hugoton, Kansas. The community support we have is the best. “

The 6-foot-2 Bennett delivered 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest. In his career, Bennett averaged 15 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists a contest. Bennett also has a Seward CCC offer. He was the Sterling Invitational Most Inspirational Player as a junior.

At state, Riddlesperger had 18.3 points per game, Bennett at 16.7. Hugoton, who was 3A last year, was the second smallest 4A school in the state and won the state championship over a school double their enrollment.

The Hugoton Sports Boosters and Farm Bureau Financial Services-Jeff Ramsey Agency are very proud of Ryle and Carson for being selected 4A co-players of the year!  Your leadership and hard work in helping your team achieve the school’s first state championship in boy’s basketball will always be remembered by your Hugoton community and fans!

Congrats to the Hugoton Eagles on an awesome 2022-2023 season! Congrats to all of our players and coaches on a state championship! We are proud of you. A big congrats to Ryle & Carson for 4A POY from SIK! – from Hugoton High School and Hugoton High School Athletics.

Ghumms Auto Center would like to congratulate Carson Bennett on the 2023 SIK 4A Co-Player of the Year and the 4A state championship! We are proud of you!