Nate Schmitt

Wichita Collegiate | Assistant AD | Head Boys Basketball

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

2026 Sports in Kansas Small Classes Non-Senior🏀 Player of the Year: Kamari Jennings, Wichita Collegiate

Kamari Jennings emerged as one of the top young guards in Kansas, playing a key role in leading Wichita Collegiate to a 3A state championship.

The junior averaged 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, providing consistent production and impact on both ends for one of the top teams in the state regardless of class.

“I had a strong, consistent season, growing my game and leaving an impact every time I stepped on the court,” Jennings said. “Our team stayed true to our goal and finished as state champions. It was by far the most fun season I’ve ever had.”

Jennings has scored over 900 career points and has continued to elevate his game each season, including a career-high 33 points. Known for his work ethic, he’s been in the gym from a young age, developing under his father’s guidance.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve been in the gym with my dad,” Jennings said. “He’s taught me discipline, consistency and how to push through anything.”

He also credits his family for his success, including his sister who plays Division I softball at Jackson State, along with his mom and grandparents for their constant support.

A key piece of a championship team and one of the top rising players in the state, Jennings will be a major name to watch heading into his senior season.

#sportsinkansas

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

Sports in Kansas 2026 Legacy Award
Mitch Fiegel, Wichita Collegiate

Kansas coaching legend.

Mitch Fiegel built one of the premier programs in Kansas high school basketball history, finishing with 623 wins in 864 games over 36 seasons, along with six boys state championships. Known for his relentless, demanding practices and ability to develop depth, Fiegel consistently pushed players to new levels while establishing a standard of excellence at Wichita Collegiate that lasted decades.

His impact is seen not only in wins, but in the players he helped develop, including NBA players Maurice Evans and Gradey Dick, along with standout DeAngelo Evans. He also coached his two sons, Cole and Ty, who combined for three state titles during their time in the program.

How respected was he by his players? When Fiegel won his 600th career game, nearly 150 former players returned to be there for the moment, a powerful reflection of the relationships he built throughout his career. Beyond his own program, he has long been known as a resource for coaches across the state, always willing to offer advice and help grow the game.

Fiegel’s journey began in 1989 at Quivira Heights, where he took a losing team to the 2A state tournament in his first season, setting the tone for what would become a remarkable career. A Pratt native with deep Kansas roots, including family success through his uncle Chuck at Protection, his influence on the game spans generations.

Coach is a class act, and it was great hearing him address this year’s award recipients.

Now, the keys have been passed. Nate Schmitt led Wichita Collegiate to a state title in his first season, continuing the standard Fiegel built.

Welcome to the Sports in Kansas Legacy Club, Coach Fiegel. #sportsinkansas

[KSHSAA @KSHSAA]

Hines-Turner authors fairy-tale comeback story in Collegiate’s 3A state-title march

#KSHSAACovered x @CapFed

https://t.co/han9rgKoq5

[KSHSAA @KSHSAA]

2026 KSHSAA Covered Boys All-Class Teams

#KSHSAACovered x @CapFed

https://t.co/UHJiQEYa3d

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

2026 Sports in Kansas 3A Boys🏀 Player of the Year: Sebastian Hines-Turner, Wichita Collegiate

Sebastian Hines-Turner led Wichita Collegiate to a 3A state championship, finishing a dominant 27-1 season as one of the most complete players in Kansas regardless of class.

The senior averaged over 19 points, nearly 8 rebounds and 5 assists per game, impacting the game in every way while helping lead Collegiate alongside AJ Batiste and Kamari Jennings to one of the top seasons in the state. Their only loss came to 5A runner-up Kapaun.

Hines-Turner delivered in the biggest moments, including a 33-point performance in the state championship win over Burlington. He was also dominant in the semifinals against Silver Lake, finishing with 22 points, 5 assists and 6 steals.

All of it came just over a year after tearing his Achilles, making one of the most impressive comeback seasons in the state. He was also a Sports in Kansas Top 5 All-Classes selection.

Collegiate captured its first state title in 10 years under first-year head coach Nate Schmitt, who was named the 2026 Sports in Kansas 3A Coach of the Year after taking over for legendary coach Mitch Fiegel. Fiegel, who won six state titles, was also honored at the event with the 2026 Sports in Kansas Legacy Award.

Hines-Turner’s production, versatility and ability to deliver in big moments separated him as one of the top players in Kansas this season.

#sportsinkansas

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

2026 Sports in Kansas 3A Boys🏀 Coach of the Year: Nate Schmitt, Wichita Collegiate

Nate Schmitt led Wichita Collegiate to a 27-1 season and a 3A state championship, defeating Burlington 55-42 in the state finals in Hutchinson. The title marked Collegiate’s first state championship in 10 years and the first of Schmitt’s career.

In his first season at Collegiate, Schmitt took over a program led by legendary coach Mitch Fiegel and continued the tradition with one of the top teams in the state.

The Spartans’ only loss came to 5A runner-up Kapaun, while dominating 3A throughout the season behind a talented core that included Sports in Kansas Top 5 All-Classes selection Sebastian Hines-Turner along with AJ Batiste and Kamari Jennings.

“Defense STILL decides championships,” Schmitt said, a mindset that defines Collegiate.

Schmitt, a Holcomb native, attended Garden City Community College and Fort Hays State. A former principal and head coach at Lakin, he led the Broncs to the 3A state tournament last season and has built a strong career across multiple stops with a 223-111 overall record.

He also credits Jacy Holloway as a mentor. Holloway, Schmitt’s athletic director at Lakin and current head girls coach, is a Kansas high school legend who started on four state championship teams at Moundridge under Vance Unrau before going on to start at point guard at Iowa State.

Known as a leader and motivator, Schmitt made an immediate impact in Wichita.

Also a special recognition to Burlington head coach Justin Logan, who finished second in the 3A Coach of the Year voting after a tremendous season leading the Wildcats. #sportsinkansas

[VYPE Kansas @VypeKS]

Wichita Collegiate’s Sebastian Hines-Turner named VYPE Kansas boys basketball player of the year, sponsored by Shelter Insurance

https://t.co/KLFA0Iks9k

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

Introducing the 2026 Sports in Kansas Boys Basketball Coaches of the Year.🏀

Adam Olerich of Olathe North, 6A Coach of the Year

Drew Gruver of Bonner Springs, 5A Coach of the Year and All-Classes Coach of the Year

Don Blanchat of Baldwin, 4A Coach of the Year

Nate Schmitt of Wichita Collegiate, 3A Coach of the Year

Derek Schneider of Sterling, 2A Coach of the Year

Lance Bergmann of St. John/Tipton, 1A Coach of the Year

Cory Jensen of Hanover, 1A-II Coach of the Year

Congrats to all of the coaches honored for the 2025-26 season. Full bios, capsules, reporter interviews and individual pictures to follow over the weekend. #sportsinkansas

[Wichita Collegiate Boys Basketball @CollegiateHoops]

🚨 AVCTL Division IV League Honors ‼️@sebas_datguy5 @BatisteAj @KamariJennings

[Wichita Collegiate Boys Basketball @CollegiateHoops]

🚨 AVCTL Division IV League Honors ‼️

[Wichita Collegiate Boys Basketball @CollegiateHoops]

🚨 AVCTL Division IV League Honors ‼️@Collegiate23

[Wichita Collegiate Boys Basketball @CollegiateHoops]

🚨 Sebas is Calling ‼️ @sebas_datguy5

[Taylor Eldridge @tayloreldridge]

You can read about the story of Sebastian Hines-Turner (@sebas_datguy5) tomorrow on @kansasdotcom.

He tore his Achilles on Dec. 14, 2024 — but what's incredible is that he still finds a way to make the game-winning pass after the injury while he was in pain.

[Taylor Eldridge @tayloreldridge]

Hines-Turner came back from his Achilles tear in less than 9 months and was an all-state football player this season at Collegiate.

Less than 15 months from his surgery, Hines-Turner scored 33 points (19 in the 3rd) to lead Collegiate to its first state title since 2016.

[Taylor Eldridge @tayloreldridge]

Everyone saw Sebastian Hines-Turner (@sebas_datguy5) score 33 points to lead @CollegiateHoops to the state championship.

But what many didn't see was the grueling rehab it took to come back from a torn Achilles a year earlier.

My story on the comeback:

https://t.co/6MwOlGGRnl

[Wichita Collegiate Boys Basketball @CollegiateHoops]

#DSDC… 🚨 ‼️ 🏆 🥇 🏀 https://t.co/F8n54txX8T

[Kansas Sports Chatter @KSportsChatter]

Today's show is released at 7 p.m. on YouTube and includes Wichita Collegiate 🏀 player Sebastian Hines-Turner @sebas_datguy5 talking about winning a State championship this year. @CollegiateHoops @WCSKS

Subscribe for free here⬇️
https://t.co/wdNaDkyiO5

[KSHSAA @KSHSAA]

2026 KSHSAA Covered Boys Top 5, Coach of the Year Profiles

All-State Top 5
Cooper Carr, Baldwin
Boston Ekart, Sterling
Kelan Gruver, Bonner Springs
Sebastian Hines-Turner, Wichita Collegiate
Reece Riedel, Mill Valley

#KSHSAACovered x @CapFed

2026 KSHSAA Covered Boys Top 5, Coach of the Year Profiles

[KSHSAA @KSHSAA]

All-State Top 5 Selection:

Sebastian Hines-Turner, Wichita Collegiate

6-foot-5 senior forward
19.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.6 apg, 4.3 spg

Fun fact: Scored 17 points in 3rd quarter of 3A state title game to lead Collegiate to first state title since 2016.

#KSHSAACovered x @CapFed

[Wichita Collegiate Boys Basketball @CollegiateHoops]

🚨 @KamariJennings | Top 10 ‼️ 🏀