Senior Kendall Grippin of Macksville/Kingsley (2-1A, 7-1) has had a hot start to the year both on the mound and at the plate. Grippin is batting an outstanding .615 on the year with 6 doubles and a triple. On the mound he has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings with an ERA of just .933. Grippin is committed to continue his baseball career at Friends University at the next level. #sportsinkansas
Diego Esparza of Macksville surpassed 1,500 career points and has over 500 points in just his senior season so far. Esparza is averaging a state high 28.5 points per game this season. He also gets it done in other stat categories averaging 4.8 assists and 4.7 steals per game. Esparza was a 1A-I POY finalist for SIK last year as a junior and was a big part of the 2023 Macksville State Champion team. #sportsinkansas
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Diego Esparza has been incredible for Macksville this season leading the Mustangs to a 6-1 start to the season. As he finished the 2024 portion of the season the 5’9 senior averaged just under 30 points per game. Esparza lost no momentum coming out of break with a 37 point game in a win over previously undefeated Hodgeman County. Esparza was a 1A POY finalist for SIK as a junior and was a big part of the 2022-23 Mackville state champion team. #sportsinkansas
Photo: Martha Konrade-Ruiz
ESPARZA CAN'T STOP SCORING: The Macksville star posted 37 points in a ranked win vs. Hodgeman County Friday night. #CatchItKansas https://t.co/4QpkwJgZTw
Diego Esparza has been a stud for Macksville (1A-I) since his freshman season and has come out hot to begin his senior year with the Mustangs. Esparza has lead the Mustangs to a 4-1 record beginning the 2024-25 season averaging 29.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds. Macksville and Esparza are looking to get back to that state championship game after winning it in 2023 and Diego has to be one of the hottest guards in the state right now. #sportsinkansas
Photo: Martha Konrade-Ruiz
SIK Preseason 🏀Player to Watch: Diego Esparza of Macksville (1A-I) had a standout junior year and is a preseason player to watch out for in the 2024-25 season. As a junior Esparza averaged a very impressive 25.8 points per game adding 3.2 assists and 2 steals per game as well earning him SIK All-State honors and 1A POY Finalist. Esparza surpassed 1,000 career points as a junior last winter with multiple huge games including a 53 point game against Hodgeman County. Esparza was on the 2022-2023 Macksville state champion team and looks back to get to the state tournament his senior season. #sportsinkansas
Photo: Martha Konrade-Ruiz