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Panthers' Premer rated as nation's No. 1 tight end
Ian Premer
Great Bend receiver Ian Premer (14) makes a leaping reception.

BY RYAN WALLACE

247 SPORTS

An update to the Top247 rankings for the Class of 2026 is cause for celebration in Great Bend as back-to-back Kansans climbed to the No. 1 tight end spot. Goodland's Linkon Cure is ranked the No. 1 tight end for 2025 recruits. Much like Cure, this 6-foot-6 receiving threat has garnered a long list of blue chip attention.

"Ian Premer might have the most developmental upside of the bunch," writes Andrew Ivins, 247Sports director of scouting. "His fluidity, athleticism, and spatial awareness are rare for a player of his stature. It should help him blossom into a mismatch on Saturdays."

Premer scored eight touchdowns with 541 yards receiving with 260 yards rushing and two scores. Premer intercepted three passes for one touchdown.

Bumping up 32 spots from the previous list, Premer is now a No. 92-rated prospect nationally. He would make the cut line for 5-star status if the rankings. It's a massive statement not only for the Sunflower State.

Premer grew up thinking he'd follow his father's basketball path until his football recruiting skyrocketed last year.

The grandson of a K-Stater, Premer has leaned purple much of his life to this point as he detailed two months ago during an appearance on KCSN's Verbal Commitment podcast

"We grew up K-State fans, so we'd all go to a game with the family," Premer said. "Something that really stands out now is how they use the tight end position really well. They've got guys that are going to be good tight ends, and guys that have been good tight ends in the past."

Premer has made game day visits to Kansas, Iowa State, Nebraska and Penn State. Oklahoma and Oregon are two additional suitors who Premer had mentioned wanting to see as well. 

The only campus to have twice welcomed the Great Bend standout during his junior campaign? That would be K-State, spearheaded by Taylor BraetBrian Lepak and Matt Wells, who impressed Premer most recently during the Sunflower Showdown victory over the Jayhawks.

"It was great and the atmosphere really jumped out to me. I talked to tight ends Linkon Cure and Cooper Terwilliger a lot, and then Hunter Higgins and J.J. Dunniganas. Coaching wise, I talked to Coach Lepak a lot and Coach Wells. And then had to talk with my man Braet too.

More recruiting research appears likely as there's no decision day on the horizon for Premer. However, we do know an idea of what the four-star will be looking for when it comes time to narrow his choices.

"I'm a big time competitor so I want to be on a team that's consistently good and consistently winning," said Premer, whose 9-1 Panthers lost 19-14 to Hays in the 5A playoffs.

"Also, how they use the tight end position," he said. "Are they throwing the ball a lot, or are they more of glorified offensive linemen? That matters a lot because, with my skillset, I want to get the ball and make plays. Obviously, blocking is a big part of being a tight end, but having the ball in your hands is fun and something I'd like to do with my skillset. Do I connect with the coaches, the people? Do I like the town? All sorts of those things and the overall feel of the place. I'd say those three are the big three for me."


Oilers lose third-place game to South Gray
SPT_LF_  Coaching timeDSC_47272.jpg
Coach Ryan talking to the oilers in the final game of the 1A DI state basketball championship against South Grey. - photo by Lori Farmer
BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com DODGE CITY — South Gray converted a trio of 3-pointers in the final minute of regulation and outlasted Central Plains 65-56 in overtime for third place in Saturday's 1A Division 1 state basketball tournament. The Rebels were down 49-44 and the Oilers converted 5 of 6 free throws in the final minute of regulation. But South Gray's Dyson Winfrey and Gavin Wahl made uncontested 3-pointers before Gavin Wahl made a tying 3-pointer despite hustling defense by Oiler Aiden Hekele. The Rebels' Gavin Wahl scored the first basket of overtime and South Gray converted 10 of 10 free throws for a 65-56 lead. The game finished with a unique twist after Hekele committed a foul with 14 seconds left in overtime. South Gray's Zachary Hendrickson was assessed a flagrant foul and ejected for shoving Hekele to the ground. After a brief discussion, game officials Ricci Tucker, Marty Steinert and Wyatt Dautel waved off the final four free throws and allowed the Oilers to inbound the basketball. Crites capped a superb sophomore season with 22 points. Hekele scored 15 points. Camden Stiles scored 11 points. The Oilers distributed 16 assists on 19 baskets. Crites dished out six assists South Gray's Gavin Wahl scored 17 points and Moore added 14 points. The Rebels converted 19 of 19 free throws. The intense battle featured 11 lead changes, eight in the first half. Central Plains took control with a 16-5 scoring burst for a 38-29 lead in the third quarter. Stiles, Crites and Hekele scored all 16 points. At that point, the Oilers had executed a near-perfect game plan guided by coach Michael Ryan. But the Rebels responded with a quick 13-4 burst fueled by a trio of 3-pointers for a 42-42 tie. Stiles converted a 3-pointer and Crites scored off a steal for a 49-44 lead. But the Rebels made their trio of 3-pointers for a 53-53 tie after four quarters. The Oilers return four starters and graduate Hekele, Logan Stroede and Ethan Grubb. Two-time state champion Central Plains (18-6) is 11-4 all-time at the state tournament. The Oilers lost 44-34 to eventual state champion Olpe in the 1A semifinals. Central Plains 13 15 12 13 3— 56 South Gray 11 13 13 16 12 — 65 CENTRAL PLAINS (18-6) (FG 3 FT TP)—Crites 8-15 (2-5) 4-4 22, Stiles 5-11 (4-8) 0-0 14, Hekele 4-9 (2-4) 5-6 15, Siemsen 2-6 (0-1) 1-2 5, Peyton Dody 0-1 0-0 0, Daniels 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 19-43 (8-19) 10-12 56 SOUTH GRAY (20-5) (FG 3 FT TP)—Gavin Wahl 4-14 (2-6) 7-7 19, Moore (2-8) 8-8 14, Winfrey 2-3 4-4 10, Briscoe 5-8 0-0 10, Cameron Wahl 3-4 (2-2) 0-0 8, Totals 18-43 (10-25) 19-19 65 Rebounds—CP 22 (Siemsen 9); SG 26 (G. Wahl 7). Assists—CP 16 (Crites 6); SG 13 (Moore 7). Steals—CP 4 (Crites 4); SG 3 (C. Wahl 2). Flagrant foul—Z. Hendrickson 1A DIV. 1 BOYS 3-15—1ST—Olpe 47, South Central 34; 3RD—South Gray 65, Central Plains 56 (OT); SEMIFINALS—Olpe 44, Central Plains 34; South Central 64, South Gray 49; FIRST ROUND—Olpe 57, Little River 53; Central Plains 54, Frankfort 44 (OT); South Central 52, Clifton Clyde 38; South Gray 66, Quinter 47 OILERS STATE (11-4) 2025—Oilers 54, Frankfort 22; Olpe 44, Oilers 34; 3RD—South Gray 65, Oilers 56 2019—Oilers 55, Macksville 30; Oilers 59, Caldwell 41; 1ST—Oilers 40, St. John 28 2018—Oilers 58, Inman 42; Oilers 58, Salina Sacred Heart 36; 1ST—Oilers 47, Pittsburg Colgan 34 2015—Oilers 67, Jackson Heights 42; Oilers 69, Olpe 44; 1ST—St. John 49, Oilers 45 2016—Oilers 77, Lawrence Seabury 56; Salina Sacred Heart 62, Oilers 52; 3RD—Oilers 56, Hill City 25 CLAFLIN STATE (6-12) 2007—Olpe 60, Claflin 44 2006—Claflin 61, Lebo 54; Claflin 70, Brewster 55; 1ST—Macksville 55, Claflin 45 2000—Macksville 67, Claflin 64 1993—Frankfort 72, Claflin 64 1992—Pike Valley 67, Claflin 57 1986—Northern Valley 80, Claflin 55 1985—Highland 60, Claflin 56 1984—Pretty Prairie 59, Claflin 42 1983—Oswego 47, Claflin 45 1980—Garden Plain 79, Claflin 53 1977—Claflin 60, Hutchinson Trinity 58; Lebanon 60, Claflin 58; 3RD—Claflin 68, Mankato 50 1956—Claflin 62, Oswego 52; Claflin 56, Pretty Prairie 48; 1ST—Inman 67, Claflin 66 QUIVIRA HEIGHTS STATE (4-5) 1999—Lebo 69, Quivira Heights 47 1995—Brewster 64, Quivira Heights 67 1989—Spearville 88, Quivira Heights 60 1983—Quivira Heights 55, Inman 50; Thayer 64, Quivira Heights 43; 3RD—Quivira Heights 45, Brewster 40 1917—Bushton 28, Potter 6; Bushton 30, Macksville 8; 1ST—Winfield 23, Bushton 21
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