By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Central Prairie League has featured some premier teams and premier coaches over the last decade. Brett Rolfs led Central Plains to back-to-back unbeaten seasons in 2018 and 2019. Clint Kinnamon coached back-to-back-back state champions in 2013-15 with a combined 77-1 record. Derek Joiner coached Ellinwood to a 76-15 record in a recent four-year run. One constant the entire time: Jeff Kuckelman plugging away on the sideline in Macksville. In his 23rd season at the school, Kuckelman reached his 400th win Tuesday night against Central Christian.
Kuckelman has seen his share of success at the school, advancing to the state tournament 12 times and winning three times, including a 24-2 run in the 2022-23 season to win Class 1A, Div. I. He was the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2006.
This year's Mustang squad is ranked No. 7 in the final Class 1A, Div. I rankings of 2024. The team is 4-1 on the season and led by one of the state's most prolific scorers in senior Diego Esparza, who is averaging 29.8 points a night.