A small group of eighth‑graders from Wichita has etched a milestone into the state’s basketball lore, becoming the first team from the city to earn a spot at the Nike Jr. EYBL Championship at Peach Jam. The achievement caps a three‑year climb that began with a program founded by coach Jared Mocaby in 2022, when a single team dared to dream big.
The Making of a Historic Run
Three summers ago the squad endured blowout defeats at MAYB Nationals, losing each game by roughly 35 points. Two years later they made incremental progress but still exited Wichita after a quarterfinal loss and two more lopsided consolation defeats. This spring, however, the team went 4‑0 at a Jr. EYBL Open qualifier in Kansas City in late May, winning every contest by at least 25 points and defeating elite regional competition by an average margin of 34 points.
A Roster of Rising Stars
The current roster blends unheralded talent with established prospects. Players such as William Buckner of Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Bret Littlejohn, Brian Johnson Jr., and Cruz Warner are already regarded among the top athletes in Kansas for the class of 2030. Six of the nine members have been together with Kansas Select for the past three summers, forging a chemistry that transcends individual skill.
What Peach Jam Means for the Future
From July 8‑12 the team will travel to North Augusta, South Carolina, where the 64‑team eighth‑grade field will be divided into 16 pods of four teams for pool play. More than half of the nation’s top 150 players in the 2030 class will be represented, making the event one of the largest recruiting stages in youth basketball. For Kansas Select, the tournament is not just a test of talent but a validation of a philosophy built on unselfish play, trust, and the belief that every role matters.
Coach Mocaby emphasizes that the team’s identity differs from typical summer circuits. The ball moves, screens are set, and players accept their responsibilities, knowing that a good shot for one is a good shot for all. Their 19‑1 summer record reflects a collective effort rather than reliance on star power alone. As they prepare to face the nation’s best, the Wichita squad carries the hopes of a community that has watched them grow from the brink of obscurity to the national stage.