Will Kuhl is at the center of West Central’s state championship aspirations. 

Kuhl, a towering 6-foot-10 senior center, mans the middle for the Trojans and their steady complement of wings and guards. The Class A No. 2 Trojans are 5-0 as Kuhl is playing an integral part in their question for a Class A state championship. 

“It’s a really fun group,” Kuhl said. “It’s a really good group of guards. They pass the ball a lot. It’s a lot of fun.” 

The Trojans also feature all-state junior guard Connor Mebius, along with guards Boche Knight, Hayden Heier, Braden Ockenga, Bubba Kono, Carter Gross and 6-foot-5 forward Kolte Garry. 

“We are all around,” Kuhl said. “We can do everything and that’s what is very dangerous about us. We can all shoot. We can all finish. We have some really good facilitating guards that get us open and we just get easy buckets.”

Last season, Kuhl earned Class A all-state honorable mention honors, averaging 13.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. This season, Kuhl has continued his steady production, averaging 17.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

He’s scored in double figures in four of the five games, including performances of 25 points (vs. Vermillion) and 26 points (Pine Ridge).  

“Indiviudally, I am just trying my best to get these guys as far as they can because you all have four years to do this,” Kuhl said.  

Kuhl has also looked comfortable shooting from the 3-point line. Against Pine Ridge, Kuhl finished 3-of-4 from the 3-point line, an aspect of his game he’s expanded throughout his career. 

“It’s kind of always been a part of my game,” Kuhl said. “Freshman year I didn’t really shoot at all, and I was like ‘What will make me really good as well?’ If I could shoot really well. So sophomore year is when I really focused on shooting and then I’ve built on it junior and senior year.”

Kuhl’s senior season has been highlighted by another addition — Dave Hollenbeck. The long-time St. Thomas More boys basketball coach took over as West Central’s head coach prior to the season, giving the Trojans a veteran coach to bolster their championship quest. 

“He’s a great dude,” Kuhl said. “He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever met. His ethics are very good. Very good plays. He will never hear you say that you didn’t work hard enough. Because he makes you work really hard.”

Hollenbeck also has a proven track record developing post players at St. Thomas More, another boost for Kuhl. 

“He’s teaching me things that I didn’t know about the game,” Kuhl said. “It’s very different from my other previous coaches.”

Next season, Kuhl will play college basketball at Division II Northern State University. In the meantime, Kuhl and Trojans will continue their championship aspirations. 

On Jan. 2, the Trojans will host Hill City before playing at Class A No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian in a marquee boys basketball contest.