PREVIEW: Underrated Players to Know for 810 Varsity
PREVIEW: Underrated Players to Know for 810 Varsity
The 810 varsity shootout will be one of the first big events in Kansas City area hoops this season. The line-up features teams from both sides of the border and will feature some of the best players in the area.
Here, we look at some of the top players from those teams that are flying under the radar.
Event Line-up
Date: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017
Location: Liberty High School, Liberty, Mo.
Lee’s Summit vs. St. Joe Central, 1 p.m.
Lee’s Summit vs. Shawnee Mission North, 2:30 p.m.
Blue Springs vs. Park Hill South, 4:30 p.m.
Liberty vs. Free State, 8 p.m.
Stefan Black II, 5’11, G, 2020, Blue Springs
One of the Kansas City area’s premier young athletes, Black is also a talented football player who got some run for a state runner-up football team this fall. He is a quick and athletic guard who handles the ball well and can get to the bucket.
Mikel Henderson, 5’10, G, 2019, Lee’s Summit North
Henderson is mostly a varsity newcomer who is taking on a much bigger role this season for the Broncos. He has elite speed and quickness off the dribble and can break down opponents and get to the basket. He has the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers and can get hot from 3-point range.
Will Eames, 6’6, SF, 2018, Lee’s Summit
One of the most talented offensive players in the Kansas City area, Eames has good size for a wing player and a diverse and well-rounded skill set to go with it. He is among the Kansas City area’s premier shooters with the ability to get hot from 3-point range and light up the score boards. He can also take his game into the post and is a creative shot maker.
Zach McDermott, 6’3, F, 2018, Free State
With McDermott in play this season, Free State has emerged as an early season Kansas 6A state championship contender. McDermott has terrific size for a guard and has the ability to handle the ball, knock down open shot or take his game into the paint. He and 2019 forward Noah Butler will be a tough 1-2 punch.
Logan Steenstra, 6’5, SF, 2018, Liberty
A talented 6’5, 185-pound wing player, Steenstra largely took a backseat last season to point guad Jalen Lewis and big man Alex Tison. But with the graduation of Tison, Liberty will be looking to Steenstra and perhaps others to step up and provide a presence around the basket. Steenstra is a smooth athlete with the skills to play on the wing, but the size and athleticism to defend and rebound around the basket when needed.