GASO WICHITA: Top Youngsters (Guards)
YOUNG PLAYERS FROM KANSAS
The Great American Shootout Midwest wrapped up play on Sunday at Wichita Hoops Facility in Bel Aire, Kan. with several standout performances taking place in the final stages of bracket play.
Here, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several of the top young guards from Kansas who stood out throughout the weekend.
1 —Max Alexander, 5’11, PG, 2021, McPherson, Pray N Play
Alexander led Pray N Play with 27 points in its semifinal loss on Saturday. The 2021 point guard handles it well, is a creative ball handler who is capable of attacking the basket and finishing tough chances in traffic and has the savvy needed to play on the ball or off the ball. While he is a good outside shooter, he doesn’t rely on the 3 ball to score. Playing up an age group with the 16U squad, Alexaer was among the better 2021 players we saw over the weekend.
5 — Jacob Hanna, 6’0, G, 2021, Maize, NLHA 15U
Hanna loves to attack the basket off the bounce and slither his way to the bucket where he uses terrific body control to finish what would-be tough chances for most players. He lived in the paint throughout the weekend as he attacked the basket and finished well at the rim. He has long arms and legs and despite being listed at 6’0, plays much bigger and appears to still be growing. He’s a player to watch in the future at Maize.
22 — Harper Jonas, 6’3, G/F, 2022, Andover, NLHA 16U Gaddis
Might have been the most impressive young player we saw all weekend. Playing up two age groups, the incoming freshman came in off the bench to score 12 first half points Friday night in a win over WKE Eddy and showcased length, athleticism and a well rounded skill set. He competes at the defensive end, even for a youngster, and can do a little bit of everything at the offensive end for a wing as he shoots it well, can handle it and has an understanding for the game that belies his age.
5 — Devon Junghans, 5’10, PG, 2021, Salina South, SSA Elite 15U Black
A scrappy, tough point guard,xx plays with a huge motor as he is all energy, all the time. He pushes the pace and has terrific speed in the open court with the ball and loves to attack the basket and often utilizes a spin move to free himself. He came off the bench on Friday to score xx points, including a pair of 3-pointers, but it was his energy and intensity on the floor that provided a spark.
12 — Ty Sides, 5’8, PG, 2021, Phillipsburg, Kansas Kings
Sides isn’t very big at just 5’8, but he plays with heart and is a tough, scrappy point guard. He brings good quickness to the floor and does a good job harassing opposing ball handlers and at the offensive end of the floor he is a crafty ball handler who rarely turns the ball over. He also showed a good perimeter shot on Friday as well.