PREVIEW: Kansas guards on the rise (2019)
With the basketball season set to begin in a few weeks, Prep Hoops Kansas is taking a look at some of the top players across the state in a wide range of categories.
Today, we take a look at several guards who are on the rise.
Savian Edwards, 6’0, G, 2019, Washburn Rural
Edwards has been a big part of the Washburn Rural varsity in recent years, but we see him playing an even bigger role this season and helping form one of the deepest guard combinations in Kansas. Edwards is a tough, hard-nosed defensive player who is constantly working, turning opposing guards, pressuring the ball and creating mistakes. Offensively, he is terrific in the open floor, can attack the basket and finishes well in traffic.
Bo Gooch, 5’11, PG, 2019, Belle Plains
One of the state’s premier small school guards, Gooch is a terrific competitor who plays hard, brings strong leadership skills to the floor, and can knock down shots. He is a creative ball handler who plays with pace and savvy, and can get to the basket off the bounce and knock down tough outside shots. He’s coming of a terrific summer with MTXE and is poised for an all-state type senior season.
Aaron Hamliton, 5’10, PG, Junction City, SSA Elite
Hamilton hasn’t gotten a lot of hype just yet, but he is coming off a strong summer running with SSA Elite and is poised for a breakout season at Junction City. Although a little undersized, Hamilton is a tough competitor who helps his team get into its offense and runs the show as its point guard. He is a solid defender who came up with several steals throughout the weekend and turned them into easy buckets at the offensive end of the court.
Jared Mocaby, 6’0, PG, Goddard
Mocaby is a smart, heady point guard who brings leadership and experience to the court for Goddard. He can really shoot it well from the perimeter, shows good form and balance on his outside game. Solid with the ball, doesn’t get rattled and turn it over.
Zachary Schwinn, 5’7, G, Maur Hill-Mount Academy
There aren’t many better all around guards in the state than Schwinn, who despite his size, finds a way to make things happen. He can put points on the board in a hurry with his outside shooting, he’s a crafty ball handler who doesn’t turn the ball over and finds a way to get to his spots, and he can make tough chances in the lane. He can pressure the ball defensively and be a pest and doesn’t back down.