Championship Showdown: Opening Night standouts at SME
The 2019 Championship Showdown at Shawnee Mission East kicked off on Tuesday with the favored teams winning each of the four first-round match-ups. Olathe East won the opening game over Grandview Christian (60-50), Blue Valley North ran away from Pembroke…
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Continue ReadingThe 2019 Championship Showdown at Shawnee Mission East kicked off on Tuesday with the favored teams winning each of the four first-round match-ups.
Olathe East won the opening game over Grandview Christian (60-50), Blue Valley North ran away from Pembroke Hill (80-50), Shawnee Mission East defeated Barstow (61-37) and Shawnee Mission West won the night cap over St James (52-47).
Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several Kansas players who stood out during the action.
Antwaun Massey, 6’7, F, 2021, Olathe East
Massey has burst on the scene this season ready to make his mark and shows a lot of potential. He has some perimeter skills, can handle it a little, scores in the paint and has some bounce in his step to go along with a rangy, 6’7 frame. Massey went for 15 points, got to the free throw line and showed the all-around talent that turned heads during the summer.
Wesley Clark, 6’0, G, 2020, Shawnee Mission West
An underrated performer in Kansas’ senior class, Clark is a tough, no nonsense competitor who works hard at both ends of the floor. He can dig in defensively and make things tough for opponents, rebounds well for a guard and is a crafty scorer, able to knock down shots and get to the basket. He can surprise opponents with his athleticism in the open floor and on defense.
Tony Friends, 5’8, 2020, Shawnee Mission East
Also a standout football player, Friends is one of the quickest players you’ll see in Kansas, blessed with a low center of gravity and good strength, he is a difficult match-up for opposing guards. Friends brings a lock down corner and press coverage mentality to the hardwood as he gets right in opponents shorts and makes life difficult. Offensively, he has a left handed shot and can handle the ball, run the point and gets to the basket well.
Preston Reynolds, 6’4, G, 2021, Shawnee Mission East
An athletic wing player, Reynolds does a little bit of everything well, whether it’s handling the ball, passing, running the floor or defending multiple positions. A strong rebounder, Reynolds can push the ball himself after a board and is terrific in transition as a playmaker or finisher. He will surprise opponents with an occasional blocked shot and can facilitate on the wing. He’s among Kansas’ most well rounded players in the rising junior class.
Jack Souder, 6’3, G, 2020, Blue Valley North
Souder really made an impact off the bench for BVN on Tuesday as he created havoc at the point of the Huskies press in the first half and helped force a host of turnovers and easy chances in transition. Souder has good size and showed the ability to finish on the move, adding seven quick points in the third quarter against Pembroke Hill.