Sunflower: Lead guards making their mark
With the season nearing its mid-way point, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Sunflower Conference this season. SUNFLOWER Gardner-Edgerton, Lawrence, Lawrence Free State, Olathe Northwest, Olathe East, Olathe North, Olathe South, Olathe…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the season nearing its mid-way point, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Sunflower Conference this season.
SUNFLOWER
Gardner-Edgerton, Lawrence, Lawrence Free State, Olathe Northwest, Olathe East, Olathe North, Olathe South, Olathe West, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission South, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission West.
Peyton Mallory, 5’11, PG, 2020, Lawrence
A confident senior guard who has a strong IQ, good handles and a nice 3-point shot. Mallory was an offseason stock riser who showed his flexibility, his offensive creativity and his all-around skill while playing for Grandstand Elite. He looks to pass and keep the ball moving. Mallory is a player who is always improving and continuities to see time due to his unselfish team-first mentality and scrappiness overall.
Sam Nicodemus, 5’10, G, 2020, Olathe West
Nicodemus is a strong scoring guard who runs hard and looks to get inside and make plays near the basket. He is stronger than he looks and has good hands and an eye for schemes and openings around the perimeter. He can operate as a primary ball handler and also as a scoring option from a distance. A lefty who can score in bunches when he’s locked in.
Damare Smith, 5’10, G, 2022, Shawnee Mission Northwest
A terrific young guard who has good vision and the ability to put the ball where he wants to. Smith has good speed and is a hungry defender who is active and aggressive and plates physical and looks to come away with the ball and pick up the pace in transition. He can connect from distance and looks to shoot several feet beyond the 3-point line. He moves well off the ball but shows a creative nature that is at its best when he has the opportunity to create for others.
DJ Stubblefield, 5’10, G, 2020, Olathe South
A nice 3-point shooter for Olathe South who also adds toughness and strength to the defensive side of the floor. Stubblefield is a solid performer on both ends who has a good eye for plays and seems to know how to squeeze the ball in tight spots. He has good speed and a high IQ and brings solid leadership qualities to the floor. He’s an aggressive player who can run the show at the point and get the ball where it needs to be and into the hands of whoever’s feeling it from deep.
Sylvester Union, 5’10, G, 2020, Olathe North
A tough-as-nails on-ball defender who is quick, aggressive and has a low center of gravity. Union is a tough-minded guard who is great at forcing turnovers and putting high volume pressure on the ball. He has solid athleticism and great quickness which translates two steals, and buckets on the other end. He has good handles and shows control and seasoned play as a scoring option and facilitator. An excellent leader on the floor who knows how to get things done.