Topeka 2022s Most Affected by the Shutdown
The summers before a player’s junior and senior years are huge. Whether you’re trying to get on the radar of your dream college, making a last ditch effort to land a scholarship, or just improving your skills for the upcoming…
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Continue ReadingThe summers before a player’s junior and senior years are huge. Whether you’re trying to get on the radar of your dream college, making a last ditch effort to land a scholarship, or just improving your skills for the upcoming school season, these two summers are crucial.
Every player is missing time on the floor, but for some guys, the pandemic is really affecting their prospects. Let’s hope these guys can all get back to competing and salvage some of this window of opportunity,
Here are some of the Topeka 2022s most affected by the shutdown:
Elijah Brooks, guard, Topeka West:
There is no questioning Brooks’ ability at the high school level. He earned third-team all 5A as just a sophomore. He averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds en route to first team all-league honors.
But his superior physical gifts can be a curse as well as a blessing. The 6-foot-2 versatile Brooks is strong and able to overpower nearly any guard around, and he’s too quick and athletic for most bigger players. But he’s very similar to his backcourt mate, 2021 prospect Trevion Alexander, in that his outside shot may put a lid on his potential. If he develops a more accurate outside touch, he’ll be unstoppable. But summer would have been the time to refine that part of his game, and the live competition would have been key to demonstrating that skills to colleges.
Ty Henry Ty Henry 6'3" | SG Seaman | 2022 State KS , guard, Seaman:
At 6-foot-3, Henry has the size and length to be a mismatch at guard. He can handle the ball, create for his teammates, and shoot from the perimeter. If the Vikings are to improve following a rough rebuilding campaign, Henry will play a leading role.
Henry has the look of a college ballplayer. But he was occasionally flustered when the pressure was on the overmatched Vikings last year. He needs to take his entire game to another level, and experience on the rugged summer circuit could be key.
Mateo Hyman Mateo Hyman 6'2" | CG Seaman | 2022 State KS , guard, Seaman:
Hyman is similar to Henry. He teamed with Henry as sophomore backcourt mates for the Vikings. Hyman was forced to handle the ball under extreme pressure as Seaman was pressured a lot. The sophomore-heavy Vikings were not very experienced, and it showed in their record. But Hyman can be a slick playmaker, and at 6-foot-1 he has some physical tools.
Hyman could take his game to the next level if he learns to handle pressure, command an offense, defend talented guards, and shoot from the perimeter. It’s a lot to develop, and summer would be a good time to take the next step.
Quincey Kidd, forward, Washburn Rural:
The 6-foot-2 Kidd was a revelation at the end of his sophomore season. He grew into a role on the varsity as the season played out. The Junior Blues were one of the top 6A teams in the state, and they needed some support for star forward Joe Berry Joe Berry 6'4" | CG Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS . Down the stretch Kidd scored 12 against Manhattan, 18 versus Olathe North and 9 in the season-ending loss to Wichita West.
Kidd will have a chance to play a much bigger role in support of Berry next season. Kidd needed the summer to develop not just his skills, but his confidence.
Zander Puthoff, forward, Shawnee Heights:
There were several older players taking most of the playing time on the Thunderbirds front line. Puthoff got some playing time, but will get much more next year. He played his sophomore season like a pure shooter. He had five 3-pointers against De Soto and three in a couple of other contests.
But at 6-foot-4, there is a lot more in his body than a shooter. With seniors 6-foot-4 Nasire Anderson and 6-foot Marquis Barksdale as veterans in the lane, Putthoff didn’t exploit all his abilities. He will have the opportunity next year. He could have used the summer to learn to play in the lane against good competition, rebound with more confidence and expand his offensive game.