Back on the courts: Topeka guards
Players are maybe a little rusty. Teams haven’t gelled yet. There are even players suiting up with what are not their usual teams. But there are games being played in northeast Kansas once again. Here are some updates on Topeka…
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Continue ReadingPlayers are maybe a little rusty. Teams haven’t gelled yet. There are even players suiting up with what are not their usual teams. But there are games being played in northeast Kansas once again.
Here are some updates on Topeka guards:
Tre Alexander, 2021, Topeka West:
Alexander is up to his old tricks on the summer circuit. The 6-foot-3 big guard ran the offense and was a powerful ball handler in the open floor. He is one of several guards running the Kansas Hoggs U17 offense, so he shares the ball a lot. He still needs to focus on adding a consistent outside shot to his repertoire.
Kaeden Bonner, 2023, Seaman:
Bonner looks like he has grown since last high school season, when he was listed at 5-foot-10. He’s still the same fearless outside shooter that he was last winter. But he’s also showing some scrappy defense and perhaps more athleticism. He is always matched against older players, so his physical maturity is the thing to watch. He’s part of the rebuilding project at Seaman that is heavy on young guards.
Ty Henry Ty Henry 6'3" | SG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 2022, Seaman:
Henry is obviously focused on taking the ball to the basket and trying to score so far this summer. He has nice athleticism and fine ball-handling skills, and at 6-foot-3 he’s a versatile guard. He needs to continue to develop his 3-point shot and to demonstrate his ball handling and decision making under tough defensive pressure.
Mateo Hyman Mateo Hyman 6'2" | CG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 2022, Seaman:
Hyman is still the slick ball handler and playmaker who showed off for the Vikings last winter. He was a revelation in the latter part of the season. He’s the best ball-handler and facilitator on the Kansas Hoggs U16 team. He also looks like a confident, heady leader amidst talented peers. He doesn’t take many perimeter attempts, which would be a nice element to add this summer.
Isaiah Johnson, 2021, Shawnee Heights:
Johnson is similar to Hyman and Alexander – an experienced high school guard with slick ball-handling and facilitation skills. He was the primary distributor for Shawnee Heights last year, and he is expert at getting out on the break and scoring in the open floor. Against the superior athletes on the summer circuit, he is forced into more half-court action and will develop his quarterbacking and facilitation skills. He will need them in order to help bring along the young forwards Shawnee Heights is developing for next season.
Jayden Leesman, 2021, Topeka High:
The rising senior got virtually no varsity experience for the loaded Trojans last year. He is a smooth ball handler and perimeter player for the Kansas Hoggs U17 squad. He can break down defenders and take the ball to the hole. Playing a high level of competition this summer will help him prepare to crack the Topeka High lineup in the fall.
Jalen Smith, 2021, Topeka High:
Leesman can hope to join Smith in the Trojan backcourt next year. Smith was a fine complimentary piece for the Trojans, but now he’s going to have to really step into the spotlight. As a member of the Kansas Hoggs U17group, Smith plays more of an off guard. His athleticism is still evident against the top summer players, but he has a little less ease slicing through defenses for buckets. At 6-foot-2, he can be a tough defender and impact a game in many ways.