KS Top 250 Expo: The 2022/2023 Playmakers
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The fast tempo and talent levels of everyone participating in the Kansas Top 250 Expo this past Saturday allowed for a lot of plays to be made all across the gym. Making plays whether through setting teammates up for success,…
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Continue ReadingThe fast tempo and talent levels of everyone participating in the Kansas Top 250 Expo this past Saturday allowed for a lot of plays to be made all across the gym.
Making plays whether through setting teammates up for success, scoring the ball, or turning defense to offense can separate some players from the bunch. This group of players here did a great job of making stand out plays throughout the day in the class of 2022 and 2023.
– Sebastian Hamm Sebastian Hamm 6'2" | PG Blue Valley Southwest | 2022 State KS , 6’ Guard, Blue Valley Southwest, 2022
Building off his really solid play in the MoKan Fall League, Hamm had himself another great day showcasing his play making ability and solid guard play. The Blue Valley Southwest guard was a knockdown shooter on the day, especially off of the dribble and coming off of screens and handoffs and getting to his spot. Hamm also had a couple of smooth looking makes from 3 on catch and shoot corner threes, showing great lift and balance on his shot. With the ball in his hands on Saturday, he looked extremely comfortable on the court regardless of his matchup and was distributing well when getting into the lane. Hamm showed a great change of pace with the ball, which is a skill top guards need, and he utilized it to make plays not only for himself, but his teammates as well.
– Juan’Tario Roberts Juan’Tario Roberts 5'10" | CG Highland Park | 2022 State KS , 5’10 Point Guard, Highland Park, 2022
The Highland Park point guard had himself a solid outing on Saturday, always looking under control and collected throughout the games. Roberts made countless pull up jumpers from both the mid range and three point line, and is really good pulling up when the last bounce is coming from his left hand, he does a great job of getting in rhythm quickly and getting his shot off. He also hit a couple of threes from the trail spot stepping in confidentially and knocking down shots off the catch. Roberts play making ability really thrived attacking the rim which he spent a lot of the day doing. In game 2 he had a nice run where he pushed the tempo off the dribble in the full and got to the rim, finishing both times and then capped off his run with a drive in the half court and dump off to his post player setting them up for an easy bucket.
– Kernan Bundy Kernan Bundy 6'3" | SG Blue Valley North | 2022 State KS , 6’3 Guard, Blue Valley North, 2022
Bundy is someone who just constantly makes plays on both ends of the floor and his ascension into the spotlight this summer is very well deserved. His array of finishes on Saturday was wide spread utilizing up and under layups, two foot power finishes, inside hand layups, and capped off his day with a reverse dunk out on the break. On the defensive end, Bundy makes a bunch of plays whether its blocking shots from the weakside, or getting into passing lanes to deflect passes which helps get himself into transition where he is tough to keep from scoring or getting to line. The Blue Valley North guard also had a couple of great kick ahead passes leading teammates to easy buckets and he uses his ability to draw help on drives to make a ton of plays with the pass to put teammates in great spots to succeed.
– Jack Bachelor Jack Bachelor 6'0" | CG Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , 6’ Point Guard, Washburn Rural, 2023
Bachelor is a rising 2023 guard who is on pace to make quite a splash this winter with Washburn Rural. The open court, fast paced nature of the games Saturday plus Bachelor’s smooth style of play with the ball equaled a ton of great plays made. In one of the games, Bachelor started off the first couple of minutes of the game with 3 great assists that came off of him getting deep penetration into the lane and finding cutters and shooters. His offensive game was almost always under control, collected, and purposeful, rarely wasting a dribble or movement which gets him great opportunities to attack defenses in a variety of ways. On Saturday he was able to show off his great floater, knockdown 3 point shot, and crafty finishes with both hands. On defense he has quick hands and reaction time allowing him to make some plays getting steals or deflections. The Washburn Rural guard is carrying some great momentum into his high school season.
– Ryle Riddlesperger Ryle Riddlesperger 6'2" | PG Hugoton | 2023 State KS , 5’11 Point Guard, Hugoton, 2023
Another crafty 2023 guard at the event Saturday, Riddlesperger came out to make a statement. Throughout the game he was constantly showing more and more of what he posses in his game and it stood out big time. The Hugoton guard has great balance while on the court, rarely being knocked off on drives and is rarely off balance when shooting the ball. He is a great ball handler to combine with his balance when attacking, so he gets down hill with ease and puts a lot of pressure on both his matchup and the help defense. His finishing ability is solid, able to get up quickly off of one foot to the rim but also had some plays where he stopped short and got off a soft touch finish from about 6 to 8 feet. Another young class of 2023 guard who already makes a ton of plays with the ball in his hands, the future is bright for Riddlesperger as he logs more court time and continues to develop.