Kansas City Area: Quality Backcourt Companions
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Today we are taking a look across both sides of the Kansas/Missouri border in Kansas City at some intriguing backcourt players who are great compliments to a successful backcourt duo. These are guards that may provide the scoring punch, the…
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Continue ReadingToday we are taking a look across both sides of the Kansas/Missouri border in Kansas City at some intriguing backcourt players who are great compliments to a successful backcourt duo. These are guards that may provide the scoring punch, the playmaking, the on ball defense, or a little bit of everything that help create and energetic and effective backcourt tandem for their teams.
Jeremy Paige, 5’11 Guard, Van Horn, 2022: The running mate with future Washburn University point guard Jaden Monday Jaden Monday 6'0" | PG Van Horn | 2021 State MO , Paige is quite the competitor in the back court and is one of the big time spark plugs for a dangerous Falcons team. He brings a lot of toughness and grit in his 5’11 frame and is not afraid of big spots in games or to help handle pressure up the floor. He has a good burst with the ball, nice pull up game, and has gotten better at kicking out or making the extra pass for better looks as he has played in more games. The defensive aggressiveness and rebounding he brings are added bonuses as well. Currently he is putting together a 11.8 point, 3.8 rebound, 4.2 assists, and blistering 3.7 steals per game this season. Future programs looking for an absolute competitor at the guard spot, ya got one here.
Corey Chatmon, 5’9 Point Guard, Leavenworth, 2022: Another junior who is starting to come into his own in the backcourt, Chatmon has been a great compliment to highly touted Tyrese Cannon Tyrese Cannon 6'3" | SF Leavenworth | 2022 KS . Averaging around 6 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals over his last 5 games, he is putting together all of the pieces that a successful team needs from a lead guard. On the season he is currently averaging around 11 points per game. He has worked hard at developing his outside game with his shot becoming more and more reliable from distance. He attacks pressure well, can split double teams and get down hill too. Chatmon has a solid array of finishes at the rim or in the floater area, I also like his ability to drop off passes to cutters or posts in the dunker spot off of his drives.
Mac Demo, 5’10 Point Guard, Blue Valley, 2021: Demo provides the steady point guard play that Blue Valley needs and pairs up with backcourt mate Miles Blandi Miles Blandi 6'4" | SG Blue Valley | 2021 State KS great. He has a high basketball IQ, solid defender both on the ball containing the dribble, and in the gaps playing passing lanes or helping. He is very understanding of his role and gives Blue Valley a dose of what they need depending on situations in games. Currently averaging 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, he gives BV a little bit of everything. Scoring wise, he picks his spots and has had some scoring bursts like a 12 point outing against Blue Valley Southwest, but it is the other stuff he gives his team that makes him stand out.
Alex Benassi Alex Benassi 6'2" | PG Lee's Summit | 2022 State MO , 6’2 Guard, Lee Summit, 2022: The backcourt tandem of Benassi and Brycen LaRue is a ton of fun to watch compete. The play well off of one another and both bring similar skill sets to the floor. We are going to focus on Benassi today and the season he is putting together for a very good Lee’s Summit team. A stat sheet stuffer, Benassi is scoring 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game and stealing the ball at almost 2 a game. His decision making in transition and on the secondary break is top notch, almost always getting himself or his teammates a great shot. He has good balance and change of pace as well that helps make him really hard to contain off the bounce.
Kendrick Stone, 6’2 Guard, Staley, 2021 (pictured): Stone and the talented sophomore Kyan Evans Kyan Evans 6'2" | PG Staley | 2023 State MO make up a really electric backcourt over at Staley who possesses a wealth of young talented hoopers in their program. Stone has been the solid veteran rock for them averaging 11 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. The Senior guard has been shooting the ball from distance pretty well as of late, hitting 4 in a big game against Park Hill South earlier last week in a game in which he showed off his defensive instinct ability as well with 4 steals. Stone has a great frame on him at the guard spot and is an intriguing senior guard. The 2021 guard could be a massive X-Factor for Staley as they begin to rev up for a big post season run.