Kansas February Check In: 2021 Forwards Filling It Up
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As we approach the midway mark in February, we are entering the proving grounds for teams and players as they get primed for post season runs. Let’s take a look at some of the 2021 forwards around the state of…
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Continue ReadingAs we approach the midway mark in February, we are entering the proving grounds for teams and players as they get primed for post season runs. Let’s take a look at some of the 2021 forwards around the state of Kansas who have been getting it done on the hardwood and should have a big impact of the closing stretch of the season.
Drew Nicholson Drew Nicholson 6'6" | PF Hoisington | 2021 State KS , 6’7, Hoisington: Nicholson’s stock continues to rise in the high school ranks and college interest continues to grow. His versatility, length, and IQ are high quality components of his overall game that make his statistical outputs even pop more. He is currently averaging about 18 points and 7 rebounds a game. He has great range and pop on his jump shot, which at 6’7 is really hard to contest, and can really stretch opponents defenses away from the rim. He has recently joined the 1,000 point club as well.
Cole Scott, 6’5, Stanton County: One of the springiest players across the state of Kansas, you are usually in for a couple of highlight plays in every Stanton County game. One of the premier players in 2A and one of the rising forwards across any class, Scott is a statistical monster and uses his athleticism to impact the game in a variety of ways. He is really explosive off the bounce and runs the floor well, and in transition he has been tough for opponents to contain. He is currently averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.
Harlan Obioha Harlan Obioha 7'0" | C Hoxie | 2021 State KS , 6’11, Hoxie (pictured above): A big bodied forward, Obioha has been really difficult for teams to stop, especially in the paint. His elite height and size not only make him a standout prospect on the football field, but in basketball as well, as interest has begun to grow for the big fella. For his size, he has great balance and touch with the ball. He does a good job of keeping the ball away from help side guards digging, and handles double teams well. He is currently dominating games, averaging 23 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.7 asissts, and over 4 blocks per game.
Dayton Logan, 6’5, Mission Valley: Logan is another premier catch and shoot stretch forward who also rebounds well. He has proven to be a great zone buster and a pick and pop player. The Mission Valley forward has a nice looking release and gets his shot off at a decent clip. Transitioning from the summer circuit to the high school season, his physicality and presence in the painted area has improved as well. He is a player too that once they get rolling can get hot from the floor, showing this in his 5 three point performance in a game against Northern Heights recently. he is currently averaging 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
Nate Barnhart Nate Barnhart 6'9" | PF DeSoto | 2021 State KS , 7’, DeSoto: the future Wyoming big man has put together a really solid senior campaign, putting DeSoto on more of people’s maps then what had been probably thought of before the season. His length is just a game changer and an x factor in many games. He plays well out of the dunkers spot, has a growing back to the basket game, and can step out and hit jump shots. His ability to shoot the three coming off screens, stepping out, popping off ball screens, and off the bounce is really hard to deal with for defenses.
Will Townsend Will Townsend 6'8" | PF Shawnee Mission East | 2021 State KS , 6’8, Shawnee Mission East: One of my favorite forward prospects entering the season, Townsend has been a solid rock for his Shawnee Mission East team throughout the year. He is currently averaging 13.6 points, 7 rebounds, and over a block a game. Has the ability to do some good things out on the perimeter, but his physicality and willingness to offensive rebound, score inside, and bring a presence to the floor are what sticks out for me. He is also a really solid teammate being a willing defender of the 1-5 spots if he gets caught in switches and a great screener. His mid post off the bounce game and his ability to finish with either hand are also staples of his game I really like.