Kansas Hoops Class of 2023: Heating Up

As we approach the second week of February, we are here to take a look at the sophomores in the class of 2023 from around the state of Kansas that have started to get going as of late. Picking up some momentum heading into the home stretch especially as a younger player is a great thing to bring to the table for a ball club.      Brian Hawthorne, 6’1 Point Guard, 2023, St James: An extremely smart, hard working, and talented guard in the class of 2023, Hawthorne has provided a steady hand to a fun St James team featuring start talents such as Sam SomerhalderSamSomerhalder6'7" | SFSt. James Academy | 2022StateKS and Michael CahillMichaelCahill5'11" | PGSt James | 2021StateKS. In a stop and start season such as this, St James has had some pauses, but in their last couple of outings, Hawthorne has performed at an extremely high level including a 17 point, 11 rebound, and 5 assist game in a huge win over Free State and a 16 point, 7 rebound, 3 assist game in a matchup with Shawnee Mission East.     Avery JohnsonAveryJohnson6'2" | CGMaize | 2023StateKS, 6’2 Guard, 2023, Maize (Pictured): Johnson is putting together a really solid sophomore season for Maize, and outside of one slow game in the recent weeks, he has been on a tear. He is always a consistent scoring threat but in his last 5 to 6 games he has started to put together some nice rebounding and assist outings as well. The Maize guard is a gifted passer, and that was showcased big time vs Andover the other night with no look passes to cutters from the elbow, lobs for alley hoops, and a nifty bounce pass across the lane to a cutter for a layup. He is starting to get the whole package going, and has a date with an elite Salina South guard on Monday night against the likes of Josh JordanJoshJordan6'2" | CGSalina South | 2021StateKS and Devon JunghansDevonJunghans5'10" | PGSalina South | 2021StateKS. Should be a special one.     Jack VothJackVoth6'4" | PFBuhler | 2023StateKS, 6’4 Forward, 2023, Buhler: As the Buhler squad looks to find some firepower to go along with what Max AlexanderMaxAlexander6'0" | PGBuhler | 2021StateKS brings to the table, they have begun to find a little something with Voth. One of our pre season ranked players here at Prep Hoops, Jack has put together a pretty solid stretch of games as of late highlighted by an 11 point 8 rebound outing against an extremely tough Andover team. On tape he has played well in the catch and shoot game especially off of the drive and kick with Alexander. His top notch shooting ability and toughness will continue to propel him to success this season.     Kamryn KaniperKamrynKaniper6'4" | SFSilver Lake | 2023StateKS, 6’4 Wing, 2023, Silver Lake: Learning a brand new role and having new expectations for himself this season, it has taken the extremely talented wing a second to get gathered and collected this year. However, in the recent weeks he is starting to really figure out. From the leadership, attention to detail, and effort of the defensive end to the gifted offensive ability, Kaniper’s recent stretch of games have started to show off the potential. These include a 15 point, 10 rebound, and 2 block performance against Santa Fe trail and a 16 point, 4 rebound, 3 assist, and 5 block game against St Mary’s. The stock should be steadily increasing as the season winds down.     DaRon Davis, 5’9 Point Guard, 2023, Caney Valley: The Caney Valley guard packs a lot of punch in his physical frame. He has been solid from the point guard spot all season, but in his last 4 games he is starting to take over games and really influence his teams success. In his last four he has put up scoring totals of 16, 22, 17, and 17, while also making plays for others off the bounce and making the right read when help side comes over. His pull up jumper has been a killer as of late, creating great separation off the dribble and he has started to combo it up with a change of pace attack that has allowed him to get to the rim.     Keller Hurla, 5’9 Guard, 2023, St Mary’s: Hurla has started to take the reigns of the high powered St Mary’s Bears as of late. In his last outing he knocked down 5 threes in the first half and never looked back, scoring 20 in the ball game. His ability from the 3 point line and craftiness off screens and ball fakes has made him one of the toughest Mid East League guards to stop this season. His last 5 games he has taken his play to another level, getting the assist game involved as well with his scoring punch and 3 point ability. He has an extremely competitive nature and has really entered an attack zone this season.