Season Recap: Under the Radar Scorers
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As the high school season comes to an end we will start to look at this season as a whole and recap different groups of players who are primed to take a leap or continue their success into their spring…
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Continue ReadingAs the high school season comes to an end we will start to look at this season as a whole and recap different groups of players who are primed to take a leap or continue their success into their spring seasons. It is also fun to see what guys work on their game who end their seasons early look like when they come back and play with their club teams. Here are some of the scoring guard prospects who showed out this season.
Zaid Dajani Zaid Dajani 6'4" | CG Olathe Northwest | 2022 State KS , 6’3 Guard, Olathe Northwest, 2022 (Pictured): The #13 prospect in the class of 2022 for Prep Hoops kind of flew under the radar some this season due to ONW not having the season they were hoping they would have, but he put up a monster season scoring the basketball, giving his squad a chance to win in a multitude of games all season. Dajani has an arsenal of moves off the bounce that allows him to get separation or guys on his hip to attack, from his cross over, to an in and out counter, to even a nifty spin move. He finishes through and around defenders impressively, and can stop short and get off a beautiful floater. ONW also used him some in the post up game where his long arms could get him an advantage scoring over smaller guards. His rip to attack closeouts is also a staple of his game. He averaged 19.8 points per game on the season, and 18.6 points in Sunflower League games.
Miles Blandi Miles Blandi 6'4" | SG Blue Valley | 2021 State KS , 6’4 Guard, Blue Valley, 2021: Blandi flew under the radar this season when he really should not have, as he was sure fire one of the best shooters in Kansas this season and was a tremendous wing man to Aidan Shaw Aidan Shaw 6'7" | SF Blue Valley | 2022 State #40 Nation KS for Blue Valley all year. Blandi also showed that he can play point as well, as his size, court vision, and handle allow him to initiate and make plays in the offense. He is good at playing off shot fakes as well, and guys deservedly so, fly out at him and he can make them pay. His pull up game is top notch and much improved. He averaged 16 points per game on the year and shot 42% from the 3 point line.
Hunter Davis Hunter Davis 5'9" | PG Lakin | 2021 State KS , 5’9 Guard, Lakin, 2021: The senior guard put together a great campaign to finish out his career scoring 18.3 points per game. Pound for pound he is one of the better scorers in 3A basketball. He also averages 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game, showing he can impact the game in other ways. He is quick with the ball in his hands and when in attack mode getting down hill, is dangerous scoring the basketball. In one of his final outings of the season, he erupted for a season high 36 points in a win over an extremely talented Holcomb team. He hit 31 threes on the season and shot 33% from beyond the arc.
Xander Newberry, 6’ Guard, Attica, 2022: Attica as a team flew under the radar this year, but they put together a pretty solid season, and Newberry was a huge reason for their success. The Attica guard averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds per game this season. He is pretty versatile on the floor and has been used to seal up the lane to catch in the post, and has ran point for Attica. He is really tough to contain off the bounce and he is good at using side to side moves to get angles to get downhill and attack.
Devin Loudermilk Devin Loudermilk 6'3" | SF West Elk | 2021 State KS , 6’4 Guard, West Elk, 2021: Loudermilk got on my radar later on in the season, but he had a terrific overall year for West Elk. The lengthy guard averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He put together 3 games this season with over 30 points, and 9 in total with over 20 points. His track ability translates well on to the court, as he has a quick burst with the ball, sprints his lane, and can play effectively above the rim. To compliment his athletic scoring ability, Loudermilk also shot a respectable 35% from 3 and 65% from the foul line.