The Future and Present: Stand Out 2024s
As the playoffs are rolling in Kansas, we will start to take a look at some recaps of another terrific and competitive high school basketball season. Today we look at some of the breakout freshman who burst on to the…
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Continue ReadingAs the playoffs are rolling in Kansas, we will start to take a look at some recaps of another terrific and competitive high school basketball season. Today we look at some of the breakout freshman who burst on to the scene this year and made vital impacts for their varsity teams.
Carter Coombs, 5’10 Guard, Chanute: The guard out of Chanute has roared into the high school scene and is looking at becoming an All League player during his freshman campaign. He is currently averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting about 40% from 3 on the season. Watching him play, he has a great looking shot and gets himself on balance quickly whether off the catch, on the move, or off the dribble. He attacks closeouts well on shot fakes and gets to his pull up jumper nicely. Coombs is an extremely smooth guard and plays a much more mature game of basketball then what you’d expect from an incoming freshman. He is going to be a big time gamer.
Spencer Coup, 5’10 Guard, Solomon: The Solomon back court is loaded with talented young guards, and Coup is one of them. He is coming off a 28 point, 10 rebound performance in the opening round of sub-state. He is a strong guard who gets to his spots well off the dribble, plays extremely hard, and knows how to get himself to the foul line. Coup is also a solid playmaker off the dribble and plays in transition with a lot of poise and makes good decisions. He is averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
Kale Staats, 6′ Guard, St Thomas Aquinas: Staats has really developed into a solid role player for a young and up and coming St Thomas Aquinas squad. The freshman’s playing time and contributions coincide with the improved team performance and his biggest impact has come on the defensive end of the floor. He can guard multiple positions, plays aggressive, rebounds as a guard, and gets his hands on the ball. Staats has a decent offensive game and has plenty of time to develop, but he can slash and cut into the painted area and make some plays attacking the basket. His defensive ability is already blossoming into something special, and his offensive game should follow along nicely.
TJ Williams, 6’3 Guard, Wichita Heights: With his size, athleticism, talent, and play, it is really hard to believe that Williams is a freshman. He is going to be quite the talent when it is all said and done. He sits at about 6’3, has a great wing span and then pair it with his jumping ability, you have mold for quite the prospect. The lefty can shoot it from 3 some, especially open off the catch, can handle against full court pressure, and attacks the basket with intensity. He is currently averaging 8 points, 3 rebounds, a block, and a steal per game for Heights. He has had a couple of moments this year where he has come extremely close to putting someone on a big time poster. Williams is going to be really really good.
Asa Tarver, 6’3 Wing/Forward, Wichita South: Tarver is a very intriguing freshman wing prospect who has a good frame and size to him. You can tell he is learning the game still but his shooting ability and talent paired with his size will make him great two way player for years to come. He put a up a season high 19 points against Heights earlier in the season and has filled in his role nicely for South as a 3 and D type of player in year one. He hit 18 threes on the year at a 38% clip and averaged 5 points, and about 2 rebounds per game. With a good offseason, Tarver could be a big breakout candidate for next year.
Blake Rucker, 6′ Guard, Eureka: Another freshman who got his opportunity and ran with it, Rucker is a talented guard who plays with swag and energy. He can really get going from behind the arc in a variety of ways, off the move, catch and shoot, and off the bounce. He finishes well against contact and has a nice mid range arsenal of shots to really round out his game. He is another massive breakout candidate next season. He has posted a couple 20+ scoring eruptions this season as well.