2022: Proving Grounds (Forwards)
We will be looking at forwards in the 2022 class who will be looking to prove their stock elevation, back from injury, or ready to make a leap into another level. These guys play with a chip on their shoulders…
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Continue ReadingWe will be looking at forwards in the 2022 class who will be looking to prove their stock elevation, back from injury, or ready to make a leap into another level. These guys play with a chip on their shoulders and have a lot of skill, talent, and ability to make things happen on the basketball court.
Noah Hastert Noah Hastert 6'6" | C Cair Paravel | 2022 State KS , 6’6, Cair Paravel, SSA Elite 17 White: Coming off of an all around great season for Cair Paravel, the long Hastert will look to do it on the bigger stage at the grassroot level on the circuit. He has good quickness and quick finishes that have allowed him to be effective in and around the painted area. He showed improvement on his range and jump shot consistency which if it translates into the spring will be a huge boost to his game and impact. He averaged 16 points, 3.7 assists, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 2.7 steals per game.
Landon Wagler Landon Wagler 6'8" | PF Shawne Mission Northwest | 2022 State KS , 6’4, Shawnee Mission Northwest, MoKan: A versatile offensive and defensive player so far in his high school and grassroots career, Wagler will look to take the next leap up amongst the group of forwards and versatile wings in the class of 2022. He pieced together a stat stuffing high school season and has the passing, shooting, ball handling, and attacking skills to really make an imprint on the grassroots scene this year. He averaged 16.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He has great size and versatility to guard a wide variety of positions as well.
Garrett Lynch Garrett Lynch 6'4" | SF St. James | 2022 State KS , 6’5, St James PAC Basketball: Came on late as a really reliable forward to play along side Somerhalder in the front court, Lynch is a rebounding and effort machine that started to get a consistent scoring game in the post season. Look for Lynch to try and piece together both puzzle pieces of his rebounding prowess and scoring in the paint to try and prove he is continuing to become that all around forward which he has started to show the chops to be. Will be intriguing to watch in the spring.
Mason Belcher Mason Belcher 6'4" | PF Maize | 2022 State KS , 6’7, Maize: Great length, shooting touch, and rim protection were the name of the game for Belcher this season and with a state title to go with it. He is a solid rock in the front court and this spring and summer could really propel himself into the front of the line for the names to know from the forward spot in Kansas. Solid footwork is in his game as well and he can score over both shoulders in the post.
Pearse Long Pearse Long 6'5" | SF Lawrence | 2022 State KS , 6’5, Lawrence, MoKan: Long showed that he has the talent to take over the reigns of the Lawrence high team next season, as his aggressiveness shot up and what followed was a ton of shot making from the perimeter and tough plays in and around the painted area. He has good size and combined with his quickness can guard guards or forwards on the defensive end of the floor. Long is a top tier shooter in this forward class and look for his late season rise to continue.
Fred Criqui Fred Criqui 6'7" | C St. Marys | 2022 State KS , 6’7, St Mary’s, SSA Elite 17 Black: After averaging almost 3 blocks per game, increasing his scoring repertoire, and becoming a more aggressive rebounder during the high school season, Criqui will look to prove that he can be an elite rim protector, rebounder, and paint finisher on the grassroots scene like he showed this high schools season. The tools are there for the big man, and he is starting to get comfortable extending his shooting range, but the proving grounds for the St Marys center will be in and around that painted area.