Room at the Top: 6A

In the recent all-state teams picked by the Topeka Capital-Journal, just three juniors were picked in the Top 15 of 6A, with three juniors finding their names in Top 15 of 5A. It’s not surprising that those big school ranks would be dominated by seniors. But that means that, of the top 30 players at the top two classifications, 24 will be gone next year. Barring any transfers, we know that Aidan Shaw Aidan Shaw 6'7" | SF Blue Valley | 2022 State #50 Nation KS (pictured), Mozae Downing-Rivers Mozae Downing-Rivers 6'3" | PG Free State | 2022 State KS and Damare Smith Damare Smith 5'10" | PG Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2022 State KS should be the top 6A seniors next year. But there’s plenty of room at the top for 2022s to step into the spotlight as all-staters at the highest level. Here are some juniors to watch find spots on the 6A all-state team next year (listed in alphabetical order): Kernan Bundy Kernan Bundy 6'3" | SG Blue Valley North | 2022 State KS , junior, Blue Valley North: A key member of the 6A state champs, Bundy is a 6-foot-3 athlete who averaged 13 points a game while shooting a really high percentage on an absolutely loaded team. He runs the floor, shoots it well, and was really solid under the bright lights. He scored 12 in the semis against Lawrence, then had 12 more against Campus. Zaid Dajani Zaid Dajani 6'3" | CG Olathe Northwest | 2022 State KS , junior, Olathe Northwest: A 6-foot-3 guard who can really score. He averaged 19 points last season, busting loose for some really big games, like his 30 against Shawnee Mission Northwest. He gets it done in every manner – shooting from deep, driving the lane, hitting the midrange and getting out on the break. His athleticism and ability to score make him a guy to really watch as a senior. Howard Johnson Howard Johnson 6'1" | SG Junction City | 2022 State KS , junior, Junction City: Johnson emerged as a leader for the Blue Jays as a sophomore. He was hampered some by injuries last year, but he still showed glimpses of his potential to be one of the best scoring guards in the state. His highlights: 25 against Highland Park, 24 against Seaman, 20 against Hayden. Johnson has a wicked crossover, the ability to push the ball in the open court, and crafty moves in the lane. Pearse Long Pearse Long 6'5" | SF Lawrence | 2022 State KS , junior, Lawrence: Long will face the challenge of overcoming the loss of all-state guard Zeke Mayo Zeke Mayo 6'4" | CG Lawrence | 2021 State KS . Long has the ability to score a lot of points, but he also can defend with his length and athleticism. Long can be a dynamite shooter from deep. Long had some big outings, like his 23 against Mill Valley. Fontaine Williams Fontaine Williams 6'1" | CG Derby | 2022 State KS Jr, junior, Derby: The 6-foot-2 junior is a really athletic guard who can handle the ball like a point guard and get the ball to teammates in good position. He shot a decent percentage – 37% - from deep en route to a 16.4 scoring average last season. He also corralled 3.7 boards and dished 2.2 assists. He showed what he can do against the best in the state – 24 points in a tough loss to Campus.