5A Rising Stars
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From the Topeka Capital-Journal All-State team, 12 of the 15 players listed on the first, second and third teams all graduated. There is a vacuum at the top that will have to be filled. Who will be the 5A all-staters…
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Continue ReadingFrom the Topeka Capital-Journal All-State team, 12 of the 15 players listed on the first, second and third teams all graduated. There is a vacuum at the top that will have to be filled.
Who will be the 5A all-staters next year? Well, the best place to look is at the list of honorable mention picks. Among the 13 listed for that honor were (in alphabetical order):
Jaron Briggs Jaron Briggs 6'4" | CG Piper | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, KC Piper:
Briggs is a ‘tweener’ because of his physical stature and ability to play in the lane. He can handle the ball and attack like a shooting guard. But he’s solidly built and can muscle up inside. He has great ball skills and passes well, and has the smooth agility to face the goal and make plays. He doesn’t make a living from behind the arc, but he can score effectively from the midrange and on the move.
Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Topeka West:
Topeka West survived injuries to Brooks last year because they were incredibly deep and talented. But the Chargers hope to get a full, healthy campaign from Brooks this year, to show what he is capable of. One of the top players in the Centennial League since his freshman year, Brooks can be a defense wrecker with his full-court skills and physical gifts. He’s a matchup nightmare for small guards.
Javan Buchanan Javan Buchanan 6'6" | PF Lafayette Jefferson | 2022 State IN , 6-foot-6 forward, 2022, Maize South:
Buchanan’s foot-speed and agility, coupled with his length make him a defensive standout. He can guard nearly any player at any spot on the floor. Offensively, he is a shooter first, but his game is effective inside and out. He can put the ball on the floor, face the goal, post up, and find open shooters.
Ty Henry Ty Henry 6'3" | SG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, 2022, Seaman:
With a lot of good guards around, Henry is a versatile component for the Vikings. He is best at handling the ball, driving from the wing, and kicking to open shooters. He also became a go-to threat for the Vikings last year, driving the lane for pull-up jumpers that were almost impossible to stop. If the Vikings can take another step forward this year, Henry will be a glue guy who doesn’t always make highlights or lead the team in scoring, but his value is unquestioned.
Jinwoo Kim Jinwoo Kim 6'1" | PG Blue Valley Southwest | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, 2022, Blue Valley Southwest:
A physical mismatch and versatile performer, Kim stuffed the stat sheet last year. He averaged 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists as a do-it-all guard. He can handle the point or move off the ball and fill it up from deep, drive the lane, and score or dish. Kim is a long, quick and aggressive athlete who is really tough to slow down.
Sam Somerhalder Sam Somerhalder 6'7" | SF St. James Academy | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-7 forward, 2022, St. James Academy:
So elite are his ball skills, Somerhalder could actually be considered a guard. But with his length and ability to finish, he can also be considered a top-shelf small forward. He is smooth to the rim effectively with the ball, or can catch and score on quick cuts through the lane. A long, playmaker, Somerhalder put up impressive numbers as a junior: 15.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists.