Freshman Contributors: Small School Guards
It’s rare that a freshman is good enough to make a contribution to the varsity team. Whether it’s that they aren’t physically up to the size and speed of the action, or that their skills are not fully developed, most…
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Continue ReadingIt’s rare that a freshman is good enough to make a contribution to the varsity team. Whether it’s that they aren’t physically up to the size and speed of the action, or that their skills are not fully developed, most ninth graders just aren’t able to beat out the older guys for playing time.
Of course there is the rare exception, like T.J. Williams, already an all-state honorable mention performer at Wichita Heights. Williams was a team leader for the Falcons, pitching in 8.3 points and 3.0 boards.
But there are occasionally other ninth graders who are pressed into duty for a depleted team, or who are physically up to the task and are ready to be challenged.
Here are a few 2024 guards who were contributors to their varsity teams last year (alphabetical order):
Andrew Bowman, 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, Bucklin:
Bowman added yet another guard to an up-and-coming Bucklin team to watch next year. He grew into the challenge as the season went along, and improved from the perimeter. He buried 4-4 from deep against Ingals in one late-season game. As a freshman, Bowman produced 7.6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals in his supporting role.
Cole Linton, 6-foot guard, 2024 Goodland:
A starter as a freshman, Linton finished second in scoring for the Cowboys with 8 points per game. Linton did some of everything to help the team, including averaging 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. He was particularly good from deep, hitting 37% from behind the arc.
Landon McPhail, 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, Ashland:
Stepping up to help the Blue Jays, McPhail rebounded his position well and was productive in every area. He was in double-figures in nearly every game last year, including a 21-point high against Rolla. On the season, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals.
Dalton Morrison, 5-foot-9 guard, 2024, Argonia:
Morrison got his high school career started on an impressive foot, averaging 11.3 points per contest. His scrappy, active style produced 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Ethan Rowan, 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, Central Heights:
Rowan will be a well-rounded guard to watch closely. As a rookie he put up a balanced stat line of 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He knocked down a solid 35% from deep as a freshman.
Peyton Ryan, 5-foot-9 guard, 2024, Central Plains:
Central Plains has another guard to watch in Ryan, the younger brother of All-American girls guard Emily Ryan. Peyton canned 47 3-pointers in his rookie campaign, and did a lot more than shoot from deep. In addition to averaging 12.2 points per game, he contributed 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Against rival St. John, Ryan exploded for 30 points.