Looking Ahead: Top Returners to 6A
It’s football playoff time! That means basketball season is about a month off. Basketball practices will be tipping off soon. So it’s time to start looking ahead to the season. Let’s start with a look at the top returners by…
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Continue ReadingIt’s football playoff time! That means basketball season is about a month off. Basketball practices will be tipping off soon. So it’s time to start looking ahead to the season. Let’s start with a look at the top returners by class.
6A was wiped out of a lot of its top players, either by graduation or transfer. Only a few all-state honorees return. Here are the top returners to 6A:
Aidan Shaw Aidan Shaw 6'7" | SF Blue Valley | 2022 State #40 Nation KS , 6-foot-8 forward, 2022, Blue Valley (pictured):
There were rumors Shaw wouldn’t return to Blue Valley this fall. But word is he’ll be back as Kansas’ top player not in a Sunrise uniform. He recently committed to the University of Missouri, and will be ready to make one last big splash in the high school game. Reports are he really impressed this summer with MoKan and in camps. He’s a jumping jack who dominates around the rim and swats shots. He’s improving in every area and will hone his game this year for the college level.
Mozae Downing-Rivers Mozae Downing-Rivers 6'3" | PG Free State | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Free State:
Downing has been turning heads this fall. He is another all-stater returning to put his team in the 6A title hunt. He was the leader of a 20-4 team that was eclipsed by Campus in the state final. He’s a big guard who can dominate at both ends and through various facets of the game.
Damare Smith Damare Smith 5'10" | PG Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2022 State KS , 5-foot-11 guard, 2022, Shawnee Mission Northwest:
Arguably the top ‘under-6-foot’ player in the state, Smith is the third returner to earn all-state honors last season. He is a playmaker who gets everyone involved. His team had the misfortune of running into Blue Valley North too early in the playoffs. But Smith will be capable of leading the team much deeper this year.
Fontaine Williams Fontaine Williams 6'1" | CG Derby | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Derby:
After leading Derby in scoring last season, Williams took his game to another level this summer. He’s athletic and explosive with the ball in his hands, able to set up a defender with the dribble and get into the paint to score or dish. If his work with the Kansas Players is any indication, he is poised to be in the running for best guard in the Wichita area this year.
Zaid Dajani Zaid Dajani 6'4" | CG Olathe Northwest | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Olathe Northwest:
A 6A honorable mention performer last year, Dajani will be one of the best guards around this season. He poured in 18 points per game as a junior, then showed summer scouts there’s more where that came from. He can do some of everything, and is long and athletic.
Other top returners in 6A:
Kernan Bundy Kernan Bundy 6'3" | SG Blue Valley North | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, 2022, Blue Valley North
Cooper Jackson Cooper Jackson 6'0" | PG Free State | 2022 State KS , 6-foot guard, 2022, Free State
Howard Johnson Howard Johnson 6'0" | SG Junction City | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Junction City
Kobe Smith Kobe Smith 6'1" | CG Andover Central | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Wichita Southeast