WIND’S KS TOP 50 2019: #45 to #41
#45, HAYDEN HERMRECK, Colony-Crest 6’5″ small forward, had a strong case of mono that cost him his entire SOPH season, so he might have another growth spurt to a 6’7″??? Long and lanky, he has never fully recovered physically from the illness. Still very slender physically but very fundamental. Very skilled and shoots it well with nice range. One of the KCAC schools will find him and make him into an excellent NAIA player.
#44, MATT MORIARTY, Shawnee Mission Bishop Miege 6’6″ power forward-center, a newcomer on the scene and this one is difficult to evaluate as he had Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Joshua Early ahead of him this past year and that cost him tick on the floor. Well, JR-E is in Florida at IMG Prep, enter Mr. Moriarty. He’s got the body and the shooting touch and enough athlete to impress at an NAIA level in the 2018-2019 school season.
#43, BRADY BEOUGHER, Stockton 6’3″ shooting guard, this kid reminds me of Tate Busse at St. Francis. Same part of the Kansas world of basketball and he averaged over 20 a game as a junior. Shoots it really well with range and has the Busse style to his game. Dominates small school comp. Tate decided to walk on at Wichita State. Could have been a really really solid D2 player. BB will have similar options, right now, KCAC is his best bet.
#42, ANDREW O’BRIEN, Halstead 6’4″ point guard-small forward, O’Brien plays for Bernie Pearson at KS-MTXE AAU and for Lonnie Lolar at the HS level. So you know he’s gonna be a tough sucker and guard his man as “MTM defense” is the name of the game in those programs. O’Brien is brilliant academically and could well be a solid D2 perimeter threat in the right situation. If Halstead can defend that 3A state championship, O’Brien will make a strong case for his recruitment.
#41, HAYDEN BONTRAGER, Maize South 6’4″ small forward, Bontrager is probably best served as a potential low D1 baseball prospect as he can do it all in the infield. But if he decides to play basketball, his shooting skills and his ability to score the rock at the rim will make him an NAIA player for certain with a strong possibility that the D2’s in Kansas will come calling eventually. This team is one of the top 5 favorites to make it to Wichita come mid March in 6A, so that will play right into Hayden’s hands.