STATE TOURNAMENT: Class 5A sophomore standouts

<p>EMPORIA, Kan. — The opening day of the Kansas Class 5A state championships saw several big performances from a host of players who have made a name for themselves this season.</p> <p>On the day, Maize knocked off St. James; Andover Central got past Pittsburg; Bishop Carroll ran away from Bonner Springs; and Basehor-Linwood defeated Salina Central.</p> <p>Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several sophomores who raised their profile on Thursday.</p> <p><b>Michael Cahill, 5’10, PG, 2021, St.James Academy</b></p> <p>Cahill is among the state’s most improved players in the sophomore class and he put together a strong performance in Thursday’s quarterfinal loss to Maize. A crafty ball handler, Cahill likes to attack the basket off the bounce and is a creative finisher in the lane, able to use a nice floater to score over bigger defenders. He can knock down outside shots when open and has good court vision, always looking for open teammates when he attacks the basket.</p> <p><b>Javon Grant, 5’11, PG, 2021, Pittsburg</b></p> <p>Grant is a competitor, bringing a fiery intensity to the floor. He fouled out of Thursday’s loss to Andover Central, but was dynamic in the first half, scoring 16 points and carving up the Jaguars defense. He brings elite quickness, terrific ball handling and the ability to create and make his own outside shot. Grant is also capable of getting into opposing guards defensively and disrupting things at the other end of the floor. Grant finished with 18 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.</p> <p><b>Caden Kickhaefer, 6’3, F, 2021, Salina Central</b></p> <p>Kickhafer has stepped into a big role this season for Salina Central, playing a lot of minutes in the post where he battles and holds his ground. At 6’3, Kickhaefer is a little undersized as a post player, but has good athleticism and plays bigger than his listed height as he works hard and uses his length and motor to hang tough in the post. Offensively he is a good passer and has good quickness and a solid, all-around skill set. He can step out and shoot the 3 and operate in the high post.</p> <p><b>Enrique Lankford, 6’3, G, 2021, Bishop Carroll</b></p> <p>Lankford hasn’t yet gotten a lot of hype this season, but he is a talented guard with good size and a smooth shooting stroke from distance. He is capable of pulling up off the bounce and creating his own shot, can shoot off the catch and has the sixze to get on the boards or take his game into the post and take advantage of mismatches. He went for 13 points in a runaway win over Bonner Springs on Thursday, shooting 4 for 6 from distance and 5 for 7 overall. Lankford is a player we look to move up the charts with a big offseason.</p> <p><b>Alex Littlejohn, 6’3, F, 2021, Bishop Carroll</b></p> <p>Littlejohn got significant varsity run a year ago as a freshman for Bishop Carroll, but has taken his game to new heights this season, showing he can score around the basket, rebound and take his game to the perimeter as well. Although he is a bit undersized at 6’3 for a forward, Littlejohn has a soft shooting touch in the lane and a knack for scoring around the basket and a nose for the ball on the boards. He went for a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Golden Eagles’ 87-70 win over Bonner Springs on Thursday.</p>