EKL: 2020 Guard Sleepers

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the season in full swing, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Sunflower Conference this season.</span></p> <p><b>Eastern Kansas League (EKL)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley Southwest, Blue Valley West, Mill Valley, St. James, St. Thomas Aquinas.</span></p> <p><b>Nick Blackford, 6’1, G, 2020, Blue Valley North</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A smart guard who values control and ball security went on the floor. He can operate as a point guard as he brings Good instincts and then they sell it IQ to the floor. He looks to get the ball in the hands of scores and makes good decisions as a passer. He is active in the full-court press and brings toughness and scrappy play to the floor. </span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jabari-brickhouse/">Jabari Brickhouse</a>, 6’0, G, 2020, Blue Valley West</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brickhouse is an all-around guard who can knock down shots and make an impact on defense. He gets out in transition and shows he can handle the ball in pressure situations and shows a good rhythm and bounce to his step. He runs the floor well and can score in transition through contact. He has a nice one handed shots around the glass and is making plays left and right this season. Brickhouse has really made an impact and is playing some of the best ball of his career. </span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jake-conklin/">Jake Conklin</a>, 6’2, G, 2020, Bishop Miege</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An intelligent player who can score from distance and around the basket. Conklin is a tough player who looks to play smart and loose. He has a high IQ for play and understands the team plan and how to put himself in a position to let the offense naturally come to him. He gets physical through defense and presses or traps on the perimeter and is quick enough to find separation in transition and finish around the rim. </span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/greg-riddle/">Greg Riddle</a>, 5'11, G, 2020, Blue Valley West</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Riddle is a fast senior guard who can handle the ball and distribute well. He gets his teammates involved and is also a solid ball handler who can getaround opponents and take off his team's offense. He can hit three pointers and can score around the glass in transition. Just a hard-working player who has a good eye for the defensive side of the floor and looks to stay with his opponents and apply pressure to the ball. </span></p> <p><b>Dylan Whipermann, 5’11, G, 2020, Blue Valley</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A strong and intelligent guard who can handle the point position as a facilitator and scorer. Whipermann has good speed and a high IQ. He makes good decisions with the ball and gets up the floor quickly. He can come away with the steal and also pushes the tempo and looks ahead for teammates with an open transition look. Whipermann can hit a 3-pointer and can get physical inside and connect from the free throw line. </span></p> <p><b>Hayden Young, G, 2020, Blue Valley</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A nice guard who brings experience and a competitive nature to the floor. Young plays hard and has an ability to score in a variety of ways. He has good size, muscle and strength and can body up opponents and back them down and connect. Young just makes plays. He has good control and handles and looks to get the ball to his teammates and put them in a position to score. </span></p>