EKL: Forwards making their mark (2020)

<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>Phillip Bell, 6’5, F, 2020, Aquinas</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A good piece for Aquinas who bring size and length to the floor. He's another competitive player for his team who hustles on the floor and looks to sacrifice himself for the ball. He's good at making extra passes and works really well with teammate Keeshawn</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Mason as they play the high post low post game. Bell is averaging 7.6 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor. He also adds five rebounds a game.</span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-defever/">Max Defever</a>, 6’4, F, 2020, Blue Valley Southwest</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We've long been impressed with Defever's footwork and frame and ability to secure rebounds and block shots on the defensive end of the floor. He looks to protect the basket and has strong hands and an impressive work ethic. He just outworks his opponents and gets to the glass and uses his length to come away with steals. He can score in transition and his activity usually leads to buckets. He has a good inside and out game and we like him at the high and low post.</span></p> <p><b>O’mar Stanley, 6’8, PF, 2020, Blue Valley West</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An all-around standout who brings elite size, length, and good athleticism to the floor. He is a powerful presence in the lane and can block shots left and right. He values defense and goes out of his way to make plays. Stanley has terrific finishing ability around the basket and has the ability to back down opponents and can score in one-on-one situations. He scores when he needs to and can defend outside the paint well for his size and position. A confident player on both ends of the floor who really knows how to dominate the boards.</span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-swarts/">Nick Swarts</a>, 6’7, F, 2020, Blue Valley West</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Swarts is a good-sized player with elite height and overall length. He looks to block shots and protect the rim at a high level. He shows a lot of hustle and shows up in half-court traps and their full court press. Swarts just seems to be in the right spot at the right time on both ends of the floor. He looks to rebound and is physical and has a way of coming down with the ball and putting up second chance looks around the glass and can also connect from range.</span></p> <p><b>Tommy Zimmerman, 6’3, F, 2020, Blue Valley Southwest</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He can stretch the floor some with his outside shooting but also has a strong frame in the ability to make something happen inside. Zimmerman is 6'3 and a little undersized for a power forward but brings a lot of effort and strength to the floor. He can defend the Blackwell and also makes good passes and looks to get the ball ahead and block shots. </span></p>