NE KS 2021s most affected by the shutdown
The summers before a player’s junior and senior years are huge. As everyone knows about small schools, particularly in rural areas, summer club ball may be the only chance to get on the radar of college recruiters. But not every…
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Continue ReadingThe summers before a player’s junior and senior years are huge. As everyone knows about small schools, particularly in rural areas, summer club ball may be the only chance to get on the radar of college recruiters.
But not every player is trying to get noticed. Many are just trying to improve their skills to step into bigger roles at their high school. Either way, these two summers are crucial.
Every player is missing time on the floor, but for some guys, the pandemic is really affecting their prospects. As summer games start up, let’s hope these guys can get in the work they need.
Here are some of the Northeast Kansas 2021s most affected by the shutdown:
Owen Braxmeyer Owen Braxmeyer 6'1" | CG Manhattan | 2021 State KS , guard, Manhattan:
Braxmeyer is going to have to pick up some serious slack after the graduation of an entire lineup of seniors in Manhattan. Brackmeyer is the 58th ranked player in his class, but he’s going to have to become the #1 guy for the Indians. The 6-foot-1 guard will have to not only run the show next season, but he’ll have to score more and play a lot more minutes. Some good experience this summer would help him prepare for the increased workload.
Nathan Hawk, forward, Valley Falls:
The 6-foot-5 Hawk has the height, the outside shot, and the athleticism to be on the radar. But he is just the 63rd rated player in his class. He plays in the smallest classification in the state. So he could use a big summer to show what he can do against good competition, as well as to further develop his skills if he hopes to play at the next level. He had a couple of really good teammates last year in senior Tyler Lockhart and returner Avery Gatzemeyer. So he isn’t always ‘the man’ on his team. But he showed he can shoot and score. Hopefully he will get some games in this summer to make the gains he needs.
Tanner Hecht Tanner Hecht 6'5" | CG Wamego | 2021 State KS , forward, Wamego:
Very similar to Hawk, Hecht is also 6-foot-5 and has the athleticism and perimeter skill to go places, yet is only the 46th ranked player in his class. How much can he move up on the list of recruiters? He was honorable mention in 4A last year, scoring 15.2 points and pulling down 7.1 rebounds. He can be a big scorer, going for 26 or more three times last season for Wamego. If he could really show what he can do on the perimeter in some summer action, he has the tools to be a player.
Matt Kuglin, senior, McLouth
Talk about someone who has a big window of opportunity next year. Guard Tayshawn Barfield and post Jaxson Pope were both first-tea all Northeast Kansas League, and both graduated. So Kuglin has huge shoes to fill. He’s only 5-foot-11, so he won’t fill Pope’s shoes, but he’ll hav the ball in his hands much more next year. This summer could go a long way to prepare him for a senior season when all eyes will be on him. Kuglin got honorable mention in the Northeast Kansas League despite playing with a couple of stars.
Dawson Zenger Dawson Zenger 6'1" | CG Rock Creek | 2021 State KS , guard, Rock Creek:
It’s a bit surprising that such an unbelievable high school scorer is ranked just 38th in the 2021 class. He’s respected enough to be 1st team all 3A after scoring 25.5 points a game. But it seems that at just 6-foot, there is some doubt about his ability against top competition. Does he have all the game, or is he just a big scorer against lesser competition? He routinely went for 30 or more for one of the top ranked teams in 3A. But he would have benefited enormously by showing what he can do against all comers on the summer circuit.