Awards Time: All-State Freshmen

<p>Last year, several freshmen were listed as honorable mention all-state on the Topeka Capital-Journal’s all-classes awards.</p> <p>This year, just two 9^th graders received such recognition:</p> <p><strong>TJ Williams</strong>, Wichita Heights, Honorable Mention 6A:</p> <p>By earning honorable mention at the highest classification, Williams jumps to the head of the list of 2024s in Kansas. The 6-foot-3 forward saw his role grow after the holiday break. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals in his rookie campaign. The highlight of his season was in a tough 53-47 loss to eventual 5A champ Maize. In that game, Williams scored 19 points and pulled down 6 boards.</p> <p><strong>Tanner Heckel</strong>, Inman, Honorable Mention 2A:</p> <p>Heckel is a 5-foot-9 guard who showed the ability hit multiple three’s in a game. He had numerous double-digit games. Stats are not available for Heckel, but he was named first team in the Heart of America League as a freshman.</p> <p>The following are a few freshmen who didn’t receive honorable mention, but who are certainly worthy of mention (in alphabetical order):</p> <p><strong>Kaiden Abasolo</strong>, Mulvane:</p> <p>The 6-foot younger brother of 4A first-teamer [player_tooltip player_id="889526" first="Trey" last="Abasolo"], Kaiden got a lot of valuable experience for the highly-ranked Mulvane team. Kaiden averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists as a support to his older teammates.</p> <p><strong>BJ Canady</strong>, Topeka High:</p> <p>Canady may be the most physically imposing 9^th grader in the state. The massive 6-foot-5 freshman has the physical coordination and skill to be installed as Topeka High’s quarterback. On the court, he’s still trying to tap his immense potential. He improved as the season went by, with a couple of double-figure games late including 12 against Emporia and 13 against Topeka West.</p> <p><strong>Carter Coombs</strong>, Chanute:</p> <p>The 5-foot-10 guard was deadly from behind the arc and produced 12.6 points per game for Chanute. He was named second-team SEK League.</p> <p><strong>Spencer Coup</strong>, Solomon:</p> <p>The 5-foot-10 guard was a great complement to high-scoring sophomore Makean Hastings. Coup averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals. He grew into his role, blowing up for 28 points and 10 boards in a playoff game.</p> <p><strong>Asa Tarver</strong>, Wichita South:</p> <p>A guy who got some great experience playing at the highest classification, Tarver is a 6-foot-3 wing who has a dangerous outside shot. He scored 4.9 points and grabbed 1.4 rebounds per game as a rookie.</p>