250 Expo KC Energy Bringers

<p>The 250 Expo KC brought together some of the best players across Kansas and Missouri, giving them a chance to keep their skills sharp for the upcoming season.</p> <p>While every player was motivated to put his best foot forward, there were a handful of guys who gave their teams a spark or inspired through their extra effort.</p> <p>But here are the five who deserve special recognition for the energy they brought to Sunday’s action (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300866" first="Tucker" last="Armstrong"], Team 5, 6-foot guard, 2023, Olathe South:</p> <p>Armstrong really got after it, pushing the ball, looking to pass ahead, and getting his teammates involved. He drives very aggressively, beating defenders with his quick first step and physical toughness. He was very handsy on defense, creating a lot of turnovers and disrupting the flow of the opposing offense.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300797" first="Jaylen" last="Gray"], Team 1, 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Shawnee Mission North:</p> <p>Gray really jumped out Sunday for his competitiveness and hustle. His scrappiness led to a lot of turnovers and transition opportunities. He is strong, tough, and ready to go 100 mph.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300802" first="Andrew" last="Martin"], Team 9, 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Shawnee Mission East:</p> <p>A perpetual-motion machine, Martin was constantly cutting and slicing through the defense, with or without the ball. He did some of everything, hitting from the perimeter, driving to the hole and creating turnovers. Martin showed he’s a player to watch this seasons.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300821" first="Blake" last="Rucker"], Team 3, 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Andover:</p> <p>One of the more impressive 2024s at the Expo, Rucker wasn’t the least bit intimidated facing older competition. He brought the fight at both ends, drawing fouls on the drive, running the floor and pushing the tempo. Not to mention that he showed a lot of skill with the ball.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1270272" first="Kale" last="Staats"], Team 12, 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, Aquinas (pictured):</p> <p>Staats is always on the move, finding openings to receive passes, pushing the ball on the drive, and getting to the goal aggressively. He sparks his teammates by making himself available for passes, and by finding his teammates with the ball. Staats probes defenses on the bounce, always looking for weaknesses to exploit.</p>