Awards Time: Top Juniors 4A-6A

<p>As is to be expected, the all-state teams were dominated by seniors. However, the KSHSAA and <em>Sports in Kansas</em> publication did include a handful of juniors in their first-team selections. These were some of the best players in the state this past season, and they are set the standard for everyone else next year.</p> <p>Here is a look at the juniors chosen for the all-state teams from the 4A-6A levels:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1378390" first="Grant" last="Stubblefield"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Blue Valley Northwest:</p> <p>Selected the 6A Player of the Year by <em>Sports in Kansas</em>, Stubblefield finished with a bang. He led his team to some big wins and a berth in the state championship. He’s a bulldog with the ball who can fight through traffic to score in the lane and through contact on the break. He showed in the final that he doesn’t get down, and he doesn’t accept defeat.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080161" first="Marcus" last="Zeigler Jr"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Wichita Heights:</p> <p>Stubblefield did his best in the 6A final, but he ran into the buzz saw of Wichita Heights, led by Ziegler. The Falcons were so talented, Zeigler didn’t have to do it all. But he certainly impresses with his ball handling, ability to create and his quarterbacking. He’s a calm and confident point guard who can defend and rebound with the best of players his size.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080170" first="Kobe" last="Smith"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Andover Central:</p> <p>There is a great crop of dynamic point guards in the 2023 class, and Smith is another who fits that description. He was a scoring threat from the point as a junior, averaging 19 points per game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080180" first="Jack" last="Voth"], 6-foot-5 forward, 2023, Buhler (pictured):</p> <p>While guards dominate the 2023 class at the 5A and 6A level, it’s big men who stand out in 4A. Voth was voted 4A Player of the Year by <em>Sports in Kansas</em>. He’s a versatile player who is good on the perimeter and can really shoot. But he’s also a bear in the lane who moves well and runs the floor. He can bury a smaller defender in the post and has a variety of moves to get shots off in traffic. He averaged 22 points as a junior.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1212148" first="Easton" last="Ewing"], 6-foot-8 center, 2023, Independence:</p> <p>Is there a better player who somehow stays off the radar? Ewing continues to grow – listed at 6-foot-8 by season’s end – and continues to remain somewhat unknown. His stats certainly don’t hide his impact. His double-double of 21.6 points and 12 boards is validation of the 18 and 13 he put up as a sophomore. He was one of the top shot-blockers in the state this year with 3.6 swats a game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1146290" first="Wyatt" last="Spexarth"], 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Andale:</p> <p>Andale was a balanced veteran team that played its way to the 4A state championship game. They blended so well, with Spexarth as probably the most consistent and productive component. He moves effortlessly from the perimeter to the lane and back, comfortable with the ball and always making good decisions with it. He averaged 11 points per game, which doesn’t begin to describe his true value. He crashes the glass and defends like a bigger player.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1212168" first="Jaden" last="Hamm"], 6-foot-6 forward, 2023, Eudora:</p> <p>Hamm’s athleticism jumps out on the court, which is probably why he’s also a top football player in the 2023 class. He can really explode around the goal as well as run the floor. With his long wingspan and leaping ability, he is a threat to block shots on the defensive end.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080188" first="Joe" last="Otting"], 6-foot-3 center, 2023, Topeka Hayden:</p> <p>Like Hamm, Otting is a top football recruit, but don’t let that diminish what he accomplishes on the court as an undersized center. He was one of the catalysts to the Wildcats’ shocking run to the state playoffs. Otting is solid and wide, not a long leaper like some of his opponents. So he scores his buckets with resourcefulness and determination. He has a million moves in the post and a soft touch around the goal. Due to his intensity and ability to gain position, he gets a ton of rebounds and scores a lot on the offensive glass. He averaged 14 points and 7 boards as a junior.</p>