Spring Standouts: Western KS Bigs

<p>Spring tournaments gave us an opportunity to see some of the best from across Kansas together under one roof. The opportunity is especially meaningful to players from small schools and from towns out west.</p> <p>No surprise, [player_tooltip player_id="1212149" first="Jace" last="Steinmetz"] has torched the nets this spring. [player_tooltip player_id="1212165" first="Alec" last="Carlson"] has impressive tools and an array of ball skills. [player_tooltip player_id="1378394" first="Carson" last="Bennett"] (pictured) stood out even against top big city talent. We know those guys are good. But some others seized the opportunity to jump on our radar.</p> <p>Here are a few forwards and centers from Western Kansas who stood out:</p> <p><strong>Brady Beckman</strong>, 6-foot-1 forward, 2023, Rawlings County:</p> <p>After impressing Prep Hoops scouts last summer, Beckman had a really solid summer for an improved Rawlins County team, notching 11 points, 7 boards and 3 assists a game. He’s not really a guard, not really a forward. He’s a workhorse who does some of everything. He moves well without the ball and is a nice passer in traffic. With a talented club team, he does the little things and puts the team first.</p> <p><strong>Bradon Bird</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2024, Meade:</p> <p>Bird was a really nice piece of a good Meade team last season. He averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds. We finally had a chance to see him in action this spring, and he showed a lot of versatility and fluidity. He darts in and out of the lane, playing virtually every spot on the floor. He’s bouncy and smooth to spots for pull up jumpers and runs the floor with vision and purpose. He’s a nice passer who will do a lot more for Meade in the near future.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1378448" first="Emmett" last="Gaskill"]</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Hugoton:</p> <p>Gaskill is somewhat similar to Beckman in that he’s physically versatile and has diverse skills. He handles the ball well and is often found with the ball in his hands from end to end. But he’s capable in the lane at both ends and does the little things the team needs. He moves the ball, crashes the boards and can defend nearly every position on the floor.</p> <p><strong>Jaron Lindsay</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Bucklin:</p> <p>Lindsey supported a couple of dynamic seniors last season, contributing 10 points and 7 boards a game. Look for those numbers to jump next season when he’s called upon to be more the lead dog. He’s a long wing who can do a lot outside the paint, but is force in the post. He blocks shots and gets a lot of boards with his reach and hustle.</p> <p><strong>Noah Shinette</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Goodland:</p> <p>Goodland was young and inexperienced last year, and they took some lumps. But the future is bright. Shinette led the team in scoring and is building on that experience this summer. The long lefty can do a lot of things. He handles the ball well, plays inside and out, and drops 3s when left open. He can hit some acrobatic shots on the drive and showed that he can take down a rebound, push it the other way and finish on a pull up jumper.</p> <p><strong>Remy Stull</strong>, 6-foot-4 center, 2023, Hays:</p> <p>A key reserve for a really talented Hays team a year ago, Stull is ready to take on a much bigger role next season. He’s a powerful paint player with a mature build. He works patiently in the post, making sure he’s available for entry passes and crashing for every miss. At the defensive end, he muscles up opposing posts and knows how to outlet defensive rebounds.</p> <p><strong>Jake Underwood</strong>, 6-foot-4 center, 2023, Garden City:</p> <p>Underwood is ready to take a big step forward for the Buffaloes, who graduated a lot of talent from last season. Underwood is working hard to take his game to the next level. He’s improved his ability to handle the ball and run the floor. He has always been a warrior on the glass and produces offense on follows. He is a true post player who doesn’t mind contact.</p>