<p>Spring tournaments gave us an opportunity to see some of the best from across Kansas together under one roof.</p>
<p>Now that we’ve slid into the summer team-ball season, we can review the work we saw during the spring. Here’s a look at some guards from Northeast Kansas who stood out in the spring:</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1190368" first="Sheldon" last="Butler-Lawson"]</strong>, 6-foot-3 guard, 2023, Junction City</p>
<p>Butler-Lawson is a big, athletic guard ready to take on a big role at Junction City. He has a quick crossover that allows him to get into the lane, and he pushes the ball through traffic nicely. He can leap and gets after the glass, and he can also knock down shots from deep. It’s been tough getting on the floor for the guard-rich Bluejays, but Butler-Lawson’s work for SSA Hoops Elite Black shows he’s ready for his opportunity.</p>
<p><strong>Trey Carter</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2024, Atchison:</p>
<p>Carter really stood out for Atchison as a sophomore, and spring club ball with Kansas 94x50 Elite exposed a lot more people to his talents. Don’t let his unimposing stature fool you. Carter has a high IQ and just knows how to make plays. He is a smooth, unflappable ball handler who makes great decisions and gets the ball to his teammates on time and on target. He’s scores in the midrange off the bounce effectively too.</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1346958" first="Brax" last="Fisher"]</strong>, 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, Abilene (pictured):</p>
<p>Fisher stood out last summer, and he confirmed during his sophomore year that he’s a guard worth noting. This spring with SSA Hoops Elite Black, he showed off his high-energy, potent offensive game. He is highly productive from behind the arc, and he can get in the lane and elevate to score. He’s fast and explosive. Summer will prepare him to be a big piece of the Cowboy attack next year.</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1173007" first="Jason" last="Kim"]</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2024, Manhattan:</p>
<p>There were few guards who impressed as much as Kim during the spring. He’s a deadeye who can not be left alone for a second. He impressed with his handle and can penetrate and dish. He’s solidly built to endure contact and he draws a ton of fouls on penetration. If his spring performance for SSA Hoops Elite White carries over, Kim will be an impact varsity player next fall.</p>
<p><strong>Jack Lauer</strong>, 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Marysville:</p>
<p>Lauer is no riser. He’s been a key cog for really good Marysville teams, and he scored 16 points a game as a junior. But one of the fun things about spring/summer is seeing kids who haven’t had a lot of press show what they can do. Lauer fits that category. He’s a good shooter and finds openings on the perimeter. He’s more than just a shooter, however. He uses his strength and size as a mismatch against other guards. Lauer’s been on a steady climb and will have a big senior season.</p>
<p><strong>Tre’Vion Ruffin</strong>, 5-foot-7 guard 2024, Junction City:</p>
<p>Ruffin popped on the Prep Hoops radar for the first time this spring with SSA Hoops Elite White. He flies around the court making plays and disrupting the opponents’ plays. He is a shifty ball handler and slick passer with good vision and creativity. He’s a pure point guard who can score.</p>
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