Spring Standouts: Topeka guards

<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 Capital City guards who stood out in the spring:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300861" first="Quentin" last="Adams"], 5-foot-9 guard, 2023, Highland Park:</p> <p>Adams was not fazed by the athleticism and intensity of the spring season with Kansas 94x50 Elite 2023 because he was fresh off a nice season as a starter for 5A state-bound Highland Park. Adams is not big or imposing, but he plays smart and has a combination of ball skills and speed in the open floor. He’s unselfish and knows how to play an important role on winning teams. Oh, and this little guy can flat out sky!</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1443739" first="Jalen" last="Freeman"], 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, Seaman (pictured):</p> <p>The Vikings played a relatively short bench and had a very set group of guards last year. Freeman was one reserve who got some moments, but he will look to expand that role a ton next year after honing his skills with Kansas 94x50 Elite in the spring. He’s a fine ball handler and slasher who finds his teammates with the ball. Freeman is athletic and brings energy and intelligence at the defensive end, where he’s a sneaky playmaker.</p> <p><strong>Tre Morris</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2023, Washburn Rural:</p> <p>Morris had a nice multi-sport junior season, and he built on that success this spring with the Kansas 94x50 Elite 2023 club. He takes the ball to the goal fearlessly and converts at high speed and on acrobatic maneuvers. When he’s not finishing at the goal, he’s kicking out on penetration to open shooters. He brings that intensity to the defensive end too.</p> <p><strong>Dominik Ridley</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2024, Hayden:</p> <p>Last time we saw Ridley, he was bringing energy off the bench in Hayden’s impressive playoff run. He was up to the same tricks with Kansas 94x50 Elite this spring, racing and diving all over the court to spark his team. Ridley is a powerfully built guard who doesn’t seem intimidated by anything. He takes on much taller players and uses his strength and low center of gravity to get where he wants on the floor. He was an essential piece for the Wildcats last season and his role will probably grow next year.</p> <p><strong>CJ Ross</strong>, 5-foot-8 guard, 2024, Topeka High:</p> <p>Ross is an attacking, scoring point guard with a really good handle and shifty moves with the ball. He attacks relentlessly, but is also capable of pulling up on the perimeter or catching and shooting from behind the arc. He gained experience with the Dream Elite club during the spring in hopes of getting on the floor for the Trojans next season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1212976" first="Chase" last="Thompson"], 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, Topeka West:</p> <p>Thompson was one guard who really stood out a year ago, following his freshman year. But the Chargers were locked and loaded for a run to state, so Thompson saw only cleanup minutes as a sophomore. He was back this spring with Kansas 94x50 Elite, reminding us the is a fine shooter and attacking slasher. Perhaps the biggest impression Thompson made in the spring was when he dunked on a steal/breakaway.</p>