Most Outstanding Player Candidates: 4A

Prep Hoops Staff

December 9, 2022 @ 09:52 AM

Graduations and early departures have left the 4A class without any clear cut favorite for the top spot. But there are some good ones still around and ready to go. Here's a look at some candidates who might rise to Most Outstanding status:   The Frontrunners:   [player_tooltip player_id='1080169' first='Aiden' last='Wing'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Miege:   For a list of potential Most Outstanding Players, you gotta go with the guys who were there before. Start any list about 4A with Miege, the powerhouse the past couple of years. They just reload each year, and this year could be Wing's year to shine. He's a long athletic runner who can score in the midrange and the paint and in transition. He's football tough and powerful, and is good for some rim-rocking highlights.   [player_tooltip player_id='1080188' first='Joe' last='Otting'], 6-foot-3 center, 2023, Hayden:   Otting and his Hayden Wildcats shocked the house last year, first by reaching the state playoffs, then by knocking off #1 Eudora. Otting then further shocked everyone by deciding to play his senior season of hoops despite being a Notre Dame football commit. He's more than just a rock in the middle. He's got creative scoring ability and a will to win.   [player_tooltip player_id='1146290' first='Wyatt' last='Spexarth'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Andale:   Spexarth probably doesn't get enough credit for his multi-sport accomplishments. He's the quarterback of the 4A football state champions, for goodness sake. He's an all-state basketball player who helped lead his team to the finals a year ago. He can score, rebound and defend, and best of all, he competes.   The Outsiders:   [player_tooltip player_id='1212148' first='Easton' last='Ewing'], 6-foot-8 center, 2023, Independence:   Once again, Ewing is in the role of underappreciated outsider. But when you're talking about the best in 4A, his stats speak for themselves. This guy is a double-double machine who runs the floor and uses his height to dominate. Is he a Most Outstanding Player candidate? Let's see how much winning the Bulldogs do this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1080181' first='Kellan' last='Simoneau'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Rose Hill (pictured):   What's missing from the list above? A point guard! Well if you're looking for someone who can run the club, get the ball to the right places and pressure defenses with his ability to hit from deep or penetrate, then Simoneau is your guy. He'll have to carry a heavy load for Rose Hill this year. If they win at a high level, Simoneau will deserve a lot of credit.   The Surprise Candidates:   [player_tooltip player_id='1378394' first='Carson' last='Bennett'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Hugoton:   There won't be any surprise about how good Bennett is. We know he's good. But what remains to be seen is how Hugoton will hold up in 4A after moving up a class. Bennett leads a talented and young group. If he can show them how to play as a team and compete at the higher level, he will win over a whole new group of fans. He's a lead dog who can score when he wants and facilitate equally well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1300808' first='Patrick' last='Mccallop Jr'], 5-foot-11 guard, 2023, Miege:   McCallop would really pull off an upset if he could go from missing his entire junior season due to injury to Most Outstanding Player. It might not be wise to bet against him. He was healthy enough by last spring to be a track champion, and in the fall he put in an outstanding senior season on the gridiron. He's a blur with the ball, and could fill a big vacancy at the guard spot for Miege, the odds-on-favorite to repeat as 4A champions.

Graduations and early departures have left the 4A class without any clear cut favorite for the top spot. But there are some good ones still around and ready to go. Here's a look at some candidates who might rise to Most Outstanding status: