Most Outstanding Player Candidates: 4A
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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…
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Continue ReadingGraduations 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:
Aidan Wing Aidan Wing 6'4" | SF Bishop Miege | 2023 State KS , 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.
Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS , 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.
Wyatt Spexarth Wyatt Spexarth 6'3" | SF Andale | 2023 State KS , 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:
Easton Ewing Easton Ewing 6'6" | PF Independence | 2023 State KS , 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.
Kellan Simoneau Kellan Simoneau 6'2" | PG Rose Hill | 2023 State KS , 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:
Carson Bennett Carson Bennett 6'2" | SF Hugoton | 2023 State KS , 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.
Patrick Mccallop Jr Patrick Mccallop Jr 5'10" Bishop Miege | 2023 KS , 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.