New Year, New Names: 6A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the calendar flipping to 2023, it's time to bring credit to some guys we didn't know much about before. These 6A standouts might have been on our radar, but they weren't established as varsity standouts before December of last year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Cull</strong>, 6-foot-4 guard, 2023, Olathe Northwest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cull is not just a shooter, but he's certainly a shooter. He is a long wing who runs and jumps well. He protects the rim, particularly in transition. He also finishes with toughness through contact. Cull is a compete offensive talent who can really light it up from deep. He had 22 against Olathe East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braden Dale</strong>, 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, Wichita East:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East is working hard and developing some new players. There are several worth noting, but Dale stood out for his distribution and leadership in a loss to Wichita Heights Friday. He's a reliable ball handler who directs the offense with his eyes up and good court vision. He gets into the paint to create opportunities. He draws fouls on penetration and shoots an effective turnover after backing down a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1300813' first='Da'mykel' last='Hales']</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2025 Topeka High (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hales has popped on the scene in the Capital City. The Trojans are rebuilding and looking for players, and Hales has taken advantage of the opportunity. He's a slick combo guard who moves well without the ball and has good vision when he has it in his hands. His finds, particularly on the move, are producing 6 assists per game. The sophomore is also averaging 14 points for the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nen Matlock</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023 Mill Valley:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matlock's name is popping up frequently as a leading contributor for the Jaguars. He's a long leaper who takes the ball hard to the glass. He is a tough rebounder who scores on follows. There are few with the speed and athletic ability of this track star, so he can lock down an opponent when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Okon</strong>, 6-foot-3 center, 2023, Wichita Heights:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heights returned a lot of players from the state title team. But they had a hole in the post that Okon is filling. He spent the fall blowing holes open for running backs, and now he's providing muscle in the paint for the defending champs. He doesn't score many points, but he rebounds and protects the paint. The Falcon stars will rely on the role players if they are to repeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->