Playmakers to Watch at Small School Substates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guys are ready to do what it takes to elevate their teams at the small-school substate tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1080178' first='Britton' last='Dutton'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Ellinwood (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to playmakers, of course Dutton's name is at the top of the list. The Sterling bracket will be one to watch closely. Four ranked teams will come with their sights set on the 2A state tournament. It's a shame that Dutton has yet to play in a state tournament, and it won't be easy again this year. But his place in Kansas high school basketball is secure. He recently went over the 2,000-point threshold. His gliding movement without the ball and his slow probing with the ball don't always reveal his athleticism. He's explosive going to the rim and after opponents' passes that float a little too long in the air. He's got every shot and an uncanny ability to get them off in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147831' first='Taylor' last='Campbell']</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Lyons:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a sleeper for you. Campbell has flown under the radar, partly because the Lions are just 5-15. But Campbell is a rangy glider who has a nice repertoire of scoring talents. He is adept at getting to the goal using a Euro step, or pulling up in the midrange to loft a floater. He pulls the trigger from deep and can shoot over a hand in his face because of his long frame. He spends most of his time on the perimeter looking to drive or fire away if not closely guarded. He's dangerous in the open court with his nice handle too. The bad news: Lyons is in a devil of a substate bracket. Hesston, Haven, Cheney, Chaparral…only one team will emerge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brady Beckman</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2023, Rawlins County:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckman has quietly been a warrior out at Atwood. He's a physical forward who can do some of everything. He is a force in the paint, can handle the ball under pressure and push it up the floor. He's a nice passer from the paint. He makes a ton of plays on defense too, recording 5 steals and a block per game. He's a classic stat-sheet stuffer who plays with a blue-collar style. His team faces a tall order as they would be paired with #2 ranked TMP if both win their opening round games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1756360' first='Eli' last='Lang'], 6-foot guard, 2024, Minneola:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minneola is seeded third in a tough substate that includes South Gray. But the Rebels might not be the powerhouse they have been in recent years. Minneola might have a shot to escape the bracket with left sharpshooter Lang leading the way. He's an experienced multi-sport athlete who makes a ton of plays from the guard spot. He doesn't just snipe away. He deals out 7 assists per game and nearly averages a double-double with 9 boards per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan McCarty</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2024, Cheylin:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This junior is an athlete who can fill up the stat sheet for the talented Cougars. With other guys around him who can score, McCarty plays in the team framework and records 4 assists per contest. The multi-sport stud gobbles up rebounds and steals and averages 12 points per game. The unfortunate thing is that Cheylin is slotted second in the Wheatland-Grinnell substate that features perhaps the top small school playmaker, [player_tooltip player_id='1080198' first='Jaxson' last='Brandl'] of defending champ Greeley County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->