Point Guards to Watch at Big School Substates
In this article:
Three of the most talked-about point guards from last year’s big school state tournaments are back. Wichita Heights is again led by Marcus Zeigler Jr Marcus Zeigler Jr 6'2" | PG Wichita Heights | 2023 State KS , Blue Valley…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThree of the most talked-about point guards from last year’s big school state tournaments are back. Wichita Heights is again led by Marcus Zeigler Jr Marcus Zeigler Jr 6'2" | PG Wichita Heights | 2023 State KS , Blue Valley Northwest has Grant Stubblefield Grant Stubblefield 6'2" | PG Blue Valley Northwest | 2023 State KS and DeSoto is guided by tournament star David Cobin David Cobin 5'10" | PG De Soto | 2024 State #285 Nation KS .
But there are some other point men who really can impact the playoffs. Here are five point men to watch in the substate round:
Trey Carter Trey Carter 5'9" | PG Atchison | 2024 State KS , 5-foot-9 guard, 2024, Atchison:
Atchison has surprised by staying at the top of 4A. A recent loss to KC Washington may be a reminder that no game is automatic. Nonetheless, the Phoenix got the top seed in the 4A East bracket, with a couple of dangerous teams to get through to advance to state. Carter is turning the experience of running the team as a sophomore into a great season this year. He’s the consummate point guard. He handles pressure and plays through defensive contact with his physicality. His head is always up, and he provides a threat as a scorer.
Malik O’Atis Malik O’Atis 5'11" | PG Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2023 State KS , 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Shawnee Mission Northwest:
His game is unorthodox, but this guy deserves more credit for the chaos he creates. It’s amazing to watch a guy playing this much faster than everyone else on the court. His team is just just the #6 seed in the 6A East bracket, but they are a talented group who could make some noise. Oatis torments opposing ball handlers, shutting down their drives and getting up in their faces in the backcourt. He can drive to the bucket when given the slightest opening. Oatis understands that his game is speed, and he never takes his foot off the accelerator.
Emilio Zundt Emilio Zundt 5'8" | PG Garden City | 2024 State KS , 5-foot-8 guard, 2024, Garden City (pictured):
Garden City may be somewhat unappreciated this year because they don’t face Kansas City and Wichita competition. But they got the #1 seed in the 6A West bracket over Wichita Heights. This team has several weapons, and guards who get them the ball. Zundt is super shifty with a good handle and an understanding of how to distribute the ball to scorers. He’s a threat from the perimeter and is a handsy ballhawk at the defensive end. He and the senior-led Buffaloes should have a pretty clear path to state.
Quentin Adams Quentin Adams 5'9" | PG Highland Park | 2023 KS , 5-foot-9 guard, 2023, Highland Park:
One of the biggest stories to watch next week is how Highland Park will evolve without their most talented player, Ketraleus Aldridge Ketraleus Aldridge 6'4" | SF Highland Park | 2023 State KS , who was removed from the team a couple of weeks ago. They have a lot of other weapons. Huge will be Adams’ play as the distributor who gets the ball to the scorers. Adams is a quick and smooth point guard who has to know how to play without the ball since teammate Tre Richardson Tre Richardson 5'9" | CG Highland Park | 2023 State KS often pushes it up court himself. Adams can penetrate and knock down open shots. He and his fellow Scots will have to be on point to survive challenges from the likes of St. James and Seaman to get to state as the #1 seed.
Kale Hammerschmidt, 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Eudora:
Hammerschmidt is back running the point for Eudora, which was the top-ranked team a year ago. They finished this season at 16-4 but earned the #2 seed in the 4A East and a clear path to return to state. Hammerschmidt is a powerfully built, physical guard on a team loaded with interchangeable parts. He is a gritty multi-sport athlete who comes up big in the clutch and draws fouls by attacking the lane.