Posts to Watch at Big School Substates

Prep Hoops Staff

February 27, 2023 @ 09:55 AM

If you have a big man who can lock down the paint and score consistently in the post, then you have a leg up on the competition come playoff time.   Here are six big-school posts who look to make a big impact in the substate round:   [player_tooltip player_id='1588339' first='Amalachi' last='Wilkins'], 6-foot-6 center, 2025, Wichita Heights:   Ok first off, is Wilkins a true post? He certainly played in that role as a freshman, locking down the back line, rebounding, and playing conservatively on offense. But his game has grown a ton since then. But when he's in the paint, he's as explosive and disruptive as any big man in the state. He disrupts shots, helps off on drivers with quickness and length, and can go get rebounds with the best of them. He's got some better-known teammates around him, but don't overlook the contribution this stud is making for Wichita Heights, which drew the 2-seed in 6A West and should cruise to state.   [player_tooltip player_id='1080204' first='Aiden' last='Sullivan'], 6-foot-8 center, 2023, Olathe Northwest (pictured):   This team has a lot of talent and experience for a 10-seed with a losing record. They might be one to watch to pull some magic at substate. They start with the relatively undersized Olathe South, so watch Sullivan to make some plays in the paint. He's one of the biggest players in the state, and he's capable of doing more than the 10 points and 6.5 rebounds he averaged this season. He has good fundamentals and soft hands around the goal. Should the Ravens win that first game, they would play into a match against Blue Valley Northwest, a ton with size for days.   [player_tooltip player_id='1461338' first='Joey' last='Matteoni'], 6-foot-6 forward, 2024, Blue Valley Northwest:   One more from 6A. Matteoni is rocketing up the Prep Hoops rankings and becoming one of the best big men in the state. His 17 points and 10 boards stand out even on a deep and talented team. The Huskies are the 2-seed in the East bracket and could run into Olathe Northwest, as mentioned above. Matteoni would have lots of help, but his length and athleticism would be an interesting match with the taller Sullivan.   Nic Lange, 6-foot-6 center, 2023, Hutchinson:   For as good as the 5A field is, there aren't a lot of top centers in the class. Lange stands out and might make a big impact in the playoffs. He is surrounded by a lot of weapons, so he focuses on locking down the lane and crashing the boards. But he's a veteran who provides an effective scoring option in the low post. He is capable of stepping out and hitting from the perimeter too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1378442' first='Tory' last='Homan'], 6-foot-7 center, 2024, Maize South:   Very similar to Lange, Homan labors alongside some really talented guards and wings, so he might not always be in the spotlight. But this guy is a beast who can come up big when they feed him the ball. He is big, powerful and athletic. The 4-seeded Mavericks are in a really intriguing bracket in 5A West. Homan will stand tall in games with some really good teams from Goddard, Maize and Andover Central.   Mason Miller, 6-foot-4 center, 2023, McPherson:   The Bullpups grabbed the 2-seed in the 4A West bracket. They returned a ton of talent from last seasons' third-place team. Miller is one of those pieces, and he grew his role a lot since last year. He's become a go-to option in the paint, and he has defended and rebounded well as the backstop for a bunch of talented young guards. He can give McPherson a size advantage in a lot of potential 4A playoff matchups.

If you have a big man who can lock down the paint and score consistently in the post, then you have a leg up on the competition come playoff time.