Posts to Watch at Small School Substates

Prep Hoops Staff

February 25, 2023 @ 08:12 AM

There are some really good bigs in the small school ranks this year. Prep Hoops has written extensively about [player_tooltip player_id='1080163' first='Eli' last='Sawyers'] from Southeast of Saline, [player_tooltip player_id='1270299' first='Eli' last='Lawson'] from Bennington, [player_tooltip player_id='1212164' first='Dylan' last='Werth'] of TMP and [player_tooltip player_id='1750179' first='Brant' last='Sipe'] of Haven. But there are some other posts who are going to be huge this playoff season.   Here are some posts to watch at substate:   Kaedin Massey, 6-foot-8 center, 2024, Lyndon:   Lyndon came up short of a state title last year with a lot of seniors leading the way. They reset this year, adding a couple of bigs into the rotation, most notably Massey, one of the biggest posts in the state. It's important to know that he's not just 6-foot-8, but he weighs in the 270 range. He won't be pushed around. But he's not just a brute. Massey shows good hands to receive passes and soft touch around the goal. He plays with effort and runs hard. Massey will dwarf the competition in Lyndon's very manageable regional. He may be challenged by some good bigs at state, should the Tigers advance.   [player_tooltip player_id='1378393' first='Parker' last='Scheck'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Ellinwood:   There might not be a post with a bigger task ahead than Scheck. Ellinwood is seeded first in a brutal substate that will feature several good posts. Scheck is the most true ‘big' on the Ellinwood roster and will have to play big for the Eagles to get through the bracket. Scheck has struggled to stay out of foul trouble, so it will be huge for him to defend without fouling. When at his best, Scheck is an athletic, gritty big with good hands and ability to pass and run the floor. He will be a player to watch next week.   [player_tooltip player_id='2147823' first='Christian' last='McAfee'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Sabetha:   Sabetha is set up for a substate final against #7 ranked Marysville if the two win out. The Bluejays have a dynamic big in 6-foot-7 [player_tooltip player_id='1624976' first='Davis' last='Rokey'] who gives them a size advantage. But McAfee is the blue-collar big who defends opponents posts and cleans the glass. McAfee is one of the most natural rebounders around, with a nose for the ball, the athleticism to get to it, and the motor to go 100% at all times.   [player_tooltip player_id='1080164' first='Tyler' last='Little'], 6-foot-4 center, 2023, Galena (pictured):   How does a 20-0 team fly this far under the radar? The Bulldogs are ranked #5 but behind several teams with losses. No matter. Galena and big man Little have been in playoff battles before and know what it takes. Little is a powerful post who has great hands and nice agility for his size. He has stepped up as the senior leader. Galena should be back at state if they get through a substate with no other ranked teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='1561992' first='Josh' last='Hildebrand'], 6-foot-6 center, 2023, Stafford:   In the state's smallest classification, Stafford may have a difference maker in big man Hildebrand. At 6-foot-6, he's one of the tallest players in the class, but he's more than just big. Hildebrand is a multi-sport athlete who can run and jump, playing even bigger than his height. He averages a double-double for the balanced veteran Trojans. Stafford is on a collision course with #5-ranked Pawnee Heights in substate.

There are some really good bigs in the small school ranks this year. Prep Hoops has written extensively about Eli Sawyers Eli Sawyers 6'7" | SF Southeast Of Saline | 2023 State KS from Southeast of Saline, Eli Lawson Eli Lawson 6'7" | C Bennington | 2024 State KS from Bennington, Dylan Werth Dylan Werth 6'7" | PF Hays-Tmp | 2023 State KS of TMP and Brant Sipe Brant Sipe 6'4" | PF Haven | 2023 State KS of Haven. But there are some other posts who are going to be huge this playoff season.