Five New Names from the Hardwood Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most fun things about summer events like the Hardwood Classic is getting a glimpse of some guys before they make a name on their school teams. Here are five “new names” from the event (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Korbin Dowdell</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Free State, PAC:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PAC team features slick 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1402310' first='Jaalan' last='Watson']. But Dowdell, who got a little experience with Free State's varsity last year, really popped alongside Watson. Dowdell is lightning-quick with the dribble and seems to play long for a guy listed at 5-foot-10. He displays athleticism and body control when he slices through the lane and elevates to the goal. He's an active defender who turned steals into scores. On a PAC team with some highly-rated guards, Dowdell didn't take a back seat to anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1624996' first='Max' last='Johnson']</strong>, 6-foot-1 guard, 2025, De Soto, SSA:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De Soto enjoyed the fine play of 2023 <strong>Trent Johnson</strong> the past couple of highly successful seasons. The Wildcats can look forward to the play of his younger brother, Max, who impressed with SSA at the Hardwood Classic. He's got good size for a rising-junior guard and he has got a variety of offensive skills. He knocked down shots from deep, demonstrated a floater on the dribble, and passed the ball effectively in transition and on penetration. He defended well with long arms and intuition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>King Leonard</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2025, Washburn Rural, MOKAN:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 class of guards at Washburn Rural is strong, and Leonard is another guard the Junior Blues can look forward to employing. He got a little varsity exposure as a sophomore, and he showed a lot at the Kansas City event. The number one thing he brings is energy. Leonard plays with great quickness and heart. He's deadly from deep, has a tight handle and can get to the bucket. He's also a pesky defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quentin Lewis</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Olathe Northwest, MOKAN:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leonard's running mate with MOKAN 16U was Lewis, a shifty ball handler who ran the point. He stood out as an on-ball defender. With the ball in his hands, Lewis is both fast and quick, pushing the ball up court at high speed and breaking down defenders to penetrate the paint. Off the ball, he cuts quickly to get opportunities to catch and shoot. Lewis was one of the more energetic guards we saw over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387724' first='Brooks' last='Powers']</strong>, 6-foot-3 guard, 2024, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, SSA:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops scouts enjoyed watching Powers last summer. For loaded Kapaun, playing time was tough to get last year, so Powers was key support piece on the state tournament team. He should get more opportunity as a senior. He's a big point guard who his teammates trust with the ball. He is smart in his incorporation of teammates and gets the ball to the right places. Powers has the handle, the vision, the athleticism and the maturity to be a riser this upcoming high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->