Back to School Special: The State’s Top Shooters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We spent the summer getting to know new, up-and-coming players and monitoring the progress of risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But with another school year in session, it's time to get reacquainted with the best of the best in the state. We'll take a look at a handful of the skills that separate the best from the rest in a rough ranking system. We start with shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(FYI, obviously, some guys could have qualified in more than one category. But in order to cover the best in the state, we only considered each individual player for one of seven categories. No repeats.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">Kansas Top Shooters, 2023-2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1300833' first='Dallas' last='Metzger'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Derby</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While some other guys' stats may exceed Metzger's, there just doesn't seem to be anyone who can match him in terms of the confidence, the nerve, the stroke and the ability to get shots off. He hunts shots relentlessly, and once the ball is in his hands, he can use his height, physique and creativity to get shots off. He hits big shots in big moments. Derby typically has several good shooters, and this year [player_tooltip player_id='2169844' first='Jack' last='Ulwelling'] might be one of the state's best, but Metzger is literally “a shooter.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1962890' first='Brady' last='Hurla'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, St. Marys:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only reasons Hurla isn't in contention for number one is 1) he lacks Metzger's size, and 2) he hasn't yet established himself as a team leader. He spent last season in the shadow of cousin Keller Hurla, a deadeye in his own right. But [player_tooltip player_id='1962890' first='Brady' last='Hurla'] showed this summer he's lights out and has great range. One advantage he has is the ball will be in his hands as the point guard. One disadvantage will be that teams will be dead set on limiting his attempts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1740754' first='Barrett' last='Moddelmog'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Moundridge:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the heroes of the 2A champs, Moddelmog has almost limitless range. He showed his effectiveness from deep as the team's leading scorer going into the tournament, then he put it on display at the tournament. He hit 3-6 against St. Marys, 5-8 against TMP and 1-2 in the championship against Wichita Independent. He's big and strong. He has a high release. And he has the confidence to pull the trigger from anywhere.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1772980' first='Jack' last='Perry'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2025, Galena:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perry has good length and can get to openings to catch and shoot. He's not a guy who creates a ton of his own shots, and he's unselfish. But he knows he can change a game from deep. He has a smooth stroke and, a little like Metzger, has the height and physique to get shots against small guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1588348' first='Keaton' last='Wagler'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2025, SMNW:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wagler is not just a shooter. He's a scorer. But on a very talented team that will be diverse and athletic, he's the most dangerous shooter from deep. He started his sophomore season on a ridiculous streak: over his first four games, he missed just once from behind the arc, hitting 8 of his first 9 shots over a four game stretch. He didn't attempt a lot of threes per game, but he hit 41% on the season. With so many threats around him, he should be able to find open opportunities again this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other top shooters (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314813' first='Tamir' last='Anderson']</strong>, Highland Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1614190' first='Brady' last='Brumbaugh'], Goodland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1953946' first='Manny' last='Gonzalez'], Goodland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169868' first='Rhett' last='Kats']</strong>, Logan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1300821' first='Blake' last='Rucker'], Andover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1588383' first='Jaret' last='Sanchez'], Shawnee Heights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Young</strong>, Wichita Classical</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->