Launching Pad – Summer Rising guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we shift our attention toward the upcoming high school basketball season, we're take one last look at some guards who used the spring and summer as a launching pad for the school year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1414200' first='Isaiah' last='Handy']</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Junction City, SSA:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junction City has been blessed with a lot of good guards, so playing time can be tough to get. Handy did everything you could do to prepare for a bigger load next season. He worked hard for SSA, handling the ball and getting it to shooters while also playing good defense. He is physically rock solid and tough. He can get a defender on his hip and blow through contact.</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>Johnson has a lot of offensive skills including a nice stroke from deep and ability to create shots on the bounce. This summer he hit floaters and pullup jumpers in the paint. He's long and able to defend and works hard to impact the game in a variety of ways. He may work into the rotation this year, potentially taking some of the minutes of his older brother, who graduated after a nice career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quentin Lewis</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Olathe Northwest, MOKAN:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ravens lost some really good 2023s and will be looking for some guys to step up. One of those might be Lewis, a slick ball handler who can really push it. He attacks in transition and can break down a defender in the half-court set. He got some really good experience running the point for MOKAN this summer. He also showed he can be a dog against opposing ball handlers. He brings a ton of energy and ramps up the tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ Moland</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2025, Bishop Miege, Marcus Denmon:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miege has to reload again this year, having lost a host of seniors, plus some impactful transfers. That may open the door for Moland, who worked hard for Marcus Denmon to prepare for a greater opportunity. Moland sat on the bench and made the trip to state last year. For his club team, he was a point guard who played under control and got the ball to scorers. He has a gliding style that never appears sped up. He makes plays on defense as well.</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>Powers has waited his turn at Kapaun. Look for him to step into a bigger role as a mature guard with size and versatile skill. He showed for SSA this summer he is more than capable of running the point or on the wing. He can see over defenses, handle the ball in the open floor and facilitate an offense with calm precision. Powers would be a star on a lot of teams, and he may just have a big season at Kapaun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1512900' first='Mikey' last='Williams']</strong>, 6-foot-1 guard, 2025, Highland Park, VWBA (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has been a factor in a very crowded backcourt at Highland Park. He was a key reserve in the Scots' run to third-place last year. He's grown into a physical mismatch for a lot of small guards. Due to a lack of size at Highland Park, Williams may be called on to play off the ball this year, perhaps even as a forward. But he will bring smart playmaking to whatever position he plays. Williams can put the ball on the floor and get to shots, and he's got a nice stroke. He has long arms and some athleticism to defend and rebound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->