5A’s Top Candidates for Most Outstanding Player

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're looking at all the classes, checking out prospects for Most Outstanding Player. Here are the top candidates from the 5A class:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Frontrunners:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270296' first='Mason' last='English'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Pittsburg:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>English led his team to the state tournament a year ago despite the fact every opponent knew he would be carrying the water. They just couldn't stop him. If English can make the Purple Dragons contenders again, there's no question the senior's scoring will make him a favorite for Most Outstanding Player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270268' first='David' last='Cobin'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2024, DeSoto (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who can forget what Cobin did at the state tournament as a sophomore? He went absolutely crazy, leading the Wildcats to the brink of a 5A title. He can score, distribute, defend and lead. There's been a lot of rebuilding around him, so watch him carry a big load as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270287' first='Will' last='Thengvall'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Kapaun Mt. Carmel:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thengvall is a big, versatile playmaker who can affect a game in a lot of ways. There is a lot of talent back at Kapaun (what else is new?) but Thengvall is ready to be the leader. He stuffs the stat sheet and makes impressive plays in every phase of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Contenders:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1385618' first='Mikey' last='Brand'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Bishop Carroll:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brand is ready to assert himself as one of the best big men in 5A, if not all classes. He is a monster on the block and on the glass, and he has enough versatility to be a threat on the bounce and from the perimeter. Bishop Carroll brings back a lot of talent and should be greatly improved this year. A good season will bring more recognition to Brand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1378442' first='Tory' last='Homan'], 6-foot-7 center, 2024, Maize South:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking for a big man to really bust out this year, it could be Homan. He was a key contributor to Maize South's run to the state tournament as a junior, and he may be ready to become the go-to man this year. He's a hard worker and a fundamental veteran who has a lot of length and power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Surprise Candidates:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1756342' first='Devin' last='Kerr'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Piper:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Piper has a nucleus of returners who are ready to take a big step. Ready to lead from the forward position is Kerr, a long, smooth athlete who can create offense on his own. The senior is a very efficient scorer who hit 65% of his field goal attempts as a junior. He is a double-double candidate and a playmaker on defense too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2209777' first='Ian' last='Premer'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2026, Great Bend:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dark horse on this list is the Great Bend sophomore. A long, athletic big man who can handle the ball and attack a defense, Premer was ready for the varsity game from day one. The question now is, how big of a step can he take in his second season? Great Bend brings back a nice set of players, and Premer will be the leader. It might be a stretch to think a sophomore could eclipse the others on this list, but a big season by the Panthers might just push him to the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->