NE KS Bigs Who Have Stood Out at Substate

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've seen a lot of basketball in a short period thanks to substate action. Here are players in NE Kansas you might not know that have really impressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403150' first='Ronnie' last='Baker'], 6-foot-3 center, 2026, Perry-Lecompton:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guy has a style all his own. He never plays rushed, doesn't try to do things in a hurry. He is smooth and fluid for a guy with his build. He puts the ball on the deck and maneuvers to good shots in the midrange. He finishes well in traffic. And he can hit from deep. Baker has long arms, a broad upper body and can create space for his release. He defends bigs well and rebounds. He disrupts drivers and can block shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kamoni Ford, 6-foot-5 forward, 2025, Topeka West:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few weeks ago, we thought the Chargers were done for. But they have really pulled it together and are making a push for a state tournament bid. Kamoni has been a big part of that turnaround. His production was way down for a month or so, but he has picked up at the offensive end recently. He's a long forward with a lot of natural gifts. He can really get up, he runs the floor well and is very fluid. He is dangerous from deep, but can also catch the ball and make a play in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403191' first='Cameron' last='Miller'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2026, Rossville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller's season came to an end with a disappointing loss to Nemaha Central, but this kid had a great sophomore year. There was no question his length and athleticism, but he really settled into a lead role late in the season. He might be one of the most well-balanced bigs in terms of ability both on the perimeter and in the post. He can really shoot it, but also loves to make plays around the hoop. He's disruptive at the defensive end and is often at the point of the Rossville zone defense, making it really hard for opponents to get into a flow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2393799' first='Deacon' last='Pomeroy'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Shawnee Heights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The T-Birds are making a run at the state tournament. If they are to hang with massive Aquinas, they will need the bulked up forward Pomeroy to assert himself, particularly at the defensive end. Pomeroy has the arms and shoulders of a powerlifter, the physicality of a defensive end, but he most excels on the baseball diamond. But that doesn't mean he's not a skilled baller. He can really shoot it from deep. And he's most integral as the muscle on the T-Bird defensive frontcourt. He rebounds and guards the rim at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2393765' first='Eric' last='Smith'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Atchison:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is built in a similar mold to Pomeroy. He's a bulked up, powerful presence in the Atchison lineup, standing tall with football star [player_tooltip player_id='2314773' first='Jeter' last='Purdy'] for an intimidating frontcourt. Smith has some fluidity and some playmaking skills, but he's most important as a rebounding and defensive force. He is strong on the block, can run with perimeter players and explodes to play above the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->