Posts to Watch at State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having a dominant big man gives you a huge advantage at the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the two best at the tournaments this week are the same two who locked horns in the 6A final last year – Blue Valley Northwest's [player_tooltip player_id='1461338' first='Joey' last='Matteoni'] and Wichita Heights' [player_tooltip player_id='1588339' first='Amalachi' last='Wilkins'] (pictured). These two have been a fixture at the 6A tournament the past two years. They are both athletic, run with abandon, can face the basket and make plays, and have great size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those two set the standard. But there are some other bigs worth noting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some posts and big forwards worth watching this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A – [player_tooltip player_id='2209778' first='Ethan' last='Taylor'], 7-foot center, 2026, Shawnee Mission Northwest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor's name is already hot on the recruiting world, and there will be plenty of eyes on this tournament to see how he stacks up against the best in Kansas. Taylor is a different player from Matteoni and Wilkins, but the tournament will be a good test to see where he is in his game. He has the kind of length you don't see in Kansas high school ball, but he's got good fluidity and eye-hand coordination. He's a dominant rebounder and, of course, he challenges a lot of shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A – [player_tooltip player_id='1588346' first='Jacorey' last='Robinson'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2025, Highland Park:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We thought about listing Piper's [player_tooltip player_id='1756342' first='Devin' last='Kerr'] here, but feel the need to recognize Robinson. Neither of them is a traditional center, but they both spend their time in the paint. Robinson has the face-the-basket game of a forward and is expanding his guard skills. But due to the lack of a true post at Highland Park, Robinson defends the opponents' bigs and has to carry a heavy load in the paint. He's used to it. He's been used on the low block since his freshman year. This guy is explosive and creative. He's a talented finisher around and above the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A – [player_tooltip player_id='2327579' first='Colton' last='Collum'], 6-foot-4 center, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403183' first='Leo' last='Schoenberger']</strong>, 6-foot-3 center, 2026, Baldwin:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs have a couple of interchangeable big sophomores. Collum and Schoenberger get after it on the glass and provide support in the scoring column. Having two guys who can defend in the post and guard the rim gives them security should one get in foul trouble. Then can flex between center and power forward spots, giving the team a lot of versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A – [player_tooltip player_id='1270292' first='Bryce' last='Beisner'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2024, Beloit:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been admiring this guy since his freshman season, and he finally gets to show his stuff at a state tournament. Beisner is big and rugged, but he can be found helping the guards get the ball up the floor against pressure. Once in the offensive set, he is at the high post, the low block, and on the perimeter creating mismatches. He's ferocious around the goal and one of the most efficient bigs around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A – [player_tooltip player_id='1155933' first='Nash' last='Johnsen'], 6-foot-6 center, 2024, Conway Springs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnsen is a big powerful center with nice hands and passing skills. He is willing to work the ball to open teammates, either passing from the high post to the low block, or kicking it out to a perimeter shooter. He's a hustling, banging hard worker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1A Div. I – [player_tooltip player_id='1799266' first='Chase' last='Honarvar'], 6-foot-8 center, 2025, Bishop Seabury:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of hard workers, Honarvar is dedicated to his craft and gives his all for the Seahawks. He will be found banging on the block to make himself available to the team's talented passers. He makes his biggest impact on the glass, collecting more than 15 rebounds per game. His length is a difference maker at the low level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1A Div II – [player_tooltip player_id='1378446' first='Carson' last='Shimer'], 6-foot-4 center, 2024, Dighton:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shimer has been one of the state's most productive bigs throughout his career, scoring and rebounding at a high clip. Finally his team is in the state tournament, a reward for his years of hard work. He's consistently in the 20/10 stat range and is also likely to pick up a few assists per game. He scores it at a nearly 60% clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->