Kansas City’s Top Performers Gaining Momentum Into February

Let's highlight the players who are generating buzz and building momentum as we head into the last month of the regular season. We'll break down what's propelled each player to this point, along with the recent performances that have stood out and helped fuel their rise.    Daugherty's stock continues to rise as he keeps delivering strong performances against top-level competition. Coming off a 28-point outing against Olathe North on Saturday, he has firmly established himself as a player trending in the right direction. At 6-foot-10, his combination of size and skill is becoming increasingly difficult for opponents to handle. He impacts the game on the glass, scores efficiently around the rim, and also showcases a smooth, confident perimeter shooting stroke that he can get off at any time.   With his continued growth and production, expect his recruiting stock to take off this spring and summer. If everything falls into place, Daugherty could also be a key piece in pushing Lee's Summit toward a deep run at the state tournament.     Deng is putting together one of the best stretches of his season, building momentum with his performances over the past few games. He has taken over at times with his impact on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he controls the game with his ability to block and alter shots while cleaning up the glass at an increasingly consistent rate.   On the offensive end, his production has risen as he finishes with authority around the rim, attacks off the bounce, and even steps out to knock down long-range threes when left open. His continued development has been impressive, and he's another player to watch closely as recruiting interest is likely to pick up this summer. If the trend continues, Deng could soon become a household name around the Kansas City area.     On a team loaded with guard talent, Hymiller has emerged as Blue Springs South's most complete guard as of late. After pouring in 22 points against Grain Valley in the championship game of the Grain Valley Invitational, it's clear how much he has improved over the course of the season and how much more comfortable he has become as an offensive playmaker.   Hymiller consistently makes high-effort plays for the Jaguars and has taken a noticeable leap as a finisher, embracing contact and showing touch with either hand around the rim. He has also delivered timely scoring, whether it's knocking down catch-and-shoot threes or attacking off the dribble and impacting the game as a slasher. His emergence only strengthens Blue Springs South's outlook heading into March.     [player_tooltip player_id='1850445' first='Adam' last='Tanner'] appears to be steering Oak Park back in the right direction, highlighted by recent statement wins over North Kansas City and Battle. He continues to lean on the traits that have defined his high school career — taking over games when necessary and defending relentlessly with his lateral quickness and strong instincts.   Against North Kansas City, Tanner was at his best late, scoring 10 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to close out the win. His in-between game has taken a noticeable leap, as he's become more effective pulling up or relying on his floater against different defensive looks. At the same time, he continues to create opportunities for others when the ball is in his hands.   Expect more of the same from Tanner and Oak Park as they push toward the end of the regular season, focused on playing their best basketball when it matters most.     Johns, playing alongside Daugherty for Lee's Summit, has been a key reason for the Tigers' success both recently and throughout the season. His combination of size, athleticism, and confidence from the perimeter allows him to make an impact on both ends of the floor. He's connecting consistently from deep range, showing a willingness to hunt open shots, which puts significant pressure on opposing defenses. That attention also opens lanes for him to attack gaps, forcing defenses to collapse and rotate, creating opportunities for teammates.   With Johns and Daugherty leading the way, Lee's Summit is firmly positioned in the 6A postseason race in Missouri this spring.     Rodriguez was a major factor for Blue Valley in their win over Manhattan, taking over the game with 22 points and a flurry of three-pointers. Lately, he's been finding the right areas to attack and using his shooting to open up space for both himself and his teammates.   Enoch's defense and slashing ability have always been strengths, but adding a consistent, reliable perimeter shot makes him extremely difficult to guard at his size and adds a new dynamic to the Tigers' lineup. With him leading the way, Blue Valley looks poised to be one of the top teams in Kansas as the regular season winds down, and they're expected to make some serious noise in March.     There are plenty of Blue Valley Northwest players who could make this list, but Bwami stands out for his recent two-way play with the Huskies. His length and activity on defense have been hard to miss, creating numerous transition scoring opportunities for his team. Offensively, he's shown the ability to drive and finish with precision, slicing through the air and adjusting on the fly when needed.   Bwami is a key piece for one of the top teams in Kansas right now, making an impact in ways that are difficult for opponents to replicate. The Huskies are on a roll and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Let's highlight the players who are generating buzz and building momentum as we head into the last month of the regular season. We'll break down what's propelled each player to this point, along with the recent performances that have stood out and helped fuel their rise.