Spring Standouts: Central KS Bigs

<p>Spring tournaments gave us an opportunity to see some of the best from across Kansas together under one roof. The opportunity is especially meaningful to players from small schools and from the central part of the state that doesn’t get as much media attention.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1155933" first="Nash" last="Johnsen"] from Conway Springs and [player_tooltip player_id="1270299" first="Eli" last="Lawson"] (pictured) from Bennington tore it up for Kansas Team 2024. Beloit’s [player_tooltip player_id="1270292" first="Bryce" last="Beisner"] and Salina South’s [player_tooltip player_id="1182787" first="Te’Jon" last="McDaniel"] had big spring as well. But some others seized the opportunity to jump on our radar.</p> <p>Here are a few bigs from Central Kansas who stood out in the spring:</p> <p><strong>Morice Ayers</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2024, Wellington HS:</p> <p>There aren’t many more impressive leapers than Ayers. He was unstoppable once he got near the rim when Hunt United 2024 played in Wichita at the end of April. Ayers gets off the floor in a flash for rebounds, to block shots and to intercept passes in his area. He handles the ball to get to his own shot, and he runs the floor with enthusiasm to make plays in transition. He hit some nice pullup jumpers as well. Ayers hasn’t made an impact on the varsity level yet, but he is making a case for playing time this spring.</p> <p><strong>Jordan Buhrle</strong>, 6-foot-8 center, 2023, Russell HS:</p> <p>Buhrle is a big man. He is a big presence in the post who blocks shots and pushes other big men off their mark. He is a powerful rebounder and can finish through contact. He stays vertical when shooters go up, with good hands and reach to thwart shots. Offensively he showed an effective jump hook with high release. Buhrle had a good junior campaign for Russell and looks to build on his 7.5 points and 5.4 boards from last year.</p> <p><strong>Logan Churchill</strong>, 6-foot-6 forward, 2023, Moundridge HS:</p> <p>Churchill stood out this spring for a really deep and talented PGUHOOPS club. He is a smooth athlete who uses his height to his advantage against smaller wings. He backs down a defender to get into the lane for a turnaround jumper, or he cuts through the lane for entry passes. He runs the floor really well and handles the ball in the open floor.</p> <p><strong>Wade Meyer</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2024, Buhler HS:</p> <p>Meyer is a dangerous scorer because he can really get it going from deep, or he can cut and drive to get buckets in the lane. He’s smooth running the floor and makes some tough shots at high speed. He scores at the rim through contact or lays up a soft floater. Meyer is long and lanky but plays tough.</p> <p><strong>Barret Moddelmog</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Moundridge HS:</p> <p>Moddelmog made a big impact for the Moundridge varsity as a freshman, so he’s not intimidated by playing up two levels with the 2023 PGUHOOPS club. He’s a strong rebounder and competitor. As the youngster on this list, watch for this guy to continue to develop.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1146293" first="Montel" last="Tate"], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Wellington:</p> <p>An impressive athlete, Tate can do some of everything for Hunt United. Tate has probably gone a bit unappreciated for his work at Wellington and on the club scene the past few years. He handles the ball from end to end and plays hard in the paint. He’s the type of athlete who can take on just about every opponent at every position and hold his own.</p>