Spring Standouts: Wichita-Area Bigs

<p>Spring tournaments gave us an opportunity to see some of the best from across Kansas together under one roof.</p> <p>Now that we’ve slid into the summer team-ball season, we can review the work we saw during the spring. We took a look at Wichita guards and bigs. Now let’s take a look back at some of the bigs from schools in the greater Wichita area who stood out in the spring:</p> <p><strong>Camden Beahm</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Circle HS:</p> <p>Beahm really popped for Buddy Buckets Mocaby club this spring. He showed off just about every skill you could possess, scoring inside and out, passing effectively and creatively, rebounding and defending. He has the athleticism to guard in the lane and on the perimeter. Beahm gained a lot of fans among Prep Hoops scouts this spring.</p> <p><strong>Kaden Franklin</strong>, 6-foot-6 forward, 2024, Derby HS:</p> <p>Franklin has skills of a shooting guard, but the physique of a power forward. He really stood out in spring games for the Wichita Padres. He rebounded and pushed the ball from end to end and showed he could drive and dish. But with his combination of length, power and explosiveness, he is really dangerous getting into the goal or grabbing offensive rebounds. He blocked shots and scored through fouls. There weren’t many more impressive risers in the spring than Franklin.</p> <p><strong>Wade Meyer</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2024, Buhler HS:</p> <p>Meyer established himself as a sophomore for a state-quality high school team. He showed his stuff in the spring with PGUHoops, playing up in the 17U class. Meyer is a smooth wing who can push the ball in the open floor and do creative things with it. He has long arms and nice spring to be a presence on defense and on the boards. He also demonstrated he can be a threat from deep.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1408578" first="Devon" last="Neal-McFarthing"]</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Andover HS:</p> <p>Neal-McFarthing was an important part of a top-flight Andover team last year, averaging 5 points and 2.5 boards per game. He’s ready to build on that success and take on a bigger role as a senior. He impressed in the spring for the Wichita Padres. He’s a big, thick player who moves well and plays with power. He hustles and runs the floor to be a player in transition.</p> <p><strong>Jarrett Steward</strong>, 6-foot-7 center, 2023, Andover Central HS:</p> <p>Steward is big. He’s a powerful post who is preparing to take a much bigger role at Andover Central. He manned the post for the Wichita Padres this spring and was an intimidating presence. He works hard and does the little things to affect the game even when he’s not scoring. He pounds the glass and pushes opponents off the low block. He showed nice hands and good lateral movement.</p>