Prospect Spotlight: Keegan Simons (2019)
Ar-We-Va has established itself as one of the winning-est programs in small-town hoops, yet the state tourney has eluded them.
Despite winning 20-plus games in three of the last five seasons, Ar-We-Va has not been able to make it to state. This season, 6-foot-3 big-man Keegan Simons is looking to buck that trend.
“I think all of our seniors will step up, we got some good freshman that are coming up, so we’ll need to teach them the ways. We should be pretty successful this year,” said Simons.
“Our only goal is to go to Wells (Fargo Arena) and play at state, and make a deep run hopefully.”
A rebounding extraordinaire, Simons averaged a whopping 13 boards per game last season on a 19-win Rockets squad. Also 15.5 points and more than a block per game.
“We really emphasize rebounding and defense as a team, we all make it a priority to rebound,” said Simons. “I think I’m a pretty good defender, but I could probably work on scoring and shooting the ball more efficiently.”
A versatile threat, Simons also canned 20 3-balls last season. He’s able to excel both inside and outside depending on the match-up that presents itself.
“If I’m matched up on a bigger guy, I’ll stay out on the wing and try and beat him off the drive or with the 3. If it’s a guy my size or smaller, then I’d take him in the post,” said Simons.
A four-sport standout, Simons also excels at baseball, football and track. He was able to stay sharp while playing in a Carroll basketball league this offseason.
Next year at this time, there’s a chance that Simons will be a collegiate athlete, He’s still unsure, though, on which sport he wants to pursue. He’s got a couple schools talking to him for football, but no hoops interest yet.
“I don’t know yet, I haven’t made up my mind,” said Simons. “But if I do, it’ll probably be football or basketball.”
Keegan Simons is ranked by Prep Hoops as a top 175 prospect in his class.