EKL: Forwards making their mark (2021)

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the season in full swing, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Eastern Kansas League this season.</span></p> <p><b>Eastern Kansas League (EKL)</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley Southwest, Blue Valley West, Mill Valley, St. James, St. Thomas Aquinas.</span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-fritz/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-fritz/">Ben Fritz</a></a>, 6’6, G/F, 2021, Blue Valley Northwest</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the more active players on the floor at any given time, Fritz has a way of coming up big as a defensive player and scorer. He has great length and size at 6'6 and can pin shots on the glass or throw down dunks in transition. He can connect from three-point range and also the free throw line. He just has a mindset and a willingness to put himself on the line and make plays. A high percentage scorer who shows a hard-nosed mentality on both ends of the floor.</span></p> <p><b>Noah McCoy, G/F, 2021, Mill Valley</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A terrific hustle player for Mill Valley who has a good upside given his drive and hard-nosed mentality. He plays extremely hard and looks to box out opponents and put himself in a position to make a play off the ball. He has a good, strong frame and is great at coming away with the ball and is quick to get back on defense. </span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keeshawn-mason/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keeshawn-mason/">Keeshawn Mason</a></a>, 6’8, PF 2021, Aquinas</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mason is a strong and athletic power forward who has great leaping ability and solid handles. He plays with power and strength and can rip the ball away from opponents and pain shots on the glass and come away with the ball. he runs hard and can score in a variety of ways around the glass, looking to back opponents down or score over top of them. Mason is averaging 17.6 points, 1.7 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. The player who makes a huge impact on both ends of the floor that opposing teams have to count on coming after them game after game.</span></p> <p><b>Andrew Orr, 6’8, F, 2021, Blue Valley North  </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A dominant power forward who has the ability to connect from 3-point range and also make physical plays at the rim. Orr has elite size 6'8 and brings leadership and a high IQ to the floor, able to spot schemes and point out openings and collapse on the ball and block shots. His toughness stands out as does his transition play and ability to get to the basket quickly and finish through contact with a two-handed jam. </span></p> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaac-patterson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaac-patterson/">Isaac Patterson</a></a>, 6’5, G/F, 2021, Blue Valley North </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another big bodied player who can stretch the floor and move inside and play physical. Patterson is creative with the ball but understands his sweet spots and how to get open looks. He runs the floor well in transition and can handle the ball well for a player his size. He gets physical inside and around the glass and connects from outside with a hand in his face. a terrific player with great length and athleticism and a soft-touch to his jump shot. </span></p> <p><b>Nikko Taylor, 6’6, G/F, 2021, Blue Valley North</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A terrific athlete with long arms and an ability to dominate above the rim. Taylor has size at 6'6 and adds a terrific wingspan and bounce. He can score well in one-on-one situations and has a slashers mentality and a fiery nature when he's locked in. Taylor has potential on both ends of the floor given his size and athleticism and overall build. </span></p>