Mason continues to show steady growth this season, and it’s been especially noticeable as he’s become more aggressive offensively and looked to score with greater volume. That mindset shift has added another layer to his game.

On Tuesday, AJ shot the ball well from beyond the arc, knocking down threes both off the catch and out of ball screens. He did a nice job dragging defenders out, keeping them on his hip, and rising up abruptly for pull-ups when they gave him space. His confidence as a perimeter shooter is clearly trending upward.

He was also assertive when attacking the paint, initiating contact and creating just enough separation to finish over or around defenders. He didn’t shy away from physicality and played with purpose when getting downhill.

Defensively, he made his presence felt in the full court, applying pressure, forcing turnovers, and helping dictate the tempo of the game. That activity on the defensive end continues to fuel his overall impact.

Mason is leading one of the better 5A teams in the state right now, and he has the Warriors playing their best basketball at exactly the right time. The way they’ve been trending, this group looks like it has a legitimate shot to make a deep postseason run. Their dominant performance over Winnetonka on Friday was just the latest example of how well they’re clicking.

You don’t have to look much further than Mason to understand Smithville’s success. He had Winnetonka off balance all night. Operating almost exclusively out of ball screens, he showed a strong feel for reading different coverages and exploiting whatever the defense gave him. As a scorer, he consistently got to his spots in the mid-range, using his pull-up and floater effectively while elevating over defenders. His deep-range shooting has also become a reliable weapon, stretching the floor and forcing defenses to extend.

What may stand out the most, though, is AJ’s passing ability. He carved up Winnetonka’s defense with his vision, delivering timely passes and putting teammates in prime scoring positions. He also pushed the pace in transition, playing with noticeable acceleration and keeping defenders on their heels.

If the Warriors are going to make a deep push in March, it will start with Mason continuing to lead the way and playing this same confident, controlled brand of basketball.

Mason has been a key contributor for a Smithville squad that looks to be turning a corner and making real strides this season. He’s put together several impressive performances as both a scorer and a playmaker. His recent offer from Kansas Wesleyan comes at a pivotal time for the 2026 guard, who is still looking to add more opportunities as the season progresses.

Mason’s ball handling and perimeter shooting have stood out this season, and he’s also proven to be a strong contact finisher, consistently playing through bodies around the basket. On top of that, he’s one of the better passers in the Kansas City area, operating as a true lead guard who always looks to make the right basketball play and involve his teammates.