September 27, 2012

Wyoming checks out Lee's Summit West

After playing behind three guards who received college scholarships to play basketball two Lee's Summit West High School sophomores have shown how important a summer can be to their college basketball aspirations.

Ryan Williams and JJared Dixonplayed sparse minutes last winter, but, due to a strong summer on the AAU circuit, suddenly find themselves working out for college basketball coaches.

"It is one of those things where when you get a Division I school looking at you, the kids get pretty excited and when you have a school looking at you the caliber of Wyoming, the kids take notice," said West Coach Michael Schieber.

"I think the non-BCS schools are getting on these kids early," Schieber said. "They can't talk to the kids yet, but it is important for them to be there and to be seen as in the gym watching these kids."

Wyoming was in town last week to take a look at the super sophomores to fill what may be six open scholarship slots for the Class of 2015. Williams is a 6-foot combo guard who Scheiber describes as someone who, "plays really really well. He can defend, he is athletically gifted, he is a tough, strong kid who plays well in transition."

According to Schieber, Williams is also the starting running back for the West football team and has been since his freshman year. Last summer Williams starred for the MoKan Elite AAU squad.

Jared Dixon is the brother of Missouri basketball player Michael Dixon and, like his brother, is known as a scorer. The 6-foot-2, combo guard plays for RunGMC and, like Williams, saw his profile increase this summer after a strong AAU season.

"He is a scorer who can just fill it up," Schieber said. "I'd like to see him defend a little better and fill out physically, but he can shoot the hell out of it."

Last season Schieber led West to a 27-4 mark and a third place finish in Missoui Class 5-A. He added that Wyoming isn't the only school checking out Williams and Dixon.

"We've had several coaches in thus far," Schieber said. "We just had Coach (Greg) McDermott from Creighton. Missouri State has been in. Wyoming was here. We have had a lot of DII's in too."

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