By Ken Hansard
Mehki Stephens, a junior shooting guard for the Lansing Lions, was named second team UKC (United Kansas Conference) and Honorable Mention All-State after averaging nearly 18 points per game as a sophomore. Despite those lofty achievements, Stephens, like most great athletes, still found several holes in his game that he wanted to fix. “One major weakness I worked on in the offseason was learning how to get open and moving without the ball. I had to figure out how to get the ball when I’m being face-guarded. I addressed that by working out a lot in the gym and doing different game scenarios.”
When you are a shooting guard dropping 18 points per game, other teams will try to deny you the basketball, so Mehki’s strategy makes a lot of sense. Stephens also emphasized that, as an upperclassman now, he needs to step up and take on a larger role for the team, both in the locker room and on the floor. “I see my role on this team as a leader and a scorer.”
After finishing last season with a 6-14 record and first round loss in the playoffs, Mehki and the Lions are looking to turn things around this season, “I’m primarily looking forward to competing with my teammates and having a good season. One of my main goals is to have a winning record as a team. Personally, I’d also like to make first team all-conference.”
With graduation still over a year away, Mekhi is currently undecided about his plans for after high school, but he intends to continue to play basketball at the collegiate level.
