FIVE TAKEAWAYS: Raytown South (Mo.)-Topeka (Kan.)
FIVE TAKEAWAYS: Raytown South (Mo.)-Topeka (Kan.)
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Raytown South improved to 4-0 on the season with a big second half en route to a 55-43 win over Topeka in the opening round of the 23rd annual Lawrence Tournament on Thursday.
Topeka held a 27-20 lead at the half, but a Raytown South held the Trojans to just two points in the third quarter and took control of the game.
Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at five takeaways from the contest.
New day at Topeka High School
The Trojans were coming off a .500 season a year ago and former Highland Park standouts Larry White and Da’Vonshai Harden have help give the program new life. They are teaming with 2020 point guard Ky Thomas and those three are tough for most teams to match-up against both in the paint and on the perimeter. Topeka gave
Ky Thomas one of the Kansas’ best PGs
A 5’11 2020 point guard, Topeka’s Ky Thomas struggled at times on Thursday to finish over a physical Raytown South front line and left some points at the free throw line, but there aren’t many players in Kansas better at breaking opponents down off the bounce and getting to the bucket. He is strong and has a good feel for creating and making tough chances in the lane. Also a football standout, Thomas holds an offer from Kansas likely has a future in that sport.
Ian Jacobs, others playing well off bench
A 6’2, 2018 guard, Raytown South’s Jamar Madge has emerged this season as one of the Kansas City area’s most underrated players and will likely find a home at the next level. He went for 14 points in the third quarter, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers and getting to the bucket. He finished with 22 points and four rebounds. Madge has a good feel for the game, plays under control and lets things come to him. He can handle some point guard duties and also plays equally effectively off the ball.
Raytown South making its move
Topeka struggled to navigate a tough Raytown South zone in the third quarter as the Cardinals covered up the lane with Sevon Witt and Tyren Clark, a pair of big physical forwards. The Cardinals held Topeka to just two points in the third quarter and 14 total points in the second half. With the win, Raytown South has won all three of its games in convincing fashion, beating St. Joe Benton (75-33), St. Joe Central (51-30), Battle (80-54) and Topeka (55-43).
Tyren Clark big off the bench
A standout football prospect who is committed to Independence CC, Clark is a big, physical 6’7, 278-pound post player who doubles as an offensive tackle on the football field. On the hardwood, he has soft hands and good footwork in the post. On Thursday, he provided a significant road block to Topeka putting their head down and going to the basket as Clark stood tall in the paint and protected the rim.