Ten Best: Washburn Rural-Seaman
Ten Best: Washburn Rural-Seaman
TOPEKA, Kan. — A huge crowd made its way to Washburn Rural on Friday for a Centennial League showdown between the Junior Blues and the Vikings of Seaman.
Jordan White led all scorers with 17 points and Rural held on for a 51-46 win to improve to 7-5 this season, while Seaman falls to 9-5.
Here, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at ten things that stood out.
MVP: Jordan White (6’0, G, 2019, Washburn Rural). There were several players who had solid games for both teams, but White was solid in a variety of areas and came up with some huge plays down the stretch, including taking a key charge with 2:28 remaining with the Junior Blues holding a tenuous 46-45 lead. White scored eight in the first half, then added nine more in the second half and finished with a game-high 17.
Best offensive performance: Trey Duffey (6’5, F, 2018, Seaman). Duffey is an inside-out big man with a terrific all-around skill set. He is a terrific free throw shooter and gets to the line quite often. On Friday, he went for 16 points and five rebounds and was 8 for 8 at the line. He is comfortable at the high post and on the block and can step out and shoot mid range shots as well.
Best defensive performance: Raymond Swopes (6’1, G, 2018, Washburn Rural). Swopes finished with 10 points and showed off a well-rounded skill set at both ends of the floor. He is a terrific outside shooter and plays the game under control. Defensively, he is long and active and in passing lanes.
Best rebounder: Jack Hamilton (6’3, F, 2018, Washburn Rural). Hamilton is an undersized forward that can step out and shoot the 3 and likes to mix it up in the paint. On Friday, he ran away with the battle of the boards, hauling in a game-high 12 rebounds, including a key offensive board and put back with two minutes remaining that gave Rural a 48-45 lead. He finished with seven points.
Best passer: Armahn Downing (6’0, G, 2019, Washburn Rural). A smooth, athletic guard, Downing out together a terrific all-around game for the Junior Blues. He has a nice pull-up jumper from the mid range and likes to get into the lane and make plays for his teammates and on Friday he made several nice passes throughout the contest, finding open shooters on the perimeter and had several nice dump off passes as well.
Best shooter: Nathan Heinen (5’11, G, 2018, Seaman). One of the more under-rated shooters we’ve seen this season, Heinen can get hot an put points on the board in a hurry, but on Friday, Rural did a good job of not letting him get loose. Heinen made two 3-pointers in the game, including a key 3 late in the contest, and finished with eight points.
Best off the bench: Savian Edwards (5’11, G, 2019, Washburn Rural). Edwards brought terrific energy and a defensive presence on the perimeter off the bench on Friday and made several big plays for the Junior Blues. He came up with a big steal and breakaway layup to pull Rural within one point early in the fourth quarter, then on the next possession, Edwards knocked down a 3 to give his team a 40-38 lead with six minutes remaining.
Best underclassman: Joe Berry (6’1, G, 2021, Washburn Rural). Berry is a long, athletic 6’1 guard who is a standout perimeter shooter with a high basketball IQ. Berry played extensive minutes, especially late in the contest and was on the floor in key moments.
Name to remember: Kobe Bonner (5’10, PG, 2019, Seaman). He doesn’t put up huge scoring numbers, but Bonner is the engine that makes the Vikings go. He is a smart, heady point guard who shows good leadership skills and relishes the role of team leader. Bonner can knock down outside shots and get to the basket, but he is most comfortable being a facilitator. On Friday, Bonner finished with 13 points.