TEN BEST: Topeka West-Topeka
TOPEKA — Topeka West continued its winning ways with a 68-56 win over rival Topeka on Tuesday behind 22 points from 6’1 2019 guard Elijah Griffin.
West is now 10-5 this season and has another big game against a city rival as they face Highland Park on Friday.
Here, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several things that stood out about Tuesday’s contest.
MVP: Elijah Griffin (6’1, G, 2018, Topeka West). Griffin continues to impress this season as he puts together a big season for the Chargers. Griffin has put together a huge season, averaging 15.5 points per game, and on Tuesday, he showed off an outside shooting stroke that was money. He knocked down 4 of 5 3-point attempts and finished with 22 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Best offensive performance: Koriyon Carr (5’11, G, 2018, Topeka West). Carr went for 17 points and finished 4 for 4 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter as he helped the Chargers hold on for the win. Carr is known for his ability to put points on the board, but has also impressed with his all-around game this season.
Best passer: Ky Thomas (5’11, PG, 2020, Topeka). Thomas is a tough as nails point guard who loves to take the ball to the bucket. He shoots it well from deep and has NBA range but his best attribute might be his court vision. He made several dump off passes to teammates wide open under the bucket as he created plays off the dribble and drew the defense. Also a standout football player, Thomas is one of the better prospects in the 2020 class.
Best defender: Kendall Sutton (6’2, F, 2018, Topeka West). He’s not a big scorer, per say, but Topeka West 2020 forward Kendall Sutton is a big key to the Chargers success this season. Listed at 6’x, Sutton is an elite leaper, capable of playing above the rim at both ends of the floor. He blocks shots, dunks and finishes plays around the basket. He threw down a pair of dunks on Tuesday, including a breakaway slam late in the contest that helped seal the win. He finished with eighth points, five rebounds and a blocked shot.
Best rebounder: Larry White (6’5, F, 2018, Topeka). This is almost a take-your-pick for Topeka as several players had big games on the boards. White finished with nine rebounds, including several on the offensive end of the court. White and 2020 forward Da’Vonshai Harden dominated the offensive glass on missed free throws of all things as the two players combined to keep an offensive possession for what seemed like forever late in the game, helping spark a comeback. White finished with nine points.
Most underrated: Dain Struble (6’2, G, 2018, Topeka West). Kid had a really nice game, taking opponents off the dribble and create offense off the bounce. He got to the bucket over and over and finished with 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the field.
Best underclassman: Da’Vonshai Harden (6’4, F, 2020, Topeka). Harden is a well-rounded forward who can handle the ball, shoot from the outside and get on the glass. He finished with 11 points and six rebounds despite leaving some points at the free throw line.