Role players step up big in Centennial League wins
Big players make big plays in big games. Or so the saying goes. But in some of the biggest recent developments in the Centennial League, there some huge contributions that didn’t all come from the usual suspects. The championship of…
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Continue ReadingBig players make big plays in big games. Or so the saying goes. But in some of the biggest recent developments in the Centennial League, there some huge contributions that didn’t all come from the usual suspects.
The championship of the league rides on the outcome Washburn Rural’s trip to Topeka West Friday. If Rural should lose, Topeka High will be the outright champion. If Rural wins, the Junior Blues will share the title with Topeka High for the second year in a row.
Here are some players who made big plays in big games Tuesday night:
Quincey Kidd, sophomore, Washburn Rural:
No player has emerged late in the season like Kidd. The 6-foot-2 sophomore went for 18 points against Olathe North Tuesday. He had his first double-digit game of the season last week with 12 in a win against Manhattan.
Jack Hutchinson, junior, Washburn Rural:
The sharp-shooting 5-11 guard is regarded as one of the best from beyond the arc in the city. But Tuesday he led all scorers in the win over Olathe North with four 3-pointers and 20 points. It was Hutchinson’s second game of 20 or more – he hit for 21 against Highland Park earlier this year.
Skylar Douglas, senior, Emporia:
While junior teammate Charles Snyder was wrecking Manhattan with 31 points on 13-17 shooting, Douglas finished off the Indians by scoring eight points in the fourth period. Douglas finished with 20, his third game with 20 or more on the season.
Chris Dixon, junior, Junction City:
No one is surprised that Qua’Vez Humphreys and Howard Johnson were big against Seaman Tuesday night. But Dixon came up the biggest, recording his first 20-point outing. Dixon tallied 21, including six 3-pointers.
Jalen Smith, junior, Topeka High:
In a game to secure at least a tie for the league title, Smith stepped out of the shadow of King Sutton and Da’Vonshai Harden to tally 19 points against Highland Park. Smith has been an integral option for the Trojans all year: 21 points against Liberty, 18- and 19- point games against Hayden, 18 against Seaman and 18 against Emporia.
Trevion Alexander, junior, Topeka West:
Not just a role player, Alexander does tend to get second billing to sophomore Elijah Brooks. But the junior turned in his highest-scoring game in weeks with 17 against Hayden. The 6-foot-3 guard was too much for the smaller Hayden guards to handle.