Stellar Centennial League Performances 12/18

Overtime games have been in vogue in the Centennial League. Close games are producing some special performancs: Jack HutchinsonJackHutchinson5'11" | CGHayden | 2021StateKS, senior, Washburn Rural: Rural was shut out in the first period. That’s right. Shut out. As in ZERO points. But Hutchinson brought the Junior Blues roaring back with 12 points in the third period and finished with 24 in the 62-57 overtime win. Joe BerryJoeBerry6'4" | CGWashburn Rural | 2021StateKS, senior, Washburn Rural: Berry struggled through the first half. No wonder. He completed his physical testing for the Army earlier in the day. The West-Point signee gathered enough energy to lead a ferocious defensive attack in the second half that brought his team back from a big deficit. Berry jumped ball handlers at the point and created several turnovers in a dramatic comeback. The finished with 15. Ty HenryTyHenry6'3" | SGSeaman | 2022StateKS, junior, Seaman: Henry must get getting used to overtime games. Three of the five Viking contests have gone to OT, two of them to double OT. His heroics were needed once again, and he rose to the occasion. Henry scored about half of Seaman’s points down the stretch, including a jumper with two seconds left to tie it. He finished with 18. Aron Davis, sophomore, Seaman: Davis has been providing solid minutes off the bench all season, but the part-time JV player proved a go-to performer against Rural. He scored 16, most of which came in clutch time. The 6-foot-3 sophomore has lots of spring and can put the ball on the floor and get to the goal. Charles SnyderCharlesSnyder6'5" | PFEmporia | 2021StateKS, senior, Emporia (pictured): The 6-foot-5 workhorse led Emporia to a 52-41 win over Great Bend. He knocked down a remarkable 13-16 from the field en route to 27 points. Juan’Tario RobertsJuan’TarioRoberts5'10" | CGHighland Park | 2022StateKS, junior, Highland Park: Roberts shook off the doldrums of a double-OT loss at Seaman Tuesday by torching the Trojans with 28 points Friday. He hit 9-17 from the field, including four from behind the arc. Jalen SmithJalenSmith6'2" | SGTopeka High | 2021StateKS, senior, Topeka High: The lone returner from the elite Trojans of the past few seasons, Smith is doing his best to lead his young companions. He went 9-14 from the field, 5-7 from the line, and finished with 23 as the Trojans hung close with the talented Scots. Tre AlexanderTreAlexander6'3" | CGTopeka West | 2021StateKS, senior, Topeka West: Alexander is playing like a freight train. He hasn’t been slowed by any team yet this season. He is averaging nearly 30 points per contest, which is exactly what he scored Friday against Manhattan. He went 11-14 from the field and 5-6 from the line. Perhaps the most important stat was his 3-4 from beyond the arc. An outside shot will make Alexander an elite prospect. Zander Putthoff, junior, Topeka West: Where would Alexander find support with West star Elijah BrooksElijahBrooks6'2" | CGTopeka West | 2022StateKS out with a foot injury? Putthoff stepped Friday with 17 points , including three 3-pointers. Putthoff has had up-and-down point totals so far this season, but there’s no question what he can bring from the perimeter. Cameron CarrCameronCarr5'10" | CGManhattan | 2023StateKS, sophomore, Manhattan: Carr is developing into a force for Manhattan. Friday he supported the Indians’ star Owen BraxmeyerOwenBraxmeyer6'1" | CGManhattan | 2021StateKS by adding 14 points in a loss to Topeka West. Terrence TedderTerrenceTedder6'0" | SGJunction City | 2022StateKS, junior, Junction City: Tedder has been waiting for a breakout performance this season, and he had one Friday against Hayden. The 6-foot junior hit four three pointers and 5-6 from the line to score 22. Jake Muller, sophomore, Hayden: The sophomore has been a solid member of the Wildcats’ starting lineup all season. But when Geivonnii Williams finally came down to earth, the Wildcats needed someone to help carry the load. Muller stepped up with 14 points, including two triples.