Topeka Teams Do Battle Jan 22
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Cair Paravel served yet another notice that they are a team to be reckoned with in 1A. Just a few days after Burlingame knocked off #4 Lebo, Cair Paravel did the same to Burlingame. The Lions beat Burlingame 74-65 Friday…
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Continue ReadingCair Paravel served yet another notice that they are a team to be reckoned with in 1A. Just a few days after Burlingame knocked off #4 Lebo, Cair Paravel did the same to Burlingame. The Lions beat Burlingame 74-65 Friday night.
Topeka West bounced back from two straight defeats, gaining revenge on Highland Park for a loss a week earlier.
Here are some of Topeka’s top performances from Jan. 22:
Noah Hastert Noah Hastert 6'6" | C Cair Paravel | 2022 State KS , junior, Cair Paravel:
The 6-foot-7 Hastert went toe-to-toe with Burlingame’s 6-foot-7 big man Trever Quaney. Hastert knocked down 19 points as his Lions came out on top. Hastert is averaging about 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks this season.
Luke Fay, sophomore, Cair Paravel:
Fay led all scorers in the upset of Burlingame Friday night, pouring in 23 points. The 6-foot sophomore guard has started to take a big leadership role for the Lions, who could make some noise in the post-season. This will be the first year for the Lions to be eligible for KSHSAA playoff action.
Kaeden Bonner Kaeden Bonner 5'11" | SG Seaman | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Seaman (pictured):
The Vikings didn’t play a game for two weeks, and the rust was noticeable in Thursday’s game against Wichita Heights. Credit Bonner for keeping his team in it. He reeled off 24 points, including four 3-pointers, when no one else on the team could manage much. The Vikings bounced back on Friday to beat Valley Center, and once again Bonner was right in the middle of it. He scored 19.
Brody Gormley, junior, Seaman:
Gormley doesn’t get much ink. The guard-rich Vikings run a rotation of big men and Gormley does the dirty work for the vastly-improved club. He had perhaps his best-ever game for the Viking varsity Friday, tossing in four buckets and 2-2 from the line to score 10 points.
Zander Putthoff, junior, Topeka West:
Yes, Marque Wilkerson scored 22, and yes, Tre Alexander Tre Alexander 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2021 State KS got 17. But Topeka West needs a team effort if it will live up to its #2 ranking in 5A. That ranking came prior to back-to-back defeats. Putthoff will be a big part of it if the Chargers are to finish with the kind of success they would like. Putthoff doesn’t always have big scoring nights, but occasionally defenses give him enough space to attempt six 3-pointers, like Highland Park did Friday. The 6-foot-4 junior canned four of them for 12 points.
Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Topeka West:
A highly-considered player for his work on the summer circuit, Austin has played almost entirely on the JV this year. But with Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS out due to injury, Austin made his first start for the Topeka West Varsity. The smooth and talented point guard didn’t shoot it that well, but he hit 4-5 from the line and finished with 6 points against Highland Park’s exceedingly talented group of veteran guards.
Corey Powell Corey Powell 6'4" | PF Highland Park | 2021 State KS , senior, Highland Park:
Every time the Scots look like they will get it going, they seem to take another step back. Powell is working hard in the post and trying to provide stability for the mercurial club. He had 26 in last week’s upset of Topeka West. Friday he couldn’t lead to another win, but he hit 8-15 from the field and finished with 17.
Jahmir Kingcannon, sophomore, Highland Park:
The 6-foot-3 Kingcannon looks like he can provide another element to the Scots. While Powell tends to be surrounded by a fleet of dynamic point guards, Kingcannon is a long and well-built forward who can shoot it from the perimeter. He is getting more playing time lately, and he tossed in 9 points in the loss to Topeka West.
Geivonnii Williams, senior, Hayden:
Williams returned after missing a game and started slowly coming off the bench against Topeka High. But as a seasoned veteran of high-profile football and basketball contests at Topeka High, Williams was big at the end against his former team. He made big shots at the end of regulation and in overtime, finishing with 11 points, including 4-4 from the line.
Trent Duffey, junior, Hayden:
Duffey is an athletic guard/wing who does the dirty work and plays a variety of roles for Hayden. Occasionally that includes scoring, and on Friday he led the Wildcats with 13 points.
Jayden Leesman, senior, Topeka High:
Talk about a guy whose role is growing. Leesman is in the starting lineup and becoming more of a factor with every day. The 6-foot-1 guard is providing a steady influence with the ball and opening up Jalen Smith Jalen Smith 6'2" | SG Topeka High | 2021 State KS to do what he does best, get to the basket. Leesman recently tossed in 14 against Washburn Rural, and he followed that up with 14 Friday on 6-7 shooting against Hayden.
Joe Berry Joe Berry 6'4" | CG Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS , senior, Washburn Rural:
The Junior Blues just didn’t muster much offense Friday in a loss to St. Joseph (Mo.) Central. In a 42-39 loss in which no other Junior Blue scored more than 7, Berry was tough and active, scoring 17, including two 3-pointers.