Centennial League Mid-season Evals

Early February is just past the midway point in the season. What a season it has been, with teams dealing with pandemic. It’s not too late to take a mid-season look at how things are going. Here’s an update on the Centennial League: Best Team: Whatever claim Washburn Rural had on the top team in the league was answered by Topeka West Tuesday night. The most recent rankings had West #6 in 5A, Rural at #8 in 6A. But the argument was handled head-to-head when the Chargers whipped the Junior Blues 63-46. West suffered a couple of head-scratching defeats in January, but if Elijah BrooksElijahBrooks6'2" | CGTopeka West | 2022StateKS comes back to full strength, this will be a loaded and experienced bunch. Stars: There are too many ‘stars’ in the league to describe in detail. Joe BerryJoeBerry6'4" | CGWashburn Rural | 2021StateKS is a returning third-teamer in 6A. There’s Brooks, Charles SnyderCharlesSnyder6'5" | PFEmporia | 2021StateKS and Corey PowellCoreyPowell6'4" | PFHighland Park | 2021StateKS, each third-team in 5A. Don’t forget Owen BraxmeyerOwenBraxmeyer6'1" | CGManhattan | 2021StateKS of Manhattan. But for this discussion, let’s go with two co-Players of the Year - Tre AlexanderTreAlexander6'3" | CGTopeka West | 2021StateKS and Marque Wilkerson, both of Topeka West. Tre AlexanderTreAlexander6'3" | CGTopeka West | 2021StateKS, senior, Topeka West (pictured): The first half of the season was simply unreal for Alexander. His improved outside shot, his ability to physically overwhelm opposing guards, the way he can rebound, push the ball, and see the court all make him a unique and dominant player. His scoring totals the first four games were 22, 33, 28 and 30. Not that Alexander has taken the foot off the pedal, but other players have stepped up since the holiday break. Marque Wilkerson, senior, Topeka West: Wilkerson was a nice role player. A good player off the bench. Then, for his senior season, whoa, what happened. Perhaps Wilkerson finally figured out what coach Rick Bloomquist wants from him. Perhaps Bloomquist figured out how to maximize his abilities. Maybe Wilkerson just learned to tap his potential. He’s not the biggest, tallest, strongest, fastest or most explosive player around. But right now, he’s the best. Risers: Jayden Leesman, senior, Topeka High: It might not make much sense to include a senion as a ‘riser,’ but the emergence of Leesman is a good story. He barely got off the bench before this season. He slowly earned playing time in December, finally cracked the starting lineup, and has recently become the Trojans most productive player. He can handle the ball, drive and dish, score from anywhere, and is a humble and hustling guard. Howard JohnsonHowardJohnson5'11" | SGJunction City | 2022StateKS, junior, Junction City: Johnson was a stud as a sophomore, but he developed into a team leader this season. He can penetrate and score at the bucket, has a nice mid-range pull-up, and of course he can shoot from deep. He is an athletic and capable ball handler and plays in the team concept, but he’s first and foremost a scorer. Cameron CarrCameronCarr5'10" | CGManhattan | 2023StateKS, sophomore, Manhattan: Carr will be a player to really watch the next two years as he develops physically. He has versatile skills and knows how to play the game. He’s playing a developing role in the rebuilding Manhattan program and will be a key component if they are to get back to their dominant days. The Topeka Sophomores: There is a really nice group of sophomores in the Capital City who are making an impact and will continue to get better. This group includes (in alphabetical order): Jack BachelorJackBachelor6'0" | CGWashburn Rural | 2023StateKS, sophomore, Washburn Rural Kaeden BonnerKaedenBonner6'0" | SGSeaman | 2023StateKS, sophomore, Seaman Jahmir Kingcannon, sophomore, Highland Park Jake Muller, sophomore, Hayden Joe OttingJoeOtting6'3" | CHayden | 2023StateKS, sophomore, Hayden Unsung Heroes: Jack HutchinsonJackHutchinson5'11" | CGHayden | 2021StateKS, senior, Washburn Rural: The Robin to Joe BerryJoeBerry6'4" | CGWashburn Rural | 2021StateKS’s Batman, Hutchinson is frequently the true hero in Rural wins. He has played so much high-level basketball, he’s not fazed by anything. He has elite skills that were gradually matched by his developing physique. He is arguably the best shooter in the league, and he always makes the right play. Chris Dixon, senior, Junction City: Dixon has always been second fiddle to someone at Junction City, but he’s really emerging here down the stretch. He’s become the Blue Jays’ top scorer and at 6-foot-4 is their most versatile and athletic player. Trey Pivarnik, senior, Hayden: Pivarnik doesn’t wow you with his stats, but he’s been a warrior for many years at Hayden, both on the football field and basketball court. He’s a workhorse, particularly on the glass and on defense. His length and combination of strength and explosion make him a solid contributor without taking a lot of shots. Occasionally he steps forward with a double-figure game, highlighted by the 20-point night he had recently against Topeka West. Mu’Khajhae Daniels, senior, Highland Park: The epitome of an unsung hero, Daniels goes out every night and makes a solid contribution while others get the publicity. He can score, defend, handle the point guard role when needed, and is a consummate team player. Not asked to shoot much, he is pretty consistent with his 5 to 10 points per contest.