Topeka Tuesday Wrap: Feb. 2
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With so many quality players on the scene, let’s look at how a few guys are impacting their clubs: Changing of the guard at West?: Marque Wilkerson, senior, and Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023…
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Continue ReadingWith so many quality players on the scene, let’s look at how a few guys are impacting their clubs:
Changing of the guard at West?:
Marque Wilkerson, senior, and Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Topeka West:
Tre Alexander Tre Alexander 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2021 State KS ’s numbers have returned to the ‘human’ category. Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS has been off and on with injury. It’s ok, because filling the void are these two ‘risers.’ Wilkerson is absolutely going off of late. He went for 25 against Washburn Rural Tuesday, marking the fifth time in six games that he has scored at least 21 points. Wilkerson doesn’t just score. He handles the ball, sets up the offense, works in the lane, and hits the glass.
Austin saw no varsity action for the first several weeks of the season. But with Brooks slowed by injury, Austin stepped into the starting lineup recently and has been solid. He tossed in 8 points against Rural, raising his average to nearly 7 points per game. The ultra-smooth ball handler is quick and plays with awareness and a team concept.
Senior tries to step up:
Jack Hutchinson Jack Hutchinson 6'1" | CG Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS , senior, Washburn Rural:
With Joe Berry Joe Berry 6'4" | CG Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS blanketed by the Chargers, senior guard Hutchinson was forced to try to pick up the slack. Hutchinson is a battler and tested veteran. He gave it his best, and though he didn’t shoot his normally high percentage, he stepped up to take the bulk of the shots when everyone around him was struggling. He tossed in 17 in the losing effort. Hutchinson has become a well-rounded player as well as a dynamite shooter, and he will be key as teams try to minimize Berry.
Who’s the boss?:
Corey Powell Corey Powell 6'4" | PF Highland Park | 2021 State KS , senior, Highland Park:
Powell has made a renewed commitment to dominate in the paint, and it’s paying off. Facing one of the most aggressive and toughest bigs in the state in Emporia’s Charles Snyder Charles Snyder 6'5" | PF Emporia | 2021 State KS , Powell went to work Tuesday. He scored 13 times and finished with 31, his high for the season. Powell is a rare athlete for his size and stature (as is Snyder, for that matter), and is often tempted to float around the perimeter. But when he really gets after it inside, the 6-foot-7 senior is a real handful for even the best bigs.
Seaman junior makes big impact:
Casen Stallbaumer, junior, Seaman:
Seaman has been up and down recently, but they’ve already won twice as many games as last year, and are hanging around .500. The Vikings have some really good juniors, but Tuesday it was Stallbaumer at the head of the class. The 6-foot-3 forward scored a season high 12, including 4-4 from the line. Stallbaumer is a glue guy and team player who doesn’t dominate the ball, but is capable of doing a lot of things to affect a game.
T-Bird coming to the fore:
Nate Pewe, junior, Shawnee Heights:
We’re at the point in the season where roles start to adapt and players who haven’t been a focal point start to step forward. Pewe is one such player. After playing a supporting role off the bench for the T-Birds, Pewe has seen his stock rise. He has led the team in scoring the last two contests, with 12 against Free State and 13 against Tonganoxie.
New senior leader of the Trojans:
Jayden Leesman, senior Topeka High:
It took a while for Leesman to establish himself on the varsity, but he’s making up for lost time here in the second half of his senior season. After coming off the bench the first several weeks of the season, the smooth senior ball handler finally cracked the starting lineup and has led the club in scoring its last two games – 23 in a win over Junction City, followed by 17 in a loss to Manhattan on Tuesday.
Back at it:
Zach Clark, junior, Cair Paravel:
In a disappointing turn of events, Clark missed nearly the entire game against Lyndon last Friday with an injured ankle. But Clark returned to score five times and hit 4-6 from the line for 14 in a win over St. Mary’s Academy. Clark is a quick, rangy guard/forward who can get off the floor and has a lot of offensive skills. The Lions need him healthy for their first foray in the state playoffs.