Topeka Juniors in the Rankings
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Topeka high schools graduated a group of seniors who had dominated the city for a couple of years. There will be a changing of the guard of sorts this year in the Capital City. Sophomores played key supporting roles at…
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Continue ReadingTopeka high schools graduated a group of seniors who had dominated the city for a couple of years. There will be a changing of the guard of sorts this year in the Capital City.
Sophomores played key supporting roles at several of the city’s programs. But a few of the top sophomores in Topeka were stuck waiting for their opportunity.
Here are some of the top rising juniors in the Capital City (in order of rank):
11 Jack Bachelor Jack Bachelor 6'0" | CG Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , 6-foot combo guard, Washburn Rural:
Bachelor has been a contributor to really good Rural teams ever since his freshman year. His physical talents are starting to catch up to his skills, and he keeps growing. Bachelor can handle the ball and take some of the point guard duties. He can put the ball on the floor and penetrate, and he can shoot from deep. Most of all, he’s a heady passer with vision and intelligence.
28 Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-3 center, Hayden:
Not surprisingly, football offers are starting to pour in for the powerful Hayden post who moves so well for his size. Otting has got a big upper body that he uses to push opponents away from the goal and to muscle shots up in the low post. But he also has a graceful turnaround jumper and great hands.
38 Kaeden Bonner Kaeden Bonner 6'1" | SG Seaman | 2023 State KS , 6-foot shooting guard, Seaman (pictured):
Bonner battled injuries some of his sophomore year, but hit enough big shots to grab headlines. He’s a constant threat that has to be guarded well beyond the arc. Bonner is athletic enough to be tough to track as he hunts shots. A player since his freshman season, he is growing and becoming more athletic.
45 Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023 State KS , 5-foot-10 point guard, Topeka West:
When Topeka West needed guard help, it dipped into its JV program and elevated Austin mid season. He took control of the point guard spot and gradually became more and more of a contributor. By the time the playoffs rolled around, he was solidly entrenched in the rotation, advancing all the way to the championship game. Austin is a steady distributor and floor general. With some departures at Topeka West, Austin will play an even bigger role to score.
48 Jake Mueller Jake Mueller 6'0" | SG Hayden | 2023 State KS , 6-foot shooting guard, Hayden:
Mueller demonstrated his ability in a couple of games against the best teams in Topeka – 15 points against Washburn Rural, and 15 against Topeka West. Mueller is a threat to shoot from the perimeter, or to put the ball on the floor and penetrate for a pull-up jumper. He’s a long guard and active athlete with a blue-collar attitude. Hayden loses a couple of guards it counted on heavily last season, so Mueller may have the ball in his hands a lot more next season.
69 Wyatt Conklin Wyatt Conklin 6'2" | SF Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-2 small forward, Washburn Rural:
Conklin has had to wait his turn behind a couple of brilliant Rural grads. The Junior Blues turn over a ton of their roster this year, so look for Conklin to get a big jump in playing time. He’s got good physical tools. He’s long and quick, can handle the ball and shoot it from deep. Watch for Conklin to be one of the top newcomers in the city.