Topeka Seniors 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. A few players listed below have…
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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.
A few players listed below have already been established stars for their schools. But some are just now stepping into prominence, including a couple from Cair Paravel Latin School, which enters just its second year of KSHSAA recognition.
Here are some of the top rising seniors in the Capital City (in order of rank):
43 Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-2 combo guard, Topeka West (pictured):
Brooks has been a factor on the Topeka basketball scene since his brilliant freshman year. He’s an athletic and physical guard who overwhelms defenders with his ability to drive and score. Brooks is also a top rebounder from the guard spot, so he’s a threat to clear the glass, put the ball on the floor, and blow through defenses on the way to the goal. He’s got good length for a junior, brilliant quickness for a forward, and the leaping ability to contend with the bigs in the air. Only injuries slowed him down last year.
58 Juan’Tario Roberts Juan’Tario Roberts 5'10" | CG Highland Park | 2022 State KS , 5-foot-10 combo guard, Highland Park:
Like Brooks, “Scrappy” has been a player on the city scene since his freshman year. Roberts’ ability to penetrate and get to the rim is remarkable. He’s got stop-and-start and crossover moves, plus a first step so quick, he’s really hard to defend. Roberts is a blur going down the court and scores a ton in transition.
65 Ty Henry Ty Henry 6'3" | SG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Seaman:
Henry catches a lot of scouts’ attention because of his combination of size and ball skills. Henry has the skills of a point guard, but he just keeps growing. He can back down defenders to get off his terrific midrange jumper. Whenever Seaman needs a bucket, it seems Henry can get into the lane and hit a jumper. Henry is very unselfish and doesn’t force many shots. He sets up teammates for shots from the perimeter.
84 Mateo Hyman Mateo Hyman 6'2" | CG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 5-foot-11 combo guard, Seaman:
Hyman exploded in the second half of his sophomore year, but then he missed a lot of his junior season. It will be interesting to see if Hyman can regain some of the momentum he had as a sophomore. He teams with several other good guards to make for a fast and dynamic offensive combination. Hyman makes a lot of highlight plays with his smooth ball handling and creativity.
87 Noah Hastert Noah Hastert 6'6" | C Cair Paravel | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-6 center, Cair Paravel:
Playing on high-level club teams put Hastert on the radar before CPLS got approved for KSHSAA competition. He’s long and agile, able to maneuver in and out of the lane to catch and make things happen. Hastert is a high-level passer who gets his teammates involved. When necessary, he can face the basket on the perimeter and penetrate on his own. His shot is good from out to the arc, and he can make some athletic maneuvers on the drive.
99 Zander Putthoff Zander Putthoff 6'4" | SG Topeka West | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Topeka West:
When Topeka West needed a perimeter threat to add to its arsenal of weapons, along came Putthoff, a contributor at Shawnee Heights as a sophomore. Putthoff provided the deep threat that helped propel the Chargers to the state championship game. He isn’t just a shooter. Putthoff is long and athletic, able to contribute on the glass and on defense. But his shot can change a game.
116 Zach Clark Zach Clark 6'2" | SF Cair Paravel | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-3 small forward, Cair Paravel:
A long, lean, versatile baller, Clark can put the ball on the floor and get his own shot. He’s smooth and quick putting the ball on the floor to push up the floor or knife into a defense. He elevates to get his shot off, to rip down a rebound in traffic, or to contest a shot. Clark is one of several weapons that could make Cair Paravel a threat in the post season this year.