Centennial League Preview
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2021-2022 will be an interesting season for the Centennial League. Longtime members Highland Park, Topeka West and Seaman will depart after this year to join different leagues. There will be some serious bragging rights on the line in this proud…
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Continue Reading2021-2022 will be an interesting season for the Centennial League. Longtime members Highland Park, Topeka West and Seaman will depart after this year to join different leagues. There will be some serious bragging rights on the line in this proud alliance.
Teams that battled for the league title a year ago will have some rebuilding to do.
Topeka West returns a lot of experience and talent, but will have to replace stars Tre Alexander and Marque Wilkerson from their 5A runner-up squad.
Washburn Rural loses all-leaguers Joe Berry and Jack Hutchinson, plus veteran guards Josh Williams and Davan Brady.
And Highland Park finally says farewell to dominant big man CJ Powell and blazing guard Jahi Peppers.
A couple of other notable grads leaving a hole in the star department are Emporia’s Charles Snyder and Manhattan’s Owen Braxmeyer.
Preseason Player of the Year:
Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Topeka West (pictured):
Injuries plagued Brooks last season, but the Chargers were so loaded they rolled right to the state title game even when they had to play without him. But you don’t have to watch too close to see that Brooks is special. He’s a player with the kind of length and athleticism that few in the Centennial League will be able to match. When he was healthy last year, he went for 28 or more three times.
Returning Stars:
Ty Henry Ty Henry 6'3" | SG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Seaman:
There are lots of good returning guards in the league, but aside from Brooks, Henry probably has the most upside. He’s got a college-level combination of size and ball skills. He is best when getting into the lane to set up his pull up jumper or dishing to shooters. He’s a distribute-first guard who should translate nicely to the next level.
Juan’Tario Roberts Juan’Tario Roberts 5'10" | CG Highland Park | 2022 State KS , 5-foot-10 guard, 2022, Highland Park:
Roberts will be back for what seems like his sixth year at Highland Park. He’s been so good for so long, it’s hard to believe he’s just now a senior. He can break down a defense or just flat beat it down the floor at times, setting up his death-defying drives to the hole. For a small player, Roberts scores a ton at the rim. He’ll have to this year as the sole veteran leader of the Scots.
Howard Johnson Howard Johnson 6'0" | SG Junction City | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Junction City:
Johnson is a shooting guard who can get his own opportunities, in the open court, on the perimeter, and in the lane. He battled some health issues last year, but showed what he can do with several 20-plus scoring games. He had a great summer, which bodes well for an even better senior season.
Other Returning Stars (in alphabetical order):
Jack Bachelor Jack Bachelor 6'0" | CG Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , 6-foot guard, 2023, Washburn Rural
Kaeden Bonner Kaeden Bonner 6'1" | SG Seaman | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Seaman
Mateo Hyman Mateo Hyman 6'2" | CG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Seaman
Zander Putthoff Zander Putthoff 6'4" | SG Topeka West | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Topeka West
Players to watch:
Ketraleus Aldridge Ketraleus Aldridge 6'4" | SF Highland Park | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Highland Park:
Aldridge turned heads this summer with KC United, showing the type of size and athleticism that would stand out in the Centennial League. He’s a long, explosive lefty who gets to the rim, finishes with authority, and handles the ball nicely for his size. This is probably THE most intriguing player in the league this year.
Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-3 center, 2023, Hayden:
Football coaches are loving the type of agility and footwork this big man displays on the basketball court. Otting rose quickly as a football prospect, but he’ll be back to be a power/finesse post for the Wildcats. He has great touch, knows how to operate in the paint, and is highly skilled. What will interesting is whether Otting stays as dedicated to basketball the next two years.
Jack Wilson Jack Wilson 6'6" | C Manhattan | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-6 center, 2023, Manhattan:
Rated the top center in his grade, Wilson is ready to really break out on the high school scene after lots of impressive work on the summer circuit. He will need to take a big step forward, as the Indians have been depleted by graduations and transfers. Wilson is a powerful player with great back-to-the basket skills.
Others to Watch (in alphabetical order):
Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023 State KS , 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Topeka West
BJ Canady BJ Canady 6'5" | PF Topeka High | 2024 KS , 6-foot-6 center, 2024, Topeka High
Seth Clark Seth Clark 6'2" | SG Junction City | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Junction City
Aron Davis, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Seaman
Quincey Kidd, 6-foot 2 guard, 2022, Washburn Rural
Terrence Tedder Jr Terrence Tedder Jr 6'0" | SG Junction City | 2022 State KS , 6-foot guard, 2022, Junction City