PREVIEW: Centennial League Rising Guards (2020)

<p><b>Centennial</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Emporia (11-9, 6-7), Junction City (9-11, 4-9), Manhattan (8-14, 5-9), Topeka (18-3, 13-1), Topeka Hayden (9-12, 6-8), Topeka Highland Park (3-18,3-11), Topeka Seaman (14-8, 9-5), Topeka Washburn Rural (23-2, 13-1)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Darren Battiste, 6’0, G, 2020, Junction City</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Battiste is a quick player and an adaptive defender. He runs hard on fast break looks and gets lots of opportunities due to his hard work as perimeter defender. He can score in transition and looks to connect off the glass. He can handle the ball well and shows the ability to put his head down and get to the basket and can also connect from 3-point range. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beau Baumgardner, 5’11, G, 2020, Emporia</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A nice scoring guard who is a reliable option from a distance. He has good form and can operate as a catch-and-shoot option. He moves well off the ball and can even create some for himself. He gets down the floor quickly on defense and then back up the floor on offense in search of a quick bucket. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mitch Munsen, 6’2, G, 2020, Manhattan</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another versatile player for Manhattan who has a strong presence as a scoring guard and wing option if needed. He does a bit of everything for his team and looked sharp this summer as he played with SSA Elite Black. A player who can handle the ball some and also play well off the ball, slipping to the basket, securing rebounds and getting points off second chance looks. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">John Roeder, 6’2, G, 2020, Hayden</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Roeder has more athleticism than meets the eye. He runs well and can get up and make plays around the basket. He can connect from a distance and shows the ability to get to the basket and score when heavy pressure is around him. He has a good bounce to his game and is also a strong defender on the perimeter. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Peyton Weixelman, 6’0, G, 2020, Manhattan</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Weixelman is a strong defensive player who usually looks to defend the opposing team’s most talented guard. He runs the floor and is hard to shake off. He is also an active offensive player, one who stays on the move and doesn’t hang on to the ball too long. He makes quick decisions with the ball and can connect from3-point range as well as the midrange area. </span></p>