Takeaways from Topeka West vs Manhattan

<p>You can’t play closer games than Topeka West is playing right now. Last week’s Topeka Invitational Tournament was a test of cardiac heath for the Chargers. They won two games in overtime, then lost in the final to Lawrence 53-52.</p> <p>Wednesday night, Topeka West proved it can win a big game at the buzzer, literally. They scored with two seconds on the clock to beat Manhattan 53-52. Here are some takeaways from recent developments with the Chargers and Indians:</p> <p>1) Topeka West has depth:</p> <p>6-foot junior <strong>Dylan Wolf</strong> got the start and scored 8 points, including two three-pointers.</p> <p>2) <strong>Dre Durall</strong> made an important impact:</p> <p>6-foot-3 Durall had been one of the leading rebounders in the city. But he’d seen his playing time, and hence his production, reduced recently. But Durall went 5-7 from the field and scored 12 points off the bench.</p> <p>3) <strong>Trevion Alexander</strong> is human:</p> <p>The 6-foot-3 junior tore up competition for the first month and a half. But his production has dropped in the past week. He scored just 5 against Wichita Northwest, then was held to 7 by both Lawrence and Manhattan.</p> <p>4) Manhattan’s balance continues to be both a blessing and a curse:</p> <p>The Indians had four players score between 6 and 12 points. Senior <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/raeshon-riddick/">Raeshon Riddick</a></strong> was a hot 6-7 from the field for 12 points. Yet the Indians just don't seem to have a go-to player, nor do they ever seem to have a hot hand. Riddick and junior <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/owen-braxmeyer/">Owen Braxmeyer</a></strong> are very consistent scorers, averaging 11.4 and 10.1 respectively. But it may be tough for the Indians to get points when they need them.</p> <p>5) The pack is tight:</p> <p>The game had wide-ranging implications. Manhattan was back on the fringe of the top five rankings of 6A schools. But the loss will affect their playoff prospects, as well as the Centennial League standings. At the start of the week the pack lined up as follows:</p> <p>Manhattan 9-2, Washburn Rural, 8-2, Highland Park 8-3, Topeka West 6-3.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>