Centennial League comes down to final games

<p>The pecking order at the top of the Centennial League is not yet set, but it was certainly impacted by two huge games last Friday - Topeka High over Manhattan and Washburn Rural over Highland Park.</p> <p>Washburn Rural goes to Topeka West on Monday in search of the all-important 11^th victory. With two wins in the books against Rural, Topeka High might have the league locked up by Tuesday morning if Rural should lose. But the Trojans still must go across town to play at Highland Park in its final regular season contest.</p> <p>Here are some players who stepped up big on Friday in the crucial second-to last games for each team in the upper tier:</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joe-berry/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joe-berry/">Joe Berry</a></a>, junior, and Josh Williams, junior, Washburn Rural:</strong></p> <p>The Junior Blues improved to 14-4, 10-3 with a 49-45 win over Highland Park. Berry had not exceeded 15 points scored in his last four games, but he notched 17 in the win. Williams, a player coach Kevin Muff has wanted more from all season, came off the bench for 10. Muff believes Williams can be a difference maker.</p> <p><strong>Da’Vonshai Harden, senior, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/king-sutton/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/king-sutton/">King Sutton</a></a>, senior, Topeka High:</strong></p> <p>The Trojans climbed to 14-5, 10-3 with a 55-48 victory over Manhattan. The senior-led Trojans may be peaking at the right time. They have won 11 of their last 12. Harden led the way over Manhattan with 17 while Sutton added 15, including a couple of thunderous dunks.</p> <p><strong>CJ Powell, junior, and Juan’Tario Roberts, sophomore, Highland Park:</strong></p> <p>The Scots’ loss to Rural dropped them to 13-5, 8-4. Still an incredible accomplishment for a team that went 3-18 a year ago. Powell led the Scots with 13 points, followed by 11 from Roberts. Highland Park can be the spoiler on Tuesday against rival Topeka High.</p> <p><strong>Bryson Bitler, senior, Topeka West:</strong></p> <p>Bitler, a 6-0 senior, had scored no more than 8 points in any game this season. But due to the absence of star Elijah Brooks, who was sick, the Chargers were shorthanded against Junction City. Bitler stepped up in a remarkable way, hitting five three-pointers en route to 19 points. The Chargers also got 12 points from <strong>Chris Hargreaves</strong> and <strong>Marque Wilkerson</strong>, two other role players. Topeka West stayed a step off the pace at 12-6, 8-4 and can mess up Washburn Rural’s hopes Monday night.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/owen-braxmeyer/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/owen-braxmeyer/">Owen Braxmeyer</a></a>, junior, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chandler-marks/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chandler-marks/">Chandler Marks</a></a>, senior, Manhattan:</strong></p> <p>After leading the league for about half the season, the Indians have fallen off the pace. The loss at Topeka High dropped to Manhattan to 12-6, 7-5. Leading the way Friday night was Braxmeyer and Marks with 11 each.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>