Centennial League Bests: Athletes

<p>The Centennial League is a fast-paced, physical and diverse league that features a lot of elite athletes.</p> <p>These are some of the Centennial League’s best athletes:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="726594" first="King" last="Sutton"], senior, Topeka High:</strong></p> <p>The 6-foot-7 jumping jack dominated without always scoring a ton of points. His blocked shots and rim-rattling slams demoralized the opponent and energized his team. He is one of the fastest, quickest and most agile players his size you will find. He moved to the perimeter comfortably on offense, and his ability to run the floor was unparalleled. He is not an alpha-dog, so he coexisted well with the stable of talent in coach Eric King’s program.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="599759" first="Joe" last="Berry"], junior, Washburn Rural:</strong></p> <p>The 6-foot-2 Berry had a rebuilt roster around him, and he had to do it all, including guarding much taller players in the paint. Berry would probably be more of a natural small forward, but his game is diverse. He can run and leap with the best athletes in the league, and he showed he is also strong enough to battle in the lane.</p> <p><strong>Da’Vonshai Harden, senior, Topeka High:</strong></p> <p>Harden is an anomaly. He’s taller and stronger than just about any guard around. He can shoot from anywhere. As a star quarterback as well as basketballer, he’s got excellent court vision, great ball skills and a ton of experience in the spotlight. As a perimeter player, he has great length, quick hands and too much brute strength for opposing guards. He plans to play football in college, but his physical gifts on the basketball court are elite.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="885508" first="Qua’Vez" last="Humphreys"], senior, Junction City:</strong></p> <p>Humphreys may have been second only to Sutton as the most athletic player in the Centennial League. He had to play out of position a bit this year as the Blue Jays’ top option in the post. Humphreys was able to slither through the lane, run the floor, and leap with the best of them. Like Harden, Humphreys will play football in college, but he was an exciting player to watch on the hardwood.</p> <p><strong>Elijah Brooks, sophomore, Topeka West:</strong></p> <p>The 6-foot-2 versatile guard is strong and able to overpower nearly any guard around, and he’s too quick and athletic for most bigger players. Not only is he the top sophomore in the league, he is already a physical mismatch. If he continues to refine his perimeter game, particularly shooting, he will be able to exploit his speed, strength and leaping ability even more.</p> <p><strong>Trevion Alexander, junior, Topeka West:</strong></p> <p>Alexander tends to get second billing to Brooks. But the junior does a pretty good Ben Simmons imitation. Alexander passes well, makes plays for teammates, and is just too big for other guards to keep from getting to the rim. He might have the most dynamic overall game in the league: he is able to rebound the ball, dribble through traffic, and finish at the goal like a big.</p> <p>Others:</p> <p><strong>Chris Dixon, junior, Junction City</strong></p> <p><strong>Dre Durall, senior, Topeka West</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="885529" first="Carlos" last="Esquibel"], senior, Topeka High</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="885565" first="Drayton" last="Foster"], senior, Seaman</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="889466" first="Charles" last="Snyder"], junior, Emporia</strong></p> <p><strong>Geivonnii Williams, junior, Topeka High</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>