Topeka Seniors to Step Forward

<p>Across Topeka, graduation will change the face of basketball. As every year, graduation of veteran leaders opens the door for rising seniors to step into bigger roles.</p> <p>Here are the top Seniors to Step Forward in Topeka for 2020-21:</p> <p><strong>Vicarrio Triplett, guard, Hayden:</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="885609" first="John" last="Roeder"]</strong> started the season as Hayden’s lead guard. But as the season played out, Triplett became a second ball handler, reliable leader and a primary scoring threat for the Wildcats. He can slither through the lane, create in the open court, and hit from the perimeter. The 5-foot-11 rising senior can step forward as one of the best guards in the city and make a name for himself if he builds on his 11.3 point scoring average.</p> <p><strong>MuKhjhae Daniels, guard, Highland Park:</strong></p> <p>With <strong>CJ Powell</strong>, <strong>Juan-Tario Roberts</strong>, and <strong>Jahi Peppers</strong> returning, there won’t be a lot of opportunity for anyone to expand their role. The trio scores about 38 points a game. But Daniels provides another quick ball handler, defensive disruptor, and occasional scorer to the dramatically improved Scots.</p> <p><strong>Brady Stuewe, forward, Seaman:</strong></p> <p>The Vikings struggled through a brutal season. They lose their top two contributors in the lane in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="885565" first="Drayton" last="Foster"]</strong> and <strong>Eric Patterson</strong>. That’s a lot of toughness, heart and leadership to replace. Stuewe will be first in line to try to pick up the slack. He played valuable minutes off the bench last season, and at 6-foot-3 has the size to be a difference maker.</p> <p><strong>Harvey Davis, forward, Shawnee Heights:</strong></p> <p>The 6-foot junior doesn’t have anything left to prove. He’s been a solid performer since his freshman year. He has ben good for about 10 points and a handful of rebounds a game for years. But with the departure of impactful postmen <strong>Marquis Barksdale</strong> and <strong>Nasire Anderson</strong>, Davis will need to grow his role.</p> <p><strong>Jalen Smith, guard, Topeka High:</strong></p> <p>No way the 6-foot-2 guard can replace departed <strong>Da’Vonshai Harden</strong>. Harden was a unique athlete with a wealth of experience. But Smith brings a different skill set and has played a key role as a starter who could occasionally take over a game. He had 18 points or more six times for the loaded Trojans. Now with Harden and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="726594" first="King" last="Sutton"]</strong> gone, Smith may become option #1 next season.</p> <p><strong>Josh Williams, guard, Washburn Rural:</strong></p> <p>Williams was the point guard for the Junior Blues as they asserted themselves as one of the top 6A teams in the state. He scored in double figures six times, distributed the ball, handled it under pressure, and was disruptive on defense. And yet it seemed he hadn’t fully tapped his potential. Even with the return of several other key components, watch for Williams to fully blossom as a senior.</p>