Topeka Tournament Standouts Jan 21

<p>The Topeka Invitational Tournament didn’t start off the way Capital City schools would have liked. A clean sweep swept all the city schools into the consolation bracket in one disappointing day. But that doesn’t mean some players didn’t give their all or have admirable performances.</p> <p>Shawnee Heights, meanwhile, picked up the city’s only win, beating the host of the McPherson Invitational Tournament 60-54 in overtime.</p> <p>Here are some of Topeka’s top performances from Jan. 21:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1072892" first="Isiah" last="Johnson"], senior, Shawnee Heights:</p> <p>You think Johnson wasn’t missed when he was out for the last two games? He proved his worth with 22 points in the overtime upset of McPherson. The 5-foot-9 spitfire guard hit 8-15 from the field, including 3-5 from distance. He has had remarkable outpourings of 32 and 29 points already this season.</p> <p><strong>Andrew Rantz</strong>, senior, Shawnee Heights:</p> <p>The undersized 6-foot forward provided some key support to Johnson and post <strong>Harvey Davis</strong>, who tossed in 11. Rantz hit 3-6 from the field and 2-2 from the line for 8 points in the exciting overtime win over McPherson.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076400" first="Juan’Tario" last="Roberts"], junior, Highland Park:</p> <p>After missing a big game last Friday for an undisclosed reason, Roberts came off the bench Thursday for the Scots. He wasn’t too rusty. He knocked down 5-9 from distance and finished with 18 points. Unfortunately, the Scots couldn’t follow up their stunning defeat of #4 (at the time) ranked Topeka West. They came up just short against Wichita Southeast 55-54.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070194" first="Jahi" last="Peppers"], senior, Highland Park:</p> <p>Roberts’ running mate Peppers provided his usual sprinters’ speed and cat-like quickness Thursday. Peppers hit 4-9 from the field and 6-6 from the line to rack up 14 points in the loss.</p> <p><strong>Marque Wilkerson</strong>, senior, Topeka West:</p> <p>There is a new star in Topeka. Wilkerson has risen from his role player status to become one of the most versatile, consistent and outstanding players in the city. The Chargers played poorly against Shawnee Mission North, but Wilkerson didn’t go down without a fight. The 6-foot-1 senior scored 11 buckets and led the Chargers with 27.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070185" first="Tre" last="Alexander"], senior, Topeka West:</p> <p>Moving the Chargers to the #2 spot in the 5A rankings hasn’t done anything for their luck so far. West has dropped back to back games after winning their first their first six. Without [player_tooltip player_id="1076260" first="Elijah" last="Brooks"] Thursday, Alexander tried to take up the slack, scoring 17.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080188" first="Joe" last="Otting"], sophomore, Hayden:</p> <p>Hayden was without two of their senior leaders and top scoring options Thursday. Two sophomores did their best to lead the Wildcats, but they came up short against Wichita East. Nonetheless powerful and agile big man Otting hit 5-8 from the field and scored 13, this third double-digit game of the season.</p> <p><strong>Jake Muller</strong>, sophomore, Hayden:</p> <p>Muller is a versatile 6-foot-2 athlete who continues to take a little more of the leadership role for Hayden. He didn’t shoot it well Thursday, scoring just 7 points, but he’s one of the most explosive and talented options for the Wildcats.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889499" first="Isiah" last="Esquibel"], senior, Topeka High:</p> <p>The 6-foot-5 senior came off the bench for the Trojans, and they gave Lansing a fight before falling 65-52. The long and versatile Esquibel had one of his best games of the season, scoring 21, including 8-8 from the foul stripe.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1073376" first="Jalen" last="Smith"], senior, Topeka High (pictured):</p> <p>Smith has a had a challenge on his hands, trying to lead the Trojans after they graduated nearly all their experience and a ton of talent. Smith has given his all, using his combination of power and athleticism at the guard spot. He can really get to the hole, and his sturdy 6-foot-2 frame gives opposing guards trouble. He provided 15 in the loss to Lansing.</p>