Centennial League Spring Wrap

<p>The Centennial League will turn over a ton of talent this off-season, leaving lots of opportunities next year.</p> <p>Of note, Topeka West and Season will make 2021-2022 their last in the Centennial League. Both will join the United Kansas Conference the next season. You know both of those schools, which return a ton of talent, would love to bid farewell to the league by exiting with a championship.</p> <p>Here’s a look back, and a look forward, for the Centennial League:</p> <p>Top Team: Topeka West</p> <p>The Chargers lived up to their lofty expectations. West finished 21-3 and only the loaded Maize team kept them from a 5A title. Coach Rick Bloomquist made public a bout with cancer late in the season, so you know the kids wanted that championship bad for their beloved leader. They were led by a couple of superstar seniors, were guard-rich, and could win in a variety of styles.</p> <p>League Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id="1134422" first="Marque" last="Wilkerson"]</p> <p>Talk about coming out of nowhere. Wilkerson was just a nice piece on the loaded Chargers. But then he blew up into a star. The 6-foot-1 senior was a multi-positional threat. He could play point or wing, or move inside and make plays in the high post. His rise, which really took off after Christmas, was a fun story. He led the league with 17.1 points per game.</p> <p>Senior Star: [player_tooltip player_id="1070185" first="Tre" last="Alexander"]</p> <p>Before Wilkerson exploded, Alexander was the story of the league. The numbers he put up in November and December were otherworldly. He’s a 6-foot-4 freight train who in a flash can turn a rebound at one end into a dunk at the other end. He’s got great big guard skills and developed his perimeter shot this year. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.1 points and 4.3 assists. He also was near the top of the league with 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks.</p> <p>Senior Star: [player_tooltip player_id="599759" first="Joe" last="Berry"]</p> <p>The Washburn Rural star carried a heavy load this year. He had to be the Junior Blues’ top threat in the lane, help handle the ball and score from the perimeter, and was crucial at the defensive end. He kept it all together, and though the team dipped a bit, it was still a premium program. Berry averaged 15.7 points and 4.6 boards.</p> <p>Top Returner: [player_tooltip player_id="1076260" first="Elijah" last="Brooks"] (pictured)</p> <p>Injuries caused Brooks to have a real up and down year. But there’s no question he’s the top player coming back. When he’s at full strength, he has first-team all state type of potential. Even in spite of the injuries, he averaged 15.4 points, and as one of the best rebounding guards around he also collected 5.0 boards a game.</p> <p>Other top Returners (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080171" first="Cameron" last="Carr"], sophomore, Manhattan</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889508" first="Ty" last="Henry"], junior, Seaman</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076405" first="Howard" last="Johnson"], junior, Junction City</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076400" first="Juan’Tario" last="Roberts"], junior, Highland Park</p> <p>Player to watch this summer (in alphabetical order):</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1080200" first="Sincere" last="Austin"]</strong>, sophomore, Topeka West:</p> <p>Austin received high praise from his club coaches for his work last summer. But with the Chargers loaded with guards, he started last season on the JV. When opportunity arose, he moved up to varsity and played well, all the way through the state championship game. He gained a wealth of experience as a sophomore and will be a guy to watch grow his reputation this summer.</p> <p><strong>Seth Clark</strong>, junior, Junction City:</p> <p>The Blue Jays lose their biggest player in <strong>Chris Dixon</strong>. They will need the 6-foot-3 Clark, who emerged as a deep threat last season, to grow his game a lot this summer to fill that void next season.</p> <p><strong>Dre Delort</strong>, sophomore, Manhattan:</p> <p>Delort is a guard to watch as he looks to earn more playing time for the Indians next season. Among other changes, Manhattan loses versatile guard [player_tooltip player_id="889495" first="Owen" last="Braxmeyer"]. So the 5-foot-11 Delort will be a candidate for a big jump in playing time next year.</p> <p><strong>Quincey Kidd</strong>, junior, Washburn Rural:</p> <p>Kidd has been a really nice role player for the Junior Blues the last couple of years as they rode Berry and fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id="889486" first="Jack" last="Hutchinson"] and <strong>Josh Williams</strong>. But those three depart, and a huge vacuum will need to be filled at Washburn Rural. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="1080168" first="Jack" last="Bachelor"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1080205" first="Wyatt" last="Conklin"] will grow their roles, but the versatile 6-foot-2 Kidd has the opportunity to get a lot of the minutes and shots that went to the seniors last season.</p>