Room at the Top: 5A

<p>In the recent all-state teams picked by the Topeka Capital-Journal, just three juniors were picked in the Top 15 of 6A, with three juniors finding their names in the Top 15 of 5A.</p> <p>It’s not surprising that those big school ranks would be dominated by seniors. But that means that, of the top 30 players at the top two classifications, 24 will be gone next year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1075931" first="Jace" last="Linenberger"], [player_tooltip player_id="952433" first="Jordan" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="946254" first="Kyle" last="Grill"] should be the top 5A seniors next year. But there’s plenty of room at the top for 2022s to step into the spotlight as all-staters at the second-highest classification in Kansas.</p> <p>Here are some juniors to watch find spots on the 5A all-state team next year:</p> <p><strong>Carter Bergman</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id="891910" first="Trevor" last="McBride"], Basehor-Linwood:</p> <p>Basehor-Linwood’s [player_tooltip player_id="952433" first="Jordan" last="Brown"] is one of the best juniors, regardless of classification, in the state. But he’s not the only junior looking to make the Bobcats one of the top 5A teams in the state. Bergman is a lights-out shooter who brings size and athleticism to the perimeter. McBride is a classic point guard, setting up teammates and playing gritty defense.</p> <p><strong>Javan Buchanan</strong>, Maize South:</p> <p>A really long wing, the 6-foot-6 Buchanan earned some honors despite playing in just 10 games as a junior. He was really good when he was on the floor, averaging 13 points and 6 boards. Though he has the length and tenacity to work inside, Buchanan loves to spot up at the arc. He has a very smooth and effortless stroke from deep.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889508" first="Ty" last="Henry"] and [player_tooltip player_id="891929" first="Mateo" last="Hyman"], Seaman:</p> <p>The Viking guard tandem led Seaman to an enormous improvement. After winning just two games as sophomores, the duo threatened Topeka West in the playoffs after racking up 13 wins. Both have similar talents, but play different games. They both can handle the ball end to end, drive to score, and defend. Henry is a little better shooter, while Hyman is a more flashy playmaker.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="952447" first="Carson" last="Kieffer"]</strong>, Hays:</p> <p>One of the best distributors in the state, Kieffer made the most of having some serious talent around him. He could dish to Linenberger, [player_tooltip player_id="1070202" first="Dalyn" last="Schwarz"] or [player_tooltip player_id="889506" first="TJ" last="Nunnery"]. No wonder he racked up 6.5 assists to go along with 10 points per game. He’s a tough 6-foot guard who will have to do even more next year after graduation claims some of the Indians’ talent.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076260" first="Elijah" last="Brooks"] and <strong>Zander Putthoff</strong>, Topeka West:</p> <p>Topeka West will also lose some talent, but they’ll have lots to build on with these two scorers returning. Brooks missed some games and injuries robbed him of some of his explosiveness. But he still racked up 15.4 points and 7.5 boards as one of the best rebounding guards around. Putthoff, meanwhile, gave West a dynamic threat from the perimeter that freed up some of their athletic playmakers. He canned 63 3-pointers at a 42% clip.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="946269" first="Sam" last="Somerhalder"], St. James Academy (pictured):</p> <p>One of the smoothest big guys in the state, the 6-foot-7 forward can make plays in the open court, in the lane or around the arc. He’s not all finesse, grabbing 5.4 boards and finishing with physicality. But it’s his ball handling and ability move, see the court and slice to the lane that make him really special. He averaged 15.6 points and 2.7 assists as one of the most versatile bigs around.</p>