Northeast Kansas standouts 12/7

<p>There were some big performances and some surprises in northeast Kansas Tuesday night. Here are a few of the standouts.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076405" first="Howard" last="Johnson"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Junction City:</p> <p>No one in the area has been hotter than Johnson out of the gate. After ripping Seaman for 30 on opening night, the senior put up 28 against Topeka High. He and the Blue Jays are serving notice that they will contend for hardware this season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076400" first="Juan’Tario" last="Roberts"], 5-foot-10 guard, 2022, Highland Park:</p> <p>Roberts would make a case that he’s just as hot as Johnson thus far. He totally took over the Tuesday night match with Hayden, scoring 10 points in the four-minute overtime. He finished with 23. That comes on the heels of the 27 he put up on Empora, including five 3-pointers, last Friday.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891929" first="Mateo" last="Hyman"], 5-foot-11 guard, 2022, Seaman (pictured):</p> <p>With so many good guards in the Centennial League (including some on his own team), Hyman can sometimes be overlooked. But don’t sleep on Hyman, a slick ball handler who gets to the rim, shoots it efficiently and is sneaky athletic. He led Seaman to a huge win over Topeka West with 25, hitting 10 of 11 shots. And that came after he put in 20 last Friday in a loss to Junction City. His start to the season rivals that of Johnson and Roberts.</p> <p><strong>Zaxton King</strong>, 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Lawrence:</p> <p>Here’s a guy to start following. He is stepping into the lead role for the Lions and is off to a great start. He poured in 19 in a tough win over Manhattan Tuesday.</p> <p><strong>Cole Coonrod</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2023, Manhattan:</p> <p>Coonrod has been an impressive summer performer who hasn’t had a lot of opportunity yet for the Indians. He tossed in 13 in the loss to Lawrence Tuesday. He is long and can play on the perimeter as well as in the lane. He thwarts shots and rebounds too.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1200613" first="Parker" last="Leeds"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Emporia:</p> <p>The Spartans are rebuilding, and Leeds will lead the way. He put in 16 against Washburn Rural, including three 3-pointers.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300793" first="Trent" last="Duffey"], 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Hayden:</p> <p>As the senior leader of the Wildcats, Duffey will play a big role in the transition to the new era under coach Dwayne Paul. Duffey led the charge in a tough overtime loss at Highland Park with 12 points. He shoots it, can penetrate and score, and really excels in the categories of leadership, defense and effort.</p>