Best in Topeka

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Kansas is working its way across the state, look at the top returners and top rising players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the Best in Topeka:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top ranked senior – #15, [player_tooltip player_id='1371482' first='Brennon' last='Dodge'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, Shawnee Heights (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dodge is a shot creator and scorer. He has dealt with being the target of defenses for two years. He got some help from 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1588383' first='Jaret' last='Sanchez'], which freed him up some. Dodge isn't just a sniper from deep. He can penetrate and loft the floater or dish to a teammate. Last year he averaged 14 points and 3 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top ranked junior - #4, [player_tooltip player_id='1588346' first='Jacorey' last='Robinson'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2025, Highland Park:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great supporting piece for the Scots the past two years, Robinson has mainly been used to guard big men in order to protect 2023 star <strong>Ketraleus Aldridge</strong> from foul trouble. With Aldridge gone, Robinson should be more a focal point of the team at the offensive end. He contributed 10 points and 6 boards and did a little bit of everything as a versatile workhorse as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most Underappreciated – [player_tooltip player_id='1953953' first='Isaiah' last='Lyons'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2024, Topeka High:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Topeka High has struggled to turn things around the last couple of years. Lyons has led the rebuilding effort as a playmaking point guard. He is a good distributor who can hit from deep and also create his own shot, and he's a fierce defender too. As a junior he averaged 15 points and 2 assists while dropping 35% from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top rising talent – <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2209764' first='Keimani' last='Paul']</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2026, Topeka West:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things went a little sideways late in the season last year. The one bright thing to come from it was that it gave some young guys an opportunity to learn on the job. Paul finished with season averages of 7 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. He's a very mobile, athletic big who will expand his game with experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top team – Washburn Rural</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There don't appear to be any teams stocked with returning leaders in the Capital City. So we'll go with the team that appears to have the greatest combination of playmaking guards and big men. The Junior Blues bring back a couple of rising guards in [player_tooltip player_id='1962887' first='Amare' last='Jones'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169833' first='Kaden' last='Ballard']</strong>. Their front line could be led by rugged <strong>J.C. Heim</strong>, but twins <strong>Max</strong> and <strong>Sam Bettis</strong> may step into much bigger roles. <strong>Griffin Durst</strong> will also play a bigger role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->