Topeka-area Seniors Making the Most of Opportunities

Prep Hoops Staff

December 21, 2023 @ 02:07 PM

There are always some seniors who have been waiting for their chance to shine. Some are developing physically, others have improved their skills, while a large number have just been limited by older players in front of them.   For whatever reason, here is a handful of seniors who are raising their profiles. We're trying to cover the state, highlighting these risers. Here's a look at some from the Topeka area (in alphabetical order):   Simon Everhart, 6-foot-3 guard, 2024, Cair Paravel:   Everhart is the one of the top returning talents at Cair Paravel. He's a athletic guard with good size. He can shoot from the perimeter or attack the lane on the bounce. The Lions are establishing themselves as a competitive member of the Kaw Valley League. Everhart has experienced a lot of those battles over the years and will be a factor in the league standings this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1336892' first='Spencer' last='Hecht'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Wamego (pictured):   It's been a bit of a tough start for the Wamego Red Raiders this season. Hecht has been the consistent leader keeping the team competitive. He's a deadeye shooter who plays with creativity. Having been on the small side for the first part of his career, he learned to be crafty and to shoot from deep. Now he's got length and developing athleticism to go with his high IQ. He's good for double-figures every night out and often gets into the 20-plus range.   Elijah Lopez, 6-foot-5 center, 2024, Silver Lake:   A guy who has really flown under the radar, Lopez brings a ton of feistiness and intensity in the paint. He is long and thin, but hardly soft or weak. He takes the defense to the offense, going right at shooters and snuffing shot attempts. He has good spring and ability to chase down plays. He doesn't take a ton of shots but converts a good percentage. Silver Lake is off to a good start on the season, and Lopez is the big man everything revolves around.   Miguel Villegas, 6-foot guard, 2024, Topeka High:   A new name to know on the Topeka scene is Villegas. This guy has great confidence in his shot and knows he needs to score to help the Trojans. He isn't just a shooter. He can handle the ball, attack a defense and kick to open teammates, and he's a contributor on the glass and on defense. But it's his ability to shoot from the perimeter that makes him special. He's waited for his opportunity, and he's worked hard to be a player. His 20-point first half against Bonner Springs shows what he's capable of.   Amari Taylor, 6-foot guard, 2024, Highland Park:   Taylor has been overshadowed by his talented teammates the past couple of years, but his talents shouldn't be overlooked. Like a lot of the Highland Park guards who went before him, Taylor is blazing fast and fearless, which made him successful on the gridiron too. Taylor gets after it on the defensive end, handles the ball well and can score or dish effectively for a team with a lot of weapons.

There are always some seniors who have been waiting for their chance to shine. Some are developing physically, others have improved their skills, while a large number have just been limited by older players in front of them.