Centennial League Up-and-Comers
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Just three non-seniors made either first or second team in the Centennial League. Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS of Topeka West was the lone junior on the first team, while Juan’Tario Roberts…
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Continue ReadingJust three non-seniors made either first or second team in the Centennial League. Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS of Topeka West was the lone junior on the first team, while Juan’Tario Roberts Juan’Tario Roberts 5'10" | CG Highland Park | 2022 State KS of Highland Park and Ty Henry Ty Henry 6'3" | SG Seaman | 2022 State KS of Seaman were listed on the second team.
It’s no surprise that seniors dominated. This was a pretty strong senior class, with players who were widely decorated in previous years.
There will be a changing of the guard next year, and there are several sophomores ready to step into leading roles next year. Here are the 2023s who received honorable mention in the Centennial League (in alphabetical order):
Jack Bachelor Jack Bachelor 6'0" | CG Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , Washburn Rural:
Bachelor was good enough to play a fill-in role as a freshman for one of the best teams in the state. That exposure prepared him to step into a big role as a sophomore. He was supporting cast to seniors Joe Berry Joe Berry 6'4" | CG Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS and Jack Hutchinson Jack Hutchinson 6'1" | CG Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS , and he was perfectly suited for it. He’s a long guard/wing who can do everything well. He handles the ball, shoots from the perimeter and midrange, defends a variety of positions and is adequate on the boards. Look for Bachelor to make a big leap next year with Berry and Hutchinson gone.
Kaeden Bonner Kaeden Bonner 6'1" | SG Seaman | 2023 State KS , Seaman:
Bonner played even more than Bachelor as a freshman, so he was ready to step into a primary role this year. Unfortunately, the dangerous shooter struggled with some injuries that denied him several games this year. He had some great moments, though. The 6-foot sophomore rang up 24 points against Wichita Heights, 19 against Valley Center, and buried a deep 3-pointer for the win against Highland Park.
Cameron Carr, Manhattan:
If you were picking a Sophomore of the Year in the league, chances are it would go to Carr. He certainly finished on the biggest upswing. By season’s end, he had asserted himself as the Indians’ go-to scorer. In the final three games of the season, all against top flight competition, he scored 16 against Washburn Rural, 10 against Seaman, and 11 in the sub-state against Washburn Rural. Carr has got long arms and plays much bigger than the 5-foot-10 he was listed at. He’ll develop into a good-sized shooting guard as he continues to mature.
Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS , Hayden:
The big man has great coordination and body control for someone built like a college football lineman. He has a fundamental shot and great touch, and great hands. The depleted Wildcats depended more and more on Otting as the season progressed. He scored double figures in most of the games after Christmas, and finished with a huge 23-point effort against Wamego.
Jack Wilson Jack Wilson 6'6" | C Manhattan | 2023 State KS , Manhattan:
While not often spectacular, Wilson was really solid in his first year of varsity ball. The powerfully built 6-foot-5 post moves well and has a lot of skills. He finished the season in the starting lineup for Manhattan and had several double-figure nights down the stretch. He has a nice shooting touch, and plays under control, but with a combination of power and skill.