Topeka Guards Ready for Action

<p>Topeka high schools graduated a group of seniors who had dominated the city for a couple of years. There will be a changing of the guard of sorts this year in the Capital City.</p> <p>Here are some Topeka guards vying for bigger roles next season (in alphabetical order):</p> <p><strong>Quentin Adams</strong>, 5-foot-8 guard, 2023, Highland Park:</p> <p>The lightning-quick lefty is showing this summer just how tough he can be to stop with the ball in his hands. He tears through defenses in the open court and gets deep with penetration. He has a runner and pull-up jumper, and he breaks down defenses, leaving other shooters open. Adams is equally quick and disruptive at the defensive end. He got some varsity action last year and will be ready for more.</p> <p><strong>Pearse Bowen</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Washburn Rural:</p> <p>Bowen is getting good experience running the show for Kansas 94x50 Elite. He’s a tough and heady ball handler who directs traffic, handles on-ball pressure, and can score some. He has shown this summer the ability to knock down 3’s.</p> <p><strong>Isaiah Lyons</strong>, 5-foot-8 guard, 2024, Topeka West:</p> <p>One of Bowen’s running mates with Kansas 94x50 Elite is the hard-nosed Lyons. He attacks with fearlessness and defends with intensity. He doesn’t devote all his effort to getting his own shot. He’s a team-first guard who moves the ball, and probes for opportunities to set up open shots for his teammates. He is often found on the ground for a loose ball or standing in to take a charge.</p> <p><strong>Dante’ Harrison</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2023, Shawnee Heights:</p> <p>When injuries and other obstacles sapped the T-Birds last year, Harrison stepped in and turned in some good play on the varsity. His best moment was when he hit three 3-pointers against Lansing and tallied 13 points. He’s got good size and may be ready for a bigger role, particularly with graduation taking star guard [player_tooltip player_id="1072892" first="Isiah" last="Johnson"] from the T-Birds.</p> <p><strong>Tre Richardson</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Highland Park:</p> <p>Richardson was a key reserve for the Scots last year. He’s got a nice combination of strength and quickness. He attacks as an on-ball defender and has a nose for interceptions and deflections. Richardson can get to the goal and play at the type of tempo that Highland Park always puts on the floor.</p> <p><strong>Dominik Ridley</strong>, 5-foot-8 guard, 2024, Hayden:</p> <p>Hayden turns over a lot at the guard spot, and will need some new bodies. Ridley is getting some good exposure with the Kansas 94x50 Elite club. He’s a strong driver who turns steals and loose balls into quick trips the other way, and he has the ability to get to the goal. He’s tough and aggressive at the defensive end.</p>