Centennial League Preview

<p>2021-2022 will be an interesting season for the Centennial League. Longtime members Highland Park, Topeka West and Seaman will depart after this year to join different leagues. There will be some serious bragging rights on the line in this proud alliance.</p> <p>Teams that battled for the league title a year ago will have some rebuilding to do.</p> <p>Topeka West returns a lot of experience and talent, but will have to replace stars <strong>Tre Alexander</strong> and <strong>Marque Wilkerson</strong> from their 5A runner-up squad.</p> <p>Washburn Rural loses all-leaguers <strong>Joe Berry</strong> and <strong>Jack Hutchinson</strong>, plus veteran guards <strong>Josh Williams</strong> and <strong>Davan Brady</strong>.</p> <p>And Highland Park finally says farewell to dominant big man <strong>CJ Powell</strong> and blazing guard <strong>Jahi Peppers</strong>.</p> <p>A couple of other notable grads leaving a hole in the star department are Emporia’s <strong>Charles Snyder</strong> and Manhattan’s <strong>Owen Braxmeyer</strong>.</p> <p>Preseason Player of the Year:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076260" first="Elijah" last="Brooks"], 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Topeka West (pictured):</p> <p>Injuries plagued Brooks last season, but the Chargers were so loaded they rolled right to the state title game even when they had to play without him. But you don’t have to watch too close to see that Brooks is special. He’s a player with the kind of length and athleticism that few in the Centennial League will be able to match. When he was healthy last year, he went for 28 or more three times.</p> <p>Returning Stars:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889508" first="Ty" last="Henry"], 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Seaman:</p> <p>There are lots of good returning guards in the league, but aside from Brooks, Henry probably has the most upside. He’s got a college-level combination of size and ball skills. He is best when getting into the lane to set up his pull up jumper or dishing to shooters. He’s a distribute-first guard who should translate nicely to the next level.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076400" first="Juan’Tario" last="Roberts"], 5-foot-10 guard, 2022, Highland Park:</p> <p>Roberts will be back for what seems like his sixth year at Highland Park. He’s been so good for so long, it’s hard to believe he’s just now a senior. He can break down a defense or just flat beat it down the floor at times, setting up his death-defying drives to the hole. For a small player, Roberts scores a ton at the rim. He’ll have to this year as the sole veteran leader of the Scots.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076405" first="Howard" last="Johnson"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Junction City:</p> <p>Johnson is a shooting guard who can get his own opportunities, in the open court, on the perimeter, and in the lane. He battled some health issues last year, but showed what he can do with several 20-plus scoring games. He had a great summer, which bodes well for an even better senior season.</p> <p>Other Returning Stars (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080168" first="Jack" last="Bachelor"], 6-foot guard, 2023, Washburn Rural</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080196" first="Kaeden" last="Bonner"], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Seaman</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891929" first="Mateo" last="Hyman"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Seaman</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1195609" first="Zander" last="Putthoff"], 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Topeka West</p> <p>Players to watch:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300865" first="Ketraleus" last="Aldridge"], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Highland Park:</p> <p>Aldridge turned heads this summer with KC United, showing the type of size and athleticism that would stand out in the Centennial League. He’s a long, explosive lefty who gets to the rim, finishes with authority, and handles the ball nicely for his size. This is probably THE most intriguing player in the league this year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080188" first="Joe" last="Otting"], 6-foot-3 center, 2023, Hayden:</p> <p>Football coaches are loving the type of agility and footwork this big man displays on the basketball court. Otting rose quickly as a football prospect, but he’ll be back to be a power/finesse post for the Wildcats. He has great touch, knows how to operate in the paint, and is highly skilled. What will interesting is whether Otting stays as dedicated to basketball the next two years.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080174" first="Jack" last="Wilson"], 6-foot-6 center, 2023, Manhattan:</p> <p>Rated the top center in his grade, Wilson is ready to really break out on the high school scene after lots of impressive work on the summer circuit. He will need to take a big step forward, as the Indians have been depleted by graduations and transfers. Wilson is a powerful player with great back-to-the basket skills.</p> <p>Others to Watch (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080200" first="Sincere" last="Austin"], 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Topeka West</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1270302" first="BJ" last="Canady"], 6-foot-6 center, 2024, Topeka High</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1268821" first="Seth" last="Clark"], 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Junction City</p> <p><strong>Aron Davis</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Seaman</p> <p><strong>Quincey Kidd</strong>, 6-foot 2 guard, 2022, Washburn Rural</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076410" first="Terrence" last="Tedder Jr"], 6-foot guard, 2022, Junction City</p>