Topeka Roundup – Feb 21

<p>Two of 5A’s top teams will face off Tuesday when Topeka West makes the short trip to visit city rival Highland Park.</p> <p>The #2-ranked Chargers haven’t lost since the second game of the season, but had to survive a scare from Hayden a week ago, a game which might point to some chinks in the armor for Topeka West.</p> <p>Highland Park will probably drop from the #4 spot in 5A due to an inexplicable loss at Manhattan last week.</p> <p>The matchup between the Scots and the Chargers will feature two of the most explosive and athletic players in the state, much less the city.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076260" first="Elijah" last="Brooks"] brings a nearly unstoppable ability to score in the mid-range, combined with hops to finish at the rim. He’s one of the best rebounding guards around, and has put the Chargers on his back. Brooks is scoring more than 27 points per game, which is particularly remarkable considering the lengths defenses go to focus on him.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300865" first="Ketraleus" last="Aldridge"] for Highland Park might be one of the only athletes in the state who can match Brooks physically. Aldridge is a 6-foot-4 high riser who can handle the ball, penetrate, shoot from the perimeter, rebound and defend. Aldridge averages about 20 points per game.</p> <p>While that game is clearly the talk of the town, here are some notable names from Topeka:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080200" first="Sincere" last="Austin"], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Topeka West:</p> <p>Oh man has this guy taken off. Austin has been a steady ball handler and role player for the Chargers for about the past year, since he was elevated from the JV to fill a hole down the stretch as a sophomore. But in the last few weeks, he has taken his playmaking and shot making to another level. He exploded for 25 points against Manhattan. Then he got 21 against the brilliant guards of Junction City. And against Emporia, he bagged 20 more. Austin can really shoot it, is smooth penetrating, and is athletic enough to score in transition.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080205" first="Wyatt" last="Conklin"], 6-foot-2 forward, 2023, Washburn Rural (pictured):</p> <p>We always really liked what we saw in Conklin during the summer. He’s a big, physical guy who excels on the football field as well. We knew he could really shoot from the perimeter, and was athletic and skilled with the ball. He’s started to produce more for the Junior Blues of late. Recently he scored 11 against Topeka High and 9 against Manhattan. Watch for this guy to just get more comfortable and for his ability to shine through.</p> <p><strong>Aron Davis</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Seaman:</p> <p>The Vikings have needed this guy to get healthy and start to play like they know he can. He was a steady role player as a sophomore when the Vikings had more height on their roster. Now that they really need a powerful inside presence, Davis has flashed real ability. But injuries have limited him this season. He got 15 in a convincing win over Lansing last week.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1371482" first="Brennon" last="Dodge"], 6-foot guard, 2024, Shawnee Heights:</p> <p>Dodge continues to lead the highly competitive T-Birds as a sharp-shooting combo guard who handles the ball and makes plays despite defenses geared to stop him. Dodge scored 13 in a win over Piper, then tallied 18 against Leavenworth. Dodge is averaging 15 points per game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300793" first="Trent" last="Duffey"], 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Hayden:</p> <p>Hayden hasn’t won a lot of games this season, but they’ve been on a real upswing of late. They defeated Tonganoxie, then took Topeka West to overtime. Despite that loss, they bounced back to beat Topeka High. Duffey is the kind of senior leader every coach would love to build around. He torched Topeka High for 32 points and got 19 against Tonganoxie. Duffey battles every game like his life depends on it.</p> <p><strong>Tre Richardson</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Highland Park:</p> <p>Richardson hasn’t cracked the Prep Hoops rankings because he was always seemed sort of like a football star who flashed athleticism on the basketball court. No longer. Richardson is rising to the fore as a great ballhandler and playmaker who gets his own baskets, and can shoot from the perimeter. Richardson is a nightmare when he locks on defensively, and he has the speed and anticipation to jump passing lanes and create havoc. Richardson exploded for 23 points against Junction City last week.</p>