By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks has been named the Centennial League boys basketball player of the year by league coaches after leading the Chargers to a second straight league championship.
Brooks helped the Chargers post a 21-2 record and a second straight Class 5A state tournament berth, including a 20-game win streak.
Brooks is joined on the All-Centennial League first team by seniors Ty Henry and Mateo Hyman of 5A state champion Seaman, senior Juan'Tario Roberts and junior Bo Aldridge of 5A state qualifier Highland Park and Junction City senior Howard Johnson.
Topeka West coach Rick Bloomquist was named the Centennial League coach of the year while Seaman senior Gavin Wilhelm was named the league's newcomer of the year.
Hayden, which finished fourth in the 4A state tournament, put junior Joe Otting and senior Trent Duffey on the All-Centennial League second team along with Washburn Rural junior Jack Bachelor, Topeka West junior Sincere Austin, Seaman junior Kaeden Bonner and Highland Park junior Tre Richardson.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL
BOYS
First team
Elijah Brooks, sr., Topeka West; Bo Aldridge, jr., Highland Park; Howard Johnson, sr., Junction City; Juan'Tario Roberts, sr., Highland Park; Ty Henry, sr., Seaman; Mateo Hyman, sr., Seaman.
Second team
Joe Otting, jr., Hayden; Jack Bachelor, jr., Washburn Rural; Trent Duffey, sr., Hayden; Sincere Austin, jr., Topeka West; Kaeden Bonner, jr., Seaman; Tre Richardson, jr., Highland Park.
Honorable mention
Jack Wilson, jr., Manhattan; Jake Muller, jr., Hayden; Terrance Tedder, sr., Junction City; Zander Putthoff, sr., Topeka West; Jahmir Kingcannon, jr., Highland Park; Xavier Alexander, jr., Topeka West; Malachi Berg, jr., Topeka West; Gavin Wilhelm, sr., Seaman; Quincey Kidd, sr., Washburn Rural; Parker Leeds, sr., Emporia.
Player of the year -- Elijah Brooks, Topeka West.
Coach of the year -- Rick Bloomquist, Topeka West.
Newcomer of the year -- Gavin Wilhelm, Seaman.