By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Sincere Austin
Sincere Austin, Topeka West
A 6-foot-2 junior, Austin was inserted into Topeka West's starting lineup at midseason and played a major role as the Chargers advanced to the Class 5A state championship game, finishing second and posting a 21-3 record on the season. Austin hit 16 3-pointers on the season and earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
Jack Bachelor
Jack Bachelor, Washburn Rural
Bachelor, a 6-0 junior, earned All-Centennial League and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a sophomore for the 14-7 Junior Blues, averaging 7.2 points and 2.0 assists while connecting on 20 3-pointers.
Kaeden Bonner
Kaeden Bonner, Seaman
Bonner, a 6-2 junior, received All-Centennial League and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 13-9 Vikings, averaging 11.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 59 percent on 2-point field goal attempts and hitting 24 3-pointers.
Elijah Brooks
Elijah Brooks, Topeka West
A 6-3 senior, Brooks was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County selection as a junior after helping lead the Chargers to a 21-3 record and a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. A first-team All-Centennial League pick, Brooks averaged 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals a year ago.
BJ Canady
BJ Canady, Topeka High
Canady, 6-6, was a starter for the Trojans last season as a freshman, leading the team in rebounding with seven boards a game. Although just a sophomore, Canady will be counted on to be a leader for a Trojan team which is looking to improve on last year's 3-17 record.
Zachary Clark
Zachary Clark, Cair Paravel Latin
Clark, a 6-3 senior, received third-team recognition on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season, averaging 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals to help lead Cair Parvel to a 10-8 record on the season.
Noah Hastert
Noah Hastert, Cair Paravel Latin
A 6-6 senior, Hastert was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County selection last season for the 10-8 Lions after averaging 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.7 blocked shots. Also a football standout for Cair Paravel, Hastert helped lead the Lions to an undefeated season and the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship this fall.
Ty Henry
Ty Henry, Seaman
A 6-5 senior, Henry was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County selection last season and also earned second-team All-Centennial League honors after averaging 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds and hitting 28 3-pointers for the Vikings, who had a breakout 13-9 season.
Mateo Hyman
Mateo Hyman, Seaman
Hyman, a 6-1 senior, was a third-team pick on the TSN All-Shawnee County team and earned All-Centennial League honorable mention for the 13-9 Vikings, averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Quincey Kidd
Quincey Kidd, Washburn Rural
A 6-2 senior, Kidd is a veteran varsity player for Washburn Rural and will be counted on to provide leadership and offensive scoring punch for the Junior Blues, who are coming off a 14-7season. Kidd led the city of Topeka in free throw percentage a year ago.
Jake Muller
Jake Muller, Hayden
A four-sport athlete, Muller earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as a sophomore. Muller was the Class 4A 300-meter hurdles state champion as a sophomore and was an All-City first-team soccer pick this fall.
Joe Otting
Joe Otting, Hayden
Otting, 6-4, was a third-team pick on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season as a sophomore and also received All-Centennial League honorable mention. Otting averaged 10.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a year ago while shooting 58 percent on 2-point field goal attempts. Otting is also a football standout for the Wildcats, receiving multiple Division I offers.
Nate Pewe
Nate Pewe, Shawnee Heights
Pewe, a senior, averaged 9.6 points and 4.9 rebounds a year ago for Shawnee Heights while shooting 55 percent from the field on 2-point attempts. Pewe also connected on 17 3-pointers for the T-Birds, who are coming off a 6-11 season.
Zander Putthoff
Zander Putthoff, Topeka West
Putthoff, a senior, was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season for the 21-3 Chargers and earned third-team All-Shawnee County recognition and All-Centennial League honorable mention. Putthoff averaged 9.3 points and hit 63 3-pointers while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range.
JuanTario Roberts
Juan’Tario Roberts, Highland Park
A senior, Roberts earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition as a junior for 12-8 HIghland Park, averaging 15.3 points and 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals while connecting on 37 3-pointers.
Other players to watch:
Cair Paravel: Luke Fay. Hayden: Trent Duffey. Highland Park: Ketraleus Aldridge, Jahmir Kingcannon, Tre Richardson. Rossville: Kade Perine. Seaman: Aron Davis. Shawnee Heights: Brennon Dodge, Carter Olson, Jarin Sanders. Silver Lake: Kamryn Kaniper. Topeka High: Matt Flenoy. Topeka West: Xavier Alexander. Washburn Rural: Brock Howard.
