20 Topeka-area high school boys basketball players to watch in 2023-24 season

Basketball season is here and players from the Topeka area will be hitting deep 3-pointers and throwing down dunks.

The new season begins in the coming days and this is a perfect time to introduce you to the familiar and new faces that will make an impact. Let’s take a look at 20 players who will try to lead their teams to victory this season.

Amare Jones, Washburn Rural

The junior guard returns as the highest scorer for the Junior Blues. He averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as a significant part of Washburn Rural’s team that finished 15-6. Jones was named to the Centennial Conference’s second team, too.

JC Heim, Washburn Rural

The 6-foot 3-inch senior had an incredible football season and now will be back for the basketball team, too. Heim was one of the team’s best interior presences last season. Heim led the team with 6.6 rebounds per game and he also shot 61.5% from the field.

Isaiah Lyons, Topeka High

The senior guard finished last season as one of the top-10 scorers in Shawnee County. He averaged 15.2 points per game while making 35% of his attempts from behind the 3-point line. He was great at the free-throw line, too. Lyons made 81.1% of his free throws.

Da’Mykel Hales, Topeka High

The junior guard was an important piece for the Trojans last season as an underclassman. Hales dished out a team-high four assists per game and earned two steals per game. Hales also averaged 10.4 points and his athleticism will be needed for Topeka to improve on last year’s 3-18 record.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

The sophomore guard is the highest returner score for the Vikings. Last season, he averaged 8.4 rebounds and shot 39% from behind the 3-point line on 82 attempts. He also shot 77.4% from the free-throw line. Bonner will try to lead the Vikings to an improved record after he played extensive varsity minutes as a freshman last year. Bonner was named to the United Kansas Conference honorable mention list.

Bryer Finley, Seaman

Finley is back for the Vikings after a solid season as a sophomore. He averaged three rebounds per game and shot 54.3% from the field when taking 2-point shots. Finley’s perimeter shooting will be key for Seaman. He made 36.4% of his 3-pointers as Seaman finished 13-8 a season ago.

Brennon Dodge, Shawnee Heights

The senior guard for the Thunderbirds is starting to receive college attention. Dodge has received offers from Friends University and Simpson College following a standout season as he averaged 13.9 points and 2.9 assists per game. He was the second-highest scorer for Shawnee Heights, which finished 15-7.

Jaret Sanchez, Shawnee Heights

The junior forward is back for Shawnee Heights after leading the team in scoring last season. Sanchez averaged 14.5 points per game as he shot 53.6% when taking 2-point shots. Sanchez can also step back and take deep jump shots as he made 30.7% from behind the 3-point line. Sanchez is a great weapon for the Thunderbirds to counterbalance Dodge’s production.

Caleb Noonoo, Topeka West

The senior forward was one of the best interior players in the Topeka area last season. He grabbed 4.6 rebounds per game, but his most impressive stat was blocked shots. Noonoo averaged 2.2 blocks per game as he will try to keep the Chargers’ strong play alive. Topeka West ended last season 14-8 overall.

Keimani Paul, Topeka West

Last season, Paul played important minutes as a freshman. Paul shot 25.8% from behind the 3-point line for the Chargers. His role will expand this season as he will try to become one of the main scorers. Paul also made 66% from the free-throw line on 44 attempts.

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Jacorey Robinson, Highland Park

The junior forward scored the most points for a returning player last season as he averaged 10.3 points per game. His touches and shot attempts should skyrocket after Highland Park graduated their top three leading scorers. Robinson was named to the Meadowlark Conference second team because of his efficiency. He made 68.9% of shots from the field on 132 attempts. He also hauled in 6.2 rebounds per game, which was the second most on the roster.

Mikey Williams, Highland Park

One of the best 3-point shooters in the Topeka area is back this season. He made 42.7% from behind the arc on 75 attempts. While Robinson is slicing to the basket, kick outs to Williams will be a big part of the Highland Park offense. He has shown consistently that he can make jump shots during his underclassman years.

Jacob Padilla, Hayden

The senior returns for the Wildcats after a successful year in which he was named to the Centennial Conference’s second team. He shot 39.7% from behind the 3-point line. His scoring abilities will be looked to improve from last year’s 11-11 campaign. Padilla’s experience will also be needed under head coach Trey Brown, who will be in his year with the Wildcats.

Cooper Colboch, Hayden

The senior three-sport athlete is someone head coach Trey Brown will rely on this winter. Colboch is a lethal 3-point shooter and has shown his range in shooting from the top of the key to the wings, plus nailing shots from the corner. Last year, he hit four 3-pointers against Parsons.

Jack Donovan, Rossville

The sophomore returns after a fantastic freshman season with the Bulldogs. He was named to the Mid-East Conference’s second team as his 3-point shooting and ball-handling ability allowed him to succeed in first-year head coach Brandon McDonnell’s offense.

Jakoby McDonnell, Rossville

The sophomore played extended varsity minutes for Rossville last season. McDonnell was a solid piece to the Bulldogs offense and shined in catch-and-shoot situations as he was efficient from behind the 3-point line. His defensive skills were solid last year, too. He came away with multiple steals in a game on numerous occasions.

Elijah Lopez, Silver Lake

The junior will be asked to replace Troy Heiman, who led the team in scoring last season. Heiman, who is currently playing football at Washburn, averaged 11.2 points per game while Lopez scored 6.2 points, which was tied for second on the roster. Lopez also hauled in 4.3 rebounds per game, also ranking second.

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

As a freshman, Johnson averaged six points per game last season. Johnson will look to expand his role as a sophomore despite playing the second-most minutes on the roster as he secured 3.1 rebounds per game.

Simon Everhart, Cair Paravel

The senior will be asked to lead the Lions this season under first-year head coach Chip Kueffer. Everhart’s athleticism will be key when getting to the rim, especially in transition.

Evan Will, Cair Paravel

Another senior for Cair Paravel who will help the Lions with their team culture. Will was a part of last year’s team that finished 8-12. Will, who is a great shooter, will be needed for the Lions’ offense to succeed.

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. You can reach him at Lkeating@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 20 Topeka-area high school boys basketball players to watch in '23-24