These are the top Topeka-area boys, girls basketball players to watch in the postseason

TOPEKA — The regular season is over and postseason basketball has arrived for the entire state.

Topeka-area boys and girls high school teams will be relying on their best players to step up with hopes of raising a state championship trophy. The following are some of the best from the area who will try to make an impact during the playoffs.

Tamir Anderson, Highland Park

The senior is lights out from beyond the 3-point arc this season. Earlier this season, Anderson drained nine triples in a game for a new school record. He can hit from anywhere on the court, which makes him a valuable piece to the Scots' offense. Anderson’s ability to spread the floor allows his teammates to work easily at the rim.

Anna Becker, Seaman

The junior is the catalyst of the Vikings' offense. Becker does well bringing the ball up the floor and setting up the offensive schemes. Her ability to hit mid-range jump shots while making contested layups has been excellent to watch. Becker’s clutch gene is a valuable aspect of Seaman’s postseason hopes. She made a last-second shot against De Soto earlier this season to clinch the victory.

Simon Everhart, Cair Paravel

The senior is one of the best players for the Lions in all facets of the game. The 6-foot 3-inch forward can defend any position on the floor. He is one of the team’s best rebounders and has the skills to push the ball in transition. When Everhart is making shots, Cair Paravel is hard to stop, which makes them a capable underdog in the sub-state bracket.

Sub-State Basketball: Brackets have been unveiled; Where every Topeka-area team will play

Jalen Foy, Topeka West

In late January, the junior dropped 31 points for Topeka West’s 68-51 win over Lansing. Foy can provide a huge scoring boost, especially when he is playing downhill. The guard is a capable ballhandler who can finish through contact at the rim. When his jump shot is on the mark, he can be a dangerous force this postseason.

Mason Jones, Rossville

The junior can dominate the paint with the best of the big men in Class 3A. Jones, the 6-foot 5-inch forward, scored a game-high 27 points in Rossville’s earlier season victory against Silver Lake. Jones has great touch around the rim and he balances an offense that relies on the 3-pointer. When he is active around the offensive glass, Jones can be an instant force for Rossville.

Rossville Wrestling: How Rossville's state championship 'will grow women’s wrestling'

McKinley Kruger, Silver Lake

The senior brings experience to the undefeated Eagles’ roster this postseason. She has one of the purest 3-point shooting forms and knocks them down like layups. Earlier this season, Kruger scored her 1,000th career point and was named the Burlington Invitational Tournament MVP. Kruger’s outside shooting balances out Makenzie McDaniel’s excellent interior post play. Silver Lake has been Class 3A’s No. 1-ranked team this season because of their one-two punch from Kruger and McDaniel.

Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High

The freshman has been a pleasant surprise for the Trojans this season. Rayton has feasted at the mid-range level and scored a game-high 20 points against Washburn Rural earlier this month. If Topeka High hopes to make a run, Rayton will be the main reason for the team’s success.

Lauren Sandstrom, Hayden

The senior has been the star player for a Wildcats team that prides itself on a balanced offense. When Sandstrom isn’t doing the majority of the scoring, her rebounding and passing skills have been excellent. Sandstrom’s interior and outside scoring have been problematic for opponents. In one of her best games of the season, she dropped a game-high 30 points against Topeka High earlier this month.

Jaret Sanchez, Shawnee Heights

The junior is one of the most athletic players in the area. He plays above the rim consistently and his presence on defense protecting the basket has been key for success. He has great anticipation in passing lanes, too. A stolen pass usually leads to a thunderous dunk for the forward. In December, Sanchez’s game-high 22 points helped the Thunderbirds erase a 12-point deficit to defeat Topeka West. He has a game-changing ability, which is important for whatever the postseason throws at Shawnee Heights.

Vote now: Who's the Topeka area's high school athlete of the week for Feb. 19-24?

Maddie Vickery, Washburn Rural

The freshman continues to improve as the season rolls along. Vickery has been strong both with her back to the basket and sprinting the floor in transition. She has also shown her skills in stepping back and shooting deep jump shots to spread the court. Vickery scored the game-winning basket against Hayden on Feb. 9 and used both of her hands effectively to get around the Wildcats’ defense — Vickery nailed the game-winner with her non-dominant left hand. With a senior-heavy team, Vickery adds a nice punch to Washburn Rural’s roster in this week’s sub-state bracket.

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.v

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka-area boys, girls basketball players to watch in the postseason