By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
You don't graduate an outstanding senior class like Highland Park's boys basketball team did last year without feeling it.
But a group of players that have waited their turn to lead the Scots get that opportunity this winter and the goal remains the same for Mike Williams' team -- make it to the Class 5A state tournament at Emporia and challenge for a state title.
Highland Park coach Mike Williams has led the Scots to two straight Class 5A state tournament berths and three over the past four years. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"The amazing thing about coaching and playing at Highland Park is that expectations do not change,'' Williams said. "There is always an expectation of winning and getting to the Class 5A state tournament.''
The Scots graduated TopSports.news Shawnee County player of the year Bo Aldridge and Top 10 picks Jahmir Kingcannon and Tre Richardson off last year's 24-1 team that finished third in 5A.
But Highland Park's cupboard is far from bare, with 6-foot-6 junior Ja'Corey Robinson, a second-team all-county pick in 2023, leading a solid group of returners that saw extensive action a year ago. Senior Tamir Anderson (6-4) and juniors Mikey Williams (6-3) and Jamon Wilson (6-0) received all-county honorable mention last season while senior Amari Taylor (6-0) also played a key role off the bench for the Scots.
"That was a dang good group of kids that we lost, but with that being said, this group of kids that is coming behind them battled them day-in and day-out for the last two years,'' Mike Williams said.
"And honestly, in any other locker room they probably would have got a little more time than what they got and they still got a good amount of time over the last two years and great experience. So they're biting at the bit to get out there.''
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson is a top returner for Highland Park, which posted a 24-1 record and finished third in Class 5A last season. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Robinson averaged 12 points and six rebounds as a sophomore while Anderson and Williams averaged 8 points and were two of the city's top 3-point shooters.
Other players who are expected to make an impact for the Scots are senior transfers Bryson Thrasher (Topeka High) and Mister Cameron (Hayden), juniors Isaiah Kelley (6-6) and Elijah Thomas (6-5) and freshman Jojo Kingcannon (6-0) as Highland Park is shooting for its third straight trip to state.
"Having graduated great players that pushed our program to new levels, this year's group is eager to show what they can do,'' Mike Williams said.
Highland Park's lone loss last season was a one-point state semifinal loss to eventual champion Andover (55-54) before bouncing back to finish third with a 79-46 win over Hutchinson.
"It's so much motivation, and we've felt it right away and that should bode well for this season,'' Mike Williams said of last year's close call at state.
Highland Park will open its season Dec. 5 on the road at Bonner Springs and will also play at Kansas City-Southeast and KC-Wyandotte before the holiday break.
The Scots, the defending Meadowlark Conference champion, will not play a home game until Jan. 5 when Highland Park hosts Atchison in a conference contest.
HIGHLAND PARK BOYS BASKETBALL
2023-2024 schedule
December -- 5 at Bonner Springs, 12 at KC-Southeast, 15 at KC-Wyandotte.
January -- 5 Atchison, 9 KC-Sumner, 12 KC-Harmon, 18-20 Topeka Invitational Tournament at Hayden, 23 at Eudora, 25 KC-Schlagle, 30 at KC-Washington.
February -- 2 KC-Wyandotte, 6 at KC-Schlagle, 9 KC-Central, 13 at Atchison, 16 at KC-Sumner, 20 at KC-Harmon, 23 KC-Washington.
