By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Seaman’s Kaeden Bonner’s stellar 26-point night didn’t happen by accident, with Tuesday night meant to be for the 6-foot-1 junior.
Bonner hit six 3-point shots out of his 10 field goals as the Vikings rolled to a 79-44 home Centennial League win over Topeka High.
“Coming into the game, my team just told me to shoot the ball as much as I can,” Bonner said. “I felt confident. (Topeka High) was playing zone, so that just kept putting me back behind the (3-point) line. My confidence shooting the three has gotten much better.”
“Kaeden is capable of shooting the ball as well as he did tonight, night in and night out,” Seaman coach Craig Cox said. “When he sees the defense playing in the zone, he’s ready to shoot. It was nice for him to produce the way he did for us tonight.”
Seaman junior Kaeden Bonner scored 26 points with six 3-pointers in the Vikings' 79-44 romp past Topeka High Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
Bonner lit the match and sparked the momentum for the Vikings early on, scoring the first 12 points off of four 3-point shots.
The massive 79-point game was led by the production of Bonner, but the final score was a team effort.
The Viking starting five all had a piece in the 35-point romp, with Mateo Hyman and Ty Henry both scoring 12 points, while Aron Davis and Gavin Wilhelm combined for 13 points.
“Our guys did a fantastic job of attacking Topeka (High)’s zone. We were able to make the open pass and the extra pass. Our passing and scoring from everyone were great tonight,” Cox said.
Seaman’s first three quarters were eye-opening. Three quarters of scoring 20 or more points made it nearly impossible for Topeka High to keep up. The Vikings knew they were in the driver's seat when they put up 48 points going into halftime.
“Anytime you can get 48 points at the half is great,” Cox said. “I think that second quarter was the difference in the game for us.”
Despite the success from the 3-point line, converting contested shots and dunks, Seaman was also able to have an incredible night from the free throw line.
While Topeka High didn’t foul Seaman at a high rate, the Vikings shot 90 percent when they were given the free opportunity.
Seaman will host Lansing (9-8) on Friday night while Topeka High will hit the road and take on a gritty (4-13) Hayden team.
“I’d like for our guys to continue having fun,” said Cox. “Having fun and playing together should be what the game is all about. If we keep playing unselfish and having good chemistry, we should be good down the stretch.”
SEAMAN BOYS 79, TOPEKA HIGH 44
Seaman 20 28 23 8 – 79
Topeka High 16 13 8 7 – 44
Seaman (10-7, 9-5) – Hyman 4 3-4 12, Henry 5 2-2 12, Bonner 10 0-0 26, Wilhelm 2 0-0 5, Davis 3 2-2 8, Griess 3 2-2 8, Phillips 1 0-0 2, Barta 1 0-0 2, Freeman 1 0-0 2, Finley 0 2-2 2.
Topeka High (4-14, 4-10) – Lyons 2 0-0 5, Mays 3 3-3 9, Baumgardner 1 0-0 2, Flenoy 5 3-4 13, Gomez 2 0-0 6, Thrasher 3 1-2 7, Cameron 1 0-2 2.
3-point goals – Seaman 8 (Bonner 6, Hyman, Wilhelm), Topeka High 1 (Lyons). Fouls – Seaman 12, Topeka High 10. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls -- none.
