By Andrew Gill
TopSports.net
After trailing most of the game, Rick Bloomquist’s Topeka West Chargers eventually rallied for a 78-60 victory over Hayden in a Centennial League boys contest at West.
“It wasn’t a slow start – it was horrid. Worst start I’ve seen in years,” Bloomquist said, adding that his team’s lackadaisical first-quarter play was due to mental mistakes. “We’ve had a lot of prosperity and high school kids have a hard time handling prosperity. We had a lot of days to think highly of ourselves and we got full of ourselves really quick.”
The Wildcats looked to be in control after the first quarter, leading by 13. The Chargers cut its deficit to 4 points by halftime, but really came alive in the second half.
Elijah Brooks
Bloomquist wasn’t eager to share what he said to his players at halftime, but whatever it was, it worked as the Chargers put up 33 points in the third quarter.
An and-1 by senior Trevion Alexander tied the game for the first time since its start. Then a well-executed press resulted in a steal and a 3-pointer, which gave West its first lead of the game.
Closing the third quarter with a 20-5 run, the Chargers never looked back.
Despite the Wildcats’ solid offensive effort, their defense simply had no answer for juniors Elijah Brooks and Zander Putthoff, who combined for 51 of West’s 78 points. Brooks finished the night with a game-high 28, 20 of which came in the second half, while Putthoff shot an impressive 7 for 13 from beyond the arc.
Hayden senior Vacario Triplett’s ability to get to the rim was the main reason for West’s early woes, totaling 24 points.
“We gave Triplett too many drives to the basket uncontested,” Bloomquist said. “He penetrated as well as anybody has against us so far.”
Now 5-0 on the year, the Chargers look to continue their undefeated season at home against Emporia on Tuesday.
TOPEKA WEST BOYS 78, HAYDEN 60
Topeka West 8,18 33 19 – 78
Hayden 21 9 17 13 – 60
Topeka West – Lira 2 0-0 5, Wilkerson 1 0-0 2, Brooks 12 1-2 28, Peterson 1 2-2 4, T. Alexander 4 2-2 11, Putthoff 8 0-0 23, Mehrens 1 0-0 3, Bearman 1 0-0 2. Totals: 30 5-6 78.
Hayden – Williams 5 3-4 14, Muller 2 4-4 9, Triplett 10 2-4 24, Pivarnik 1 0-0 2, Alfonsi 1 0-0 2, Otting 4 0-2 8, Rice 0 1-2 1. Totals: 23 6-16 60.
