By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Recent Topeka West graduate Elijah Brooks, honored as the 2021-2022 Mr. Kansas Basketball by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association after a record-setting 2021-2022 season, was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn.
Former Topeka West star Elijah Brooks was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night after a record-setting senior season. [File photo/TSN]
Brooks averaged 25.3 points during his senior season and put together a string of 30-point games with a high of 43 points.
Brooks, the TopSports.news Shawnee County and Centennial League Player of the Year, led the Chargers to back-to-back Class 5A state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2021.
Brooks is West's single-season record-holder (581 points) and career leading scorer (1,450 points).
"Elijah has shown enthusiasm and work ethic that has been commendable and sincere,'' West coach Rick Bloomquist said.
Brooks will play his college basketball at Division I North Dakota.
Other candidates:
Richard Carter
RICHARD CARTER | Topeka High
PARENTS: Richard and Margaret Carter
SPORT: Swimming | GPA: NA
Carter was a varsity swimmer all four seasons at Topeka High, earning second-team All-City recognition two times. Carter competed in the Class 6A state tournament as a senior in the 400-yard free relay. Carter scored a total of 582 points during his swimming career for the Trojans. Carter competed primarily in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100 free, the 200 free and and the 100 butterfly. Carter plans to attend Grove City College.
Trent Duffey
TRENT DUFFEY | Hayden
PARENTS: David and Shelley Duffey
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.89
Duffey averaged 15.2 points and 4 rebounds as a senior, earning second-team All-Shawnee County recognition and helping lead the Wildcats to a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. "I wish I could put into words what Trent Duffey means to this community, school and especially our team,'' Hayden coach Dwayne Paul said. "Captains are something that we do not take lightly and it is an honor to be considered as someone we feel is a leader.Trent has and will continue to display leadership qualities both on and off the floor. He is our physical and emotional leader and our team has taken on his personality.'' Duffey will play his college basketball at Baker University.
Brock Ferguson
BROCK FERGUSON | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Jeff and Kandi Ferguson
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: NA
Ferguson posted a 154-24 career record for Shawnee Heights, qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament four straight seaasons and earning three state medals, including a fourth-place state finish as a senior. A three-time United Kansas Conference individual champion, Ferguson registered 112 pins in his high school career, which ranks him No. 11 for the most pins in Kansas history. "Brock is a phenomenal wrestler and citizen at Shawnee Heights High School,'' T-Bird wrestling coach Chad Parks said. Ferguson has signed a letter of intent to wrestle in college at Cowley College.
Noah Hastert
NOAH HASTERT | Cair Paravel Latin
PARENTS: Steven and Jennifer Hastert
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.27
Hastert was a football and basketball star for the Lions, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honors in both sports. In basketball Hastert averaged a double double on the season, recording 12 double doubles and one triple double. In football Hastert caught 46 passes for 921 yards and 22 touchdowns for the 11-0 Lions while adding 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks on defense. "Noah has been a leader both on the field and in the school,'' Cair Paravel football coach Doug Bonura said. "He has exhibited diligence and determination through his physical training and his participation in 7 on 7 club football.'' Hastert will play football in college, signing a letter of intent with NCAA Division II Pittsburg State.
Ty Henry
TY HENRY | Seaman
PARENT: Jeff Henry
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.847
Henry helped lead Seaman to an 18-7 record and its first-ever Class 5A state championship as a senior, earning All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team recognition. "Ty was the leader of our team and was key to our team's success,'' Seaman coach Craig Cox said. "Ty earned the respect of his teammates by working hard in the offseason and he set a great example every day in practice. Ty brought everyone on our team together because they all respected him and looked up to him. Ty could be demanding if his teammates weren't working hard enough. Seaman would not have been state champions without Ty Henry.''
Juan'Tario Roberts
JUAN'TARIO ROBERTS | Highland Park
PARENT: Daysean Phelps
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.1
Roberts was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick as a senior after helping lead the Scots to a Class 5A state tournament berth. Roberts was a four-year starter and made two appearances in the 5A state tournament while eclipsing the 1,000-point mark in his high school career. Roberts averaged 17 points and 4 assists last season while shooting 53 percent on 2-point field goal attempts, 40 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line. "Most of all it was his quiet, laidback leadership that created a level of calm and comort throughout our team,'' Highland Park coach Mike Williams said.
Nathen Trachta
NATHEN TRACHTA | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Scott and Amy Trachta
SPORT: Swimming | GPA: 3.277
Trachta won four gold medals in the Centennial League swimming and diving championships as a senior, helping lead the Junior Blues to their third straight league team title.Trachta won the 100-yard butterfly and the 100 backstroke and also swam on Washburn Rural's winning 200 free and 400 free relays. Trachta won three golds in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues, who won their third straight city title. Trachta was a member of Rural's 200 free relay that set a league record and earned multiple state medals in the Class 6A state championships. Trachta has been a multi-time All-City and All-Centennial League first-team selection. Trachta plans to swim at Illinois College.
