Two players, coaches represent Topeka-area basketball at KBCA All-Star game

When the best in Kansas high school basketball were recognized by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) at an all-star gathering Saturday in Salina, Topeka was well represented.

Two of Topeka’s finest players, Elijah Brooks of Topeka West and Ty Henry of Seaman, were among the 24 boys who played in the KBCA all-star game. As the coach of 5A state champion Seaman, Craig Cox was one of six coaches on the benches for the boys game.

Kevin Bordewick, coach of girls 6A champion Washburn Rural, coached in the girls all-star contest.

'It was great to be with him one last time and go out like this'

Making the all-star experience even more special for Cox was the opportunity to coach Henry’s team. The last time Henry was on the floor in a Seaman uniform, he was hoisting the 5A championship trophy at Emporia.

“It’s really cool to get to coach him here,” Cox said. “You want to be there when guys get this honor, and I’m really fortunate to be his coach today.”

“It was fun,” Henry said about playing for the Seaman coach in the all-star setting. “We did some of his drills in practice, so I got a little reminiscent about that today.

"It was great to be with him one last time and go out like this.”

'It was fun going against Ty'

As they have been so many times over the years representing rival schools, Henry and Brooks were on opposite teams for the game — Henry for the Gold, Brooks for the Blue.

Smiling and conversing at breaks in the action, each of the Topeka stars tallied 13 points.

“It was fun going against Ty and Nahcs (Wahwassuck from Royal Valley),” Brooks said. “We exchanged words a couple of times. But it was all friendly and all smiles. I enjoyed it a lot.”

'I appreciate all those who had a big impact on me'

Brooks, who became the leading scorer in Topeka West history during his senior campaign, received a plaque prior to the game for being named KBCA Mr. Basketball.

“I’m forever grateful for that honor. I just appreciate all those people who helped me along the way, who got me here,” Brooks said, naming his father and the Topeka West coaches in particular. “I appreciate all those who had a big impact on me.”

Brooks recently accepted a basketball scholarship from the University of North Dakota.

“When I went out there, it was pretty comfortable,” Brooks said. “Me and the (current North Dakota) players bonded instantly. They said that they would take me under their wings and work with me. So I’m looking forward to that.”

'It was a great feeling to see all these guys all grown up'

Brooks said going out of state for college made him appreciate even more the opportunity to reunite with high schoolers from across Kansas at the all star game.

Henry agreed that, from high school and club competition, many friendships forged over the years were represented Saturday.

“It was a great feeling to see all these guys all grown up,” Henry said. “We’ve been playing together since elementary school, in club. And now to be all together like this is just a great time.”

Cox said he relished coaching Henry one more time.

“He was our leader. He was a great kid to coach for four years,” Cox said. “As a senior, he basically took over our team. He was the kind of guy who would do whatever was needed.

"He didn’t always have to be the scorer. He could go get rebounds. He could make plays on defense. He just did everything for us. And the biggest thing was, he provided leadership.”

'It’s amazing how many people I’ve heard from'

Cox, who coached Shawnee Heights to state titles in 2000 and 2002, said the thrill of leading Seaman to the 5A championship hasn’t worn off yet.

“It’s amazing how many people I’ve heard from – former players, former students, alumni,” Cox said. “It means a lot to them. And it means a lot to me because it was the first boys state basketball title in Seaman school history.

"There have been some really great players that have gone there, but there haven’t been great teams. This year, we had the combination of a bunch of great players that made up a great team.”

'You meet new people. You see new things'

Saturday represented Bordewick’s second time to coach in the KBCA game, a one-day event in which players from around the state have to mesh quickly in order to play an organized, competitive game.

He earned that honor in 2019 for leading the Junior Blues to a state title that season.

“With just two practices, you don’t really put together much (of a game plan),” Bordewick said. “You just see what the kids can do in some drills.

"We put together a couple of even teams of six to scrimmage so they get used to each other. But it’s all on them as far as getting to know each other. There’s not a lot that you can do.

“You meet new people. You see new things,” Bordewick said of the pleasure of coaching the all star squads. “You learn from the players and the other coaches in this kind of setting. Coaches can get ideas from other coaches.

Bordewick noted that, as a coach of a 6A program, he enjoys seeing players from smaller schools.

“It’s neat getting to know all these kids,” Bordewick said. “I don’t see those players like I see 5A and 6A. I don’t see 1A, 2A, 3A play. And some of these kids can play. Those lower classes have some good athletes and some good ball players.”

Boys Blue and Girls Gold victorious

Cheney’s Harrison Voth led the victorious Blue team with 17 points in the boys game. Lyndon’s Toby Miller added 15. Leading all scorers in the boys game was Wichita Heights’ Dreylin Kemp with 18 for the Gold team.

In the girls game, the victorious Gold team was led by Harper Schreiner of Eudora, who tallied 16 points. In the Blue team’s losing effort, Sterling’s Kali Briar notched 18.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Two Topeka players, two coaches participate in KBCA All-Star game