Call it role reversal. When Caden West steps onto the basketball court for Burlington Central, the 5-foot-9 senior guard more often than not is looking to start things up on offense by throwing passes. It’s the opposite of his role in the fall, when he plays wide receiver in football and catches them. “I think I’m more of a facilitator at times,” West said. “When I have a hot night, I’ll take it and just keep on shooting. But most of the time, I like to see the ball fly around and really be a floor general. I’m trying to help out, kind of like a coach on the floor. “And I always want to play lockdown defense because that sparks my offense.” True to form, West got the Rockets started Monday night with a steal and assist in the first quarter of a 55-32 nonconference victory at home over Lake Park. He scored all 12 of his points in the first half, leading his team to a 20-15 lead at the break. “Caden’s a spark plug for us,” Burlington Central coach Brett Porto said. “He provides so much defensive intensity. When he’s aggressive offensively, it makes us that much more dynamic.” Burlington Central’s Jake Johnson (23) hands the game ball to his mother, Chrissy, after scoring his 1,000th career point against Lake Park in the second quarter of a nonconference game on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News) West then found his comfort zone with a familiar target in Jake Johnson. The senior forward and Missouri Southern baseball recruit scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the second half on the way to a career milestone of 1,002 points for Burlington Central (6-3). Senior forward Patrick Shell added two steals and an assist and scored all nine of his points in the third quarter, which featured an 8:18 scoring drought by Lake Park, as the Rockets built a 42-21 lead. The only drama left was Johnson’s bid to become the 12th player in program history to score 1,000 points. West, Shell and fellow senior LJ Kerr have all been along for the ride. “It’s a very special moment because me and him have been playing together since we were little — fourth grade, actually,” said West, who has committed to playing slot receiver at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. “Jake started playing varsity as a freshman and I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re gonna get to a thousand.’ “Fast forward to tonight.” Burlington Central’s Caden West (2) defends against Lake Park’s Frederick Battaglia (33) in the third quarter of a nonconference game in Burlington on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News) Johnson was at 998 points when West zipped a no-look pass to him down the lane under the basket. Johnson was fouled at 4:47 of the fourth quarter and missed the first free throw, though. “I would have had it if I made both,” Johnson said. “That’s why everyone was giving it to me. I feel like I’ve been thinking about this for like five games, knowing I was coming up to it. “I’ve been playing with those guys my whole life, and Caden has thrown me a million assists in our careers.” Fifty-nine seconds later, Johnson drained a 3-pointer to put him over the top. Time out was immediately called by Porto and Johnson was presented the ball. “It’s a very deserving honor,” Porto said. “Jake has put a lot of time in and been a big part of our success over the years, so I’m happy to see him get it on the home court.” Burlington Central’s Caden West (2) works around Lake Park’s Jamarious Bassette (2) in the second quarter of a nonconference game in Burlington on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News) It wasn’t clear if there was an assist, but Johnson thought it was West, who also wasn’t so sure. “I wish I was the one,” West said. “That would have been a really cool moment. He thought it was me? Perfect. “It’s just our connection. Our chemistry is off the charts. It’s like I know where he’s gonna be, he knows where I’m gonna be. We just click. It’s very special, a very special bond.” The same goes for the senior quartet, a couple juniors and several up-and-coming sophomores. “It takes a team effort to win these games,” West said. “You never know who’s gonna have a night, start off hot and cool down or get hot later. “It just happened to be me this game to really kick-start this win. It’s a unique dynamic.”