PREVIEW: 5A Sub-State (Goddard-Eisenhower)
PREVIEW: 5A Sub-State (Goddad-Eisenhower)
1. Goddard-Eisenhower (19-1) 2. Liberal (18-2) 3. Kapaun-Mount Carmel (16-4) 4. Maize (12-8) 5. Arkansas City (11-9) 6. Goddard (10-10) 7. Bishop Carroll (10-10) 8, Great Bend (6-14)
The Favorite
Goddard Eisenhower Tigers (19-1): Team is loaded with two of the state’s top players in Matt Pile and Dylan Vincent. A 6’2 2018 guard, Vincent is averaging 23 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game, while Pile is averaging 19.3 points, 14.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. They have suffered just one loss all season, on Jan. 6, at Salina-Central, and has since won 14 straight.
The Challenger
Kapaun Mount Carmel Crusaders (16-4): Team has put together a terrific season and are led by Chris Meitzner, one of the better guards in the Wichita area. He is averaging 17.6 points per game and has teamed with Mitchell Woodward and Thomas Wells to form a balanced offensive attack. They enter sub-state play having won seven of their last eight, with its only loss coming to Wichita East.
The Darkhorse
Arkansas City Bulldogs (11-9): They are just barely above .500 and might be a true dark horse here, but they also have one of the state’s top sophomores in guard Cevin Clark who is averaging 20 points per game. If he gets on a roll he could lead the Bulldogs on a run.
Maize Eagles (12-8): These guys have two terrific guards in Grant Bugbee and Caleb Grill, both of whom are averaging 15 points per game. Bugbee is shooting nearly 50 percent from 3-point range and has made 47 3-pointers in 20 games, while Grill has made 50 and is shooting 40 percent from 3. If those two get hot, look out.
Top players
Grant Bugbee, 6’2, 2017, Maize
Cevin Clark, 6’1, 2019, Arkansas City
Clay Cundiff, 6’5, 2019, Bishop Carroll
Caleb Grill, 6’2, 2019, Maize
Chris Meitzner, 6’1, 2017, Kapaun
Bryant Mocaby, 6’5, 2018, Goddard
Matt Pile, 6’8, 2017, Eisenhower
Dylan Vincent, 6’2, 2018, Eisenhower