PREVIEW: Class 6A state championships (predictions)
PREVIEW: Class 6A state championships (predictions)
All games played at Wichita State University, Koch Arena
First Round (Wednesday)
(1) Blue Valley Northwest (19-3) vs. (8) Garden City (11-11), 6:30 p.m.
Garden City had a strong late-season run to win its sub-state finale, defeating Haysville-Campus, 50-46, and Wichita North, 44-36. They are led by 5’11 2017 guard Garrett Doll, who averaged 12 points and 4.4 rebounds and made 56 3-pointers this season. They have a brutally tough first-round match-up against Blue Valley Northwest, a team that has had a big season and is loaded with talent. The Huskies have height, size, two Division I guards and enter the quarterfinals as the presumptive favorites.
PREDICTION: Blue Valley Northwest
(4) Lawrence Free State (16-6) vs. (5) Wichita South (16-6), 8:15 p.m.
This should be a terrific first-round match-up between two teams that have put together strong seasons. Free State has a well-rounded roster that features size, guard play and good depth. South has a terrific rim protector in 6’8 2018 Remy Lemovou, a talented wing in 6’5 2017 Jariah Taylor and solid, hard-nosed guards in Malcolm Tate and D’Andrew Adkism.
PREDICTION: Free State
(2) Manhattan (18-4) vs. (7) Lawrence (15-7), 3 p.m.
Manhattan is a strong, well-rounded team with a good point guard, good all-around guards in Trevor Hudgins, Tommy Ekert and Luke Saville and a solid interior player in Cade Roberts. Lawrence on the other hand features tremendous depth with a host of extremely talented players coming off the bench. Look for the size in the paint to be a handful for Manhattan to contain as Lawrence pounds the ball inside to Kobe Buffalomeat and others.
PREDICTION: Lawrence
(3) Olathe Northwest (17-5) vs. Blue Valley North (16-6), 4:45 p.m.
Olathe Northwest has won five straight and will be running into a Blue Valley North team that has become known for its tough, hard-nosed defense and methodical offensive play. Guards Colby Bullock and Keilon Hunter are two of the top guards in the Kansas City area and help set the tone at both ends of the court. BVN enters state play having won six straight games.
PREDICTION: Blue Valley North
Players to Watch
Parker Braun, 6’8, 2018, Blue Valley Northwest
Kobe Buffalomeat, 6’7, 2017, Lawrence (Illinois State, FB)
Colby Bullock, 6’1, 2017, Blue Valley North
Cameron Clark, 6’7, 2017, Free State
Trevor Hudgins, 6’0, 2017, Manhattan
Keilon Hunter, 5’11, 2017, Blue Valley North
Darien Jackson, 6’3, 2017, Blue Valley Northwest (Tulsa)
Remy Lemovou, 6’8, 2018, Wichita South
Garrett Luinstra, 6’1, 2018, Free State
Jackson Mallory, 6’1, 2017, Lawrence
Jariah Taylor, 6’5, 2017, Wichita South