Ten Best: Bishop Miege (49), Eudora (41)
Ten Best: Bishop Miege (49), Eudora (41)
BONNER SPRINGS, Kan. — Eudora was certainly the underdog in this one, but they played a terrific game and executed their game plan against a bigger, more athletic Bishop Miege squad.
Bishop Miege are heavy favorites to win a Class 4A state championship this week in Salina, Kan.
MVP: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Bishop Miege). The 6’8 2018 forward recorded a double-double, hauling in 10 boards and finishing with 10 points. He was especially tough late in the contest, hauling in several crucial rebounds down the stretch. At the other end, he showed off his defensive versatility as he defeated Mitchell Ballock throughout the entire game.
Offensive Player of the Game: Mitchell Ballock (Eudora). He probably didn’t have his best all-around game as he really struggled with his outside shot in this one, but he drew Robinson-Earl as his primary defender and had another player shadow him nearly the entire game. He started strong, scoring nine points in the first quarter and finished with 14.
Defensive Player of the Game: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Bishop Miege). Have to hand it to him, the big man guarded a guard throughout the entire 32 minutes. Yes, he got a lot of help throughout the game as Miege ran two guys at Mitchell Ballock for much of the contest, but it was still an impressive performance for a 6’8 kid.
Best passer: Landry Weber (Bishop Miege). Seems like we say this after every Miege game this season, but the 2017 guard is among the top true point guards we have seen this season. He doesn’t wow with elite speed or size, but with consistent, heady play.
Best rebounder: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Bishop Miege). Long, athletic forward was everywhere on the glass in this one, especially late in the game. He finished with 10 boards, but had several down the stretch that helped seal the win.
Best shooter: William Verbanic (Eudora). A 6’1 2017 guard, Verbanic made three 3-pointers out of the corner and even had a shot late in the game that would have cut a four-point Miege lead to three that came up short. He and Hayden Brown helped keep Eudora in the game with their outside shooting.
Best Player off the Bench: David Hernberger (Eudora). A 6’1 2017 big man who played bigger than his listed height, Hernberger found himself open in the paint several times for easy buckets. He provided a lift off the bench for Eudora and helped Ballock defend in the paint against a much bigger Miege team.
Name to Remember: Joseph Gleason (Bishop Miege). A 6’5 2017 big man, Gleason had a big game in the semifinals on Wednesday. He and 6’7 2019 Josh Earley give the stags a tough 1-2 punch off the bench that few teams can match.