Ten Best: Blue Valley North (38), Olathe North (27)
Ten Best: Blue Valley North (38), Olathe North (27)
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Game featured the No. 3 seed squaring off against the No. 6 seed, but don’t be fooled, this contest featured two teams that could well make a run in sub-state play and perhaps beyond.
Blue Valley North (15-6) got 14 points from senior guard Colby Bullock, and after the two teams finished the first quarter tied at 9-9, the Mustangs held Olathe North to two points in the second quarter and three in the third and built a 28-14 lead at the end of three quarters.
Olathe North got some offense going in the fourth as Byers scored eight points and the Eagles finished the frame with 13 points – nearly matching its point total through the first three quarters – but the BVN held on for a 38-27 win.
MVP: Kenny Byers (Olathe North). Was the best player on the floor despite missing a host of easy shots on drives to the bucket. A 6’4 2017 wing, Byers had 11 rebounds and 10 of the Eagles’ 11 points in the first half as Olathe North otherwise struggled to put the ball in the basket. He finished with 16 rebounds and led all scorers with 18 points.
Offensive Player of the Game: Colby Bullock (Blue Valley North). A strong, 6’0 2017 guard, Bullock has a knack for getting to the bucket and finishing tough chances and showed off terrific leadership qualities. Finished with 14 points to lead the Mustangs.
Defensive Player of the Game: Blue Valley North (Team). Their zone really took Olathe North out of its offensive flow and made life difficult as the Eagles struggled to find the range with its long distance shooting. If there was a weakness at that end for the Mustangs it was keeping Olathe North – and especially Byers – off the offensive glass. Byers’ four two-point field goals was all the offense the Eagles could muster in the first two quarters as they were 0-for the first half from 3-point range.
Best shooter: Mitch Rhyner (Blue Valley North). . A 5’11 2017 guard, Rhyner made a 3 and a jumper in the first half and had five points, but he forced Olathe North to pay attention to him on the perimeter and helped free up Bullock and others. He finished with 11 points for BVN.
Best passer: Elijah Williams (Olathe North). A 6′ 2019 point guard, Williams dropped off some really nice passes to Byers, 6’7 2018 forward Lukas Milner and others.
Best rebounder: Kenny Byers (Olathe North). He was everywhere on the glass at both ends of the floor, picking up six rebounds in the first quarter alone and had 11 boards at the half and finished the game with 16.
Name to remember: Miles Emory (Blue Valley North). An athletic, 6’5 2018 forward, Emery plays even bigger than his listed height and forms a tough 1-2 punch in the paint with 6’5 2018 post Nick Orr. Emory has some bounce in his game. He probably didn’t play his best in this one, but can be a tough interior player for the Mustangs.
Play of the Game: Eric Baston (Blue Valley North). A 6’4 2018 wing, Baston threw down an emphatic one-handed slam late in third quarter to essentially put the game on ice as the Eagles never recovered from a double-digit deficit.
NOTES: Keilon Hunter, a talented 5’10 2017 guard, left the game early on the first quarter with an apparent ankle injury and did not return.