2017-2018 Preview: Top 4 teams in the (Big 7 Gold) Suburban Conference
Now it’s time for the top 4 teams in the Big 7 Gold Conference. This is going to be a close battle for the top spot, but I would say that any one of these 4 teams have a great opportunity at winning the conference. Teams will more than likely beat each other meaning each team will probably face misfortunes, setbacks, and upsets, but it should be a fun season! Looking at the schedule, and this being one of the best if not the best conference in the Kansas City area, I don’t think any team will go undefeated in conference play.
1) Park Hill
Finishing a close second to Lee’s Summit West last year had to have left a little bit of a bad taste in Park Hill’s mouth. Park Hill did lose a couple of players in Dru Hill and Chester Graves, but they are bringing back a pretty strong squad this year. Senior guard Willy Majok who is more of a game manager will be a key returner for the Trojans this season. He is quick on defense and can score the ball when needed. Roman Wilson who is one of the big names making its way around and for a good reason. Wilson, a staggering 6’10” played with Mokan Elite this last summer and has really upped his game. He can shoot the deep ball, but will more than likely stick inside where he will have his way with opponents. The big name on Park Hill’s roster is senior Ronnie Bell who recently committed to Missouri State for Basketball, and will be starting his college career there in a year. This will probably be my pick for the conference player of the year. He can do it all! He will probably guard the best player on the other team, lead his team in scoring, and throw down a few spectacular dunks in the process. This kid lives above the rim, and his athletic ability is off the charts. Park Hill will be a tough team to beat, but any of these top 4 teams are capable of doing so.
2) Lee’s Summit West
Lee’s Summit West was the best team in the conference last year, and I don’t think there was really any doubt about it, but they did lose a couple of games to Blue Springs. Losing the conference player of the year Elijah Childs to Division I Bradley is going to knock them back some. They also lost a solid guard in C.J. May, but enough with all the players graduating. West is going to be bringing back quite the squad and they will be welcoming a new player in Yor Anei who is only 6’9”. He is a 3-star recruit coming over from Kansas, and he uses his size very well. The biggest star on the team is a 6’7” forward named Christian Bishop. He has really blossomed into a great basketball player in the past few years. With his size, he can get open looks pretty much anywhere on the court. He is a great rebounder, but is still growing into his body a little bit. Christian committed to Creighton over the summer and will be talents to Omaha next year. West is also loaded up with a couple of stud guards. Mario Goodrich (Nebraska Football Commit), one of the better football talents in Missouri has great size and is crazy athletic. While he can score the ball, he really excels on the defensive end. Phillip Brooks who is small, but lightning quick is one that cannot be forgotten about. If you lose him on the court, be prepared for him to make you pay with an easy bucket or open 3.
3) Lee’s Summit North
Lee’s Summit North might have opened a few eyes last year with a season just above .500, but the conference hasn’t gotten any easier. North is losing quite the cast in Spriggs, Hairston, and Bynum, all 3 were Honorable Mention All-League. They are also returning a solid group led by Javaunte Hawkins, Logan Jenkins, and Elijah Farr. Hawkins and Jenkins can and will shoot the ball from anywhere on the court, which is usually okay, as they are also probably two of the best shooters in the league. Living and dying by the 3 ball is something that North did a lot of last year, we will see if that changes any this year. Look for these two to really take on leadership roles and guide the young team to a great season. Farr adds quite a bit of size down in the post, but he is also someone who plays outside very well. They will need him more as a post player this season with their lack of size. Another player to watch out for this season will be Junior Point Guard Mikel Henderson. Mikel can shoot the ball well, but look for him to be more of a passive guard and a lock down defender. North will be lacking in the size department, we will see if their speed and shooting abilities will allow them to overcome their minor issues.
4) Blue Springs
Blue Springs really shouldn’t drop off much if any this year. They did lose Tyree King who was a part of the Wildcats Big 3 though. The other two will return for their senior season to try and add to the great season they had last year. RJ Lawrence, one of the senior leaders on the team has really come into his own these past few years. A lefty shooter who can knock it down from anywhere on the court, and his trigger is quick! He is also very good around the rim. The other big time senior leader who will be playing football in Columbia at Missouri next year is 6’4” Daniel Parker. Parker is a big man on the court who knows how to use his size, and boy does he use it well. He is more of a bully on the court, but can get buckets while doing so. He has a sweet enough stroke to also knock down the 3 ball. Blue Springs will need a couple of bigs to help Parker out underneath along with a few younger guards to step up. Stefan Black who will be entering his sophomore season is one who might see a lot of playing time. He could check in and gain a little bit of experience last year. He looked to be quick and had a solid shot on him. Blue Springs will can compete and beat any team in the conference. They showed that last year when they took down West twice last season.