Five Takeaways: Wamego-Council Grove
Five Takeaways: Wamego-Council Grove
COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. — The state’s No. 3 ranked team in the latest Kansas 4A Div 1 poll released by KBCA got a stiff test on the road as Wamego pulled out a 58-45 win at Council Grove.
Wamego 6’1 2018 guard T.J. Fritz led all scorers as he knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead the Red Raiders. Branton Tischhauser led Council Grove with 13 points, while Carter Finch added 11.
Here, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at five things that stood out in the contest.
Chase Dillon a Kansas PG gem
If you haven’t had a chance to watch Wamego point guard Chase Dillon play this season, get a Red Raider schedule and circle a date, he’s likely the best player you haven’t heard much about. A left hander, Dillon is a crafty ball handler who can shoot the 3 and likes to get in the lane and make plays and finishes in traffic. He scored 13 points for Wamego on Tuesday, but it was his flashy passes and playmaking abilities that caught our attention — he’s one of the best passers we’ve seen this season. He throws no-look dimes on time, draws attention and drops off passes for easy buckets and makes plays and makes his teammates better. He’s committed to play golf at Washburn, but he could help a college basketball program.
Council Grove tougher than record indicates
The Braves are now 7-6 this season, but they showed on Tuesday they are a team capable of making a run in Kansas 3A. They have three seniors who all average around 12 points per game, are tough and physical and do a good job of turning the game into a battle of wills. While they don’t have any traditional big men (the Braves tallest starter is 6’3), they are strong and physical in the paint and do a good job on the boards.
Fritz goes off
T.J. Fritz celebrated his birthday in style on Tuesday, knocking down five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and scoring a game-high 22 points. Listed at 6’1, the 2019 wing player plays bigger than his listed height due to his length. He can do some different things offensively, handles the ball a little, can finish in traffic, and does a good job getting open and moving without the basketball.
Tischhauser solid for Council Grove
A 6’2 2018 forward, Council Grove’s Branton Tischhauser had a solid game, leading the Braves with 13 points and seven rebounds. He is a strong, physical forward that can play inside-out basketball, knock down a 3, handle the ball a little on the perimeter and gets to the free throw line. He’s averaging 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game this season as he puts together a well-rounded stat line.
Wamego a contender
Ranked third in Class 4A Division 1 and are now 10-1 this season with its lone loss coming to Eudora last week. Armed with a talented, well-rounded roster, the Red Raiders feature a pair of solid guards in Dillon and 5’11 2019 guard Ty Cooper, a solid, athletic sharp shooting wing in Fritz and an underrated front court player in 6’0 2018 forward Justin Ebert. On Tuesday, Elbert impressed with his all-around play, leading the team with eight rebounds, adding eight points and showcasing a diverse skill set. Wamego has good depth with 6’0 2018 Zach Williams, 5’9 2018 guard Blake Arria, 6’1 2018 Jayson Ebert, 6’1 2019 forward Logan Ebert and others, all of whom had solid moments of play on Tuesday. The Red Raiders had some sloppy moments of play, missed several chip shots in the lane and were outplayed at times by a scrappy Council Grove team, but overall showed the potential to make a postseason run.