PREVIEW: Kansas State Tournament: 6A Star Power

<p>With the state tournament set to tipoff tomorrow, this is a good time to take a look at some of the star studded matchups in the 6A bracket. There is a lot of talent being showcased across a variety of graduating classes and positions. </p> <p><strong>Washburn Rural v. Lawrence Free State </strong>- <em>Wednesday @ 6:30pm</em></p> <p>The Drake University football commit <strong>Jordan White</strong> leads Washburn Rural with a 21-1 record going into the state tournament. The four-year varsity starter is a true talent, serving as a valuable facilitator and leader of the talented Washburn squad. </p> <p>Jordan is a great glue guy who can do about anything on the court and will need to play well if Washburn is to take this bracket. </p> <p>On the Free State side of things, <strong>Noah Butler </strong>will really have the chance to make his mark and make a statement. The 6'5'' senior forward has incredible athleticism and toughness and will be a force around the rim in this matchup. </p> <p>Noah is planning to take a prep year after his senior year wraps up as he earned a NCAA Division I offer from Central Arkansas this season. </p> <p><strong>Lawrence v. Wichita- Southeast </strong>- <em>Wednesday @ 8:15pm</em></p> <p><strong>Trey Quartlebaum, </strong>a St. Francis-Brooklyn commit (Division I), will be leading the charge for Lawrence as the proverbial "head of the snake." </p> <p>The senior PG is a good two-way player who brings the intensity defensively and offensively is a three-level scorer. Watch for Trey to try to break down the Southeast defense, get in the lane and create opportunities as he has had so much success doing so this season. </p> <p>On the other side of this matchup is the sophomore standout, <strong>Jackie Johnson III. </strong>Jackie is averaging around 25 PPG this season with Southeast and can beat you from about anywhere on the court. </p> <p>He has excellent pace, athleticism, handles, and can shoot the ball at a high level. While Jackie does have plenty of help on the Southeast roster, he is their catalyst and barometer for success. </p> <p><strong>Blue Valley Northwest v. Olathe North </strong>- <em>Wednesday @ 3:00pm </em></p> <p>It's no secret, Blue Valley Northwest is home to the top player in Kansas in the 2019 class, <strong>Christian Braun. </strong>The KU commit is a big, athletic guard who can shoot the ball at a high level or use his quickness and IQ to beat you off the dribble. </p> <p>Stopping Braun, or at least slowing him down, will be the key to taking down Northwest which has only been done twice this year. </p> <p>Olathe North has their own set of stars in <strong>Tymer Jackson </strong>and <strong>KT Raimey. </strong></p> <p>Jackson has put up huge numbers this season averaging over 25 PPG this year and is an offensive production machine. He can play either guard spot and is another three level scorer with good touch around the rim. </p> <p>Raimey is a 6'2'' guard that not only has quickness off the bounce but a deep package once he's on the move, making him very difficult to guard. </p> <p>He excels on the break, is a sharpshooter from distance, and likes to get in the paint and rebound as a guard. </p> <p><strong>Harmon v. Shawnee Mission South </strong>- <em>Wednesday @ 4:45pm</em></p> <p>Harmon hosts arguably the top 2021 prospect in the state in <strong>Lonell Lane</strong> who has led his team to an incredible season thus far. </p> <p>Lonell has good size at the PG position and a solid, basketball frame to accompany his skill set. He boasts high level athleticism and quickness as it's near impossible to keep him out of the lane without fouling him. He's shown good court vision in times when the defense is collapsing on him too much and will be a treat to watch in the state tournament this year. </p> <p>On the opposite side, Shawnee Mission South succeeds more so by committee than relying on one star. However, <strong>Jake Potthoff </strong>is a versatile piece of the puzzle there at Shawnee Mission as he has good size at 6'6'' and can guard a variety of positions. He uses his IQ and quickness to his advantage and certainly is a part of South's success this season. </p>