Winter Hoops Heats Up in Kansas: January15th
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Battling through the climate and the snow it brought with it, basketball still was heating up around the state of Kansas on Friday. Let’s wrap up the action that went down throughout the night and some of the primetime performers…
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Continue ReadingBattling through the climate and the snow it brought with it, basketball still was heating up around the state of Kansas on Friday. Let’s wrap up the action that went down throughout the night and some of the primetime performers on the night.
Big Night for the Big Men
Nikko Taylor Nikko Taylor 6'6" | SF Blue Valley North | 2021 State KS , 6’6 Forward, 2021, Blue Valley North: Across the board the talent at Blue Valley North is top notch and when they are all clicking they are scary good. Last night the big fella Taylor dominated throughout their matchup with Blue Valley Southwest. Defensively he is always bringing a tremendous physical presence and last night was more of the same. He finished with a team high 21 points and showed off his ability to knock down the long ball. Had a nice jab step into a three and if Taylor is knocking that down he is really hard to stop.
Koen Hula Koen Hula 6'4" | PF Council Grove | 2022 State KS , 6’4 Forward, 2022, Council Grove: Hula controlled the game in every facet stuffing the stat sheet with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 blocks, and 3 steals. The team hit a school record for 3’s in a game and Hula got in on the action too knocking one down. His physical presence and ability to pass out of pressure or doubles really helped set his teammates up for great shots.
Bo Robinson, 6’4 Forward, 2021, Paola: The big fellas along with teammate Trey Moala Trey Moala 6'7" | PF Paola | 2022 State KS both were great last night with 20 point efforts each, but Robinson capped off his night with a double double as well. The pair make a great tandem and play off each other well. Robinson was all over the place on the glass and his energy and effort were major catalysts for Paola.
Guards Putting on a Show
Trevor Mcbride Trevor Mcbride 6'2" | CG Basehor Linwood | 2022 State KS , 6’3 Guard, 2022, Basehor Linwood: McBride put on a point guard clinic last night in a big time matchup against Leavenworth High. He attacked gaps, forced over help, and made plays throughout the ball game with the ball in his hands. The effort, IQ, and defensive ability of course were on full display as well. McBride knocked down a couple of huge momentum building shots, finished through contact, and played great off of screens. A highlight that was one of the best passes on the season, the Basehor guard came off a high ball screen and zipped a one handed pass that led perfectly to a layup.
Burk Springer, 5’10 Guard, 2022, Wamego: The electric point guard put together his best performance on the season in a big win over Marysville on Friday night. Almost posting a double with 9 points and 10 assists, Springer did a great job of getting teammates involved and capped off his scoring night with the biggest bucket of the game, a game winning layup as time expired.
Wing Player of the Night
Pearse Long, 6’5 Wing, 2022, Lawrence High: Long put together the whole repertoire on Friday night, leading the Lawrence Lions with 23 points and was great at bringing energy to the floor on the defensive side. He made some really tough shots and plays that got his team rolling. Long’s length and ability to knock down contested jumpers makes him a really tough cover.