Weekend Roundup: The Stars of 2/26-2/27

<p>This weekend in Kansas we have seen some primetime matchups to finish out the regular season and some early playoff action around the state. Let’s look at the players who stepped their games up in critical moments to round out the season and to kick off their playoff runs. There was limited action in general across the state, as teams seasons winded down to prepare for a post season push.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Saturday’s Playoff Action</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076405" first="Howard" last="Johnson"], 6’1 G, 2022, Junction City: Facing a league opponent to open up your playoff run is always tough, but Junction city was able to come out on top against Topeka High to advance to a show down on Tuesday with Free State. Johnson in the win put up 22 points and hit 4 3’s to help lead the charge on offense. His change of pace and ability to create off the dribble and attack closeouts really complimented his shot making ability Saturday afternoon. He is getting healthy and heating up at the right time, and his scoring ability will be key on Tuesday against a Free State team with some high quality guards who can defend. Should be a fun matchup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Chris Dixon, 6’4 W, 2021, Junction City: The senior closed out his career playing at home in a playoff win, scoring 17 in the ball game to help pace the Blue Jays along with Johnson. He is lengthy, athletic, and can really shoot the ball and could be a nice late grab for a college in the 2021 class. A good showing against the talented Free State squad could be really beneficial.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Quentin Robertson, 5’11 Guard, 2023, Blue Valley West: The young guard came up big time for BVW in their opening round playoff win on Saturday. Robertson has been coming along nicely this year and this was a great showing to what he can do in the future for BVW. He can really shoot the ball, has a great IQ, and plays extremely hard. Great all around showing from the sophomore.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Friday Night Regular Season finale Standouts</strong></p> <p>Grant Stubblefield, 6’1 G, 2023, Blue Valley Northwest: Stubblefield was on of the X Factors on the floor for BVNW in their staple win over Bishop Miege. Stubblefield brings the effort and energy for this squad and he has the talent to go along with it. He paced their scoring in the first half leading them with 10, and he was terrific on the defensive side of the floor. He is quick , strong, and smart on defense and makes a ton of offensive disrupting plays. He was big time in the win.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="730611" first="Alston" last="Mason"], 6’1 PG, 2021, Blue Valley Northwest: The top tier point guard was tremendous again for BVNW, earning an offer from Kansas State University after the game. His command of the game is what college programs love in a point guard, and he seems to always have the pulse on the ball game and what his team needs from him. He hit key shots throughout the game, and did not let the Miege length deter him from making play after play at the rim for himself or for others. Mason can do some good stuff playing off the ball as well, but his magic is with the ball in his hands.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1072891" first="Vacarrio" last="Triplett"], 6’3 G, 2021, Hayden: To round out the end of the season, Triplett has really started to find his grove again on offense and it has actually come from his increased play on the defensive side of the ball. Allowing himself to get into transition more where his talents and play style really shine. In a tough loss at Manhattan, Triplett had 20 points and 3 assists. In their sub state bracket, a matchup between Hayden and Wamego could be really fun to watch. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Spencer Coup, 5’10 G, 2024, Solomon: In what could be one of the freshman varsity performances of the season, the young Coup put up 28 points in a massive win in the opening round of sub state at the 1A level. He went 7 of 11 from 2 in the game and 11 of 16 from the free throw line. His ability to be physical on drives and attack the paint proved to be the deciding factor in an electric overtime game in which they won over Rural Vista.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080171" first="Cameron" last="Carr"], 5’10 G, 2023, Manhattan High: In the matchup with Triplett and his Hayden squad, Carr led the Manhattan side of things with 19 points in the ball game and helped close the game out with a big steal late and sinking icing free throws at the end. The young guard continues to show tremendous promise and potential with his length, scoring ability from multiple levels, and vision to make plays with the ball in his hands. </p>