Too Early Exits 4A-6A

<p>There aren’t many things more exciting than the Kansas high school basketball playoffs. But it’s always sad to see your team knocked out, and players you care about sent home. Here are some players making ‘too early’ exits (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889526" first="Trey" last="Abasolo"], senior, Mulvane:</p> <p>The Wildcats fell victim to perhaps the biggest upset so far this year. The #1 seed in their sub-state, Mulvane was upended by Clearwater 54-45. But that shouldn’t diminish the incredible season of the 6-foot-1 combo guard. He did it all for the Wildcats, scoring 20.4 points and pulling down 7.4 rebounds per game to finish as Mulvane’s all-time leader in both categories. He also averaged 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per contest.</p> <p><strong>Jaxon Brakeen</strong>, senior, Newton:</p> <p>Newton gave Topeka West a valiant fight before going down 71-60. Brakeen led the charge with 5-11 from behind the ark and 7-7 from the line for 24 points. Brakeen showed some incredible range and competitiveness against one of the most athletic groups of guards you’ll find. It’s no surprise. He showed fight against the best opponents, like when he lit up Maize for 35 earlier this season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889495" first="Owen" last="Braxmeyer"], senior, Manhattan:</p> <p>The Indians scuffled through a rebuilding season that ended with a 51-33 defeat at the hands of Washburn Rural. Braxmeyer was the focus of defenses all season, and he did his best to lead his young teammates. The 6-foot-1 guard/wing was still the same ferocious attacker and defender that he was when Manhattan was a top team in 6A. Braxmeyer managed just 5 points in his final game, but he was good for double figures in nearly every game this season, including 25 against Topeka High, and 24 in games against Highland Park and Hayden.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889497" first="Chauncey" last="Keys"], senior, KC Harmon:</p> <p>The 6-foot-4 forward saw his career come to a close in a 54-51 sub-state loss to Shawnee Mission North. He was special this season, showing his versatility with about12 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists 2.5 steals per game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889501" first="Rone" last="Smith"], senior, Wichita Southeast:</p> <p>The crafty and athletic 6-foot-2 guard couldn’t lead his team past Derby in the 6A sub-state round. His role was diminished over the season, but he had some fine outings, including 24 points against Wichita Northwest.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889466" first="Charles" last="Snyder"], senior, Emporia (pictured):</p> <p>Emporia lost to Seaman 60-56 in the 5A sub-state round. Snyder was a warrior his entire career, and he wasn’t going down without a fight. He put down 22 points, one of about a dozen games with 20 or more. He earned third-team 5A last year, and should be in line for similar honors this year. The 6-foot-5 workhorse crashes the boards and runs the floor with abandon, and has a good combination of power and agility – just the kind of skills that will serve him well on the college football field.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1072891" first="Vacarrio" last="Triplett"], senior, Hayden:</p> <p>Hayden lost to Wamego 64-55 in the 4A sub-state. We got way too little of the slick senior guard this year. He was injured for about half the season and never really gelled with his new backcourt partner, [player_tooltip player_id="1134455" first="Geivonnii" last="Williams"], and his young teammates. When Triplett is on his game, as he was last year with 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest, he’s a really creative and competitive combo guard.</p>