6A Consolation: Final Observations

<p>Consolation games can often be a rag-tag affair. Players have to adjust their expectations, having just had their state-title hopes dashed a day ago.</p> <p>Free State overcame Olathe West 58-51 in a game that saw lots of backups and line changes throughout. Though it had a different feel, the game permitted one last look at a lot of players.</p> <p>Of course there were the usual culprits – the Free State guard trio of Mozae Rivers-Downing, [player_tooltip player_id="952433" first="Jordan" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="891903" first="Cooper" last="Jackson"] led the way. And [player_tooltip player_id="1080206" first="Harrison" last="Kisling"] (pictured) got 12 points to lead the Owls and cap his great playoff run. But there were plenty of other players to observe.</p> <p><strong>Tanner Zimmerman</strong>, 6-foot-5 center, 2022, Olathe West:</p> <p>The best rebounder in the contest, Zimmerman ripped down 8 boards in just 9 minutes of action. He is huge and has long reach to go get errant shots. He’s powerful in the lane and swatted one shot and intimidated others.</p> <p><strong>Brisyn Robinson</strong>, 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Olathe West:</p> <p>Robinson did a nice job running the Owl offense against the ball-hawking Free State guards. He kept cool under pressure and directed the offense, and tossed in 8 points. He’s a quick and steady ball handler who can get in the lane and find open shooters.</p> <p><strong>Michael Anderson</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2022, Olathe West:</p> <p>Showed his fearlessness by scoring through contact on a break. He hit a long 3-pointer and got in the lane for another contested jumper. He helped handle the ball under pressure and was a physical defender. He finished with 8 points.</p> <p><strong>Camren Edwards</strong>, 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Free State:</p> <p>Edwards is a long and athletic guard who was aggressive pushing the ball up the floor to create transition opportunities. He hit a nice pull-up jumper and a long 3-pointer. Edwards got 10 points in just 14 minutes of play.</p> <p><strong>Emmanuel Epelle</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2022, Free State:</p> <p>The play of the game might have been when Epelle dove across the scorers table, sacrificing life and limb for a loose ball. That effort showed his passion in the consolation game and fired up the Firebirds. He showed off a nice jump hook, which is particularly effective because of his quick spring and long reach. He runs the floor with the best of big men, and can hit the midrange jumper.</p>