Championship Saturday – Big School Players to Watch

<p>Saturday will decide which teams advance to the big dances in 6A and 4A. There are some really exciting sub-state matches to check out. Here’s a peak at a few, with players to watch:</p> <p>6A East #3 seed Shawnee Mission Northwest vs #11 seed Blue Valley:</p> <p>Blue Valley is the Cinderella of the East, to go with Manhattan in the West. This game will feature a few of the best seniors in 6A, including [player_tooltip player_id="891898" first="Aidan" last="Shaw"], [player_tooltip player_id="891904" first="Damare" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1076261" first="Landon" last="Wagler"]. But here are a couple of guys you will want to pay attention to Saturday:</p> <p><strong>Zak Svendsen</strong>, 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Blue Valley:</p> <p>Double figures the last seven games. Averaging 12 points, 2.5 assists</p> <p><strong>Mike Collins</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Shawnee Mission Northwest:</p> <p>A team with brilliant guards needs a hard-nosed rebounder. Collins supports Wagler on the glass, grabbing 5.5 boards while also averaging 7 points. Collins is big and tough in the lane, sets screens and bodies up opposing big men.</p> <p>6A West #2 seed Wichita Heights vs #7 seed Junction City:</p> <p>Wichita Heights has a great point man in [player_tooltip player_id="1080161" first="Marcus" last="Zeigler Jr"], but Junction City has a stable of athletic guards who can hang with the Heights guards. Here are a couple of players to watch when these two teams battle Saturday:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1075925" first="Chase" last="Harris"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Wichita Heights:</p> <p>Harris is a guard who stood out in summer with his breakneck pace and fearless drives from end to end. He is a long and fast athlete who can also shoot it. He averaged 12 points and 4.5 rebounds as a senior. Harris will play football at Independence Community College next year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076410" first="Terrence" last="Tedder Jr"], 6-foot guard, 2022, Junction City:</p> <p>Speaking of guys who can hang with Zeigler and Harris, Tedder has the quickness, speed and athleticism, and might be one guy called upon. He is a long-armed guard who can handle the ball under pressure, push it aggressively, and shoot from the perimeter.</p> <p>4A East #2 seed Bishop Miege vs #7 seed Atchison:</p> <p>Bishop Miege might not be the all-star team that they were last year, but they’re still brilliant with [player_tooltip player_id="891909" first="Christian" last="Bowen-Webb"] leading a veteran crew. But Atchison won’t back down Saturday. Here are a couple of players to pay attention to:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891905" first="Xavier" last="Hall"], 6-foot guard, 2022, Miege (pictured):</p> <p>Hall stood out in the fall sessions with great ability to penetrate. He’s solidly built and powerful enough to play through contact. He is a fine ball handler who is dishing out 4.5 assists. He’s a solid contributor in all areas, with 7 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals per game.</p> <p><strong>Trey Carter,</strong> 5-foot-8 guard, 2024, Atchison:</p> <p>Carter displays poise beyond his years and directs traffic for the Phoenix. He is a slick ball handler who can handle intense pressure. He can penetrate for his own shot, and is solid from deep too.</p>