Kansas Cinderellas Make The Dance
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There were some great stories from the sub-state tournaments, and there will be a few teams in the state brackets that few expected to see at the big dance. 6A saw the most surprising runs to next week’s tournament at…
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Continue ReadingThere were some great stories from the sub-state tournaments, and there will be a few teams in the state brackets that few expected to see at the big dance.
6A saw the most surprising runs to next week’s tournament at Wichita.
Olathe West, the 10th seed in the East, got by Lawrence in overtime to punch their dance card. Harrison Kisling Harrison Kisling 6'2" | SG Olathe West | 2023 State KS went crazy with 38 points, more than half his team’s total. The 6-foot-2 guard Kisling doesn’t always have to do it all, however. He’ll have plenty of support at the state tournament from the likes of Mike Anderson, Mikai Blakeney and Jayson Luse Jayson Luse 6'4" | SF Olathe West | 2022 State KS , to name a few.
The Owls were outdone by two 13 seeds – Olathe North in the East, and Manhattan in the West.
Olathe North entered sub-state at 9-11, but they upset KC Harmon and Shawnee Mission East to make the tournament. North comes with some serious height in 6-foot-8 Gavin Shearer and Fernando Gracia Fernando Gracia 6'6" | PF Olathe North | 2023 KS , and some shooting and playmaking from Jackson Rippee and freshman Jaalan Watson.
Manhattan was just 7-13 in the regular season, but took its lumps in the intense Centennial League. Once at sub-state, the Indians beat Wichita Northwest and Derby. Manhattan has 6-foot-6 post Jack Wilson Jack Wilson 6'6" | C Manhattan | 2023 State KS (pictured) taking his game to another level. Tate Brown Tate Brown 6'0" | SG Manhattan | 2022 KS and Dre Delort Dre Delort 5'9" | PG Manhattan | 2023 KS provide some athleticism and playmaking at the guard spots.
In 5A St. James and Seaman made the dance as #8 and #9 seeds respectively. But neither seem that surprising, considering the quality of veterans both those teams possess. Most impressive, however, is that both teams had to knock off the #1 seed in their bracket to get to state.
At first blush, Hayden looks like a shock to make the dance with their 7-13 season record and #12 seed. But it becomes a little less surprising when you consider two things: 1) the incredibly tough schedule Hayden plays during the regular season. In the Centennial League, they face 5A and 6A powers all season long. And 2) Hayden drew #5 seed Holton and #4 Wamego – good opponents for sure, but not 4A powers this season. First and foremost, Hayden has toughness, led by guard Trent Duffey Trent Duffey 6'2" | CG Hayden | 2022 State KS and big man Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS .
The biggest Cinderella, at least from a record standpoint, has to be 1A Div. II Central Plains. The Oilers brought a record of 1-18 to sub-state. But they whipped Tescot and Wilson before edging Lost Springs-Center. The Oilers, led by sophomore Peyton Ryan Peyton Ryan 5'9" | CG Central Plains | 2024 State KS , were blessed by playing on their home court and having no team with a winning record in their sub-state bracket.