Top 3A Matchups in the East
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3A games are going to be fun to follow this Thursday. Here are some of the top matchups and top players to watch from games in the eastern half of Kansas: Frontenac vs Burlington: Top seed Frontenac is loaded with…
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Continue Reading3A games are going to be fun to follow this Thursday. Here are some of the top matchups and top players to watch from games in the eastern half of Kansas:
Frontenac vs Burlington:
Top seed Frontenac is loaded with seniors and ready to achieve its potential. With a big man like Jordan Fudge Jordan Fudge 6'8" | PF Frontenac | 2022 State KS , they can be really tough to match up with. Fudge is a 6-foot-8 monster athlete who can dominate in the paint. He is joined by some excellent athletes including Mario Menghini Mario Menghini 6'2" | SG Frontenac | 2023 State KS and Aaron Doria Aaron Doria 6'2" Frontenac | 2022 KS and Michael Doria Michael Doria 6'2" Frontenac | 2022 KS . Burlington will try to counter, led by 6-foot-1 guard Sam Smith Sam Smith 6'1" | CG Burlington | 2022 State KS , who averages 16.6 points as a senior.
Southeast of Saline vs Smoky Valley:
The Trojans, ranked sixth in the state, feature one of the most versatile tandems of big men in Eli Sawyers Eli Sawyers 6'7" | SF Southeast Of Saline | 2023 State KS (pictured) and Nakari Morrical-Palmer Nakari Morrical-Palmer 6'3" | CG Southeast Of Saline | 2023 State KS . Both standing taller than 6-foot-3, the pair combines for about 30 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists per game. Smoky Valley has a powerful big man of its own in 6-foot-4 senior Haven Lysell Haven Lysell 6'4" | PF Smoky Valley | 2022 State KS , who really knows how to post, catch and finish around the rim. He averaged 11 points and 5.5 boards. Guard Karson Pihl had a solid junior campaign for the Vikings with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Beloit vs Council Grove
In the same sub-state with Southeast of Saline and Smoky Valley, second seed Beloit has a tough path ahead. First they must get by #3 seed Council Grove. Beloit has one of the best young bigs in 3A in sophomore Bryce Beisner Bryce Beisner 6'7" | PF Beloit | 2024 State KS , but the Trojans actually send out four players who average more than 10 points a game. Council Grove has one of the best trios of seniors in 3A. Guard Kellen Marshall Kellen Marshall 6'0" | SG Council Grove | 2022 State KS has taken his game to another level with 18 points and 4.5 assists per game, but he’s joined by experienced veterans Hunter Brintle and Koen Hula Koen Hula 6'4" | PF Council Grove | 2022 State KS .
Osage City vs Heritage Christian:
It’s a little surprising that 18-3 Osage City wasn’t in the final rankings of 3A clubs. But no matter, they’re the top seed at West Franklin and have a chance to show they’re one of the best teams in the state. But they must get by Heritage Christian from Olathe. In addition to being the Indians’ star quarterback, junior Landon Boss Landon Boss 6'1" | SF Osage City | 2023 State KS has been a boss ever since his freshman season. This year he’s averaging 24 points and 8.2 boards as an undersized forward. Heritage Christian is a team to be wary of. They already knocked off Wellsville 64-63 on Monday. The Chargers are led by junior Blake Heckman, a 6-foot-2 shooter who averages 16.5 points and 4 assists. Fellow guard Owen Evans Owen Evans 6'1" | SG Heritage Christian Academy | 2023 KS dishes out a ridiculous 7 assists per game, and can get his own points as well.