Home Stretch: The 2A Race

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With about a month to go, it's not too early to start evaluating the state races. Let's take a look at 2A teams to watch down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorites:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wichita Independent </strong>- This team could be considered a challenger since it's sort of a newcomer to the state scene. But with this roster and the way they have run through their schedule, we'll make them the favorite. Independent got the experience of a trip to state a year ago. Can they take the next step? This is a senior-laden team. They have an athletic wing in [player_tooltip player_id='1749042' first='Conar' last='Harris'] and veteran guards in [player_tooltip player_id='1748989' first='Joseph' last='Recalde-Phillips'], <strong>Christian Dean</strong> and <strong>Javon Beadles</strong>. <strong>Bryce Casanova</strong> is another long, athletic veteran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas More Prep</strong> - Check out the Monarchs' only losses: 6A Free State and 6A Manhattan! Other than that, they have run the table thus far. This season TMP dropped to 2A from 3A, where they finished fourth a year ago. From that group they return [player_tooltip player_id='1212164' first='Dylan' last='Werth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1146303' first='Kade' last='Harris'] and some other pieces. Werth is a long, talented wing who can score. Harris is a tough multi-sport stud who was a key part of last year's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Challenger:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennington</strong> - The Bulldogs will have to figure out how to get by Moundridge, which has beaten them twice already this year. But Bennington has something few teams have: a one-two punch of big, athletic scorers. [player_tooltip player_id='1270299' first='Eli' last='Lawson'] (pictured) is a load few teams can handle in the paint. Newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='1633228' first='Savailio' last='Smith'] is an athletic forward to complement Lawson by running the floor and slashing through defenses. The duo averages about 37 points and 19 boards a game. Junior guard <strong>Talan Pickering</strong> might be an important element if the Bulldogs are to go far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hopeful:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ellinwood</strong> - The Eagles are undefeated and flying high, but they have to be considered a “hopeful” due to their inability to get out of sub-state in years past. They face an uphill battle as they are in a loaded sub-state once again. But there's certainly a lot to like about this veteran club. When all else fails, [player_tooltip player_id='1080178' first='Britton' last='Dutton'] can go get buckets. He's averaging 27 points a game. The Eagles have some height in rugged [player_tooltip player_id='1378393' first='Parker' last='Scheck'] and versatile [player_tooltip player_id='1378400' first='Koy' last='Behnke']. Ellinwood's schedule might be considered on the light side, so they better be ready come playoff time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->