Home Stretch: The 2A Race
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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. Favorites: Wichita Independent – This team could be considered a challenger since…
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Continue ReadingWith 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.
Favorites:
Wichita Independent – 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 Conar Harris Conar Harris 6'3" | SF Wichita Independent | 2023 State KS and veteran guards in Joseph Recalde-Phillips Joseph Recalde-Phillips 5'9" | CG Wichita Independent | 2023 State KS , Christian Dean and Javon Beadles. Bryce Casanova is another long, athletic veteran.
Thomas More Prep – 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 Dylan Werth Dylan Werth 6'7" | PF Hays-Tmp | 2023 State KS and Kade Harris Kade Harris 5'11" | CG Thomas More Prep | 2023 State KS 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.
Challenger:
Bennington – 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. Eli Lawson Eli Lawson 6'7" | C Bennington | 2024 State KS (pictured) is a load few teams can handle in the paint. Newcomer Savailio Smith Savailio Smith 6'4" | SF Bennington | 2024 State KS 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 Talan Pickering might be an important element if the Bulldogs are to go far.
Hopeful:
Ellinwood – 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, Britton Dutton Britton Dutton 6'0" | SG Argo Comm | 2023 State KS can go get buckets. He’s averaging 27 points a game. The Eagles have some height in rugged Parker Scheck Parker Scheck 6'3" | SF Ellinwood | 2023 State KS and versatile Koy Behnke Koy Behnke 6'3" | SF Ellinwood | 2023 State KS . Ellinwood’s schedule might be considered on the light side, so they better be ready come playoff time.