2A Twists and Turns

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A was the only classification in action Thursday. Here are some impressions about players and teams from the class:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Talan Pickering</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2024, Bennington:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennington looks to have the pieces to make a run. They have a dominant big in [player_tooltip player_id='1270299' first='Eli' last='Lawson'] (pictured) and some wins who make plays, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1633228' first='Savailio' last='Smith'] and sophomores <strong>Kian Wilson</strong> and <strong>Payge Rodenbeek</strong>. But Pickering is a crucial piece as a veteran point guard who handles the ball and pushes the tempo when it's right. He is a handsy, pesky defender who can hit when left open. Pickering will have to match the point guards and handle the on-ball pressure of opponents, starting Saturday with Sacred Heart of Salina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javon Beadles</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2023, Wichita Independent:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wichita Independent has a senior-laden team but Beadles really stood out Thursday in a win over Garden Plain. He hit from deep, handled the ball and controlled the tempo for the Panthers. He appeared to have the game under his command. Beadles is an athlete who can penetrate, get through traffic to get to the goal, and dish it effectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaedin Massey</strong>, 6-foot-8 center, 2024, Lyndon:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massey was massive in holding off Cair Paravel, which held its own against the #1 ranked team in 2A. Massey received dump-down passes from teammates and finished effectively. Massey is just about the biggest player left playing in March. He will be a load for just about any team, with Moundridge's [player_tooltip player_id='1561988' first='Logan' last='Churchill'] and Bennington's Lawson just about the only ones who can match Massey's size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belle Plaine over Sedan:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons entered sub-state just 11-9, but that was a huge improvement over the 4-17 mark they posted a year ago. But Belle Plaine has seized the opportunity presented by as the four seed to get back-to-back wins. They took advantage of the home court to upset the top seed Sedan 52-48. The Dragons are led by senior guard <strong>Isaac Bible</strong>, who averaged 21 points on the season. He got help from, among others, a big sophomore post in <strong>Nicholas Pace</strong> and senior guard <strong>Trenton Pierson</strong>. They will face a tough test Saturday when they face Wichita Independent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sterling over Ellinwood:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fouls undid Ellinwood on Thursday. Star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1080178' first='Britton' last='Dutton'] was sidelined for most of the third period by fouls. When he returned in the final period, a 16-point lead had elapsed. He then fouled out and his veteran teammates couldn't hold it together. Sterling had a couple of big men, juniors<strong> Carson Gray</strong> and <strong>Gabe Riffel</strong>, who dominated the second half, scoring efficiently in the low post and doing a good job of getting the ball to each other. A couple of Sterling freshmen, <strong>Blake Smith</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403145' first='Boston' last='Ekart']</strong>, made big plays as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moundridge over Inman:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best game of the night was a defensive battle from which Moundridge emerged. The Wildcats got balanced output and efficiency – they shot 55% from the field and 83% from the line. That was enough to hold off the Teutons who were led by 17 points from junior [player_tooltip player_id='1270271' first='Tanner' last='Heckel'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->