4A Day One Big Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We looked at the 4A Players of the Game from the four contests on day one in a separate article. But some big impressions made merit a separate look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's who made big impressions on Day One at 4A in Salina:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Hugoton defeated #8 Clay Center 80-63:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole Pladson</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Clay Center:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hot as Hugoton's [player_tooltip player_id='1080203' first='Ryle' last='Riddlesperger'] was in the first half, that's how hot Pladson was in the second half for Clay Center. Desperately battling to keep the Tigers in the game, the sophomore dropped five 3-pointers in the second half and scored 21 of his 25 after intermission. Pladson is a solidly built guard who looks remarkably developed for a sophomore. This is a guy to keep an eye on, as is the whole sophomore-rich Clay Center team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Eudora defeated #5 Baldwin 46-42 (OT):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conor Dunback</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Eudora:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we're calling Dunback a “guard” here, he really plays like a 5-foot-10 forward, which makes his performance all the more impressive. He slithers around on the baseline and finds openings to catch and score at the rim. Both teams struggled offensively, going to overtime at 37-37. When no one else was scoring, Dunback made big play after big play. He deserves equal credit for his work guarding the Baldwin point guards, frustrating the Bulldogs all game. Dunback is a sneaky athlete who is giving his team a presence in the paint it desperately needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 McPherson defeated #7 Wellington 71-49:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321572' first='Gabe' last='Pyle']</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2025, McPherson:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wow! This kid exploded and made probably the biggest impression of the day. The long wing is competitive in the paint despite his lean frame. He rebounds and defends. But it's when he is catching and shooting from the perimeter that he stands out. He hit numerous 3s in the first half to give McPherson command. He finished 5-8 from the field, (3-5 from behind the arc) but his 15 points was a difference maker for McPherson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#6 Bishop Miege defeated #3 Atchison 88-70:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jace Richards</strong>, 6-foot-5 center, 2025, Atchison:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richards popped with his explosiveness and play-making ability around the rim. He is a powerful leaper who made plays against the veteran Miege front line. Richards hit 6-7 from the field and 5-6 from the line to lead the Phoenix with 17. This is a guy to watch for a big season next year. Atchison returns enough to be a favorite next season, and Richards will probably have a bigger role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->