4A Substate Brackets Top Stories

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4A playoffs tip off on Wednesday. The substate brackets for the class contain some pretty interesting storylines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are four categories to watch when the 4A substate playoffs get underway:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A East:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Matchup – #3 Rock Creek vs #14 Bishop Miege:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been picking second-round games for our biggest matchups. But in this case, Rock Creek draws a uniquely challenging first round match with the Stags. It wasn't long ago Miege was dominating the 4A class, and they have aspirations to make a run again. Miege was a collection of transfers and very young, inexperienced guys this year. They might just gel and make a run. Rock Creek hasn't seen many athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='2314793' first='Howard' last='Peoples'] this year, that's for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Easiest Route – #2 Baldwin:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baldwin has been really good, but they have a few losses on the season, one of which was to Eudora. The Bulldogs missed playing Eudora in their bracket and will instead get Field Kindley in the second round if both teams get there. The Golden Tornado has some athletes and a big shot blocker in 6-foot-9 <strong>Griffin Adamson</strong>. So it won't be easy, but Baldwin has the best path of the four brackets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Important Player – [player_tooltip player_id='1461341' first='Logan' last='Sullivan']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sullivan has been a key contributor to state runs the past two years. So it's no surprise what opponents try to do. They go all out to shut down this talented scorer. He will have to make a lot of plays if Eudora is to get back to state. Sullivan is more than capable, but the opponents know that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potential Playoff Stock Riser – Griffin Adamson:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adamson is a senior with little to no name recognition. If his team can get by Louisburg in the first round, he can grab the spotlight in a high-profile matchup with Baldwin. He can shuffle into the path of shooters and to swat shots, and he will need to be big on defense and on the glass for his team to advance. It's a big opportunity for a guy under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A West:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Matchup – #4 Abilene and #5 Pratt:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams with identical 17-3 records would meet if they get through their opening rounds. That's not a given as their bracket contains talented Chapman and Clay Center. But if Abilene and Pratt do hook up, it will pit some guys who really blew up this year in Abilene's [player_tooltip player_id='1346958' first='Brax' last='Fisher'] and Pratt's [player_tooltip player_id='2328078' first='Arley' last='Morrell'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Easiest Route – #1 McPherson:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>None of these brackets will be “easy,” but McPherson is loaded and can win in just about any style game. So we expect this team full of guys who experienced state the past couple of years to get back there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Important Player – [player_tooltip player_id='1346958' first='Brax' last='Fisher']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fisher is a slick athlete who really developed physically in the past couple of years. After blowing up on the football field, he really turned his physical tools loose on the basketball court. He was always able to shoot it. This season he's getting into the paint, scoring in transition and creating plays at the defensive end. Abilene will need all of his 18 points per game if it is to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potential Playoff Stock Riser – [player_tooltip player_id='1378448' first='Emmett' last='Gaskill'] (pictured):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaskill has been an important contributor to really good Eagle teams the past couple of years. We've been big fans of his all-around skill and toughness. Now he has the opportunity to put some helium to his ranking with a much bigger leadership role. Hugoton will have a tough path to get back to the heights it reached last year. Gaskill will have to score, defend, rebound and lead from experience for it to happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->