One Month to Tourney: 4A Teams, Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The race for the 4A state title is heating up. Teams are closing out their regular season schedules with their eyes on the ultimate prize.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are teams and players to watch this final month in the 4A ranks:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frontrunner – McPherson:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bullpups came back loaded and have handled all comers, including some 5A and 6A opponents. They have veteran backcourt in [player_tooltip player_id='1436793' first='Kyden' last='Thompson'] (see below) [player_tooltip player_id='1461339' first='Cory' last='Muehler'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556702' first='Owen' last='Pyle']</strong>. They have a dynamic wing in [player_tooltip player_id='2321572' first='Gabe' last='Pyle']. There are plenty of other weapons in the arsenal too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Challenger – (tie) Atchison and Hugoton:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are intrigued by both these teams. We love the returning cast at Atchison, led by powerful forward [player_tooltip player_id='2314773' first='Jeter' last='Purdy'] and guards [player_tooltip player_id='1953940' first='Xiomar' last='Hernandez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1756359' first='Trey' last='Carter']. This group has learned to win and hopes to do more than just qualify for the tourney this year. We aren't quite so sure how far Hugoton can go after winning it all with a couple of brilliant seniors last year. But they do return a bunch of guys who played roles on that team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Work to Do – Mulvane:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mulvane is flying under the radar due to a handful of losses. But when you look at who they've lost to, it's puts those losses in perspective. All their losses have been to top-ranked teams. The Wildcats have a great group of experienced seniors who can all score. And sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403189' first='Manny' last='Myers']</strong> breaks out occasionally as an x-factor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Main Man – [player_tooltip player_id='1436793' first='Kyden' last='Thompson']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson brings a special set of skills and athleticism to the floor. He's an explosive athlete who can be a difference maker within the team concept at McPherson. He's equally good on the point or off the ball because he can shoot, score off the bounce, drive and dish, and move intelligently without the ball. McPherson won't have to put itself on his back, but Thompson is as capable of carrying a team as just about any guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player to Watch – Desean Lewis</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis is a pure point guard whose impact is different from Thompson's. But he has the ability to lead a team, and he returns the experience of a title run. When Hugoton claimed the 4A championship, Lewis was one of the best players in the tournament. He's smooth and quick with the ball, makes good decisions getting the ball to teammates, and can really break down a defense in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->