Tracking Wild Substate Developments

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a great time of year for high school basketball. Every team has a chance to rise above expectations, put it all together and make history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the big stories so far from substates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Junction City Upset:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The number two seed in the 6A West bracket was stunned in overtime by fifteen seed Wichita East. The upset removed a team many thought could represent the West with a run in the state tournament. Instead it pits two Wichita teams – East and South – with losing records for the state berth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Heritage Christian Beats #1 Humboldt:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Probably the second-biggest upset of substate was Heritage Christian's takedown of a one seed in the 3A ranks. Heritage Christian had to replace a lot of talent from last year's special squad, so they stayed off the radar all season. They were just 10-10 and were thus seeded fifth. But they overcame a fine effort by Humboldt senior <strong>Sam Hull</strong> to win handily. Missing the tournament was a bitter pill for last year's Heritage Christian team. It's now a step away with Wellsville up next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scott Community Knocks Off Andale:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An upset of moderate proportion is #11 Scott's win over #6 Andale in the 4A ranks. The Beavers trailed throughout, but somehow made the plays to win. [player_tooltip player_id='1772984' first='Jackson' last='Rumford'] led all scorers with 17 in a low-scoring affair.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collegiate Gets Monster Wins:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collegiate was the team we expected to explode in 3A this year. But injuries sort of knocked them out of the spotlight. But they appear to be hitting their stride at the right time. They absolutely stomped Douglas 68-18 and Fredonia 77-27 to advance to the substate finals. They play Cheney Saturday for a return to the big dance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SE of Saline is at it Again:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They graduated everyone from their third-place team a year ago. How can they be back in the hunt with an entirely new cast? The Trojans knocked off three-time champ Hesston 57-47. Now they play Santa Fe Trail for trip to state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden Follows Recipe for Success:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden has a unique situation. They play mostly 5A and 6A teams all season, then go flex their muscles against smaller schools in the postseason. It's working again. They entered the postseason with a 5-14 record, but have since recorded wins over higher-seeded Bishop Ward and Perry-Lecompton. The Wildcats have multiple weapons and play with intensity and toughness. They face top-seeded Sabetha on Saturday for the 3A state berth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->