Phog Allen Invitational: Championship Game Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Photo by Max Preps</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Phog Allen Invitational came to a close over the weekend with a compelling championship matchup between Lee's Summit North and North Kansas City — two teams entering the final with strong early-season form and plenty of confidence. Both programs arrived riding multi-game win streaks, and each brought a roster filled with athletes capable of carrying their teams to deep postseason runs later in the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though the season is still in its early stages, this matchup provided far more than just a tournament finale. It served as an early measuring stick, offering both squads a high-level environment to test their systems, rotations, and overall readiness against a quality opponent. The game delivered numerous moments for growth: extended defensive possessions, late-game execution scenarios, adjustments to different styles of pressure, and opportunities for emerging contributors to step into larger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Lee's Summit North and North Kansas City alike, the championship game was less about the trophy and more about learning what they can become. The experience, intensity, and competitive clarity gained from this early showdown will likely pay dividends as both programs continue to develop and navigate the challenges of the season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lee's Summit North 61, North Kansas City 55 Recap</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Kansas City came out as the clearly more aggressive and assertive team to open the championship game — setting the tone with their defensive intensity, physical rebounding, and confidence on the offensive end. The Hornets immediately applied pressure, jumping passing lanes, contesting everything at the rim, and turning defensive stops into early scoring opportunities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Their early offensive rhythm was sparked by [player_tooltip player_id='2475007' first='Deng' last='Deng'], [player_tooltip player_id='2090489' first='Jacob' last='Willmann'], and Admir Jusic, each of whom knocked down multiple shots in the opening minutes. Their combined shot-making created instant separation on the scoreboard and gave North Kansas City the momentum they needed to establish control. The ball moved crisply, the spacing was clean, and the Hornets looked comfortable dictating pace from the outset.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Despite Lee's Summit North's struggles to generate consistent scoring early, [player_tooltip player_id='2111114' first='Tre' last='Paulding'] provided just enough offensive stability to keep them within reach. He created shots when the offense stalled and prevented the deficit from ballooning. The Broncos gained a final burst of energy to close the quarter when [player_tooltip player_id='2837060' first='Elijah' last='Livingston'] hammered home a powerful two-handed dunk in transition, trimming North Kansas City's lead to four as the first quarter came to an end — an important play that helped steady the Broncos heading into the second frame.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The second quarter opened with a burst of perimeter scoring, as both Willmann and Aaron McIntosh knocked down early threes to keep North Kansas City's offense humming. Lee's Summit North answered with a powerful and-one finish from Paulding, who continued to be their most reliable source of offense. The pace remained fast, and Jusic added one of the highlight plays of the half — a perfectly placed full-court pass to Michael Cruthird for a transition bucket that kept the scoring swinging back and forth.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As the quarter progressed, Lee's Summit North began to chip away at the deficit. Paulding, McIntosh, and Linvingston each delivered key baskets, finding ways to attack the Hornets' defense and keep the game within reach. Still, every time the Broncos threatened to close the gap, North Kansas City had an answer. Jusic capped the half with a difficult turnaround jumper, preserving Northtown's lead at six heading into the break and sending the Hornets into halftime with confidence and momentum.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The third quarter opened with an exciting exchange between Livingston and Jusic, as both players traded baskets and delivered the kind of high-effort plays that energized their teams. Lee's Summit North continued to gain traction when [player_tooltip player_id='2928351' first='Jaycen' last='Walker'] stepped into a rhythm three, trimming the deficit further and putting real pressure on North Kansas City.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sensing momentum shifting, the Hornets responded with a pair of strong drives from [player_tooltip player_id='2334943' first='Leeric' last='Torrence'] and Cruthird, each finishing through contact at the rim. Cruthird then delivered a deep, confident three that pushed the lead back to eleven and briefly restored control for Northtown.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>But the final minutes of the quarter belonged entirely to Paulding. The Broncos' star ignited a massive run, scoring on multiple tough jumpers and exploding for a transition dunk that electrified the crowd. He capped off the run with a stunning chase-down block — erasing what looked like a sure layup — and swinging the momentum fully in Lee's Summit North's favor that led to a buzzer-beating three from Walker. By the end of the quarter, the Broncos had cut the lead all the way down to three, setting up a dramatic fourth period.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The fourth quarter was thoroughly dominated by Lee's Summit North, as the Broncos elevated their intensity on both ends of the floor and seized full control of the game. Defensively, they tightened every rotation, challenged every drive, and forced North Kansas City into uncomfortable shots. Offensively, they played with a renewed assertiveness — attacking downhill, pushing the pace, and capitalizing on every mistake.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Walker, Livingston, and Paulding were everywhere. The trio swarmed passing lanes, created turnovers, and turned those stops into transition opportunities that swung momentum firmly in the Broncos' direction. Paulding continued to deliver star-level plays, Livingston finished with strength at the rim, and Walker knocked down timely shots that magnified the run.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meanwhile, North Kansas City struggled to find any rhythm. The Hornets missed a string of shots in the final quarter and coughed up several key turnovers — each one fueling Lee's Summit North's surge and gradually shifting the energy of the game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>By the final minutes, the Broncos were in complete command, and they executed with poise in winning time. Lee's Summit North made every crucial play down the stretch, capping off a resilient comeback and turning a once double-digit deficit into an impressive championship performance.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Impact Performers of the Night</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2837060' first='Elijah' last='Livingston'] | 6'0" Guard | Junior | Lee's Summit North</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Admir Jusic | 6'2" Guard | Senior | North Kansas City</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Next Games Up</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Kansas City - Husky Hoops Classic (TBD) | December 11th</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lee's Summit North vs. Lutheran North (Neutral Site) | December 11th</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->