Kansas City’s Game of The Week: Oak Park vs. Piper

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A full, comprehensive breakdown of one of the biggest games in the Kansas City metro area at the 810 Varsity Showcase. Highlighting the game's top performers, this recap takes a closer look at which players made key plays when it mattered most and how those moments ultimately shaped the trajectory of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Recap | Oak Park 70, Piper 59</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Oak Park, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1850445' first='Adam' last='Tanner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1850444' first='Josh' last='Kori'], set the tone early as the Northmen jumped out to an early lead over Piper behind efficient offense and aggressive, pressuring defense that generated easy scoring opportunities at the rim. Tanner was especially active in the opening minutes, showing impressive touch and extension on several finishes around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='2209781' first='DJ' last='Jackson'] helped get Piper on the board by scoring off an offensive rebound and earning multiple trips to the free-throw line midway through the first quarter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The game then settled into a brief stretch of physical, rugged defense on both ends, a stalemate that was broken by a pair of Tanner free throws and a perimeter three from [player_tooltip player_id='2211352' first='Cooper' last='Crawford']. [player_tooltip player_id='1850452' first='Landon' last='Van Pelt'] responded with his own 5–0 run, scoring inside and knocking down a three from the top of the key to extend Oak Park's lead to five. Piper answered with four straight points, as Jackson connected from the mid-range and Crawford finished inside. The rest of the quarter saw buckets traded on both ends, with Kori, Van Pelt, and Jackson all scoring as Oak Park closed the opening period holding a slim four-point advantage.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kori and Tanner opened the second quarter much like they did the first, finishing at the rim and applying pressure to Piper's guards, forcing turnovers and rushed decisions. After a stretch of sloppy play, Jackson once again sparked Piper with five points of his own, finishing at the basket and knocking down a wide-open three with a smooth stroke. Late in the half, [player_tooltip player_id='2719502' first='Howard' last='Chase'], Chaz White, and Tanner all found scoring opportunities during a tough, grind-it-out stretch, allowing Oak Park to head into the locker room with a 31–23 lead.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Piper came out of halftime with early momentum, as Jackson set up Crawford for an easy score and Alamar Brooks earned trips to the free-throw line. Oak Park responded quickly, with Chase scoring four straight points, followed by four more from Kori, highlighted by an impressive baseline lob finish that pushed the lead to 13. Jackson and Kori traded baskets, with Jackson excelling out of ball screens and attacking downhill. Van Pelt also made his presence felt, working from the low post with an elusive spin move and finishing through contact. The third quarter closed with back-and-forth action and several highlight plays, as Jackson and Crawford scored for Piper before Tanner capped the period with a floater from the free-throw line, sending Oak Park into the fourth up 51–37.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The pace picked up in the final quarter, with Chase and Tanner opening the frame aggressively on the offensive end. Jackson continued to keep Piper within reach, making tough shots and attacking the defense. Crawford added to the effort by working the offensive glass for a rebound and putback, while Jackson again drew contact and converted at the free-throw line. Kori then delivered the decisive blows, finishing an and-one at the rim and throwing down a two-handed dunk in transition that effectively put the game out of reach. Jackson continued to battle until the final horn, finishing strong for Piper as he worked to keep the final margin respectable.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1850444' first='Josh' last='Kori'] | 6'4" Wing | Senior | Oak Park</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kori continues to make a statement in big games, firmly establishing himself as one of the top players in the metro. A true three-level scorer, he showcased his complete offensive package by playing above the rim, attacking off the bounce, and knocking down shots from long range. Josh was also impressive on the defensive end, playing with aggression and activity while guarding multiple positions and making the plays needed to turn possessions into difficult ones for the opposition. Undoubtedly, Kori has everything needed to play at the next level and would be a steal for many programs out there.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1850445' first='Adam' last='Tanner'] | 5'10" Guard | Senior | Oak Park</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tanner set the tone for the game with his effort and intensity as a two-way player. He made impactful plays on the defensive end, getting his hands on the basketball, creating steals, and pushing the pace in transition. Offensively, Adam was highly efficient as a floor general, consistently making the right reads while also being aggressive as a scorer when Oak Park needed it. He finished well at the rim and showcased a strong in-between game throughout the night. It's easy to see that he's the catalyst for the Northmen and sets the tone from the opening tip.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1850452' first='Landon' last='Van Pelt'] | 6'8" Forward | Senior | Oak Park</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Van Pelt was impressive once again, proving to be a difficult matchup as his size and strength consistently caused problems. He finished easy opportunities around the basket but also displayed excellent footwork in the post, spinning away from coverage and finding angles to score through traffic. Landon showed confidence stepping out to knock down perimeter shots while also serving as a defensive anchor, protecting the paint and making his presence felt on that end of the floor.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2719502' first='Howard' last='Chase'] | 6'1" Guard | Senior | Oak Park</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Chase had a breakout game against Piper, showing he is another guard capable of scoring at a high level. He handled the ball well and consistently attacked defenders with a quick first step. Chase also demonstrated his ability to stretch the floor, giving Oak Park an added offensive dimension and forcing Piper to guard more straight up at times. That spacing created openings across the floor when the right reads were made.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2209781' first='DJ' last='Jackson'] | 6'1" Guard | Senior | Piper</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jackson is the engine of the Piper attack — everything flows through him. He had the ball in his hands throughout the contest against Oak Park, consistently creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates. DJ showcased his scoring ability by comfortably getting to the rim and knocking down shots from the mid-range and beyond, using his creativity to keep the defense off balance. His ability to operate within ball screens and manipulate defenders stands out, but what truly separates him is how effectively he finds teammates in scoring positions. He's a true point guard who makes the right play based on what the defense gives him — something every lead guard should strive to do.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2211352' first='Cooper' last='Crawford'] | 6'7" Forward | Senior | Piper</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crawford took on a difficult matchup against Van Pelt and held his own on both ends of the floor. He was Piper's strongest interior presence, finishing multiple dunks and strong plays around the basket while also stepping out to knock down shots from three-point range to stretch the defense. His length and athleticism allow him to make an impact offensively, defensively, and on the glass. As the season moves forward, Crawford figures to be Jackson's right-hand man for Piper.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->