The Real Winners From Kansas’ Mid-Season Tournament Week – Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My continued look at the programs that truly made a statement during mid-season tournament week rolls on. I'll take a closer examination of the biggest winners while highlighting the individuals who helped propel their teams to strong performances. From both a team and player perspective, I'll break down results from the weekend and throughout the season to this point, while also looking ahead to the next few weeks and the opportunities that lie ahead for each program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Shawnee Mission South</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The state's top team reaffirmed its status this weekend with two dominant wins in Dodge City. The Raiders once again looked the part, suffocating opponents and overwhelming even an Andover team that projects as a tough out in 5A. They remain a nightmare matchup, attacking from multiple angles and relentlessly exposing weaknesses. Opponents are consistently forced to play the Raiders' style, often being pushed well outside their comfort zones.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the hallmarks of this group is its ability to ride the hot hand. Any number of players can catch fire quickly and take over a game, making the Raiders difficult to scheme against. This experienced team clearly looks motivated, carrying a sense of unfinished business from how last season ended and playing with the intent of finishing the job in March.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2205710' first='Conor' last='Kerrigan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1892885' first='Drake' last='DeBaun'] continue to overwhelm opponents with their combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ. Their versatility allows the Raiders to do a lot on both ends of the floor, and their constant activity keeps them involved in nearly every play. Around the rim, their presence is especially impactful, as they can swing games in a matter of minutes with their ability to score, defend, and control the glass.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ben Allen has also been red-hot as of late, providing a lethal shooting threat while using his ball-handling ability to get the Raiders into different offensive sets. The trio of Kerrigan, DeBaun, and Allen remains the engine of the offense, but they continue to get meaningful production from a deep and reliable supporting cast.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kaiden Davis and Thomas Burns have been strong in secondary roles, giving the Raiders additional perimeter options and allowing Allen to play off the ball at times, which forces defenses to adjust and defend South in different ways. Add in contributions from Max McKenna, Rowan Minnick, and [player_tooltip player_id='2917221' first='Croix' last='Garcia'], and the depth truly comes at opponents in waves.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As March approaches, the Raiders continue to build momentum, and this past weekend served as another reminder to the rest of the state that they remain the standard.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Wichita Heights</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Heights has gone toe-to-toe with some of the top teams in the state throughout the first half of the season, but until recently, the Falcons hadn't been able to secure a signature win. That changed during mid-season tournament week. Their victory over Mill Valley was a statement, one that is sure to draw more attention to this group. With a manageable schedule remaining, Heights now has a legitimate path to finishing the regular season with as few as two losses.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This is a team that plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor and consistently rises to the occasion against top competition. As the season has progressed, the Falcons have continued to build depth and gain valuable experience, and that growth is clearly starting to show. Mid-season tournament week may have been their most complete stretch yet. Contributions came from across the roster, and they proved they can win games in multiple ways — especially with both victories coming down to the wire and requiring big plays at critical moments.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2211361' first='Jalihn' last='Timmons'] remains the engine of the offense, serving as the primary option with the ball in his hands. Quick and dynamic, he can score at all three levels and routinely puts defenses in difficult situations. He's also shown a knack for coming up with timely, clutch plays, particularly in recent games.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The biggest development for Heights, however, has been the improvement of the supporting cast. That group may have shown its best version yet during a pair of wins at Valley Center. [player_tooltip player_id='2969778' first='Tyson' last='Phillips'] continues to anchor the interior, providing a physical presence as a scorer, rebounder, and aggressive defender. He plays well through contact and uses his size and strength effectively, especially when establishing position in the paint.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2401810' first='Ah'Jaylyn' last='Walker'] and Jordan Timmons have also trended upward, offering strong two-way production and increased offensive output. Both have delivered recent scoring bursts in different ways while playing effectively off [player_tooltip player_id='2211361' first='Jalihn' last='Timmons']. Jordan excels at getting to the rim and finishing, while Walker has been particularly effective at drawing fouls and knocking down deep three-pointers with a quick release.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Beyond the main contributors, Heights has received strong performances from several bench and role players, all of whom have meshed well with the core group. That cohesion has helped create a team that is rarely out of a game. The Falcons compete until the final whistle, approaching every possession with urgency and toughness.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Rock Creek</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Undefeated at 13–0, Rock Creek further strengthened its résumé this weekend by capturing a tournament championship in dominant fashion. The Mustangs overwhelmed opponents throughout the event, continuing to establish themselves as one of the top teams in Kansas. Much of that success starts on the defensive end, where Rock Creek consistently constricts opposing offenses and overpowers teams with its physicality and discipline.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensively, the Mustangs are outstanding in rotation and apply constant pressure to the ball, cutting off driving lanes and walling up effectively around the rim. They're also capable of speeding teams up by extending their defense into the full court, mixing in run-and-jump looks that disrupt rhythm and force mistakes. That defensive identity has been the foundation of a Rock Creek team that looks built for a deep postseason run — and perhaps a state championship this spring.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Offensively, Gavin Rosa and [player_tooltip player_id='2205759' first='Porter' last='Gill'] lead a group that is deep, balanced, and difficult to defend. Rock Creek has multiple players who can stretch the floor with their shooting, forcing defenses to spread out and opening up additional scoring opportunities. Rosa is a bona fide scorer, capable of changing pace with the dribble and catching fire from the perimeter. He plays well off two feet, using pivots and patience to create openings in the mid-range and around the rim. While he's comfortable shooting off the bounce, he's especially dangerous in catch-and-shoot situations, where he shows confidence and a smooth, quick release. His ability to deliver big offensive performances gives the Mustangs a true go-to option when they need one.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gill provides a steady, composed presence, consistently making the right basketball play. He's an efficient scorer in his own right, moving well without the ball and attacking off the dribble with purpose. Like Rosa, Gill is strong playing off two feet, allowing him to finish through contact and stay balanced in traffic. Together, Rosa and Gill form a dynamic pairing, leading the team with similar styles that complement one another and make Rock Creek a legitimate threat on any given night.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Logan Klingenberg adds another layer with his size and versatility. He's capable of handling the ball, breaking down defenders, and finishing efficiently around the basket. His length and physical tools allow him to impact the game on both ends of the floor, further rounding out a roster that has very few weaknesses.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With matchups against Silver Lake and Pratt still ahead, Rock Creek will face its biggest remaining tests. Still, as the calendar turns toward February, the Mustangs continue to look the part of a team with championship-level potential.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->