Saving the Best for Last — Big Kansas Games From the Final Night

Three big games dominated Friday night across Kansas. With the postseason now in full swing, we take a look back at the final night of the regular season — highlighting the matchups that carried extra significance and the players who stepped up, taking control and leading their teams in the biggest moments.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Baldwin 54, Bonner Springs 52</h3>   Bonner Springs entered the contest at 22–0 and had looked dominant all season long. But Baldwin matched the Braves in nearly every area on the floor, feeding off the energy of its home crowd in a back-and-forth battle filled with runs and momentum swings.   The Bulldogs leaned on their two stars when it mattered most — [player_tooltip player_id='1624974' first='Cooper' last='Carr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2403183' first='Leo' last='Schoenberger'] — and both delivered in a big way.   Carr looked like the player many expected to see for most of the season. After dealing with an early injury and fighting his way back, he now appears to be playing his best basketball at the right time. The ball was in his hands almost every possession, and he controlled the game with decision-making and leadership. He balanced creating opportunities for his teammates while staying aggressive and looking for his own shot. Carr shot it extremely well from deep, knocking down multiple threes and showing zero hesitation when left open. His size and strength also gave him an edge attacking off the dribble or slipping into space as a secondary cutter, where he put pressure on the defense.   Schoenberger was just as effective for Baldwin. With his long strides and speed, he changed the pace of the game in a hurry, turning steals and defensive rebounds into quick points on the other end. He was extremely active in transition and brought a steady presence in big moments. He was also able to create space inside and score up and over the top of defenders.   Late in the game, it was Carr and Schoenberger who delivered every clutch bucket for the Bulldogs. Whether they were operating out of ball screens or cutting hard to the rim, they converted when it mattered most and never shied away from the moment.   [player_tooltip player_id='2211348' first='Kelan' last='Gruver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2933656' first='Jason' last='Jones'] paced the Braves in the loss, continuing to compete and keep Bonner Springs within striking distance down the stretch.   As for Baldwin, this is exactly the kind of win that can spark a postseason run. The Bulldogs should look to build on this momentum heading into sub-state play, especially with their two leaders peaking at just the right time.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rock Creek 71, Pratt 63</h3>   Two teams widely expected to make serious noise in their respective postseasons met Friday night as Rock Creek traveled to Pratt. And for one of the few times all season, Rock Creek was truly tested. Pratt pushed them to the brink, even grabbing the lead during key stretches and forcing the Mustangs to respond.   As they've done all year, though, Rock Creek leaned on its defense — and it paid major dividends. Their ability to swarm the paint, contest everything at the rim, and rotate together as a unit stood out from the opening tip. They blocked shots, shrank driving lanes, and turned defensive stops into transition opportunities on the other end. When they're flying around like that, they're tough to slow down.   [player_tooltip player_id='2873530' first='Logan' last=''] Klingenberg once again proved to be a critical piece. His length and versatility allowed him to guard multiple positions and provide timely help defense, while offensively, he was active in the open floor. Whether filling lanes or finishing in transition, he continually looked to put pressure on transition defenders.   But the best player on the floor was Peter Martinie. He simply never let up. Possession after possession, he kept attacking the Greenbacks and applying pressure. Martinie looked smooth and confident shooting the ball, especially when Rock Creek's extra passes left him wide open to knock down shots from deep. He also used his size from the guard spot to carve his way into the lane, finishing through contact and even tracking down his own misses for second-chance points. Add in his weak-side shot blocking and ability to shrink the floor defensively, and it's easy to see just how valuable he was throughout the night.   [player_tooltip player_id='2328078' first='Arley' last='Morrell'] and Caleb Strong were both active and effective for Pratt, even in the loss. Morrell once again showcased his size and athleticism on both ends of the floor, impacting the game offensively with his presence inside and defensively by contesting and altering shots. Strong continues to serve as the team's primary playmaker and shot-maker. He handled the ball exceptionally well against Rock Creek's defense, created opportunities for teammates, and wasn't afraid to step into big shots whenever Pratt needed points.   Despite the outcome, both squads should be highly regarded heading into the postseason, each showing the tools and toughness needed to make a deep run.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Manhattan 60, Washburn Rural 58</h3>   In a highly competitive overtime thriller, Manhattan edged out Washburn Rural thanks to some incredibly tough shot-making. The Indians knocked down a number of three-pointers and arguably played their most complete offensive game of the season. Their hot shooting opened up the floor, creating opportunities for multiple players to find space and get clean looks at the basket.   But one player took over for the Indians, delivering what might be his best performance of the season. Every possession seemed to flow through him, and he consistently made the plays that kept Manhattan in control and ultimately put them over the top.   Vince Doering was the difference-maker. Once he found his rhythm, his shooting heated up quickly and never cooled off. He moved exceptionally well without the ball, constantly relocating and putting himself in positions to capitalize on downhill drives that drew multiple defenders. When the defense collapsed, he made them pay.   Will Carpenter also delivered in big moments. Feeding off Doering's momentum, Carpenter hit several clutch shots of his own and did a great job of picking his spots, attacking when the defense shifted too heavily toward his teammate.   In the end, it was Doering who sealed the win — but not from beyond the arc. With the game on the line in the final seconds of overtime, he put the ball on the floor, attacked the rim, and finished at the rim to secure the victory.   [player_tooltip player_id='2228096' first='John' last='Hoytal'] paced the Blues with a strong performance of his own, but Manhattan's late execution proved to be the difference. Now, both teams turn their focus to the final phase of the season, carrying the intensity of a postseason-type battle with them.

Three big games dominated Friday night across Kansas. With the postseason now in full swing, we take a look back at the final night of the regular season — highlighting the matchups that carried extra significance and the players who stepped up, taking control and leading their teams in the biggest moments.