Who’s Moving On? 3A Sub-State Matchups and State Predictions

With sub-state brackets starting to be released, we're getting an early glimpse at the potential matchups and the paths teams will have to navigate to reach the state tournament and be one of the final eight standing in 3A. I'll break down the initial sub-state matchups and then share my picks for which teams I believe will punch their ticket to state — highlighting the key reasons why and the players who will be responsible for getting them there.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Haven Sub-State Bracket & Matchups</h3>   Haven Sub-State 1   (1) Wichita Collegiate (20-1) vs. (16) Kingman (5-17)   (8) Smoky Valley (11-8) vs. (9) Fredonia (11-9)   (4) Neodesha (14-5) vs. (13) Minneapolis (7-13)   (5) Caney (17-6) vs. (12) Halstead (9-12)   Haven Sub-State 2   (2) Hesston (21-2) vs. (15) Council Grove (5-15)   (7) Trinity Academy (15-7) vs. (10) Garden Plain (11-11)   (3) Chaparral (17-3) vs. (14) Southeast of Saline (7-14)   (6) Cheney (16-6) vs. (11) Haven (11-12)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Haven Sub-State Predictions & Champions</h3>   There are definitely some intriguing teams and players in the Haven sub-state bracket. Collegiate and Hesston have clearly been the most impressive squads throughout the season, and their seeding reflects that. Collegiate's blend of scoring, athleticism, and quality depth should prove too much for the other teams at the top of the bracket. Expect [player_tooltip player_id='1541007' first='Amare' last='(AJ) Batiste'], [player_tooltip player_id='2209780' first='Sebastian' last='Hines-Turner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2205716' first='Kamari' last='Jennings'] to continue leading the charge for the Spartans as they push toward a sub-state title.   In the bottom half of the bracket, Cheney appears to be playing its best basketball late in the season and should present the biggest challenge to Hesston. That said, the consistency and experience Hesston brings as a program give them the edge to navigate their way to a championship as well. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='3091354' first='Drew' last='Bartell'], Gavin Larson, and Ty Unruh to continue their strong runs this season.   Other players in the bracket worth keeping an eye on include Kamden Barnett, Kristian Ryan, Tayte Leck, Daxton Hostetler, Jack Walker, Reece Tolar, and [player_tooltip player_id='2815491' first='Quaid' last='Thomas'] — each capable of impacting games in a big way.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Larned Sub-State Bracket & Matchups</h3>   Larned Sub-State 1   (1) Beloit (16-4) vs. (16) Nickerson (4-19)   (8) Phillipsburg (9-10) vs. (9) Russell (10-12)   (4) Hoisington (13-9) vs. (13) Ellsworth (6-14)   (5) Scott Community (11-9) vs. (12) Lyons (8-13)   Larned Sub-State 2   (2) Holcomb (18-5) vs. (15) Cimarron (4-19)   (7) Colby (11-11) vs. (10) Norton Community (9-11)   (3) Lakin (13-8) vs. (14) Larned (6-16)   (6) Southwestern Heights (12-11) vs. (11) Goodland (10-13)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Larned Sub-State Predictions & Champions</h3>   This might be one of the most wide-open brackets in 3A, with several teams capable of making a run and keeping their season alive. Many of these programs have already faced each other during the regular season, so there's a level of familiarity that should make these matchups even more competitive.   If Hoisington is playing at its peak, I could see the Cardinals avenging their close regular-season loss to Beloit and coming out on top of the upper half of the bracket. They arguably have the best player in the field in [player_tooltip player_id='1955301' first='Mason' last='Martin'], who is more than capable of catching fire and carrying his team to three straight wins.   On the bottom side, Holcomb looks poised to make a strong push, with Colby potentially presenting the biggest obstacle along the way. The Longhorns get contributions from across the roster on any given night and have the ability to really light it up offensively. Brody Deniston, Ayden Brown, and Korbin Johnson headline a group that shares the ball, plays unselfishly, and is focused on winning above all else.   Other names to watch in this bracket include [player_tooltip player_id='1624987' first='Jordan' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2692413' first='EJ' last='Hall'], Sam Thielen, Avery Radke, and Junior Meza — players who could easily swing a game with a big performance.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pomona-West Franklin Sub-State Bracket & Matchups</h3>   Pomona-West Franklin Sub-State 1   (1) Burlington (18-4) vs. (16) Prairie View (2-19)   (8) Osage City (11-12) vs. (9) Iola (10-12)   (4) Jayhawk Linn (15-8) vs. (13) Baxter Springs (8-14)   (5) Girard (11-10) vs. (12) Cherryvale (9-14)   Pomona-West Franklin Sub-State 2   (2) Riverton (14-7) vs. (15) West Franklin (3-17)   (7) Wellsville (11-11) vs. (10) Frontenac (9-11)   (3) Osawatomie (15-8) vs. (14) Galena (8-15)   (6) Anderson County (12-11) vs. (11) Columbus (9-12)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pomona-West Franklin Sub-State Predictions & Champions</h3>   Another bracket featuring teams that know each other well should lead to some tight, competitive matchups. With that said, I believe Burlington clearly sits at the top of this bracket. They've had a lot of success in recent years, and I think that experience will serve them well this postseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='2948828' first='Gaige' last='Navarro'] brings something not many teams have — size, length, and versatility. He's put together a strong season and continues to improve as he gains more experience. When you add a group of guards who can play off Navarro — Shawn Mautz, Maddux Cheever, and Mason Collins — it's easy to see the depth and perimeter impact this team possesses. Burlington also challenged itself during the regular season by facing strong teams from larger classes, and I believe that will pay off when the stakes get higher.   On the bottom side of the bracket, Anderson County is an intriguing team that could definitely push Osawatomie. Riverton will be a tough out as well, especially with their ability to play different styles and rely on a strong core group of players.   That said, I'm going to take Osawatomie to come out of the bracket. They have one of the state's better players in [player_tooltip player_id='1957156' first='Jasper' last='Sallee'] — a guy who truly does it all for the Trojans. He scores and rebounds at a high level, and he brings a durable frame with good size to the table. Other players to keep an eye on include Brayden Wheat, Stricklyn Cayton, Blake Brokob, Aydin Witherspoon, and Cale Forbes.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sabetha Sub-State Bracket & Matchups</h3>   Sabetha Sub-State 1   (1) Hiawatha (19-3) vs. (16) Holton (3-18)   (8) Oskaloosa (11-12) vs. (9) Bishop Ward (10-13)   (4) Riverside (16-7) vs. (13) Riley County (6-15)   (5) Heritage Christian Academy (15-7) vs. (12) Royal Valley (6-15)   Sabetha Sub-State 2   (2) Silver Lake (16-6) vs. (15) Maranatha Christian Academy (4-17)   (7) Sabetha (13-8) vs. (10) Nemaha Central (8-14)   (3) Perry-Lecompton (16-7) vs. (14) Pleasant Ridge (6-17)   (6) Jefferson West (14-8) vs. (11) Marysville (7-14)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sabetha Sub-State Predictions & Champions</h3>   While Hiawatha has put together a strong season — one deserving of the top seed — they haven't been completely dominant and have dropped games to teams within this bracket. That adds an extra layer of intrigue. Both Heritage Christian and Riverside should be formidable opponents, regardless of who advances to potentially face Hiawatha.   That said, I believe [player_tooltip player_id='2979874' first='Braylen' last='Siebenmorgen'] will lead Hiawatha to a sub-state championship. It will be extremely difficult for opponents to match up with his size, skill, and commanding presence. He has the ability to completely take over a game when needed.   On the bottom half of the bracket, Silver Lake looks poised to advance, with Perry-Lecompton presenting what could be their toughest challenge. [player_tooltip player_id='2403152' first='Dayne' last='Johnson'] — arguably the 3A Player of the Year — gives Silver Lake something no other team in the bracket has and should be in line for some monster stat lines. He's an extremely aggressive scorer and rebounder who imposes his will on opponents, attacking off the bounce and creating space around the rim with strength and control.   Other players to keep an eye on throughout the bracket include Richie Rockhold, [player_tooltip player_id='2820800' first='Trey' last='Chambers'], Davis Carson, Houston Habiger, Gavin Schoenfelder, and Ty'Zell Harrington — each capable of stepping up in a big moment.

With sub-state brackets starting to be released, we're getting an early glimpse at the potential matchups and the paths teams will have to navigate to reach the state tournament and be one of the final eight standing in 3A. I'll break down the initial sub-state matchups and then share my picks for which teams I believe will punch their ticket to state — highlighting the key reasons why and the players who will be responsible for getting them there.