6A State Semifinals — The Players Who Made the Difference

<p>The 6A state title game is officially set after Friday night, and a handful of standout players played major roles in powering their teams to semifinal victories. Several big performances helped swing the momentum in key moments and ultimately pushed their teams one step closer to a championship.</p>   <p>Below, I'll take a closer look at these individual performances and break down what went right for each of them during the semifinal round.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1892885' first='Drake' last='DeBaun'] | 6'6" Forward | Shawnee Mission South</em></h3>   <p>DeBaun has been a consistent performer all season, but it feels like he has taken his game to another level during the postseason. He once again led the way for the Raiders in their matchup against Wichita Heights, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds in a strong all-around performance.</p>   <p>Throughout the night, he dominated the interior on both ends of the floor and provided a physical presence that helped Shawnee Mission South settle in. DeBaun showed the versatility that has made him so valuable, demonstrating the ability to face up and attack off the dribble while also battling for position and finishing around the basket. His combination of strength and skill made him difficult for Wichita Heights to contain.</p>   <p>He also had several stretches where he controlled the glass, pulling down rebounds on both the offensive and defensive ends and giving his team extra opportunities. When the Falcons were forced to foul, DeBaun made them pay at the free-throw line, where he knocked them down consistently. Overall, it was another impactful postseason performance from a player who continues to elevate his game.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2205710' first='Conor' last='Kerrigan'] | 6'6" Forward | Shawnee Mission South</em></h3>   <p>Kerrigan has been another vital piece of the Raiders' attack and plays well alongside DeBaun when the two share the floor. Their combination gives Shawnee Mission South a lot of versatility up front, and Kerrigan's skill set, especially at his size, created consistent problems for Wichita Heights.</p>   <p>He was effective both inside and out throughout the game. Kerrigan knocked down multiple deep three-pointers, stretching the floor and forcing the Falcons' defense to extend and spread. That ability to space the floor opened things up for the Raiders' offense and made it harder for Heights to focus solely on protecting the rim.</p>   <p>At the same time, Kerrigan remained active around the basket, adding both scoring and rebounding in the painted area. When he and DeBaun crash the glass together, they create significant pressure on opposing teams trying to secure rebounds in traffic. Their combined length, physicality, and effort on the boards not only give Shawnee Mission South extra possessions but also make life extremely difficult for opponents inside. Kerrigan finished the game with 20 points and 13 rebounds, adding that same element he has provided all season.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Teke Deng | 6'11" Forward | Olathe North</em></h3>   <p>Deng led an Eagles team that clearly came out with revenge on its mind Friday night, and he delivered in a big way. From the opening minutes, he established himself as the most dominant presence on the floor, controlling the paint on both ends and leaving Mill Valley searching for answers.</p>   <p>His ability to finish at and around the rim stood out throughout the game. Deng consistently converted inside, using his size, strength, and touch to score through contact and capitalize on opportunities in the paint. At the same time, he was relentless on the glass, securing rebounds and giving his team extra possessions.</p>   <p>Deng finished with a monster stat line of 25 points and 17 rebounds, but his defensive impact may have been just as important. He recorded six blocks and altered numerous other shots, making it extremely difficult for the Jaguars to score inside. Nearly every attempt around the rim seemed to be challenged.</p>   <p>Teke set the tone early with his activity and energy and never really slowed down as the game went on. His consistent presence around the basket helped power the Eagles on both ends of the floor and played a major role in their statement performance.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Max Galindo | 5'10" Guard | Olathe North</em></h3>   <p>While Deng carried the bulk of the load inside, Galindo added a crucial perimeter dimension to the Eagles' attack. His quickness and fluid movement with the ball allowed him to find openings in the defense and provide important secondary scoring when needed. He's been an important piece for Olathe North all year as he picks and chooses his spots well.</p>   <p>Galindo also made a strong impact as a playmaker, creating opportunities for his teammates with well-timed passes and smart decision-making. He consistently set the table for others, keeping the Jaguars' defense off balance and making it hard for them to focus solely on Deng in the paint.</p>   <p>By the end of the night, Galindo finished with 11 points and four assists, complementing Deng's dominant inside performance and helping the Eagles maintain control of the game from start to finish.</p>

The 6A state title game is officially set after Friday night, and a handful of standout players played major roles in powering their teams to semifinal victories. Several big performances helped swing the momentum in key moments and ultimately pushed their teams one step closer to a championship.