Northeast KS State rundown: Day 1

<p>While sporting events around the globe were canceled due to the Corona Virus scare, the Kansas high school tournaments continued as planned. Unfortunately, several of the northeast Kansas-area teams met early defeat.</p> <p>Here are some highlights from the first day of state playoff action:</p> <p><strong>CJ Powell, junior, Highland Park (5A):</strong></p> <p>Powell scored 14 points against Hays, but the Scots went down in defeat in the opening round of the 5A bracket 46-43. The 6-foot-7 junior averaged 16.8 points per game in the regular season and will be a candidate for 5A honors.</p> <p><strong>Jahi Peppers, junior, Highland Park (5A):</strong></p> <p>The junior’s production had shrunk dramatically in the past few weeks. But with <strong>Juan’Tario Roberts</strong> being held to just 6 points against Hays, Peppers’ 10 points helped keep it close. The Scots, just 3-18 a year ago, finished their dramatic turnaround 15-8.</p> <p><strong>Isiah Holz, junior, St. Marys (3A):</strong></p> <p>The Bears continue their Cinderella run in 3A. They beat the first, second and third seeded teams in their sub-state, then shocked the #1 seeded Haven at state. The 6-foot-junior Holz led the way with 13.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="885617" first="Caden" last="Hurla"], senior, St. Marys (3A):</strong></p> <p>The 5-foot-9 senior Hurla added 11 in the win over Haven. The Bears now face #4 Galena on Friday.</p> <p><strong>Marcus Beck, sophomore, Nemaha Central (3A):</strong></p> <p>#6 seeded St. Nemaha Central fell to #3 Beloit 51-43. The 6-foot-4 sophomore Beck led the losing team in scoring with 11.</p> <p><strong>Devan McEwen, junior, Lebo (1A):</strong></p> <p>The Wolves came up just short of Coldwater-South Central 41-38. The 6-foot-2 junior McEwen put up 14 points in the #4 seeded Lebo’s season-ending loss. The Wolves could have used just a few more points from McEwen, who averaged 19.6 during the regular season.</p> <p><strong>Gavin Cornelison, junior, Frankfort (1A):</strong></p> <p>#6 seeded Frankfort was no match for the height of St. John and lost 59-38. Frankfort ran into the Tigers’ twin towers – 6-foot-7 bookends <strong>Elijah Delp</strong> and <strong>Tanner Halling</strong>. Cornelison had 9 points in the loss, well below his average of 13.0 on the year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>