By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
This weekend’s Kansas state tournament begins with 24 girls game on Wednesday, and 24 boys games on Thursday, and ends with 12 teams vying for state titles Saturday. Here is a look at how each classification should turn out.
Girls 6A
Blue Valley led the 6A rankings, and the Kansas Top 10, for much of the 2007-08 season and is on a 20-game winning streak after falling to Shawnee Mission South 59-54 in the Tigers second game of the season. But Olathe South surged past the Tigers in the rankings two weeks ago. The Falcons have won 13-straight games themselves after falling to Lawrence in mid-January. Unfortunately these two powers will butt heads in the semifinals if they win their opening round games. The winner of that contest should go on to face third-ranked and top-seeded Wichita Heights in the finals.
Top 6A Girls Players to Watch: Jadhken Kerr (Olathe South), Abbey Marra (Olathe South), Amanda Orloske (Wichita Heights), Mary Sims (Wichita Heights), Jennifer Lane (Wichita Heights), LaSharra Riley (Washburn Rural), Brianna Eldridge (Blue Valley), Taylor Hanson (Blue Valley), Jen Howard (Shawnee Mission West).
Girls 5A
Bishop Carroll is the favorite in this class. The Golden Eagles lost to 6A third-ranked Wichita Heights twice by a collective eight points and fell 60-48 to 4A’s Andover Central. Losing to a smaller school normally isn’t that impressive, but Central is considered to be the best girls basketball team in Kansas. Carroll should meet Great Bend in the championship game. But McPherson and Emporia wait in the wings as well.
Top 5A Girls Players to Watch: Lexi Hileman (Emporia), Jordi James (McPherson), Kelsie Sorenson (McPherson), Amanda Dreiling (Great Bend).
Girls 4A
Although Andover Central has been on a roll this season and looks to be the early favorite in 4A, Kansas’ third largest classification is wide open. The top six seeds bring a 134-4 record collectively to the tournament. If the Jaguars are fortunate to win the state title, they will have to find a way to get by defending 4A champion Colby (23-0) and Abilene (23-0). Sixth-seeded Labette County sports a 21-2 record. Any of the top six seeds could take home the spoils should Central fall.
Top 4A Girls Players to Watch: Emma Ostermann (Abilene), Steph Holm (Abilene), Jessi Reichenberger (Andale), Brit Chamberlin (Andover Central), Tiffany Bias (Andover Central), Bailey Gee (Andover Central), Lissa Mazanec (Colby), April Gee (Colby), Paige Stephens (Colby), Cassie Lombardino (Basehor-Linwood).
Girls 3A
Riley County appears headed for the 3A state title. If they get by Effingham (12-11) in the opening round, the Falcons would then face either Cimarron or Wichita Collegiate in the semi-finals.
Top 3A Girls Players to Watch: Katie Detar (Cherryvale ), Kelsey Overacker (Cherryvale), Brooke Fairbank (Cimarron), Haley Lloyd (Cimarron), Ellen Blattner (Cimarron), Sadie Roesner (Southeast of Saline), Gentry Linscott (Effingham), Laura lee Baird (Norton), Hayli Bozarth (Norton), Katie Henry (Riley County), Sarah Boline (Northern Heights).
Girls 2A
Osborne wears the favorite tag in this class. The top-ranked Bulldogs face Pittsburg-Colgan in opening round action and then face either St. John or Ellis in the final four. I see this field coming down to a fight between Osborne and fourth-ranked St. Mary’s. St. John and Berean Academy could be sleepers in 2A.
Top 2A Girls Players to Watch: Shelby Broeckelman (St. John), Cathryn Wiebe (Berean Academy), Tessa Mosttler (Sublette), Laura Kinderknecht (St. Marys), Heather Perry (St. Marys).
Girls 1A
Olpe heads into the 1A tournament wearing the target on their backs, which could be dangerous in this class. Second-ranked South Barber and third-ranked South Gray enter the race sporting 24-1 records. If anybody, but the top three win it could be considered an upset. But don’t tell that to 1A power Centralia (20-3), who is used to competing in championship matches, Weskan (22-3) or Dexter (22-3).
Top 1A Girls Players to Watch: Payton Walker (Weskan), Camille Kahrs (Dexter), Kathryn Flott (Olpe), Megan Woods (Olpe), Meagan Weaver (Wheatland-Grinnell), Katlyn Morris (South Barber), Kadie Hiltgen (Linn).
Boys 6A
In the race for the boys big class trophy, Wichita Southeast appears headed for a three-game run through the 6A field. But recent road bumps at Bishop Carroll and against City League rival Wichita East have shown kinks in the Golden Buffalo armor. Southeast appears back in form and should take home the hardware. East has won eight straight games now and may be the biggest threat to Southeast, but don’t count out defending champion Blue Valley West and Texas Tech recruit Robert Lewandowski. The Jaguars won last year’s title by simply getting hot at the right time. If all goes as planned, the Golden Buffalo should have a date set with second-ranked Manhattan in the title game.
Top 6A Boys Players to Watch: Jordan Cyphers (Wichita Southeast), Adonis Gantt (Wichita Southeast), D’Andre Tomlin (Wichita Southeast), Robert Lewandowski (Blue Valley West).
Boys 5A
Top-ranked Topeka Highland Park looks to be a solid bet to win the 5A title. The Scots lone loss on the year was to cross-town rival Topeka Hayden, 4A’s top-ranked squad in early February. The road to the championship was made easier when St. Thomas Aquinas knocked off second-ranked Bishop Miege. Or was it? Don’t let their 14-8 record deceive you. Aquinas is a team loaded with tradition, and they have the size inside with Clinton Mann and Keith McCullough to make a run if they can get by 18-4 Sumner Academy in opening round action. Other possible champions are Emporia or McPherson.
Top 5A Boys Players to Watch: Aaron Frazier (McPherson), Kolin Walk (McPherson), Tanner Hawkinson (McPherson), Clinton Mann (St. Thomas Aquinas), Keith McCullough (St. Thomas Aquinas), Brian Johnson (Sumner Academy).
Boys 4A
Hayden appears to be head and shoulders above the rest of the 4A field this season. Their lone loss was as impressive as it gets for a 4A school. The Wildcats, I’m sure, don’t take solace in the fact that they lost 64-62 to 6A’s second-ranked Manhattan early in the season. But the loss demonstrates just how good this team is. Should they avoid an upset, the Wildcats would probably face second-ranked and undefeated Andover (25-0) in the title game. Seventh-ranked Hesston (21-2) brings a pretty good record to the state tournament themselves, and I’m sure, with the goal of proving they are better than their No. 7 ranking.
Top 4A Boys Players to Watch: Mark TenEyck (Wamego), Corbin Lawton (Andover), Jeff Reid (Topeka Hayden), Stephen Feighny (Topeka Hayden), Levi Schlick (Colby), Ethan Stover (Colby), Steven Dinkel (Colby), James Cox (Bishop Ward).
Boys 3A
The 3A field is wide open. Holcomb takes the role as favorite because of their No. 1 ranking in the MaxPreps power rankings. But other contenders include: Wichita Trinity Academy, Nemaha Valley and Sabetha. I see the Longhorns facing Trinity in the championship game.
Top 3A Boys Players to Watch: Mitch Albright (Galena), Jacob Gongler (Galena), Cole Graddy (Wichita Trinity), Bryon O’Rourke (Holcomb), Brennan Clark (Lyons).
Boys 2A
Despite earning the No. 4 seed, Syracuse (19-3) is the favorite to win the 2A title. Bill Peeper’s squad should face third-seeded Pittsburg-Colgan (19-3) in the finals. In the running for the title, as well, are Frankfort and St. John.
Top 2A Boys Players to Watch: Wyatt Norris (Bennington), Jon Garrett (Bennington), Travis Neidig (St. John), Carlin Unruh (Berean Academy), Nolan Smith (Wakeeney-Trego), Spencer Hemmert (Wakeeney-Trego), Cameron Locke (Wakeeney-Trego), Jordan Broxterman (Frankfort), Will Brown (Syracuse), John DeVries (Syracuse), L.T. Plunkett (Syracuse), Adam Vandevelde (St. Marys).
Boys 1A
Top-ranked Centralia should face third-ranked Hanover in the championship game in this class. If there are no upsets, the Panthers will earn their title by dispatching second-ranked Colony Crest and Hanover in back-to-back days.
Top 1A Boys Players to Watch: Taylor Elder (Sharon Springs), Tate Andrews (Sharon Springs), Jeff Hennick (Sharon Springs), Cole Krueger (Olpe), Ethan Schneider (Olpe).
Kansas Girls State Basketball Tournament Picks
Class 6A
Wichita Heights (21-1) over Shawnee Mission West (16-6)
Washburn Rural (19-3) over Goddard (20-2)
Blue Valley (21-1) over Lawrence (18-4)
Olathe South (20-2) over Dodge City (18-4)
Wichita Heights (22-1) over Topeka Washburn Rural (20-3)
Olathe South (21-2) over Blue Valley (22-1)
Championship - Olathe South (22-2) over Wichita Heights (23-1)
Consolation - Blue Valley (22-2) over Washburn Rural (20-4)
Darkhorse: Lawrence
Class 5A
McPherson (19-3) over Topeka Seaman (8-14)
Great Bend (17-5) over Shawnee Heights (16-6)
Bishop Carroll (19-3) over St. Thomas Aquinas (14-8)
Emporia (18-4) over Bishop Miege (15-7)
Great Bend (18-5) over McPherson (20-3)
Bishop Carroll (20-3) over Emporia (19-4)
Championship - Bishop Carroll (21-3) over Great Bend (19-5)
Consolation - Emporia (19-5) over McPherson (20-4)
Darkhorse: St. Thomas Aquinas
Class 4A
Colby (23-0) over Andale (15-8)
Holton (22-1) over Basehor-Linwood (22-1)
Andover Central (23-0) over Fort Scott (17-5)
Abilene (23-0) over Altamont-Labette County (21-2)
Holton (22-1) over Colby (24-0)
Andover Central (24-0) over Abilene (24-0)
Championship - Andover Central (25-0) over Holton (23-1)
Consolation - Colby (24-1) over Abilene (24-1)
Darkhorse: Basehor-Linwood
Class 3A
Riley County (23-0) over Effingham (12-11)
Cherryvale (20-3) over Southeast of Saline (17-6)
Cimarron (22-1) over Northern Heights (15-8)
Wichita Collegiate (20-3) over Norton (16-7)
Riley County (24-0) over Cherryvale (21-3)
Cimarron (23-1) over Wichita Collegiate (21-3)
Championship - Riley County (25-0) over Cimarron (24-1)
Consolation - Wichita Collegiate (21-4) over Cherryvale (21-4)
Darkhorse: Norton
Class 2A
Berean Academy (22-1) over Valley Heights (17-7)
St. Marys (17-5) over Sublette (17-6)
Osborne (21-2) over Pittsburg?Colgan (16-6)
St. John (21-2) over Ellis (16-6)
St. Marys (18-5) over Berean Academy (23-1)
Osborne (22-2) over St. John (22-2)
Championship - Osborne (23-2) over St. Marys (19-5)
Consolation - St. John (22-3) over Berean Academy (23-2)
Darkhorse: Ellis
Class 1A
Olpe (25-0) over Wheatland-Grinnell (18-6)
Weskan (22-3) over Dexter (22-3)
South Gray (24-1) over Linn (20-5)
South Barber (24-1) over Centralia (20-3)
Olpe (26-0) over Weskan (23-3)
South Barber (25-1) over South Gray (25-1)
Championship - Olpe (27-0) over South Barber (26-1)
Consolation - South Gray (25-2) over Weskan (23-4)
Darkhorse: Centralia
Kansas Boys State Basketball Tournament Picks
Class 6A
Manhattan (20-2) over Lawrence (11-11)
Blue Valley West (15-7) over Wichita Heights (16-6)
Wichita Southeast (20-2) over Olathe East (14-8)
Wichita East (18-4) over Blue Valley Northwest (14-8)
Manhattan (21-2) over Blue Valley West (16-7)
Wichita Southeast (21-2) over Wichita East (19-4)
Championship - Wichita Southeast (22-2) over Manhattan (22-2)
Consolation - Blue Valley West (16-8) over Wichita East (19-5)
Darkhorse: Olathe East
Class 5A
Topeka Highland Park (21-1) over Topeka Seaman (11-11)
St. Thomas Aquinas (14-8) over Sumner Academy (18-4)
Emporia (13-9) over McPherson (19-3)
Liberal (19-3) over Bishop Carroll (13-9)
Topeka Highland Park (22-1) over St. Thomas Aquinas (15-8)
Emporia (14-9) over Liberal (20-3)
Championship - Topeka Highland Park (23-1) over Emporia (15-9)
Consolation - St. Thomas Aquinas (15-9) over Liberal (20-3)
Darkhorse: McPherson
Class 4A
Andover (23-0) over Bishop Ward (15-8)
Ottawa (18-5) over Girard (18-5)
Topeka Hayden (22-1) over Wamego (16-7)
Hesston (21-2) over Colby (18-5)
Andover (24-0) over Ottawa (19-5)
Topeka Hayden (23-1) over Hesston (22-2)
Championship - Topeka Hayden (24-1) over Andover (25-0)
Consolation - Ottawa (19-6) over Hesston (22-3)
Darkhorse: Girard
Class 3A
Nemaha Valley (21-2) over Lyons (11-12)
Holcomb (20-3) over Sacred Heart (19-4)
Wichita Trinity (21-2) over Horton (14-10)
Northern Heights (21-2) over Galena (18-4)
Holcomb (21-3) over Nemaha Valley (22-2)
Wichita Trinity (22-2) over Northern Heights (22-2)
Championship - Holcomb (22-3) over Wichita Trinity (23-2)
Consolation - Nemaha Valley (22-3) over Northern Heights (22-3)
Darkhorse: Sacred Heart
Class 2A
Frankfort (20-2) over St. Marys (15-7)
Syracuse (19-3) over St. John (19-4)
Wakeeney-Trego (20-2) over Bennington (17-6)
Pittsburg-Colgan (19-3) over Berean Academy (18-5)
Syracuse (20-3) over Frankfort (21-2)
Pittsburg-Colgan (20-3) over Wakeeney-Trego (21-2)
Championship - Syracuse (21-3) over Pittsburg-Colgan (21-3)
Consolation - Frankfort (21-3) over Wakeeney-Trego (21-3)
Darkhorse: St. John
Class 1A
Colony-Crest (24-1) over Greensburg (19-5)
Centralia (21-2) over South Gray (22-3)
Olpe (23-2) over Natoma (20-4)
Hanover (23-2) over Sharon Springs (20-4)
Centralia (22-2) over Colony-Crest (25-1)
Hanover (24-2) over Olpe (24-2)
Championship - Centralia (23-2) over Hanover (25-2)
Consolation - Colony-Crest (25-2) over Olpe (24-3)
Darkhorse: Sharon Springs