Conner Frankamp hopes to improve upon last season's robust 32.3 points per game and lead his North squad to a state title.
Photo by Kendall Shaw
1. Blue Valley North (Overland Park)
Head Coach: Ryan Phipher
2011-12 Record: 21-4, Lost in Class 6A semifinals
BV North will have to overcome the loss of guard Conner Crooker, who averaged 15.0 points per game last season, but the Mustangs reload with eight returning seniors. In a guard-heavy lineup, most likely to fill Crooker's absence will be senior Scott Edwards, a 6-foot-3 guard who scored 18 points in last season's semifinal loss to eventual champion Heights (Wichita). Also helping with the scoring will be junior 6-4 G/F Jawan Emery.
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2. Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park)
Head Coach: Ed Fritz
2011-12 Record: 24-2, Lost in Class 6A finals
BV Northwest will go as far as All-State guard Clay Custer will take them. The 6-foot guard averaged 19.0 points per game last year as a sophomore, and scored 32 points in the 67-60 loss to Heights in last year's 6A championship game. After being so close last season, Ed Fritz has his team hungry to complete the job.
View last season's Kansas boys basketball Freeman Rankings
3. North (Wichita)
Head Coach: Gary Squires
2011-12 Record: 15-8
North has gained national attention thanks to No. 31 national recruit and Kansas commit Conner Frankamp. The 6-1 junior sharpshooter averaged an absurd 32.3 points per game last season. Frankamp's virtually unlimited range combined with his ability to put the ball on the floor makes him nearly unstoppable. Coach Gary Squires and his team vividly remember the 76-49 loss to Blue Valley North in last year's opening round of the playoffs, and they'll be looking for revenge this time around.
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4. Ottawa
Head Coach: Jon McKowen
2011-12 Record: 23-2
Ottawa's answer to Conner Frankamp is senior Semi Ojeleye, who fell just short of the North star's mark at 32.2 points per game last season. The 6-7 forward is committed to Duke, and he would love to head to Durham with a Class 4A championship. The Cyclones lost to Basehor-Linwood in the championship game last season despite 32 points and 12 rebounds from Ojeleye.
View last season's KSHS boys basketball playoff brackets
5. Scott (Scott City)
Head Coach: Glenn O'Neil
2011-12 Record: 25-1
Scott plowed through the 3A bracket en route to the state title last season. The Beavers' lone loss came to Word of Life (Wichita) in the fourth game of the season. Scott returns strong this season, losing just one senior who saw significant minutes in Braeden Robinson. Joseph Meyer, Brett O'Neil, and Third-Team All-State performer Drew Kite lead a well balanced Beaver attack.
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