Ten Best: Class 4A II championship Hayden-Holcomb
EMPORIA, Kan. — Topeka Hayden captured the Kansas 4A II state championship on Saturday in Emporia, knocking off Holcomb 65-57.
Hayden got a game-high 34 point from 2019 guard Zach Harvey and finished the season 19-7 overall, while Holcomb finishes its season 2302.
Here, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at some of the top performers from Saturday’s championship.
MVP: Zach Harvey (Hayden). It’s hard to argue with the kind of night Harvey had. One of the state’s most sought after recruits, the 6’4 2019 guard put up huge numbers, especially in the second half as he went for 34 points on 13 of 18 shooting from the field. He added three rebounds and two steals and played all but one minute in the contest. Harvey is a talented ball handler and shot creator, capable of knocking down 3-pointers off the bounce or the catch-and-shoot, can get to the basket where he is an athletic and creative finisher, and can pull up for the mid-range shot. He scored 27 in a first round win over Marysville on Thursday, and went for 17 in a semifinal win over Andale on Friday.
Best Offensive Performer: Zach Harvey (Hayden). See above.
Best Defensive Performer: DeShawn Hanika (Hayden). An athletic and skilled 6’6 2018 forward, Hanika out together a big tournament in Emporia, scoring a game-high 25 points and hauling in a game-high eight rebounds in a semifinal win over Andale on Friday. Hanioka had 11 points and added eight rebounds to lead Hayden on Saturday but had an even bigger impact at the defensive end as he finished with three blocks, three steals and helped Hayden slow down Holcomb big man Kobe Dickson.
Best Rebounder: Kobe Dickson (Holcomb). A Cornell commit, the 6’9 Dickson was big on the boards through the tournament, hauling in 18 boards, including eight at the offensive end in the semifinals against Parsons on Friday, opened with 16 boards in an opening round win over Frontenac on Thursday and followed with 10 rebounds on Saturday despite being saddled with foul trouble. Dickson finished Saturday’s game with 13 points on 6 of 10 shooting.
Best Passer: Jett Canfield (Hayden). A decorated four-year varsity starter at Hayden, Canfield has battled through injury this season but has continued to be a team leader at the point. On Saturday he played 30 minutes and handed out a game-high four assists. He made a 3 and pulled down three rebounds.
Best Shooter: Trey Gilbert (Holcomb). There probably isn’t a perfect answer here, but Gilbert gave Holcomb some much needed offense. A 6’2 2018 guard, Gilbert went for 14 points and added two assists. A well rounded offensive player, Gilbert made several tough baskets and he attacked the bucket off the bounce and finished the contest having shot 6 for 14 from the field,
Best Youngster: The truth is there wasn’t any young players that played meaningful minutes in the game. Holcomb’s five starters and three players off the bench were all seniors. Hayden started three seniors along with two juniors and brought two seniors off its bench.
Best off the Bench: Carter Blackburn (Holcomb). A 6’2 guard, Carter Blackburn provided Holcomb with some much needed offensive punch. He went for eight points in the second quarter alone and finished with 10 points in 19 minutes, shooting 3 for 7 from the field, 3 for 3 at the free throw line and added three rebounds. He put together a strong tournament in Emporia overall, going for eight points and six rebounds on Friday and six points and nine rebounds on Thursday.
Most Underrated: Paden Cornelson (Holcomb). A 6’2 2018 forward/guard, Holcomb’s Paden Cornelson is a well-rounded inside-out player who scored 10 points and hauled in 10 rebounds on Saturday. He had several good moments on Saturday and got to the free throw line where he was 5 for 6.