10 Best: KC Piper vs. Gardner-Edgerton
DESOTO, Kan. — Kansas City Piper held on for a 72-62 emifinal win over Gardner-Edgerton in the championship bracket semifinals of the DeSoto Tournament on Wednesday and improved to 3-0 in the process. The Pirates will face Olathe North in…
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Continue ReadingDESOTO, Kan. — Kansas City Piper held on for a 72-62 emifinal win over Gardner-Edgerton in the championship bracket semifinals of the DeSoto Tournament on Wednesday and improved to 3-0 in the process. The Pirates will face Olathe North in the championship game on Friday.
Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several things that stood out in the contest.
MVP: Trey Bates (6’0, PG, 2019, Piper). Bates is establishing himself as one of the state’s premier point guard prospects with elite speed and quickness, the ability to handle the ball on a string and can can knock down 3-pointers. He is a tenacious defender who pressures the ball and forces opposing teams to cough up the ball.
Best Offensive Performer: Tamar Bates (6’3, G, 2021, Piper). Bates is emerging this season as one of the state’s premier players in the rising sophomore class. He is blessed with a long, rangy frame, can handle the ball, has an explosive first step and can get to the basket off the bounce. He can twist and turn his body in traffic and make difficult chances look easy, has terrific court vision and is a knock down perimeter shooter. He went for 16 points in the first half.
Most Versatile: Braijion Bates (6’4, F, 2019, Piper). Bates is a strong, athletic forward who can handle the ball a little on the perimeter and finishes well around the basket. At the defensive end of the court, Bates is a tough defender who uses his frame and size well and has the ability to defender around the basket or on the perimeter. He went for six points and seven rebounds on Wednesday.
Best Defender: Teven Mckelvey (6’1, G, 2019, Gardner Edgerton). Mckelvey brings terrific toughness and athleticism to the basketball court and works hard at both ends of the floor. He is a competitor who doesn’t back down from a challenge and likes to get out and pressure the ball. A terrific lead guard who can handle the ball under pressure and make plays, Mckelvey went for 12 points on Wednesday.
Best Shooter: Ethan Reynolds (5’10, G, 2021, Gardner-Edgerton). He’s not very big, but Reynolds is a fiery competitor who makes things happen at the offensive end of the court. He’s a knock down shooter with a quick trigger and can get his shot off over bigger, stronger players. He knocked down three 3-pointers and scored 12 points in the first half, then added a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 20 points.
Best Rebounder: Brandon Jackson (6’6, F, 2019, Piper). Jackson is a terrific defender in the paint and around the basket and also showed on Wednesday they ability to get big on the boards. He finished with seven rebounds to lead the Pirates and added six points/
Best off the Bench: Ethan Warner (6’4, F, 2020, Gardner-Edgerton). Warner had a terrific performance on Wednesday off the bench for the Trailblazers, providing toughness in the paint at both ends of the floor. He is a bruising interior player with a wide frame and brings strength and power to the floor. He went for a game-high eight rebounds and added eight points off the bench.