FIVE TAKEAWAYS: Bonner Springs (Kan.) vs. KC East (Mo.)
EUDORA, Kan. — Bonner Springs opened the season with a 77-51 win over KC East on Monday in the opening round of the Paola Invitational Tournament at Eudora Middle School on Monday. With the win, Bonner Springs advances to face…
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Continue ReadingEUDORA, Kan. — Bonner Springs opened the season with a 77-51 win over KC East on Monday in the opening round of the Paola Invitational Tournament at Eudora Middle School on Monday.
With the win, Bonner Springs advances to face Eudora at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Thomas & Watson
The Bonner Springs backcourt sounds like the name of a fancy law firm, but on Monday they showcased their ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. Watson is a tough-as-nails defender who pressures the basketball and gets in the shorts of opposing ball handlers. At the offensive end of the floor, Watson likes to attack the basket and get to the hoops, but can also dial it up from behind the 3-point arc and is a solid, steady ball handler.
An Emporia State recruit, Thomas is one of the state’s premier senior point guards and combines elite speed and quickness with elite playmaking abilities. He can get to the basket, has terrific court vision and is an exciting playmaker, capable of throwing highlight reel type passes and getting all the way to the bucket and finishing in traffic.
Undersized Braves turn up the pressure
Bonner Springs, the 6-foot-and-under team. Bonner Springs starts five players who are listed at 5’11 or shorter and while they have a handful of bigger athletes they bring off the bench, they really rely on pressuring the ball, forcing turnovers and scoring in transition. The turned up the defensive heat early in Monday’s game and raced out to a 31-11 lead, and later in the contest got out and ran in transition, scoring several easy baskets. Bonner Springs does bring some size and length off the bench, but mostly rely on its upperclassmen guards to carry the mail.
East staying busy, playing a full schedule
Kansas City East Christian Academy is not a MSHSAA member and is playing a full schedule — and then some. The Lions have already played 13 games and are now 6-7 on the heels of an 18-28 season a year ago. KC East features some size, some young guards
Zach Mann active inside
KC East 6’7, 215-pound 2019 big man Zach Mann was a presence in the paint at both ends of the floor as he challenged shots at the defensive end of the floor and made scoring in the paint difficult for Bonner Springs. He entered Monday’s game second on the team in scoring at 10.9 ppg and leads the squad in rebounding at 7.6 per game. He led the Lions with 10 rebounds on Monday and showed some toughness in the paint against Bonner Springs.
Koppang impresses
KC East’s leading scorer entering Monday’s game, 2021 wing Isaac Koppang put together a strong performance against Bonner Springs. Just a sophomore Kppang had some bright moments at the offensive end of the floor scoring the ball. He got to the free throw line in the first quarter, going 6-for-8 at the stripe, and finished with 10 points in the first half. He has good size at 6’2 and plays an aggressive, down-hill style of basketball, attacking the basket and forcing defenses to slow him down.