STATE TOURNAMENT: Class 4A Day 1 standouts
SALINA, Kan. — The opening day of the Kansas Class 4A state championships saw several big performances from a host of players who have made a name for themselves this season. On the day, Wichita Trinity knocked off Chanute in…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSALINA, Kan. — The opening day of the Kansas Class 4A state championships saw several big performances from a host of players who have made a name for themselves this season.
On the day, Wichita Trinity knocked off Chanute in a close contest, KC Piper defeated Parsons in a hard fought battle; Augusta knocked off Andale; and Chapman beat Anderson County.
Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several of the day’s standout performers.
Trey Bates, 6’0, PG, 2019, KC Piper
Bates has established himself as one of the state’s premier point guards, armed with terrific speed, quickness and a toughness. He brings leadership and the ability to run a team to the court, can knock down outside shots and gets to the basket well where he is able to finish through and around contact. Bates is an elite defender, able to lock up opposing players, rip opposing ball handlers and can create havoc for opposing teams.
Zac Burton, 6’2, G, 2019, Augusta
Burton put together a big second half on Wednesday against Andale as he poured in eight points in the third quarter and four more in the fourth and finished with 15 for Augusta after a slow start in the first half. Burton is a solid lead guard who can play either point or off the ball and was key to Augusta handling Andale’s back court pressure late in Wednesday’s quarterfinal contest as the Indians attempted a late rally. Burton not only scored himself but dropped off several slick passes, finishing with six assists and added eight rebounds.
Izek Jackson, 6’5, F, 2019, Chapman
One of the more underrated players in the 2019 class, Jackson affects the game in multiple ways whether it’s rebounding, blocking shots, defending multiple positions or scoring around the basket. He threw down a pair of early dunks on Wednesday against Anderson County and was a force in the paint, scoring around the rim, grabbing boards or challenging Anderson County guards as they drove to the basket. Also a football standout who has signed to play at Butler CC, Jackson is a versatile defender who moves his feet on the perimeter and stays out of foul trouble. He went 14 of 17 from the field and finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds and four assists.
DaQuan Johnson, 5’11, G, 2020, Parsons
Johnson played much bigger than his listed height on Wednesday, leading all teams with 13 rebounds, and added 15 points, three assists and two steals in a hard fought loss to KC Piper. Johnson is a hard worker at both ends of the floor who does a little bit of everything well. He can create his own shot off the bounce, gets to the basket and showed a nice mid-range game off the pull-up.
Caden Vanlandingham, 6’0, G, 2020, Wichita Trinity
Vanlandingham put together a strong performance on Wednesday in the opening round against Chanute, showcasing his ability to handle the ball, lead a team and create offense. He likes to start and stop his dribble, plays with pace and has a quick pull-up jumper that he used off a cross over from behind the 3-point arc. He went for 19 points, including 12 in the second half. Vanlandingham was the only non-senior in Trinity’s starting line-up on Wednesday and will be a big piece for the program heading into next season.