CLASS 5A: Day 1 Standouts
The opening round of the Kansas 5A state championships opened on Wednesday with quarterfinal play at Emporia State University in Emporia. Kapaun Mt Carmel defeated DeSoto (49-42); Basehor-Linwood got past Andover Central (76-72); Andover defeated Blue Valley Southwest (60-59); and…
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Continue ReadingThe opening round of the Kansas 5A state championships opened on Wednesday with quarterfinal play at Emporia State University in Emporia.
Kapaun Mt Carmel defeated DeSoto (49-42); Basehor-Linwood got past Andover Central (76-72); Andover defeated Blue Valley Southwest (60-59); and Hays defeated Highland Park (46-43). The tournament continues on Friday with a pair of semifinal games.
Jack Johnson Jack Johnson 6'2" | CG Andover | 2021 State KS , 6’1, G, 2021, Andover
A talented outside shooter and all-around scorer, Johnson went for 21 points in a thrilling 60-59 opening round win over Blue Valley Southwest on Wednesday. Johnson is a smooth ball handler who, while known for his outside shooting, is capable of filling up the basket in a variety of ways. He knocked down three 3-pointers and added six rebounds for Andover on Wednesday.
Xavier Bell Xavier Bell 6'4" | SG Andover Central | 2020 State #477 Nation KS , 6’3, G, 2020, Andover Central
One of the state’s top all-around guards, Bell scored 28 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out four assists for Andover Central in a hard fought 76-72 loss to Basehor-Linwood in Wednesday’s quarterfinal game. Bell is tough attacking the basket, and scored at will at times along the baseline where he used a quick first step and the ability to blow by defenders and get to the rim. He is a crafty ball handler who can make plays for himself or others off the bounce and can get into the lane. Also a standout football player, Bell has signed to play basketball at NCAA Division I Drexel.
Blake Danitschek, 6’4, G/F, 2021, Kapaun Mt Carmel
Danitschek is a long, rangy wing player with a smooth perimeter shooting stroke. He can knock down tough, contested 3-pointers, has range beyond the arc, and is terrific off the catch and also capable of pulling up off the bounce. He can handle the ball a little and attack the basket off the bounce and showed the ability to finish tough chances around the basket. Defensively he brings good versatility, able to get in the passing lanes and move his feet on the perimeter, but can also defend the basket, block shots and muscle up against opposing bigs in the post. He went for 16 points and six rebounds in a hard fought 49-42 win over DeSoto in Wednesday’s quarterfinal round game.
Jerome Goossen, 6’5, F, 2020, Andover Central
Goossen put together a huge second half for Andover Central , scoring 24 of his game-high 30 points, including a key 3-pointer late to help his team pull within a single point before falling 76-72 to Andover Central. Goossen is a skilled forward who can play on the perimeter, shoot from the 3-point line and has a feel for attacking the basket out of the high post and scoring in traffic. He has good footwork and a soft touch around the basket. He added game-high 10 rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks in 26 minutes.
Connor Younger Connor Younger 5'11" | CG Basehor-Linwood | 2020 State KS , 6’0, G, 2020, Basehor-Linwood
Younger is a tough, no nonsense guard who is an elite competitor at both ends of the court. A left hander, he has a quick shooting release and is comfortable running off screens and hunting open shots, and can also create his own shot from distance off the bounce. Younger is capable of scoring at all three levels, can pull up off the dribble for the mid-range shot and can get all the way to the basket and finish. A terrific all-around offensive player, Younger made his biggest play on Wednesday on defense when blocked a shot out of the corner with less than 50 seconds remaining to preserve a 70-67 lead in a hard fought win over Andover Central. Younger finished with 29 points, including four 3-pointers, four rebounds and three assists.