NE Kansas Clutch Performances: Jan 14-16

Picking up a tough win requires some players to step up and make plays in big moments. Sometimes this comes from a veteran star, or sometimes it’s a role player or even in some cases, a JV player thrust into the moment. Check out some clutch performances from the weekend in Northeast Kansas: Jake Fritz, junior, Wamego: Perhaps no player in the area stepped up bigger than the junior Fritz. When Marysville held Tanner HechtTannerHecht6'5" | CGWamego | 2021StateKS to just 14 points – about eight below his average – someone had to step up for the Red Raiders. The 6-foot-1 Fritz came through with three 3-pointers and 18 enormous points. In the previous upset of Abilene, Fritz tossed in an important 9 points. Nate HawkNateHawk6'6" | PFValley Falls | 2021StateKS, senior, Valley Falls: Valley Falls held on for a close 40-34 win over Doniphan West on Thursday. The 6-foot-7 senior Hawk scored 12 clutch points to lead the Dragons effort. Hawk is a smooth and versatile big man who can affect a game in a lot of ways, and has stepped up as a leader as a senior. Nick Vignery, senior, Concordia: The Panthers have several veteran players who all make routine contributions. It is a balanced team. But when Concordia picked up a 53-41 win over Chapman, it was 5-foot-8 senior Vignery who led the way, knocking down three 3-pointers and 3-4 from the line to score 16 clutch points. Devan McEwenDevanMcEwen6'2" | SGLebo | 2021StateKS, senior, Lebo: When Lebo faced a tough Madison team ranked #3 in 1A, McEwen led the Wolves to a 41-37 win when no other teammate broke double figures. McEwen tallied nearly half his team’s points, finishing with 19, including 4-5 from the foul stripe. McEwen failed to pick up his fifth 20-point game, but in the low scoring battle, his 19 were enormous. Dawson Wyre, senior, Silver Lake: After losing a few games to start the season, the Eagles are really starting to turn things around, and the 6-foot-4 Wyre is leading the push. After averaging just five points per game as a junior, Wyre is taking a leading role. This week, in wins over Wabaunsee and Riley County, Wyre tossed in 16 and 17 points, leading the team in scoring both nights. Mitch Buessing, senior, Axtell: Buessing wasn’t a big scorer as a junior, but he’s stepping up big as a senior, including his performance when Axtell picked up a 55-40 win over Onaga. Buessing hit three 3-pointers and tallied 19 in the Twin Valley League win. Raef Osterhaus, junior, Centralia: The 6-foot-1 junior is one of several experienced and athletic performers for the Panthers. In the 46-30 over Linn, it was Osterhaus’ turn to lead the way, scoring 17 points. Landon Becker, senior, Nemaha Cenral: The Thunder have some size, talent and experience. Becker is one of several who step up when needed. When the Thunder pulled off a big 46-42 win over Jefferson West, Becker knocked down three 3-pointers and led the way with 13 points Griffin Weber, junior, Troy: Troy has been riding the scoring of sophomore big man Jerrit Norris. But Weber, who led the club in scoring last season, is a three-point threat, tough ball handler and experienced leader. He popped two 3-pointers and 4-4 from the line for 14 against Washington County.