1A and 3A Semifinal Standouts
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It all comes down to this. The final games are set at the 1A and 3A divisions. 3A pits Galena against Hesston. 1A Div. 1 will see Olpe against South Gray, and Div. 2 matches Hanover against McPherson-Elyria Christian. Here…
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Continue ReadingIt all comes down to this. The final games are set at the 1A and 3A divisions. 3A pits Galena against Hesston. 1A Div. 1 will see Olpe against South Gray, and Div. 2 matches Hanover against McPherson-Elyria Christian.
Here are a handful of top performers from the semifinal games:
Tyler Little Tyler Little 6'5" | PF Galena | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Galena:
Little is a versatile and talented 6-foot-5 athlete who was efficient in the win over Rock Creek. He hit 7-10 from the field and helped shut down high-scoring Dawson Zenger Dawson Zenger 6'1" | CG Rock Creek | 2021 State KS . He is tough in the lane both as a rebounder and defender, and is elite at running the floor. He moves without the ball, has great eye-hand coordination and is deadly in the post.
Dawson Zenger Dawson Zenger 6'1" | CG Rock Creek | 2021 State KS , senior, Rock Creek (pictured):
So much has been written about Zenger on this site, but he deserves one more shout-out. He wasn’t able to produce the kind of scoring in the final game that would have been required to defeat Galena. But Zenger was a warrior who didn’t go down easily. Though it required 23 shots, the senior recorded 21 points. He had a gutty and determined cast around him, but no one was able to shoulder enough of the scoring load. Zenger was one of the state’s greatest scorers in his illustrious career.
Jackson Schulte, senior, TMP-Marian:
The story was Cason Richardson Cason Richardson 6'2" | CG Hesston | 2022 State KS for Hesston, who recorded 36 points in downing TMP. But Schulte finished his career with 23 points in the loss. The 6-foot-1 guard is more than just a scorer, defending with energy and distributing the ball. But when his team needed him, he dropped 5-12 from behind the arc and provided gritty leadership.
Brent Penner, junior, South Gray:
While Aaron Skidmore has all the accolades and Brady Deges frequently gets recognized, it was Penner who was the workhorse on Friday. The 6-foot-2 junior hit 8-11 from the field for 18 points, and hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds while helping to shut down Ness City’s Taylor Cable Taylor Cable 6'1" | SF Ness City | 2022 State KS .
Dawson Stoecklein, junior, Ness City:
Ness City didn’t have enough to overcome the tough South Gray club. But Stoecklein served notice he’s a weapon to be reckoned with. The 5-foot-10 junior hit 5-8 from behind the arc to lead Ness City with 15 points.
Chris Olsson, senior, Olpe:
Yes, Jordan Barnard Jordan Barnard 6'1" | CG Olpe | 2021 State KS had a special game with 24 points in the win over the Redskins. But Olpe is deep and talented and ready to add a basketball trophy to their one from football, and it seems someone new steps up every game. Friday it was the 6-foot-1 forward Olsson who hit 8-10 from the field for 16 points. Little River has talented scorers, but Olsson helped slow them down just enough.
Jayden Garrison Jayden Garrison 6'2" | CG Little River | 2021 State KS , senior, Little River:
Like Zenger, Garrison deserves recognition for his final high school game. An elite multi-sport star at Little River, Garrison went down with a whale of a fight. He took 23 shots trying to keep the Redskins in the game, netting 28 points. His all-out attack saw him get to the line 13 times, where he hit 9 free throws.