Tuesday Roundup: Eastern Kansas Playoff Performances
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Tuesday night was a huge night in the sub-state rounds in Kansas, and today we will be covering those prime time performers in playoff victories around the Lawrence and Kansas City area. From familiar big time names to the X…
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Continue ReadingTuesday night was a huge night in the sub-state rounds in Kansas, and today we will be covering those prime time performers in playoff victories around the Lawrence and Kansas City area. From familiar big time names to the X Factors, we had a ton of guys step up in wins to advance their teams in the playoffs.
Dash Cleveland, 5’11 Guard, 2022, Lawrence Free State: Cleveland helped spark his Free State team Tuesday night after a slow start and finished with a team high 17 points in their win over Junction City, and then put his foot down in the fourth quarter, dominating the final 8 minutes scoring 14 of his teams 19 points during that stretch. Cleveland was also really solid on the defensive side of the floor tonight, being very active and disruptive to the Junction City back court. The Free State guard also had a couple of nice assists including a dime on a back door cut in the fourth quarter that ignited the teams final push.
Jailen Thompson, 6’4 Forward, 2023, Lawrence Free State: The long sophomore forward was tremendous throughout the night for Free State, establishing himself both on the interior and perimeter. Knocking down a nice jumper in a big spot, and attacked the rim hard as well. His versatility on the court is big time as Free State looks to put a stamp on a great year. He finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds in the win over Junction City.
Landon Wagler Landon Wagler 6'8" | PF Shawne Mission Northwest | 2022 State KS , 6’4 Wing, 2022, Shawnee Mission Northwest: Wagler was his multi-faceted dynamic self in a big time upset win over Shawnee Mission East. The tough wing dropped 21 points to lead the team in scoring, and used his versatility to attack the game in a variety of ways. His impact on the floor last night went to another level, knocking down open shots, attacking the rim, keeping balls alive, and making great passes.
Dante Wheatcroft, 6’4 Guard, 2022, Shawnee Mission Northwest: The impressive long off ball guard got his scoring back going at the perfect time, as he chipped in 16 points in the upset win as well. When he is able to get going on the offensive side of the floor it really changes the SMNW dynamic as a team.
Damare Smith Damare Smith 5'10" | PG Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2022 State KS , 5’10 Guard, 2022, Shawnee MIssion Northwest: Rounding out the impressive junior trio at SMNW is Smith, who is the conductor of their train. He did a great job of controlling tempo, pace, and the team throughout the night, while being electric in the scoring column scoring 16 points, but he also distributed 6 assists as well. One of the more impressive point guard performances on the night.
Kernan Bundy Kernan Bundy 6'3" | SG Blue Valley North | 2022 State KS , 6’3 Guard, 2022, Blue Valley North: One of my X Factors for the talented BVN team’s run for a state title, Bundy came up big last night scoring 12 points in their first round win. He is also a guy they can call on to help them get big time defensive stops in the half court which we saw a little of tonight, and with their team style of play and the motor Bundy can play with, he gets himself out into transition so quickly, and his athleticism makes him really hard to guard when going downhill.