Great Tuesday Battles Point to Playoffs
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Tune ups for sub-state. Battles for bragging rights. Jockeying for rankings and seedings. They were all on the line Tuesday when some really good teams locked horns. Here are some highlights from top battles across the state Tuesday: Jace Linenberger…
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Continue ReadingTune ups for sub-state. Battles for bragging rights. Jockeying for rankings and seedings. They were all on the line Tuesday when some really good teams locked horns.
Here are some highlights from top battles across the state Tuesday:
Jace Linenberger Jace Linenberger 6'7" | C Hays | 2022 State KS leads Hays over Dodge City:
The big man for Hays continued his dominance in the lane Tuesday as the #3 team in 5A beat the #3 team in 6A. Linenberger is a physical big with a variety of moves in the post and a ferocious will to win. Linenberger missed just three shots from the field Tuesday and finished with 26 points. He also grabbed 15 rebounds and stuffed 3 shots. Hays isn’t as deep as it was last year, but quality seniors may take it father.
Topeka West gets by Highland Park without a big night from Brooks:
Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS has been nearly unstoppable offensively all season, but Tuesday the Scots limited him to just 12 points. Zander Putthoff Zander Putthoff 6'4" | SG Topeka West | 2022 State KS was there to take up the slack. The 6-foot-4 sharpshooter dropped five 3-pointers and led the Chargers with 17 points. Putthoff is a long guard who can hold his own rebounding and defending, and is a sneaky athlete. His outside shot will have a big impact on how far the #2 ranked Chargers go.
St. Marys’ Criqui too much for Wabaunsee:
Fred Criqui Fred Criqui 6'7" | C St. Marys | 2022 State KS (pictured) took over the game at Wabaunsee from the jump and never gave the Chargers a chance. The 6-foot-7 Criqui displayed a host of moves around the basket, including nice touch on a fadeaway, to notch 18 points in the first half. Ranked #2 in 2A, St. Marys will have a chance in any game when Criqui is that dominant.
Upset of the night: El Dorado knocked off Buhler:
El Dorado is on some kind of roll. Their sixth win in a row was a headliner. They knocked off Buhler, the #4 team in 4A, 62-55 Tuesday night. 6-foot-2 guard Jeremiah Kemboi and 6-foot guard LJ Berkstresser each tossed in 18 points. El Dorado may be the type of team that gets hot at the right time. Jack Voth Jack Voth 6'6" | PF J.T. Hoggard | 2023 State NC , the 6-foot-5 powerhouse for Buhler, did his best to thwart the upset. He tallied 33 points.
1A Ness City tested itself against 2A Ellinwood:
Ranked #6 in 1A Div I, Ness City stepped up a classification to play a tune up for sub-state by taking on 2A Ellinwood. The battle of Eagles went the way of Ellinwood, but Ness City kept pace, falling 72-62 in a game that was close throughout. Senior-laden Ness City was led by Taylor Cable Taylor Cable 6'1" | SF Ness City | 2022 State KS , who tallied 18. The 6-foot-1 forward gets it down in the lane and the midrange despite lacking great height. He averages 18 and 11 and even blocks several shots a game.