A look ahead to next season
March 9, 2008 @ 7:11 p.m. by Joannaby joanna
We’re all of 24 hours past the state tournaments across the state, and I already want to look ahead. But it could be a good discussion. Before I get there, though, let me rehash the championship picks that Jeff Lutz and I made last week heading into the tournaments.
On the boys side, I picked every champion in all six classes. Ha! I am the woman. Jeff picked four boys champions — he missed South Gray in 1A and Colgan in 2A, but did pick both finalists in 3A. On the girls side, I picked three girls champions — I missed 6A (who would have though Lawrence?), 5A (I should have given Mac more props) and 1A (South Gray won). Jeff had two girls champs — he got 4A and 3A right. Jeff didn’t have any of the finalists in 6A girls, neither of us had the 1A finalists. I picked the 3A finalists.
So I win.
On to next year. I’d say that Lawrence girls will be an obvious pick to open the season at No. 1. The Lions had just two seniors and return Haley Parker, who made the game-winning shot, and Tania Jackson, a 6-1 forward. Olathe South should be fine, too, since the Falcons only had three seniors. Wichita Heights will need to prove itself because it loses Amanda Orloske and Jennifer Lane, but there is a lot of talent on that team.
On the boys side, Southeast loses Adonis Gantt, Jordan Cyphers, Cortez Barnes, Taylor Salome, D’Andre Tomlin. That’s a lot to lose. The Buffs will be fine, like usual. Joe Mitchell is back and so is Cecil Shaw. East loses several key seniors, including starters Eric Hardyway, Jawanza Poland and Garrius Holloman. The Aces will be fine. Heights will be a team to watch, too. Yes, the Falcons lose Kelton Marshall and Irvin Hollinger, but everyone else is back. That includes Terry Webb and Dorrian Roberts and Austin Bahner, two year varsity players right now. Brandon Walker has played for nearly two full seasons on varsity. Plus, the Falcons add Perry Ellis from Brooks and Gavin Thurman from Stucky.
In 5A, Carroll girls return all but Teresa Zienkewicz, Emporia loses three seniors, Miege loses three seniors, Topeka Seaman loses one, Great Bend loses two. Could be a lot of the same teams back. On the boys side, Highland Park loses four seniors, but Rico Richardson is back. Carroll boys lose key players in Brett Steven and Kevin Klein, but Blake Bell will be back with Jon Peck and Joe Brown. That’s a pretty good inside corps.
In 4A, Hayden boys lose four seniors, but bring back Jeff Reid. Colby had just two seniors and Andover loses four. Girard brings back Tanner Poppe. In girls, Andale only had one senior. Andover Central loses Bailey Gee and Brit Chamberlin and Sarah Huelskamp. Tiffany Bias comes back, though, along with Libby Walker.
In 3A girls, Cherryvale had just one senior and Collegiate loses two.
I’m going to stop there. Feel free to weigh in on who I missed or who you think will win it all next year.
March 9th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
thurman maybe be going to east or southeast next yr so i wouldnt include him just yet in the heghts rotation for next year,
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March 9th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
SE will have to make up a lot for.they lose alot of scoring i mean a whole LOT. shaw and mitchell will probably be the leading scorers but they will need some help on the inside. se has some good jv bigs who should be able to hold their hold next on varsity.
east will probably win city next year. return adams, flowers and alberson. they also have some good underson coming back like jalan williams fr, anthony kinnard jr, and chad washington jr.
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March 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
my predictions…
1. Heights- 4th place finish was not expected this year, can build off of that and their senior guards (Webb, Roberts, and Bahner)
2. East - Losing alot of seniors but will do fine with Adams and Flowers. Watch out for Randall Rogers and Ja’ln williams
3. Southeast- Will be losing alot more than East but with a coach like Coach Taylor, the team will surprise people even after winning 6A state
4. South- Dejuan West made great strides this season and will be the leader of this team
5. Bishop Carroll- Blake Bell will be a star in the City in football and basketball and their home-court advantage will easily give them 7 guaranteed wins at home
6. Kapaun- Dillon Knox’s team now
7. Northwest- Strong senior class is too much to make up for
8. North- I don’t know a single player on North except Kahmeyer and he graduates this year
9. West- West - Will be 7th straight years finishing last in City
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March 10th, 2008 at 7:52 am
What girls will be “transferring” to Heights next year? Or maybe some current players will “transfer out” after a 4th place state finish?
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March 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am
d. west at south will play along with arthur gary top returning post player for south in need of transfer know of any to play at south
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March 10th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Hopefully the players that transferred in to Heights this year will transfer back out. They are the ones who brought a negative attitude to the team and decided that playing for third place was beneath them. They should have been happy to be in that position especially when they came from schools that didn’t win anything. The only kids who cared where the ones who know what it is like to win. Get rid of the bad apples and return to the top next year. They have a great base to build on with the Freshmen they have. Maybe not next year but they will be on top again.
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March 10th, 2008 at 10:34 am
For all those who look negatively at the Heights girls program. I have this to say. Why have a problem with a parent or child who wants to put themselves or their child in the best position possible to win and go to college. That program is one of the few girls programs around who gets recognition outside of the immediate area. So why the hate. I don’t see any of these comments on the boys side and lets make no mistake. It is the same. From past and current years boys routinely go to their schools of choice.
Ex: Cyphers, Atwater, Wright, etc all played for SE but live in Heights District with no complaints. Also Adams at East lives in the Heights District. I say let the kids and their parents decide where they want to go and everyone mind their own business!
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March 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Calm down there CM Scott. Why the defensive posture? I have nothing but love and admiration for the Heights program. I want to know what we have to look forward to for next season!
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March 10th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Don’t be so quick to count out the Goddard girls. They one of the best players in the state back and they soyez girl will be even better next year. Plus, Coach Keller does a great job and will have them working hard during the summer.
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March 11th, 2008 at 3:01 am
hp will be good next year
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March 11th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
4A- Girard not only brings Tanner Poppe back, but also Darian Kelly.
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