Wednesday, Class 1A boys
March 9, 2010 @ 6:43 p.m. by Josh WoodWe’re not actually in Hays for the first few days, but here’s what’s going on:
Hanover 85, Burrton 66 — The defending champ advances, but Burrton’s Alex Santiago steals the show, scoring a state-record 53 points.
Playing in his final high school game, Santiago’s effort topped former 1A record holder Josh Reid of Brewster, who scored 47 in 1996 before his college career at Kansas State. It also was the best scoring performance in any class at a state tournament for boys. The only game which compared is on the girls side when the legendary Jackie Stiles scored 53 her freshman year in tournament game.
“He played his heart out,” said Burrton coach Ralph Butler of Santiago’s performance.
Using a size advantage, Hanover outscored Burrton 44-21 in the first half.
Santiago, the state’s leading scorer at 27.8 points per game, hit six three-pointers and drove the lane repeatedly.
He made 13 of 14 free throws.
“I wasn’t aware (he was close to the record) until right in the end. Someone in the crowd said, ‘one more. one more.’ ” Butler said.
Burrton scored 28 in the final quarter, cutting into what had been a 30-point deficit.
“I guess the best thing about him is he’s a good kid,” Butler said. “…The first thing he said in the locker room was ‘I’d give that record up for a win. I’d rather be playing tomorrow or Thursday than have this record.’ ”
Burrton’s career scoring leader, Santiago had heard from Hutchinson Community College, Butler Community College and Hesston College before Tuesday night.
After the game at Gross Coliseum, Butler said there were six more junior college and KCAC coaches wanting to speak with the 6-foot point guard.
Baileyville 50, Tribune 46 —
South Gray 54, Macksville 45 — The Rebels used a 27-14 second-half advantage to roll into their third 1A semifinal in four seasons.Chase Clancy scored 31 to lead South Gray (25-1). Evan Loomis scored 16 for Macksville, while Kyle Bunker grabbed 12 rebounds.
Quinter 63, Pretty Prairie 55 — Zach Nemecheck’s 20 points led four Quinter double-figure scorers as it remained undefeated and moved on to Thursday’s semifinals.Hunter Pittman scored a game-high 21 points for Pretty Prairie, which made its first state tournament appearance in 12 years. Quinter (26-0) had big games from Scott Ochs (14 points), Brady Reed (12) and Matt Bird (11).
ummreally says:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
how about some more information about this?? what schools he is looking at, or even what grade he is in?
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depp says:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
amazing!! 53 points is impressive at any level!
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Bill Wilson says:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
It’s been my pleasure to announce Santiago’s games for his four years. Tremendous offensive talent without a peer at the 1A level – ever – but I am admittedly biased.
Not sure where he’s headed, but he’s had intense contact from several Jayhawk Juco schools, including Hutchinson, and most of the KCAC, where he’d be a dominant force.
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Josh Wood says:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
ummm – We were trying to track down some info from his coach, Ralph Butler. He graciously called us back.
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Stuever says:
March 10th, 2010 at 9:22 am
While I congratulate Santiago — he sounds like a fantastic player — without having seen this gave the numbers kind of beg the question as to whether or not Santiago allowed anyone else to ever have the ball and shoot. I mean, I like an agressive scorer, but I don’t like ball hog who tries to be a one man team. I don’t know this kid, so that may not be the case, but when you hear a news story like this (53 points but they still lost) it makes you wonder…
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Norwich says:
March 10th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Great Job Alex! We were fortunate enough to hold him to 22pts when we played them and handed them one of their 5 loses. Alex is not a selfish player, our success was a box and one defense, but if you give him the lane, like and good guard he will drive and split your defenders.
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justanotherfan says:
March 10th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Stuever,
I checked the box score. His teammates combined to shoot 3-24 from the field (0-8 from three) and 7-12 from the FT line. He was 17-32 (6-13 from three) and 13-14 from the line. Looking at those stats, I wonder why his teammates shot 24 times.
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Wondering says:
March 10th, 2010 at 10:54 am
I wonder how this kid would fare in a 6A league. I think he averaged around 27/gm. Doubtful he would do that facing the kind of defenders he would see in the CL or AVCTL. 1A is one thing. 6A is another thing.
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Considine311 says:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Wondering – I would bet money that the Hanover team he did this against last night would mop up most 6A schools. No Joke, that team is for real, and so is Alex. He is also a team player, no doubt about it, the Hanover assistant coach also told the Hutch News he was too unselfish. He also is a great rebounder and even better passer.
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Wondering says:
March 10th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
“mop up” most 6A schools?? I think that is a bit of a stretch my friend. Yes they may be able to beat/compete with some of the poorer 6A schools but I think it ends there. Where did NW finish? Middle of the pack in the CL? I’m no CL fan by any sense of the word but my guess would be that NW would “mop up” the floor with them.
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trackdad says:
March 10th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I was at the 1A state tour. yesterday and Santiago and Chase Clancy from S. Gray are the two best point guards I have seen this year. My son plays for a 4A team in the AVCTL Div III that played 10 games against 5A and 6A competition. Santiago is good enough to start for any team in the city league.
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Norwich says:
March 10th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Wondering, you might be surprised if you were familiar with competitive summer teams (not just basketball)whom they’re comprised of, not all come from 6A schools. There are exceptional athlete’s in 1A and up that could beat/compete with your 6A CL players.
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Wondering says:
March 10th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Norwich…read the posts. We are not talking summer teams here. We are talking one small 1A school playing against a 6A middle of the pack CL team. The CL team would win. Case closed.
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justanotherfan says:
March 10th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
I think there are some very good 1A players that could very well start or play a lot of minutes for most 5A and 6A teams. However, a lot of 1A and 2A teams lack quality depth. The 4th, 5th and 6th players on a lot of 1A or 2A teams would struggle to even make a lot of 5A and 6A teams. Because of that, I think even the top 1A and 2A schools would struggle against 5A and 6A competition.
Would Hanover beat some 5A and 6A opponents? Probably. But they would have a hard time night in and night out in the City League, or the Sunflower League, or the Centennial League. They would probably struggle with the overall athleticism and depth that those schools would throw at them. And on a night in, night out basis they would be hard pressed to keep up.
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Ha says:
March 11th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
he cant go any were caus he is to dumb, he has all the skills just not the act to go along with it, but a great player none the least
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