by joanna

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I think this might be the best day of the state tournament every year. Even better than championship day. Because on championship day, you have two games to watch that really mean something. Today, we’ve got four at every site that mean so much and will be filled with an unreal amount of emotion.

So let’s get started talking about these semifinals, class by class.

Class 6A

Boys: Last night I really thought we were going to see a Maize-Heights matchup. Maize played so well, but came up short late.

So we have Heights vs. Leavenworth. Heights so impressed me last night. Find me who the second-best player is on that team. Seriously, you can say Evan Wessel with ease. The kid is so athletic, so talented, obviously a D-I player as he’s committed to WSU. But check out Terrence Moore. Wow, he’s quick, athletic, skilled. What about Dreamius Smith? That kid blew up at state last year and he continues to do the same thing — he’s just so strong and quick and tough to stop. Then there’s E.J. Dobbins. The kid has come along well from the start. He was probably the one question mark Heights had at the start of the season because Wessel was out with a broken hand, yet he came in right away and did well.

Leavenworth is a tough, tough team. Nino Williams was shut down in the first half against Maize — he gave great props to Maize face-guarding him — but had a nice second half, especially the fourth quarter. Heights is going to have quite the matchup in this game. I think Perry Ellis causes problems for Williams, but Heights will have to play tight defense to keep the rest of that team in check, too.

The other matchup is BV North and BV Northwest, two teams I didn’t pick to make it this far, really didn’t even consider them. Should be a good matchup with some nice offense.

Girls: Heights vs. Washburn Rural. Both are quick, both have strong inside games, both have talented guards. If Heights gets any sort of offense going outside the lane, whether it’s mid-range jumpers or from three, the Falcons win. But Rural makes few mistakes and has such a strong, balanced attack, it will be tough for Heights.

Dodge City vs. Olathe South. Dodge City impressed me by getting this far, but I think it ends here. Olathe South didn’t play particularly well in the semifinal, and it certainly isn’t a flashy team, but it has too many outstanding players in that starting lineup. It’s lack of depth isn’t even an issue.

Class 5A

Boys: Gardner-Edgerton vs. Bishop Miege. This should be the championship. Too bad it happens in the semis. Great players from both teams — Conner Langrehr and Bubba Starling vs. Trevor Releford, Rodney Givens and Justin McCay.

Topeka West vs. McPherson. I have to admit I thought Mac would lose without Jack Pyle. I’m picking Mac to win here and get to the final. Christian Ulsaker went off in the quarters. He’ll continue that.

Girls: The Wichita-area is assured of a 5A finalist with Andover Central (and newly crowned Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year Tiffany Bias) and Bishop Carroll playing today. I’d say Central takes this game, but I’m loving the matchup inside with Carroll’s Julie Sooter and Nicole Walden. Cami Gee and Maddie Chapin will be much shorter, but you know what? It hasn’t mattered all year and it likely won’t matter now. Should be a good game.

Bishop Miege vs. St. Thomas Aquinas. Wow, how many times has this game happened, during the season and the postseason. Aquinas wins it, too many weapons.

Class 4A

Boys: Pratt vs. KC Sumner. This is the game I wanted. I picked Sumner to win it, and I’m sticking with it. But I have to tell you, that tough, tough game Sumner had with Hayden could be a difference today. I really like Pratt, especially with Micah and Matt Swank. Boy, I’d like to see this game. Really, at this point, too tough to call.

Coffeyville vs. Ottawa. Not a bad game, here. I’ll take Ottawa.

Girls: Cheney vs. Holton. I’ll take Cheney in this game. Merissa Quick and Ally Nikkel are just the start of this deep team. Cheney will see Concordia in the final.

Concordia vs. Girard. I just don’t see anyone derailing Concordia this year. Karly Buer’s too tough.

Class 3A

Boys: Wichita Collegiate vs. Rossville. Collegiate wins this game. Its depth, its athleticism, its shooting, too tough to stop.

KC Christian vs. Minneapolis. I guess I’ll jump on that KC Christian bandwagon!

Girls: Marion vs. Jefferson North. Garden Plain vs. Thomas More Prep. It’s really too bad that Garden Plain is playing TMP in the semifinals. I’d love to see that as a final, you know?

Class 2A

Boys: Shocker. Pittsburg Colgan’s in the final yet again. That program is amazing. Overlooked consistently for higher profile names or schools with better records. Never overlook Colgan! Colgan will play Nemaha Valley and win. Salina Sacred Heart vs. Berean Academy. Berean can win this game and I think it will. Coach Wiebe sure knows what he’s doing.

Girls: Berean Academy vs. Olpe. This is a tough draw for Berean, facing the undefeated Olpe. Osborne vs. Hill City. Tough game to pick here, but it should be a good one.

Class 1A

Boys: Final.

Since 1A got an early start, it’s championship day here.

It’s South Gray vs. Hanover. I have to take Hanover in this game. Both are traditional powers, but Hanover’s the defending champ. It gets my pick.

Girls: Final.

Argonia vs. South Gray. Can Argonia continue its run? Why not? This is a team that went undefeated in 2007-08 and lost in sub-state. This is a team that went undefeated into state in 2008-09 and lost in the first round. Now it’s undefeated in 2009-10, surely the steps it has taken can lead to a title.

So those are my thoughts on the semifinals. What are yours? Feel free to comment, add your insight, disagree. It’s all good.