By Joanna Chadwick

This week’s soccer rankings are out, courtesy of the coaches association.

If you missed soccer notes from last week, check them out via VarsityKansas.com and The Wichita Eagle.

All Classes

1. Olathe East, 2. Blue Valley, 3. St. Thomas Aquinas, 4. SM East, 5. BV North, 6. BV Northwest, 7. Carroll, 8. Olathe South, 9. SM West, 10. Washburn Rural

Class 6A

1. Olathe East, 2. Blue Valley, 3. SM East, 4. BV North, 5. BV Northwest

5A

1. Aquinas, 2. Carroll, 3. BV Southwest, 4. Mill Valley, 5. Kapaun

4A

1. Hayden, 2. Spring Hill, 3. Winfield, 4. Trinity, 5. DeSoto

Northeast

Class 6A
1. Olathe East, 2. Blue Valley, 3. SM East, 4. BV North, 5. BV Northwest

Class 5A

1. Aquinas, 2. BV Southwest, 3. Mill Valley, 4. St. James, 5. Miege

Class 4-1A

1. Spring Hill, 2. DeSoto, 3. KC Piper, 4. Bonner Springs, 5. Tonganoxie

Southwest

Class 6A

1. Maize, 2. East, 3. Heights, 4. Hutchinson, 5. Derby

Class 5A

1. Carroll, 2. Kapaun, 3. Valley Center, 4. Andover Central, 5. Goddard

Class 4-1A

1. Hayden, 2. Trinity, 3. Winfield, 4. Buhler, 5. McPherson

Central

Class 6A

1. Washburn Rural, 2. Free State, 3. Junction City, 4. Manhattan, 5. Olathe Northwest
(more…)

By Joanna Chadwick

This week’s boys tennis rankings are out, courtesy of the coaches association.

Check out the story on the Collegiate tennis tournament, via VarsityKansas.com and the Wichita Eagle. http://www.varsitykansas.com/2013/04/20/48626/hayden-brothers-battle-in-singles.html

If you missed it, check out my story on Independent’s Jake Norman.

Who has been a surprise for you this season?

(more…)

By Joanna Chadwick

The softball regionals have been updated, moving four Class 5A teams into different regionals due to the simple fact that KSHSAA assistant executive director Fran Martin “made a mistake.” Schools are supposed to be geographically placed, but four were not in the original regionals released on Monday. The ones below are the current, and correct, regional assignments.

(more…)

By Joanna Chadwick, The Wichita Eagle

Regional softball assignments have been released by the KSHSAA. So, did the KSHSAA get it right?

CLASS 6A – Softball

The following Class 6A schools will be participating in three regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Overland Park-Blue Valley-West High School, Cindy Roach, Manager
Gardner-Edgerton, Olathe-East, Olathe-North, Olathe-South, Overland Park-Blue Valley North, Overland Park-Blue Valley Northwest, Overland Park-Blue Valley West, Shawnee Mission-East, Shawnee Mission-North, Shawnee Mission-Northwest, Shawnee Mission-West, Stilwell-Blue Valley

The following Class 6A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Topeka-Hummer Sports Park Natatorium, 530 SW Tuffy Kellogg Dr., Rick Benke, Manager
Junction City/Junction City-St. Xavier, Kansas City-Washington/Kansas City-Schlagle, Lawrence, Lawrence-Free State, Manhattan, Olathe-Northwest, Topeka, Topeka-Washburn Rural

The following Class 6A schools will be participating in three regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Wichita-Bishop Carroll High School, J. Means, USD 259 District Athletic Director, Manager
Derby, Dodge City, Garden City, Haysville-Campus, Hutchinson, Maize, Wichita-East, Wichita-Heights, Wichita-North, Wichita-Northwest, Wichita-South, Wichita-Southeast

CLASS 5A – Softball

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Overland Park-St. Thomas Aquinas, Sarah Burgess, Manager.
Kansas City-Turner, Lansing, Lenexa-St. James Academy, Overland Park-Blue Valley Southwest, Overland Park-St. Thomas Aquinas, Shawnee-Mill Valley, Shawnee Mission-Bishop Miege, Shawnee Mission-South

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Goddard-Eisenhower High School, Curtis Conrad, Manager.
Goddard, Goddard-Eisenhower, Great Bend, Hays, Liberal, Valley Center, Wichita-West

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Salina-South, Ken Stonebraker, Manager.
Leavenworth, Newton, Salina-Central, Salina-South, Tecumseh-Shawnee Heights, Topeka-Seaman, Topeka-West

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Wichita-Bishop Carroll High School, Larry Dostert, Manager.
Andover, Andover-Central, Arkansas City, Emporia, Maize-South, Wichita-Bishop Carroll, Wichita-Kapaun Mount Carmel

CLASS 4A – Softball

Atchison, David Fitz, Manager, (May) @ Atchison Sports Complex, 825 North 17th St
Atchison, Holton, Hoyt-Royal Valley, Meriden-Jefferson West, Perry-Lecompton, Seneca-Nemaha Valley/Baileyville-B & B, Topeka-Hayden, Topeka-Highland Park

Chanute, Eric Methvin Manager, (May) @ Santa Fe Park, Field #6, 35th and S. Santa Fe
Baxter Springs, Chanute, Columbus, Fort Scott, Frontenac, Girard, Iola, Parsons, Pittsburg

Eudora, Cara Kimberlin, Manager, (May) @ Eudora District SoftBall Field, 2203 Church St.
Basehor-Linwood, Bonner Springs, DeSoto, Eudora, Kansas City-Bishop Ward, Kansas City-Piper, Kansas City-Sumner Academy, Tonganoxie

Independence, Brad Fredrickson, Manager, (May) @ Volunteer Field, 800 S. 10th
Altamont-Labette County, Clearwater, Coffeyville-Field Kindley, Independence, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Wellington, Winfield

Lindsborg-Smoky Valley, Darren Able, Manager, (May) @ Bethany College
Abilene, Chapman, Clay Center Community/Wakefield, Concordia, Lindsborg-Smoky Valley, McPherson, St. George-Rock Creek, Wamego

Ottawa, Brad Graf, Manager, (May) @ Orlis Cox Complex, 106 Beech St.
Baldwin, Carbondale-Santa Fe Trail, Garnett-Anderson County, LaCygne-Prairie View, Louisburg, Osawatomie, Ottawa, Paola, Spring Hill,

Towanda-Circle, Matthew Carroll, Manager, (May) @ Circle BSB/SB Complex, 905 Main, Towanda
Andale/Garden Plain, Augusta, Buhler, El Dorado, Hesston, Nickerson, Towanda-Circle, Wichita-Trinity Academy

Ulysses, Jason Kenny, Manager, (May) @ Grant Co. Rec. SB Complex, 1000 West Patterson
Colby, Goodland, Hoisington/Claflin, Hugoton/Moscow, Kingman/Norwich, Larned, Pratt, Ulysses

CLASS 3A – Softball

Burlington, Dave Watkins, Manager, (May) @ Burlington HS, 830 Cross St.
Burlington, Eskridge-Mission Valley, Osage City, Pomona-West Franklin, Richmond-Central Heights, Silver Lake, Wellsville

Eureka, Bret Howard, Manager, (May) @ Eureka City Park, 
Belle Plaine, Caney Valley, Cherryvale, Douglass, Eureka, Leon-Bluestem, Neodesha

Hillsboro, Robert Rempel, Manager, (May) @ Sports Complex, 200 S. Sports Complex Drive
Cheney, Halstead, Haven, Hillsboro, Hutchinson-Trinity, Lyons/Chase, Sedgwick

Kismet-Southwestern Heights, Mark Webb, Manager, (May) @ Charlie Smith Field, Grand Ave., Plains
Anthony/Harper-Chaparrel, Holcomb, Kismet-Southwestern Heights, Lakin, Medicine Lodge/Kiowa-South Barber, Scott City-Scott Community

Marion, Grant Thierolf, Manager, (May) @ Marion BSB/SB Complex, Eisenhower Drive
Council Grove, Gypsum-Southeast of Saline, Herington/White City, Marion, Riley County, Rossville, St. Marys

Pittsburg-St. Marys Colgan, Kyle Wolf, Manager, (May) @ TBD
Cherokee-Southeast, Erie, Galena, Humboldt, Mound City-Jayhawk Linn, Pittsburg-St. Marys Colgan, Riverton

Russell, Mark Paul, Manager, (May) Memorial Park Complex, Bob Dole Drive
Belleville-Republic County/Scandia-Pike Valley, Beloit, Ellsworth, Minneapolis, Plainville/Natoma, Russell, Salina-Sacred Heart

Wathena-Riverside, Tim Orth, Manager, (May) @ Wathena City Park, 303 East St. Joseph St.
Atchison-Maur Hill Mount Academy, Easton-Pleasant Ridge, Effingham-Atchison County Community, Hiawatha, Marysville, Wathena-Riverside

CLASS 2-1A – Softball

Burden-Central, Missy Atkins, Manager, (May) @ Central Athletic Complex, 700 N. Main
Burden-Central, Dexter/Cedar Vale, Oxford, Rosalia-Flinthills, Udall

Canton-Galva, Roger Trimmell, Manager, (May) @ Lynn Baldwin Memorial, 101 Northview, Galva 
Canton-Galva, Ellinwood, Inman, Moundridge, Sterling

Ellis, Brandon Armbruster, Manager, (May) @ Railer Field, 807 Cottonwood
Bennington, Brookville-Ell-Saline, Ellis, Lincoln, Sylvan-Lucas Unified/Wilson

Johnson-Stanton County, Sami Smith, Manager, (May) @ Stanton Co. Rec. Field, 200 E. Highland, Johnson
Elkhart, Johnson-Stanton County, Satanta, Spearville, Sublette

Lyndon, Brad Marcotte, Manager, (May) @ Jones Park, 800 East 6th
Allen-Northern Heights, Burlingame, Cottonwood Falls-Chase County, Lyndon, Wabaunsee

Oswego, Neal Cruse, Manager, (May) @ Oswego SB Field, 1501 Tomahawk Trail 
Chetopa, Howard-West Elk, Longton-Elk Valley, Oswego, Sedan

Uniontown, Jim Mason, Manager, (May) @ George Warren Field, 601 5th St. 
Arma-Northeast, Buffalo-Altoona Midway, Moran-Marmaton Valley, St. Paul, Uniontown, Yates Center

Valley Falls, Rod Bunde, Manager, (May) @ Davis Field, 650 Sycamore
Highland-Doniphan West, Leavenworth Immaculata, McLouth, Oskaloosa, Troy, Valley Falls

By Joanna Chadwick, The Wichita Eagle

The KSHSAA has released regional baseball assignments. What do you think? Did the state get it right?

CLASS 6A Baseball

The following Class 6A schools will be participating in three regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Overland Park-Blue Valley-West High School, Cindy Roach, Manager.
Gardner-Edgerton, Olathe-East, Olathe-North, Olathe-South, Overland Park-Blue Valley North, Overland Park-Blue Valley Northwest, Overland Park-Blue Valley West, Shawnee Mission-East, Shawnee Mission-North, Shawnee Mission-Northwest, Shawnee Mission-West, Stilwell-Blue Valley

The following Class 6A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Topeka-Hummer Park, 530 Tuffy Kellogg Drive, Rick Benke, Manager.
Junction City/Junction City-St. Xavier, Kansas City-Wyandotte, Lawrence, Lawrence-Free State, Manhattan, Olathe-Northwest, Topeka, Topeka-Washburn Rural

The following Class 6A schools will be participating in three regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Wichita-Bishop Carroll High School, J. Means, USD 259 District Athletic Director, Manager.
Derby, Dodge City, Garden City, Haysville-Campus, Hutchinson, Maize, Wichita-East, Wichita-Heights, Wichita-North, Wichita-Northwest, Wichita-South, Wichita-Southeast

CLASS 5A – Baseball

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Overland Park-St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Sarah Burgess, Manager.
Kansas City-Harmon, Kansas City-Turner, Lenexa-St. James Academy, Overland Park-Blue Valley Southwest, Overland Park-St.Thomas Aquinas, Shawnee-Mill Valley, Shawnee Mission-Bishop Miege, Shawnee Mission-South

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Topeka-Seaman High School, Brad Dietz, Manager.
Emporia, Kansas City-Schlagle, Kansas City-Washington, Lansing, Leavenworth, Tecumseh-Shawnee Heights, Topeka-Seaman, Topeka-West

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Salina-South High School, Ken Stonebraker, Manager.
Goddard-Eisenhower, Great Bend, Hays, Maize-South, Newton, Salina Central, Salina South, Valley Center

The following Class 5A schools will be participating in two regionals to be held the week of May 13-16, 2013 at sites to be determined at a seeding meeting held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Wichita-Bishop Carroll High School, Larry Dostert, Manager.
Andover, Andover-Central, Arkansas City, Goddard, Liberal, Wichita-Bishop Carroll, Wichita-Kapaun Mount Carmel, Wichita-West

CLASS 4A – Baseball

Altamont-Labette County, Shane Holtzman, Manager, (May ) @ Vic George Field, 601 S High School St.
Altamont-Labette County, Baxter Springs, Coffeyville-Field Kindley, Columbus, Frontenac, Girard, Independence, Parsons, Pittsburg

Baldwin, Gary Stevanus, Manager, (May ) @ Baldwin Intermediate Center, 100 Bullpup Drive
Baldwin, , Basehor-Linwood, Bonner Springs, DeSoto, Eudora, Kansas City-Bishop Ward, Kansas City-Piper, Kansas City-Sumner Academy, Spring Hill

El Dorado, Scott Ennis, Manager, (May ) @ McDonald Stadium, 200 N. Griffith 
Augusta, Clearwater, El Dorado, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Towanda-Circle, Wellington, Winfield

Garnett-Anderson County, Don Hilliard, Manager, (May ) @ Dutch Brummel Field, Homerun Drive, Garnett 
Chanute, Fort Scott, Garnett-Anderson County, Iola, LaCygne-Prairie View, Louisburg, Osawatomie, Ottawa, Paola

Hugoton, Clint Merritt, Manager, (May ) @ Legend’s Field, 1500 Jefferson
Colby, Goodland, Hoisington/Claflin, Hugoton, Larned, Pratt, Russell/Victoria, Ulysses

McPherson, Shane Backhus, Manager, (May ), @ Grant Sports Complex, 1800 N. Main 
Andale/Garden Plain, Buhler, Kingman/Norwich, Lindsborg-Smoky Valley, McPherson, Nickerson, Wichita-Collegiate, Wichita-Trinity Academy

Topeka-Hayden, Bobby Taul, Manager, (May ) @ Falley Field, WU, 21st and Jewell Ave.
Atchison, Carbondale-Santa Fe Trail, Hoyt-Royal Valley, Meriden-Jefferson West, Perry-Lecompton, Tonganoxie, Topeka-Hayden, Topeka-Highland Park

Wamego, Mark Stephan, Manager, (May ) @ Wamego City Recreation Complex, 1001 Balderson Blvd.
Abilene/Solomon, Chapman, Clay Center Community/Wakefield, Concordia, Holton, Seneca-Nemaha Valley/Baileyville-B& B, St. George-Rock Creek, Wamego

CLASS 3A – Baseball

Council Grove, Tige Stone, Manager, (May) @ Emporia-Trusler Complex-Glennen Field 
Council Grove, Eskridge-Mission Valley, Osage City, Pomona-West Franklin, Richmond-Central Heights, Wellsville

Effingham-ACCHS, Jeff Starkey Manager, (May) @ ALCHS Sports Complex, 908 Tiger Road
Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Easton-Pleasant Ridge, Effingham-Atchison County Community, Rossville, Silver Lake, Wathena-Riverside

Galena, Beau Sarwinski, Manager, (May) @ Galena HS, 702 E 7th 
Caney-Caney Valley, Cherokee-Southeast, Cherryvale, Galena, Pittsburg-St. Marys Colgan, Riverton

Hillsboro, Robert Rempel, Manager, (May) @ Memorial Field, 300 West D Street
Ellsworth, Gypsum-Southeast of Saline, Halstead, Haven, Hillsboro, Marion

Humboldt, Stephanie Splechter, Manager, (May ) @ USD 258 Sports Complex, 1325 Georgia Rd.
Burlington, Erie, Eureka, Humboldt, Mound City-Jayhawk Linn, Neodesha

Leon-Bluestem, Brian Minks Manager, (May ) @ Bluestem JR/SR High, 500 Bluestem Drive
Anthony/Harper-Chaparral, Belle Plaine, Douglass, Leon-Bluestem, Sedgwick, Wichita-The Independent School

Lyons, Bob Turner, Manager, (May) @ Battershell Field, 830 W. Taylor
Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian, Holcomb, Lakin, Lyons/Chase, Scott City-Scott Community

Marysville, Bert Lord, Manager, (May) @ Cleo Feldhausen Field, 312 North 13th 
Beloit, Marysville, Minneapolis, Riley County, Salina-Sacred Heart, St. MarysM

CLASS 2-1A – Baseball

Alma-Wabaunsee, Jeron Weisshaar, Manager, (May) @ McKnight Field, So. Hwy 99, Alma
Allen-Northern Heights, Burlingame, Olathe-Heritage Christian, Prairie Village-Kansas City Christian, Shawnee-Maranatha Academy, Wabaunsee

Elkhart, Khris Buckner, Manager, (May) @ Bob Gillespie Field, 940 S. Muncy, Elkhart
Elkhart, Leoti-Wichita County, Moscow, Sublette, Syracuse

Medicine Lodge, Lowell Dohrmann, Manager, (May) @ Medicine Lodge City Park, Highway 160 
Burden-Central, Medicine Lodge, Minneola/Ashland, Oxford, Spearville, Udall

Moundridge, Vance Unrau, Manager, (May) @ Moundridge Field, Wildcat Drive
Canton-Galva, Cottonwood Falls-Chase County, Herington, Inman, Moundridge, Rosalia-Flinthills

Oskaloosa, Rob Miller, Manager, (May) @ Oskaloosa HS, 404 Park St. 
Highland-Doniphan West, Leavenworth-Immaculata, McLouth, Oskaloosa, Troy, Valley Falls

Sedan, Carolyn Williams, Manager, (May) @ Davis Field, 2100 Kansas Rd, Sedan 
Cedar Vale/Dexter, Chetopa, Howard-West Elk, Longton-Elk Valley, Oswego, Sedan

Sylvan-Lucas Unified, Cody Flinn, Manager, (May) @ Sylvan-Lucas Ballfield, 201 S. Main St. 
Bennington, Brookville-Ell-Saline, Ellis, Lincoln, Little River, Sylvan-Lucas Unified/Wilson

Yates Center, Rusty Arnold, Manager, (May) @ Kluender Field, 510 Wildcat Ln.
Arma-Northeast, Lyndon, Moran-Marmaton Valley, St. Paul, Uniontown, Yates Center

By Joanna Chadwick

While I thought Wichita North’s Conner Frankamp, a two-time All-State selection and City League scoring record holder (2,275 career points) had an outstanding chance at being named Kansas’ Gatorade Player of the Year, I’m not surprised Ottawa senior Semi Ojeleye, a two-time All-State selection, was given that honor. He set the single-season scoring record and the career-scoring record and won the Class 4A title.

From the press release:

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior wing led the Cyclones to a 25-0 record and the Class 4A state championship this past season. Ojeleye averaged 38.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.4 assists per game this season. A two-time returning Class 6A First Team All-State selection as named by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, he shot 52 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the free throw line. Ojeleye amassed 27 points and 15 rebounds in a 54-45 title-clinching victory against Highland Park, scoring a record 104 points in four Class 4A state tournament games. His 952 points as a senior and 2,763 career points also set state records.

Ojeleye has maintained a 4.00 GPA in the classroom and ranks No. 1 in his graduating class. A member of the National Honor Society, he has volunteered locally on behalf of his church, a food drive, the Ottawa Library and the Hope House emergency relief organization.

“He is an unbelievable talent and from what I hear his work ethic is even better,” said Kyle Deterding, head coach of rival Eudora High. “On the court, teams made their entire game plan around him, and he still found a way to get it done. On the court, it would have been easy to get frustrated with what teams were throwing at him, but he always kept his composure.”

Ojeleye has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Duke University this fall.

By Joanna Chadwick
Follow me at @joannachadwick and @varsitykansas for up-to-the-minute updates from Class 6A.
Saturday’s finals are set: Wichita Heights vs. Wichita South for the girls title, 4 p.m.; BV Northwest vs. BV West, 6:15 for the boys title.

I’ll have videos of coach and player interviews, as well as videos of student sections here.

BV North vs. Wichita South girls, 3 p.m.
South 25-22 at half.
South wins 51-48.

BV Northwest vs. Derby boys, 4:45 p.m.
BV Northwest 73-36 (BV Northwest shot 26 of 43, 60.5 percent and 11 of 21 from three, 52.4 percent)

Maize vs. Wichita Heights, 6:30 p.m.
Heights 48, Maize 39

SM East vs. BV West, 8:15 p.m.
BV West with the upset, again, 59-58 over SM East.

Heights’ Katie Palmer

Heights’ Jharian Bowen

Heights coach Kip Pulliam

BV NW coach Ed Fritz

BV West coach Donnie Campbell

Derby coach Brett Flory

Derby fans

South’s Ericka Mattingly

South’s Kendrian Elliott

Wichita South coach Antwain Scales

BV North coach Ann Fritz

Wichita South girls fans

By Joanna Chadwick

I’ll be posting video throughout today from the first day of the girls portion of the Class 6A tournament.

For up-to-the minute updates, follow me at @joannachadwick and @varsitykansas.

Blue Valley (13-9) vs. Wichita South (21-1), 3 p.m.
South wins 36-31.

Olathe Northwest (18-4) vs. BV North (18-4), 4:45 p.m.
BV North wins 58-55 in OT.

Wichita Heights (16-6) vs. Olathe South (20-1), 6:30 p.m.
Olathe South leads 23-18 at half.
Heights wins 50-43.

Washburn Rural (17-5) vs. Maize (20-2), 8:15
Maize leads 30-20 at half.
Maize wins 46-36.

Maize fans

 

Maize coach Jerrod Handy

Maize senior Paige Lungwitz

Wichita Heights’ Makayla Harding

Wichita Heights’ Katie Palmer

Wichita Heights coach Kip Pulliam

Wichita South coach Antwain Scales

Wichita South’s Eledria Franklin

Wichita South freshman Kendrian Elliott

BV North coach Ann Fritz

Wichita South fans

Blue Valley fans

By Joanna Chadwick

Video from Koch Arena and the Class 6A boys tournament today.
Follow me at @joannachadwick and @varsitykansas for in-game updates.

Blue Valley Northwest beats Lawrence Free State 56-37, despite a poor BVNW start. Free State led 8-5 after 1.
Derby beat Garden City 55-46.
BV West beat W. North 41-35.
SM East beat W. East 53-41.
Conner Frankamp talks after North’s loss.

North coach Gary Squires talks after North’s loss.

Derby’s Taylor Schieber talks after the Panthers’ win.

Derby coach Brett Flory talks after the Panthers’ win.

Wichita East fans cheer

BV Northwest coach Ed Fritz

My first student section video is Lawrence Free State. They’re a vocal bunch.

Blue Valley Northwest’s student section cheers during its game with Free State.

Derby’s student section

Garden City’s student section

By Joanna Chadwick

Is there anything more fun than trying to predict who will win a state title? Especially in basketball where we have 14 opportunities, all over the next four days. (Make your picks in the predictions contest – http://blogs.varsitykansas.com/blog/2013/03/05/2012-13-state-basketball-predictions-contest/)

Basketball in Kansas always has the promise of standout athletes and teams. This season is no different. But who will win? Who will falter, despite having the better talent? I’ll try to predict that, but regardless of whether I’m right or you’re right, there’s no doubt it’s going to be fun.

Let’s start in Class 6A.

Boys — I can’t pick against Blue Valley Northwest to win it all. The Huskies have played in the past three 6A title games, losing each time to Wichita Heights. But last season, they nearly got past Heights. This season, this Clay Custer-led team will win that elusive title. As for the runner-up? I’m going Wichita North. SM East and Wichita East have a ridiculous first-round game, so I’m giving the edge to Conner Frankamp and North to get into the title game.

Girls — Olathe Northwest is my pick over Maize. I know it seems odd to pick against Wichita Heights, the winner of the last two 6A titles, with undefeated records. But I haven’t seen Heights play a high-caliber game this season against the top teams. Maize has a lot of talent and will take that next step to the title game, but the Eagles don’t have the depth of Olathe Northwest, which has 3 Division I signees. Wichita South will cause problems, and frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them beat Olathe Northwest in the semifinals simply because of the Titans’ style of play. That being said, South lacks depth and is very young.

Class 5A

Boys — SM South over Kapaun. Picking SM South to win the title was easier than picking its opponent. I saw SM South at the Dodge City tournament and this is a deep team. There’s talent all over the place, including Dainan Swoope, Josh Pedersen and my favorite, DeAngelo Bruster. They love to run and they’re fundamentally strong. As for SM South’s opponent, I went with Kapaun and Braden Hullings because the Crusaders are the defending champ and plays in the oh-so-difficult City League. But Kapaun has a major test in Emporia, whose star is Jackson Perez, in the first round. It’s a game I’d like to see.

Girls — St. Thomas Aquinas over Miege. It’s tough for me to pick against Aquinas to win it all. The Saints have had yet another outstanding year and have rolled through Kansas opponents. I really liked Miege and Lexi Hughes. I took Miege over Kapaun simply because the Crusaders, the defending champ, struggled against Olathe Northwest and Newton in the midseason tournament. Kapaun’s depth could be a problem, although, again, it’s difficult to count them out when they are so well-coached and do all the little things right.

Class 4A

Boys — Highland Park over Ottawa. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I picked this game once we all knew Highland Park had dropped down from Class 5A. I’m pretty sure I’m one of many who picked this game. Highland Park’s depth will be the key, but Ottawa’s Semi Ojeleye, oh my. The state’s career scoring record holder is a dominant, versatile athlete. Now, Andale could cause problems against Ottawa in the semifinals. That is a young team with talent throughout its lineup.

Girls — McPherson over Wamego. Here’s another game I think we all saw coming before the season. McPherson is the defending champ and is led by Katelyn Loecker, an Oklahoma State signee. Wamego has Kaylee and Lanie Page, and they will cause problems for Mac. But I’ll take the Pups in a close one.

Class 3A

Boys — Talk about a loaded field. I’m taking Scott City over Beloit. Scott City is one of the best teams in the state, led by Drew Kite (a Top 11 pick) and Brett and Trey O’Neil. I liked this team when I saw them at the Dodge City tournament, especially in its game with Wichita North.

Girls — Garden Plain over Hillsboro. Yep, I’m picking an all-Wichita area final. Garden Plain is led by senior Alli Heimerman, an All-Metro pick as a junior, who is also an outstanding catcher for the Andale-Garden Plain softball team. But Hillsboro will be a tough out, especially with Tena Loewen, Addie Lackey and Dana Bina, who all average double-digit scoring.

Class 2A

Boys — Meade over Lyndon. Meade is loaded, including Randy Friesen, Jett Little, Morgan Davis, who all average double-figure scoring, and after finishing second last season, Meade will win it all.

Girls — Jefferson North over Smith Center. Coaches have contacted me about Jefferson North’s Jacee Kramer, calling her the best player in the state. She’s certainly highly skilled, and she’ll led Jeff North to its second straight title.

Class 1A-I

Boys — St. John over Hoxie. I feel like I’m repeating myself by talking about St. John’s depth, but it’s something you see from the most successful teams — they have a variety of weapons. St. John has Kade Kinnamon, Spencer Nusser, Zuriel Reyes and Dean Wade, who average between 9 and 16 points. Of the four, only Kinnamon averages fewer than 14 points.

Girls –  St. John over Olpe. I know that Olpe is a formidable opponent, winning titles in 2010-11 and 2009-10. But I also saw how St. John, a deep, experienced team, took Wichita South to overtime.

Class 1A-II

Boys — Fowler over Hutch Central Christian. Fowler’s five starters average between 8 and 15 points apiece, with Jett Reese averaging 15, with 7 rebounds. That kind of depth at this class will be too much to overcome.

Girls — Norwich over Wilson. Norwich will have a tough time with Karlie Steinle, who averages 24 points and 10 rebounds. But Norwich’s lone loss is to St. John, whose lone loss is to Wichita South. It all adds up to me.