Class 1A Regional Preview: Frankfort, Goessel
Class 1A regional, post-season tournament action gets started Monday, February 24. Seedings were announced today, February 19, by KSHSAA although most teams have a game or two left to play this week. Prior to the seeding announcement previews of the…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingClass 1A regional, post-season tournament action gets started Monday, February 24. Seedings were announced today, February 19, by KSHSAA although most teams have a game or two left to play this week. Prior to the seeding announcement previews of the Central/Berean Academy and Marmaton Valley/Waverly regionals were published. Both of those feed into the Butler Community College and Emporia Recreation Commission sub-state tournaments. We now take a look at the first pair of regionals that feed into the Marysville High School and Riley County sub-state tournaments, Frankfort and Goessel. Region first round games start Tuesday, February 25. The current standings are as follows:
Frankfort |
Goessel
|
||
Hanover | (17-1) | Rural Vista | (19-0) |
Frankfort | (12-8) | Little River | (12-7) |
Wakefield | (10-8) | Centre | (10-9) |
Washington County | (11-10) | Elyria Christian | (9-10) |
Blue Valley-Randolph | (9-10) | Goessel | (3-16) |
Axtel | (5-14) | Solomon | (2-17) |
Frankfort Regional
#5 ranked Hanover and Frankfort earned first round byes. Both take the floor Friday, February 28, against the winners of the first round games. Axtel travels to Wakefield and Blue-Valley Randolph will be hosted by Washington County. Wakefield, out of the Wheat State League, has faced two of the five Twin Valley League teams in the regional. The Bombers lost to Washington County by 20 early in the season and to Blue Valley-Randolph by a dozen in late January. They take on an upset-minded Axtel. The Eagles are winners of their last two games, including by a dozen over Washington County and only losing recently to Frankfort by a dozen. The team is playing with confidence and, given their side of the bracket, are knowing they have a shot to reach sub-state. Washington County’s upset loss to Axtel came in the middle of a end-of-season, four game stretch where they beat Frankfort at home; Blue Valley-Randolph on their home floor; and only lost to Hanover by 13. Aside from their hiccup against Axtel, the Tigers likely feel they have a shot at Hanover. Blue Valley-Randolph, on the other hand, has had some struggles. They blew a chance to host a first round game by losing to Washington County February 11 after absorbing a 16 point loss at Frankfort the week before. There is talent to make a run to challenge Hanover but to do so their two college commits are going to need to lead the charge. I look for Axtell to continue its hot streak by beating Wakefield in a close one and Blue Valley-Randolph to return the favor of a home loss to Washington County. The upsets end in the semis as Hanover and Frankfort use the extra rest to get to the finals by 10-20 points each. My picks: The Wildcats are sure to win (yes, the teams have the same mascot). While Hanover’s lone loss this season was to Frankfort in late January on a neutral court, Hanover trounced them at the beginning of the season at Frankfort. Hanover will not underestimate them and take the win by 15.
Goessel Regional
#3 ranked Rural Vista and Little River earned first round byes. Both also await the winners of the first round games to play Friday, February 28. Solomon travels to Centre for a Tuesday, February 25, game. Unfortunately for the Gorillas their 33 point loss in February does not bode well for a positive outcome. The Cougars, winners of seven of their last nine games, will easily continue that run. Goessel is unfortunate to not host in their own regional and are unlikely to advance out of the first round to play on their home floor again in the semifinals. After a likely loss to Berean Academy on Friday, February 21, the Bluebirds will enter the tournament on a eight game losing streak that started with a eleven point loss at home to their first round opponent, Elyria Christian. Goessel has the potential to win if their role players play with the confidence and aggression their team leaders do. Elyria has quickness at the guard position to attack the basket and finish with contact, which will be difficult for the Bluebirds to stop. Unfortunately for Elyria the buzz saw that is undefeated Rural Vista awaits them. Granted they only lost to the Heat by eleven at home earlier this month, but Rural Vista is hungry to advance deeper into the state tournament than they did a year ago. The match-up between Centre and Little River should be a battle. The higher seeded Redskins lost a couple of weeks ago at home to the Cougars and will be motivated for a payback. Still on a hot streak, what works against Centre a bit is the extra rest and time to prepare Little River will have. The game will be close but that extra prep time and focus should be enough for the Redskins to eek out a win. My picks: Little River will be a little worse for wear after a tough win. Rural Vista is unlikely to be pressed hard in their semifinal and will continue to play hungry. The Redskins were blasted by 28 at Rural Vista in December. They will make some adjustments but Rural Vista will be too fresh, too hungry, and too strong. Rural Vista by 20.
Players to Watch
Kinsey Feldcamp, Axtel, 2020, 5’7″, G/F — Three year starter. Averages 6.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.
Kori Schmelzle, Axtel, 2020, 5’10”, F — Averages 10.3 points and 2.3 steals per game.
Allie Cassel, Blue Valley-Randolph, 2020, 5’8″, F — Four year starter. Twin Valley League second team and Kansas Wesleyan commit. Averaged 13.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
Brooklyn Zoeller, Blue Valley-Randolph, 2020, 5’9″, G — Four year starter. Twin Valley League first team and Fort Scott Community College commit. Averages 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.1 steals. Had 24 points in the Twin Valley League tournament win.
Alyssa Espinosa, Centre, 2021, G — Wheat State League honorable mention.
Kelsey Hett, Centre, 2020, G — Three time Wheat State League first team. KBCA 1A all-state honorable mention. Averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.6 steals a year ago.
Kylee Penner, Elyria Christian, 2020, 5’8″, PG – Wheat State League honorable mention. Aggressive, active defender and rebounder. Three point range with strong basket attack ability. Able to finish with contact.
KiLynn Starburg, Elyria Christian, 2022, 5’6″, SG — Strong basket attack ability from either side. Has three point range.
Kennan Brandt, Frankfort, 2020, 5’9″, PF — A KBCA 1A all-state honorable mention and Twin Valley League first team selection. Played for Wheat State Elite over the summer. Solid three point threat. Averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Mariah Broxtermann, Frankfort, 2020, 5’11”, F — Averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds.
Allie Tommer, Frankfort, 2020, 5’9″, F — Graceland University commit. Averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds.
Porclein Unruh, Goessel, 2020, 5’5″, PG — Strong presence as the floor leader. A solid all-around player with good speed with and without the ball in transition and defensive quickness. A Hesston College commit.
Tianna Lohse, Hanover, 2020, 5’8″, G — Twin Valley League first team and KBCA 1A honorable mention all-state selection. Played for Ohlde Elite over the summer. Substantial post-season experience: Hit game winning three to win ’17 state title, went back to back-to-back in ’18, and was runner up in ’19. Averaged 10.9 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.6 steals
Ceegan Atkins, Hanover, 2023, 5’9″, PF — Played with Ohlde Elite over the summer. Shows quick post play on left block and uses arm bar on defense to create space. Good hands, turns and squares up well. Good hops and elevates quickly.
Cadlee Stallbaumer, Hanover, 2020, 5’9″, W — Played for Ohlde Elite over the summer. Averaged 6.2 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 steals.
Lilly Boughfman, Little River, 2022, 6’1″, PF — Averages 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds.
Emma McBride, Little River, 2020, 5’6″, G — Wheat State League first team. Averages 9.5 points, 1.9 steals, and 1.5 assists.
Holley Bruckmeier, Rural Vista, 2020, 5’8″, F — Wheat State League honorable mention. Four year starter. Averaged 7.3 points, 8.3 rebounds.
Chancy Johnson, Rural Vista, 2021, 5’6″, F — Capable double figures scorer.
Hannah Riedy, Rural Vista, 2020, — Can stuff the score box. Wheat State League first team. Four year starter. Averages 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists (3:1 A:TO ratio), and 2 steals per game.
Kami Kugler, Solomon, 2022, G — Solid handles, good speed with the ball in transition, perimeter shooter.
Tyra Thompson, Solomon, 2022, 5’6″, G — Three point shooter.
Tea Copenhaver, Wakefield, 2020, F — Wheat State League honorable mention.
Camryn Boykin, Washington County, 2021, 5’7″, G — Averaged 8.9 points per game.
Alyssa Kern, Washington County, 2021, 5’6″, G — Three point threat. Averaged 12.9 points.
Grace Ottot, Washington County, 2020, 5’3″, G — Averaged 7.5 points.