by Brian Turrel
Conference opponents Spring Hill and Bonner Springs met again in the substate tournament final on Saturday evening in Bonner Springs. The Braves held off a late rally from the Broncos to win 72-56 and earn a trip to the 5A state tournament in Emporia.
Bonner Springs surged out to an early lead, getting good results from drives by senior guards A.J. Watson and Keyon Thomas.
The Braves’ defense also limited the inside opportunities for Spring Hill’s 6-foot-8 center John Frakes, who lit up the Braves for over 30 points when the teams met in February.
The Braves held a 17-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter, and 35-19 at the end of the half.
Bonner forward Ethan Byers got the crowd chanting his name in the third quarter with a gutsy run of play. Byers took a charge on a Spring Hill drive (his second of the game), then earned a free throw at the other end on a drive of his own. He followed that up with a sliding dive cross-court after a loose ball, a 3-point basket, and an assist.
When the fourth quarter began, Bonner Springs looked like they might pull out to a 30-point lead, which would require that the game clock run without stopping. However, Spring Hill took advantage of some questionable ball-handling by the Braves to narrow the margin.
The Broncos scored 25 points in the quarter, including two 3-pointers by Ryan Weber and 11 points from Brennen Feeback. The deficit was too large and the time too short to stage a bigger comeback.
Thomas led the Braves with 28 points, and Watson knocked in 14, including 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Nasjon Porter scored 10.
The Braves will face off with Wichita’s Bishop Carroll High School in the first round of the 5A state tournament. The game will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
