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Braves fall, Lady Pirates advance in state tourney

Bonner Springs guard Keyon Thomas (23) took a shot in the first quarter against Bishop Carroll. Thomas finished with 18 points on the night. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

by Wyandotte Daily Sports

The Bonner Springs Braves fell to Wichita’s Bishop Carroll Eagles on Thursday evening in the opening round of the 5A KSHSAA state tournament in Emporia.

The Braves were overwhelmed by the Eagles from the opening tip. The Eagles looked like they couldn’t miss, and the Braves shooting went cold as Bishop Carroll raced out to a 28-7 first-quarter lead.

Bonner came back with determination in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles to get to a manageable 49-37 halftime margin.

Bishop Carroll held the Braves at arm’s length in the second half, keeping them at a 15-to-20 point distance through the fourth quarter and not allowing a comeback.

Keyon Thomas led the Braves in scoring with 18 points, including 13 of 13 at the free throw line. A.J. Watson scored 16 and earned 6 assists. Richaud Docker scored 14 with 6 rebounds.

Bonner Springs finishes the season with a 20-3 record, earning the Frontier League and sub-state championships.

In other tournament action, the Piper Lady Pirates defeated Eudora 52-37 at the 4A KSHSAA state tournament to move on to the semi-finals on Friday in Salina.

Piper led from the start, opening up a 16-to-6 first-quarter lead.

The Pirates spread the scoring around, and no player scored in double digits. Grace Banes and Riley Porter each scored 9, and Riley Cobbins added 8. Banes got her points with 3-of-3 perfect 3-point shooting. Ali Vigil cleaned the boards with 10 rebounds.

The Lady Pirates will face off against the Nickerson High School Panthers at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina, Kansas.

Bonner Springs guard A.J. Watson (1) drove in the lane during the first quarter against Bishop Carroll. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Bonner Springs’ Keyon Thomas (23) waved to the crowd as he walked off the court for the last time as a high school athlete. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Bonner Springs guard Trent Stimac (10) blocked a shot by Bishop Carroll’s Carsen Kracht (11) in the second quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Bonner Springs’ Richaud Dockery (21) drove in the lane against Bishop Carroll in the second quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

A large contingent of Bonner Springs fans showed up to cheer on the Braves in Emporia. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

The Bonner Springs cheerleaders performed during a break in the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Bonner Springs guard A.J. Watson (1) took a 3-point attempt in the fourth quarter against Bishop Carroll. Watson finished 3-5 from the 3-point line on the night. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle, Piper advance to state semis

Schlagle guard Camille Evans (1) took a short-range jump shot in the 1st quarter of Schlagle’s first-round game against Wichita Heights in the KSHSAA 5A state tournament. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

by Wyandotte Daily Sports

The Schlagle Lady Stallions survived a close contest to upset Wichita Heights 69-67 in the opening round of the 5A KSHSAA state tournament in Emporia.

Wichita Heights had possession from the baseline with 1.4 seconds, and they hit a shot that could have sent the game to overtime. Referees ruled that the shot was released just after the buzzer sounded to end the game.

Tylieea Wallace led the scoring with 27 points, hitting 12 of 15 from the field and 3 of 4 at the free throw line. Camille Evans posted a double-double, with 18 points (10 at the line) and 12 rebounds.

Schlagle advances to face Blue Valley Southwest, which upset Goddard in an earlier game. Tipoff in the Schlagle’s semi-final game takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

In other state tournament news, the No. 4-seeded Piper boys basketball team defeated Parsons 55-52 Wednesday afternoon at the 4A KSHSAA state tournament in Salina. They advance to play top-seeded Trinity Academy of Wichita on Friday at 4:45 p.m. in the semi-finals.

The Harmon Hawks boys team lost to Shawnee Mission South 57-46 in the first round of the 6A state tournament in Wichita. Harmon ends the season with a 19-4 record, earning conference and sub-state championships.

Schlagle forward Tylieea Wallace (32) cheered on Camille Evans after a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle guard Ishante Suttington (23) drove in the lane for 2 of her 16 points on the night. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle forward Tylieea Wallace (32) with 2 of her 27 points on the night. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

The Schlagle band performed at the KSHSAA 5A Basketball Tournament. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle coach Mark Western looked on during the 3rd quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle fans made the drive to Emporia to cheer on the team. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

The Schlagle cheerleaders performed at the opening round game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle guard Camille Evans (1) driving toward the lane in the 3rd quarter vs. Wichita Heights. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle guard Ishante Suttington (23) took a 3-point shot in the 3rd quarter vs. Wichita Heights. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle guard Camille Evans (1) drove toward the lane in the 3rd quarter against Wichita Heights. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Schlagle guard Camille Evans (1) at the free throw line. Evans finished with 18 points, going 10-14 from the free throw line. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

The team celebrated after holding off Heights’s last shot. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

The Schlagle Lady Stallions celebrated as they walked off the court after their win. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Head coach Mark Western received congratulations after the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Braves beat Broncos, 72-56, head to state

Bonner Springs senior guard Keyon Thomas grinned as he held the championship plaque for the substate tournament. The Bonner Springs boys’ basketball team earned a berth in the state 5A tournament with a win over Spring Hill. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

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.