The Lady Pirates posed with their fans after receiving the substate championship plaque following their win over the Chanute Blue Comets. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper Lady Pirates substate final game against the Chanute Blue Comets started slowly. By the midway point of the first quarter, there were only three made baskets, and the Comets looked like they had a chance. With three minutes left in the first quarter, Chanute hit a three-pointer to take a 7-6 lead.
Chanute didn’t score again until Piper had 19 more points and only three minutes remained in the first half.
The Lady Pirates went on to win the game 58-26, earning a spot in the KSHSAA 4A playoffs next week.
Piper’s defense hounded the Blue Comets ball handlers up and down the full length of the court, trapping, grabbing, stripping, or blocking everything that Chanute tried to run.
The game frustrated Chanute head coach Dustin Fox so much that he earned two technical fouls for his comments to officials, getting ejected with a minute left in the third quarter.
The Blue Comets did not lose their competitive spirit, continuing to fight for loose balls and rebounds. A noisy contingent of about 100 fans accompanied them from southeast Kansas, filling a section of the Piper field house.
Ryan Cobbins led Piper in scoring with 25 points. Ali Vigil added 10, and Grace Banes 9.
The state tournament starts Thursday in Salina. Brackets have not yet been released for the tournament.
Update: Piper will face Eudora in the first round of the 4A state tournament. The game will take place on Thursday at 6:30 PM.
Freshman Saniya Simmons (1) and Senior LaKya Leslie (24) pinned Chanute senior Shayla Bogle (24) on her own baseline. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore Evelyn Vazquez (3) and Chanute senior Rachel Jackett (5) fought over a loose ball. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Ali Vigil (25) spotted up for a three-point shot. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Grace Banes (15) took a three-point shot from the right wing. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Evelyn Vazquez was guarded on the perimeter by Chanute junior Thea Alschner (42). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Riley Porter (12) went in for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Ryan Cobbins took a short-range jump shot in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper cheerleaders performed stunts during a break. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Senior LaKya Leslie (24) drove for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper Lady Pirates received their substate championship plaque. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Senior LaKya Leslie celebrated the victory. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Saniya Simmons spotted junior Ayreona Carter in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Schlagle junior Ishante Suttington (23) scored her 1,000th career point on this second-quarter layup. After being recognized by the crowd, Suttington converted the three-point play. Schlagle won the substate tournament game 63-54 over the Spring Hill Lady Broncos, and will advance to state. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)The Schlagle Lady Stallions posed together after winning the substate championship. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel) Freshman Armanaie Blacksure posed with the team and championship plaque after the win. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Head coach Mark Western cut down the net in celebration after his team’s substate championship victory over Spring Hill. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Schlagle Lady Stallions nailed down their fourth consecutive trip to the 5A state tournament, winning their substate final game 63-54 over the Spring Hill Lady Broncos Friday evening at Schlagle.
Junior guard Ishante Suttington was the offensive engine for Schlagle, using her quickness to repeatedly get to the rim off dribble penetration.
The Lady Stallions used perimeter ball movement to create defensive gaps, and even a small opening was enough for Suttington to drive through.
A highlight of the game was Suttington reaching 1,000 career points on a layup in the second quarter. Play was briefly stopped so the crowd could recognize the accomplishment.
The game was evenly matched through the first two quarters, with Spring Hill’s sharp inlet passes giving them opportunities near the basket. The halftime score was 24-22 in Schlagle’s favor.
In the third quarter, Schlagle started to anticipate the passes, creating several turnovers off tipped balls. Tylieea Wallace cashed in some of those turnovers, picking up four baskets in the quarter. The Lady Stallions ended the quarter up 45-37.
In the fourth quarter, Spring Hill created some turnovers of their own by putting in a trapping defense. Although it kept the game close, Schlagle was able to hold off the challenge. Suttington hit 6 of 10 free throws in the quarter to maintain the margin.
Suttington led all scorers with 34 points for the Lady Stallions. Wallace posted 10, all in the second half, and Camille Evans scored 8.
Schlagle will head to the 5A tournament in Emporia. First-round games for the state tournaments start Wednesday, but brackets have not yet been announced.
In other substate tournament news, Harmon boys defeated Shawnee Mission East 75-55 to advance to the 6A state tournament in Wichita.
Piper boys won their 4A final against Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High School 83-56. They’ll move on to the state tournament in Salina next week.
Bonner Springs boys defeated De Soto 72-60 in their 5A semi-final. They’ll play Spring Hill in the substate final at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Schlagle boys defeated Emporia 66-63 in their 5A semi-final. They’ll play at Pittsburg at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the final.
Washington boys defeated Blue Valley Southwest 42-41 in their 5A semi-final. They’ll play at home against St. James Academy in the final at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Piper girls defeated Tonganoxie 82-14 in their 4A semi-final. They’ll play at home against Chanute in the final at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Sumner girls lost their 5A final to Blue Valley Southwest 72-29.
Sumner boys lost their 5A semi-final to Basehor-Linwood 64-34.
Sophomore Tylieea Wallace (32) put up a shot against the Spring Hill defense. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Ishante Suttington drove to the basket against Spring Hill senior Alayney Steging (5). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Ishante Suttington and Spring Hill senior Isabella Todd (24) contended for a loose ball. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Tylieea Wallace put back an offensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Jaylin Richardson of the Schlagle boys team was actively cheering on the Lady Stallions. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Camille Evans (1) tried an inside move to the basket against Spring Hill sophomore Allisyn Frank (34). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Harmon sophomore Lonell Lane (10) threw down a dunk on a fast-break in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Harmon Hawks extended their breakout 2018-2019 season, defeating the Shawnee Mission North Indians 54-44 at Harmon on Wednesday night in the semi-finals of their 6A substate bracket.
Harmon opened an early lead on North, using their speed to create driving opportunities for Marlon Bowens, who picked up 7 points in the quarter. The Hawks finished the first quarter up 14-6.
The Indians stepped up their perimeter defense in the second quarter, frustrating the Hawks’ attempts to infiltrate the lane. Harmon’s guards stuck to the game plan, passing patiently around the perimeter to find the few available openings.
The pace of the game slowed, with Harmon posting only 8 points in the quarter, and they finished the half with a 22-15 advantage.
After the break, Harmon looked for some opportunities outside. Santos Ruiz hit two 3-pointers, and Lonell Lane added another, to put Harmon ahead 35-25 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, North applied a trapping full-court press that caused the Hawks some ball-handling problems. Harmon turnovers let the Indians pull within 5 near the midpoint of the quarter.
North also pushed aggressively on offense, getting 13 opportunities at the foul line and putting key Harmon players into foul trouble. Lane was pulled from the game briefly after picking up his fourth foul with 4 minutes remaining, and Chauncey Keys fouled out just after the 2-minute mark.
North’s trapping defense came with a downside. When Harmon broke the trap, they had plenty of open floor for long outlet passes and runouts. Lane scored on two fast-break windmill dunks in the closing minutes that brought the home fans to their feet.
Lane finished the game with 22 points to lead the Hawks. Bowens scored 13, getting significant minutes off the bench. Santos Ruiz pitched in 11 points.
Harmon’s substate win builds on their already successful season, in which they compiled a 16-3 record and tied with Washington for the Kansas City – Atchison League title, Harmon’s first in over 30 years.
Harmon will play at home against Shawnee Mission East on Friday night at 7 p.m. for the substate championship and a berth in the KSHSAA 6A state tournament in Wichita next weekend.
Other substate playoff results:
6A Boys Wyandotte 76, Olathe Northwest 71 (play-in) Blue Valley Northwest 78, Wyandotte 37 (first round)
6A Girls Blue Valley West 66,Harmon 12 Shawnee Mission North 47, Wyandotte 27
Harmon senior Marlon Bowens (2) put up a runner in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Harmon sophomore Michael Carson (23) took a short-range shot from the baseline. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Harmon senior Marcus Wilbert (0) blocked a shot from North senior Amari Williams. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Harmon head coach Dave Gonzales counseled his team to cool their emotions as the game become tense in the closing minutes. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
The Harmon cheerleaders celebrated after a last-second dunk by Lonell Lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Harmon sophomore Chauncey Keys (35) put up a shot over North senior Jackson Bell (10). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Lonell Lane went up for a shot in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
The North cheerleaders performed stunts during a break in the action. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
The Harmon pep band entertained the crowd at halftime. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Marlon Bowens took a three-point shot. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Harmon senior guard Santos Ruiz looked for an opening in the Indians defense. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
