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Scots knock Pirates out of playoffs 89-52

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Pirates were knocked out of the KSHSAA 5A playoffs Friday evening, losing 89-52 to the Highland Park Runnin’ Scots in Topeka. The game remained competitive until a disastrous fourth quarter for the Pirates, who finish the season with a 14-8 record and a Frontier League title.

Highland Park scored the first 8 points, their fast ball movement and defensive intensity throwing the Pirates off their game. Piper rallied to tie the game at 15 late in the first quarter, finding success with drives to the rim for layups.

The Pirates were down only 18-17 going into the second quarter, and Piper got a quick start, taking an early 23-20 lead. Jaron Briggs and Devin Kerr combined for 13 of the Pirates 15 points in the quarter, which closed with the Scots up 39-32.

The Pirates were within 5 midway through the third quarter, but Highland Park extended its lead to double digits by forcing turnovers and getting easy buckets at the other end, a preview of the quarter to come.

Highland Park outscored Piper 29-6 in the fourth quarter. The Scots blocked shots in the lane, and Piper’s shots from outside refused to fall, other than a lone trey from Alex Ivanuska. The home team turned rebounds into quick scores, with multiple dunks firing up the already festive crowd.

Briggs led the scoring for Piper with 16 points for the game, and Kerr posted 12. Piper’s trio of freshman guards, Mikey Burgess, P.J. Moore and Lantz Walton all saw extensive floor time and will be fun to watch in upcoming seasons.

The Highland Park Scots will become more familiar to Kansas City, Kansas, fans in the 2022-2023 school year, when they will begin competing in the Kansas City – Atchison League, which includes all five USD 500 high schools.

Despite the score, the Piper cheerleaders did not lose their pep. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Highland Park junior Bo Aldridge blocked a shot from sophomore Gannon Roth. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Freshman Lantz Walton made a layup. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Devin Kerr went for a layup, narrowly avoiding a block from Highland Park junior Trevontae Richardson. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Miguel Martin wove his way through the Scots defenders. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Devin Kerr was fouled as he took his shot. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Aaron Simmons delivered a finger roll. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

The Highland Park Air Force Junior ROTC presented the colors before the game. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Harmon Hawks lose late to Olathe North in substate opener

Senior Chrishaud Berry hit a three-point shot to stop an Olathe North run after halftime of Harmon’s substate tournament game. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

A winning Harmon Hawks season ended in a disappointing first-round playoff loss at home Wednesday evening. Matched against the Olathe North Eagles, the Hawks couldn’t fend off a fourth-quarter run and lost 56-46 in the KSHSAA 6A substate tournament.

The Hawks held a 20-17 halftime lead thanks to excellent on-ball defense that turned into several breakaways, even though missed opportunities at the rim cost the home team an even bigger margin.

The Eagles scored the first 8 points after halftime before Chrishaud Berry hit a three-pointer to stop the slide. Harmon tied the score at 25 and stayed within reach through the remainder of the quarter, going to the final frame down 35-33.

The Eagles scored 9 unanswered points to start the fourth quarter, and Harmon was unable to stop the momentum. Late, frantic scoring from the Hawks was countered at the other end by free throws from the visitors, who maintained their double-digit lead through the final whistle.

After the game, head coach David Gonzales talked about the performance of his team.

“If you take this away,” the coach said, “we had a great season. It stings right now, but we just picked a bad night to play bad.”

The season was a successful one, although with a disappointing finale. Despite losing the first three games, Harmon posted a 15-5 season record, including a nine-game winning streak. The Hawks also won the Kansas City-Atchison League title for the third straight year.

Tournament recap:

In the 3A class, Bishop Ward boys lost in the substate semi-final against Pleasant Ridge 65-52 Thursday evening. The Cyclones finish the year with a 16-5 record and the Kaw Valley League title.

In the 5A class, Sumner Academy girls lost to Leavenworth 40-29. J’Layne Hulse led the Lady Sabres with 11 points, and MyLeah Brown had 9.

Turner girls lost the opening round match against St. Thomas Aquinas 71-17. Piper girls lost a game against Lansing 55-25. The Schlagle Lady Stallions played Basehor-Linwood and lost 68-9.

In the 6A class, Wyandotte boys lost to Shawnee Mission Northwest 76-58 Wednesday evening.

The only Wyandotte County team remaining in the post-season is Piper’s boys’ team, scheduled to play in Topeka against Highland Park at 7 p.m. Friday.

Senior Jamarrion Evans tied up Olathe North sophomore T.J. Porter for a defensive stop. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Jamarrion Evans drove for a layup. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Eddie King went up for a layup, overshadowed by Olathe North’s 6-foot-7 Gavin Shearer. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Jason Rodriguez drove along the left baseline. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Lynell Lane scored on a breakaway. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Eddie King pulled down an offensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Chrishaud Berry took his shot straight at the Olathe North defense. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Sumner sophomore MyLeah Brown was bracketed by the Leavenworth defense. (Photo courtesy Derek Wiley)

Sumner junior J’Layne Hulse drove to the basket. (Photo courtesy Derek Wiley)

Substate win over Lansing starts Pirates’ playoff journey

Senior Aaron Simmons drew a crowd of Lions as he drove into the lane in Piper’s substate playoff win over Lansing. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Pirates started their playoff run in fine form Tuesday evening in Piper, taking a 76-58 win from the Lansing Lions in the first round of their substate bracket.

The Pirates used quick perimeter movement and skip passes to open driving lanes that they exploited with drives and kickouts.

Piper built on its lead with each successive quarter until there was no doubt about the outcome in the final frame. To the great delight of the boisterous Pirates’ student section, head coach Steve Wallace emptied the bench in the latter half of the fourth quarter.

Four Pirates scored in double figures, led by Jaron Briggs with 18 points. Gannon Roth scored 13, including 3 three-pointers. Devin Kerr scored 11 points and was a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line. Mikey Burgess scored 10 points.

The Pirates move on to play Topeka’s Highland Park High School on Friday for the substate trophy and a berth in the 5A state tournament in Emporia.

In other local playoff action, Bishop Ward boys defeated Santa Fe Trail 63-51 and will face Easton-Pleasant Ridge on Thursday in Pomona in the 3A substate bracket. The Lady Cyclones were defeated 47-28 by Osage City in their first round match, and finish their season with a 9-11 record.

Bonner Springs boys lost 85-55 at St. James Academy in Lenexa. Sumner Academy boys lost 65-52 at Pittsburg. Wyandotte girls lost at Shawnee Mission West, 59-9.