Tuesday night tour

Last night I tried to see as much talent as possible. So I went to three different sites all within five miles of each other. This is one of the great things about Wichita: plenty of good basketball.
I started out at Collegiate, which hosted Andover Central - a classic out-of-class matchup you usually only get at mid-season tournaments. Central pulled it out 72-59, but Class 3A should be on the watch for the Lady Spartans. They're very young, but they're not playing for the future. They can compete on the state level right now. They proved that against one of the top Class 4A teams in the state.
Ashia Woods, a 5-11 freshman, rebounds, runs the court, leads the break, and somehow repeatedly finished shots under the hoop, the motion for which she starts below the waist. She had 22 points going up against Bailey Gee, Missouri signee and Andover Central star.
Kamri Phox, a sophomore guard and daughter of coach Terrence Phox, is also a very nice player, leading the break at times and hitting the mid-range shot.
Add these two young players to senior Kim Alexander's game, and Collegiate will be very good this season. Alexander's up-and-under move in the post is deceiving and powerful.
Andover Central is as good as advertised, though they needed more control in the full-court last night. Sophomore guard Tiffany Bias is extremely talented, and she and Gee should have a strong chemistry by end of year. The screen and roll is perfect for these two.
And senior Britt Chamberlin can really shoot the three-pointer.

I then hopped over to Edgemore to see the vaunted Wichita Southeast Buffs boys team. Again, their talent is very much as advertised. Jordan Cyphers can pull up from anywhere; he and Cortez Barnes both play above the rim; Barnes didn't hit the 15-footer last night, but it looked like he should have; DeAndre Tomlin takes giant strides on the dribble-drive and is very powerful; and Cecil Shaw gives quality minutes at the point, slicing to the hoop.
The one question mark: Adonis Gantt. He is so strong and powerful, yet he seemed out of place at times last night in the first half. I hope he can fit in on the team, because he seems a natural leader and full of enthusiasm. Once Gantt gets on track, Southeast will be formidable.
The Buffs beat Kapaun 81-69, but I like the Crusaders. Shane Torgler is a bull at the guard position, taking on all comers and somehow getting his share of layups against players six inches taller than him. Kevin Booker is an all-around player, and sophomore guard Dyllon Knox is someone to keep an eye on. He's very strong, steady with the ball bringing it up the court and goes to the rim with confidence. A jumpshot off the dribble would make this kid deadly. Booker and 6-5 James Riter worked a nice high-low game, as well. Don't count out Kapaun.

I briefly stopped by the East-Heights boys game. I was so impressed with Heights last Friday night against South. Heights' Kelton Marshall is a very special player, a big guy who's valuable in the open court and half-court. But, apparently, East is just too much. The Blue Aces gave the Falcons a terrible time of it last season, ending their season with two consecutive wins over them.
If I had to pick one reason why East handled Heights 88-76, I'd say senior Eric Hardyway. This is the best point guard around (may be too early to say that). No one from Heights could defend his first step off the dribble. East spread it out and let Hardyway get around his man and break down the defense. He may be un-guardable with tight half-court man defense.

I ended my night back at Collegiate. The boys team avenged their loss at Andover Central last year with an overpowering 68-49 win. It's tough to say this player at Collegiate did this, and this player did that. The team defense and unselfishness in the half-court is enough to make you jealous. I don't know how Mitch Fiegel gets them to buy in, but he does. The double the guy bringing the ball up the court and try to steal the next pass. Or they steal the inbounds pass. They had two instances last night where they scored six points in like 15 seconds.
Their defense is scary, and they work for shots on offense. The only time a guy drives to the hoop is when a quick, hard ball reversal has created a gap to penetrate. They are well-trained and well-versed in what they're trying to do.
Cole Fiegel is probably their best individual player, but it doesn't really matter. Because players only successful as individuals cannot thrive on this team. Junior Quincy Taylor, a transfer from out of state, is another nice guard, able to shoot outside and drive. Fiegel and Clint Cornejo are the two big contributors from the senior class. The rest are sophomores and juniors. Collegiate was just at the beginning a great run with last year's state title.