Mid-Season Boys Tourneys

I just downed some chocolate chip pancakes, a reminder of good eats at home growing up. Mom didn't make them this time, so they weren't from scratch. Still, my stomach is happy.

I like a little flair to be added to my pancakes, among other things. The prep basketball schedule this week piques my appetite as well. Mid-season basketball tournaments are exhibitions for small schools to show their mettle against the big boys and big schools to save face. All across the state today, matchups will occur that usually don't.

Intriguing ones are:
McCook, Neb. vs. Wichita South (No one knows anything about McCook, including South. They'll try not to take a step backward as they travel far from the city to Colby, the location of their tournament.)
South Gray vs. Wichita Heights (Heights is pressing for a high finish in the City and a run to the state tournament behind senior post player Kelton Marshall. Two unheralded players are also contributing strongly: Irvin Hollinger, a mid-sized senior who can fly around the hoop, and Randall Rogers, an athletic sophomore coming off the bench. South Gray is the defening 1A champ and ranked No. 1 in 1A this season by Kansas Rivals expert Bob Hovey.)
El Dorado Tourney (Kapaun Mount Carmel, 5A, Wichita Collegiate, the defending 3A champ, and Trinity of Wichita, which narrowly lost to Collegiate at sub-state last year, all in the running to win this tournament. Trinity could gain some serious, much-needed momentum at this tournament.)
Maize vs. Blue Valley West (Maize, a team that should have competed at 6A state last year, is struggling. They go up against defending Class 6A champ BV West at the McPherson tournament. This is a huge opportunity for Maize, whose hit the skids.)
Bishop Carroll vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Carroll is on the cusp of being a contender in the City. If it's going to happen, if they're going to turn their season around, it needs to start in Kansas City at the Aquinas tournament. Hovey ranks Aquinas No. 4 in 5A in the state. Carroll can beat them, as they beat Wichita East. Their narrow defeats at the hands of Southeast, Kapaun and Heights leave huge question marks, however. I ran into Carroll coach Lonnie Lollar yesterday and he told me not to forget about them in Kansas City. Carroll's got a lineup, though they more consistency in their guard play. If anyone can come around and start blowing from three-point land, though, it's Brett Steven.)
Topeka Tournament (Wichita Northwest has great talent. Defending Class 5A champ Highland Park is in this tournament. Northwest has an opportunity to show itself as a contender in 6A.)

On another note, the upcoming magazine. We're trying something a bit different. We will spotlight the upcoming rematches between the East and Southeast boys and the Carroll and Heights girls. Two-page spreads with photos from their first meetings and a bit of text will be included.

Also, the February issue is heavy on wrestling coverage in preparation for the state wrestling meets later in the month. Wrestling community, let us know what you think!