I want everyone who frequents the HSSTM Web site to check out our "In the News" section at the bottom of the main page. I'm trying something new with this feature, and I intend to update every morning.
The area has so many newspaper reporters out on the beat every night all over the area. So I am trolling through area newspapers' Web sports pages for stories of interest and posting links to these stories in "In the News". This will be an outstanding way for area prep sports fans to stay up to date on all the top teams, athletes and stories being covered by local prep beat writers. Hopefully this section will become a portal for fans to stay on top of what's going on the area. Let me know if this is helpful.
Here are my favorite sub-state matchups this week:
If the Maize boys (10-10) can beat Wichita Northwest (8-12) for the second time this season in their opening round game on Thursday, they should meet up with Wichita Heights (14-6) on Saturday for a berth in the 6A state tournament. Heights is tested, with a strong win over East earlier this season. Maize seemed to turn the corner in late January but hit the skids again in late February. Maize lost out at sub-state last season when they were one of the better teams in 6A. Maybe they can put it together and do the same to Heights this weekend.
The Goddard girls (18-2) can challenge for the 6A state title. But they'll have to get by Wichita South in the sub-state final first, assuming they both get there with wins tonight. Goddard is a more complete team, but South could make a run at them if Christine Elliott, an SMU signee, can best Lindsay Keller, an Oklahoma State signee, in the post.
Will the Derby girls (14-6), a preseason favorite in 6A, even make state? They have to beat Southeast (9-11), who gave them a game earlier in the year, and Dodge City (16-4). The wheels came off in February. Can they get a tune-up in time?
A boys matchup between South (14-6) and East (16-4) in the sub-state final at Cmapus on Saturday could be a classic. These historically successful City League clubs split during the regular season. East should dominate in the post; can South torture the Aces with their superior outside shooting?
The Bishop Carroll boys (11-9) should meet Kapaun (10-10) for the third time this season in the sub-state final at Carroll. This will be a great game! I've got Carroll in the Concrete Cave, which just seems unfair. Carroll could make a run at the 5A title.
The Class 4A boys sub-state at Andale is just so stacked. It's up for grabs. On Friday, Hesston (19-2) meets Andale (15-6) and Cheney (19-2) meets Clearwater (18-2). I'm going with Andale, in an upset tourney victory at home. I'll be there on Friday.
For my take on the 3A sub-state at Chaparral in Anthony, see the new showcase story on the main page of the Web site. A Trinity-Collegiate sub-state final rematch could be a classic.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
State season
I spent my Saturday at the Class 5A state wrestling tournament, and there undoubtedly were several highlights.
No, it was more than Hutch's Romero Cotton winning his fourth straight state title, in addition to his four team football titles, making him the first to do so in Kansas history. It was more than Ark City's Trison Graham winning his fourth state title.
Two surprise champs stole the show. At 135 pounds, Valley Center sophomore Cade Blair, after upsetting Hutch's Colby Crank in the second round on Friday, completed an unlikely title run on Saturday night against Joe Hagan of Kapaun. It was the strangest match of the tournament. Through two rounds, it was all defense. Blair got one point in the opening round with an escape, and held on for a 1-0 win. Hagan slowly crawled out from under Blair in the third round and actually got on top of his back. It looked like two points for Hagan, but Blair kept a hold around one of Hagan's legs, though Hagan was on top of him. After about 10 seconds in this position, the referee called a tie-up and sent them to the middle of the mat for a restart. Blair's just a sophomore, and he's a rising star for the Valley Center program. It was a hard-fought match, and kudos to Blair for gutting it out.
The second great match of the tourney was Pete Tapia of Winfield versus undefeated Kyle Detmer of Bishop Carroll. Detmer was undefeated, 34-0 on the season. The defending champ had beaten Tapia, also a defending state champ, twice during the regular season, both pins. But Detmer was totally caught off guard in this title match. Tapia somehow found a way to just dominate Detmer, winning 5-0. The fact that he didn't give up a point to a guy who pinned him twice previously is incredible.
Sub-state starts this week. Go to the forums and post about players who stand out.
No, it was more than Hutch's Romero Cotton winning his fourth straight state title, in addition to his four team football titles, making him the first to do so in Kansas history. It was more than Ark City's Trison Graham winning his fourth state title.
Two surprise champs stole the show. At 135 pounds, Valley Center sophomore Cade Blair, after upsetting Hutch's Colby Crank in the second round on Friday, completed an unlikely title run on Saturday night against Joe Hagan of Kapaun. It was the strangest match of the tournament. Through two rounds, it was all defense. Blair got one point in the opening round with an escape, and held on for a 1-0 win. Hagan slowly crawled out from under Blair in the third round and actually got on top of his back. It looked like two points for Hagan, but Blair kept a hold around one of Hagan's legs, though Hagan was on top of him. After about 10 seconds in this position, the referee called a tie-up and sent them to the middle of the mat for a restart. Blair's just a sophomore, and he's a rising star for the Valley Center program. It was a hard-fought match, and kudos to Blair for gutting it out.
The second great match of the tourney was Pete Tapia of Winfield versus undefeated Kyle Detmer of Bishop Carroll. Detmer was undefeated, 34-0 on the season. The defending champ had beaten Tapia, also a defending state champ, twice during the regular season, both pins. But Detmer was totally caught off guard in this title match. Tapia somehow found a way to just dominate Detmer, winning 5-0. The fact that he didn't give up a point to a guy who pinned him twice previously is incredible.
Sub-state starts this week. Go to the forums and post about players who stand out.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
KAKE Appearance
High School Sports The Magazine appeared on KAKE 10's Overtime Live on Sunday night. We talked prep football signings with Ben Arnet and Jason Duda. I didn't even get close to using all my notes, so I'll share them with you here.
'08 Division I Signees
Arthur Brown, Wichita East LB
Arthur Brown was a key cog in Miami’s compilation of the top recruiting class in 2008. He is one of five outside linebackers signed by the ‘Canes who Scouts Inc. ranked in the top seven. He is the only one of the five not from the state of Florida. This class led by Brown was sorely needed at Miami, as their defense performed uncharacteristically last season, leading to the firing of defensive coordinator Tim Walton. Linebackers coach Michael Barrow, one of Miami’s many great linebackers over the years as a player, was retained, however, and Brown never wavered in his decision to attend Miami when Walton was fired.
Logan Dold, Garden Plain RB/S
While Brown courted and was courted by the top programs across the country for over a year before making his decision and sticking to it, Logan Dold made a commitment to Kansas State during his junior year and never wavered. After being recruited as a safety initially, coaches at K-State are telling the second all-time leading rusher in Kansas prep history he could play on the offensive side of the ball. After watching another Kansas prep product, Jake Sharp of Salina Central, the former all-time second-leading rusher in the state, have an impact as an undersized sophomore in the backfield for KU, one of the top teams in the country last season, it’s not unfeasible. Kansas football talent is gaining respect, evidenced by the high number of Division I signees this season from the state.
Chris Harper, Wichita Northwest QB
Other than Arthur Brown, Chris Harper’s was probably the loudest storyline this recruiting year. He announced on December 17 his intentions to attend Kansas State, only to back out after the man who recruited him, Wildcat offensive coordinator James Franklin, bolted for Maryland. I remember talking to Harper’s high school coach at Northwest, Weston Schartz, on the day of the announcement and him telling me that he could still change his mind – which he did, and it led to a lot of debate. Just what do these pre-signing day commitments mean? Well, in this case, which is special, when the guy who recruits you leaves, the commitment doesn’t mean much to the athlete when it doesn’t mean much to the coach. So Harper ended up signing with Oregon, where he’ll hope to play quarterback. Darron Thomas out of Aldine, Texas, a de-commit from LSU who, like Arthur Brown at Miami, already enrolled at Oregon in January, will battle with him for the position in the coming years. Harper could very well end up as a wideout.
Brayden Burris, Bishop Carroll OL
Brayden Burris provided another interesting storyline at the final hour that involved Kansas State. Burris, who committed to the Wildcats as a junior, was asked to gray-shirt, which meant he would los his scholarship until the spring semester of 2009, late in the process before signing day. Burris ended up signing with Iowa State, a team which coincidentally sent K-State’s season into a free-for-all, dealing them their first of four straight losses in November to end their season. Burris wasn’t the only local player to be signed by the Cyclones.
Dakota Zimmerman, Campus L
Campus lineman Dokota Zimmerman was signed as a long snapper, further evidence of a developing trend in college football to take the position as seriously as the pros by recruiting specifically to fill the position.
Darius Parish, Wichita North L
Darius Parish, a 6-4, 335-pound lineman, leads a recruiting class that Scouts Inc. rated a C, as the Jayhawks landed not one of their top 150 recruits. I think you have to take this with a grain of salt, though, because how many top 150 recruits played on Kansas’ Orange Bowl title team this season? Parish has tons of ability, though it is still raw. His ability to move well with such great size, though, makes you think he can eventually be a great player. And he’s a very good, confident, soft-spoken kid. Though few Kansans would ever hold his de-commit from Nebraska against him, don’t let that situation reflect on his character. A switch in head coaches is huge. These are the guys players develop relationships with when they make their visits and talk on the phone. If they leave, how can you not expect the player re-open the process. Either way, if he re-opens the process or sticks with the original school, he’s entering unknown territory. If anything, he’s revisiting schools with coaches he already actually knows. A conversation I had with a Bishop Carroll wrestler, Jordan Keller, impacted my thoughts on this very much. He made a visit to Columbia University in New York City and thought for sure that’s where he would attend college. But a subsequent visit to Cleveland State changed his mind – and he said it was because of the relationships he built with the wrestling coaches there. I know from personal experience from trying out for a semester as a walk-on at the Division I level. Even in their off-season, their coaches own them. They’re always with the team. If a kid’s going to play Division I athletics, he better know and like the coaches, because he’s going to be doing what they tell him to do constantly.
Kale Pick, Dodge City QB
Kale Pick, the Dodge City quarterback who missed most of his senior season with a torn ligament in his thumb, also de-committed from Arkansas when Houston Nutt came under fire.
Pick signed with KU along with Parish.
Tanner Hawkinson, McPherson TE
A highly-touted prospect who could become a big name in the KU offense in the years to come.
Potential Division I guys coming up through the ranks.
Class of '09
Bryce Brown, Wichita East RB
Broke his own single-season City League rushing record this season with 1,850 yards. Would have broken 2,000 easily if not for repeated holding penalties throughout the season. With a 2,000-yard season in 2008, he’ll pass Logan Dold as the second-leading all-time rusher in Kansas prep history. Has compiled 5,185 rushing yards and scored 60 touchdowns in career. Just like his player, he’s a top-five player in the nation for his class. Bryce Brown will be scoring touchdowns on national television in a few years.
Brett Soft, Maize WR
Brett Soft is slowly building a reputation. He was a complete unknown before this past fall. He had negligible receiving stats in 2006 on a senior-laden Maize football team. Last season, however, he hovered around 200 yards receiving in several games, and ended up breaking the state’s single-season receiving yards and receptions records in just 10 games played. This is a player who needs to be on recruiting radars across the country. He’s big, 6-4, 200 pounds, and has suction cups for hands.
Huldon Tharp, Mulvane RB/LB
6-0, 200, 1,922 yard and 25 touchdowns last season, 3,195 yards and 421 tackles at linebacker for his three-year career at Mulvane; Miami and others are interested
Ian Knight, Wichita Heights DE
6-1, 235 was offered by Illinois last week
Jaydan Bird, former Andover Central RB/LB (now lives in Conway Springs)
6-0, 210 RB/LB offered by Miami; will he run out of the single wing offense with junior quarterback Caleb Brill, 1,900 total yards last season, at Conway Springs next year? Conway could be back on the map to win its first state title since 2004 when it ran off its fourth straight under Mark Bliss. Coach Lelin George at Conway will go after his first title next season after a surprise appearance at 3A sub-state this fall. Garden Plain’s loss of over 25 seniors will help, though the return of a 2,000-yard passer and 2,000-yard rusher at Silver Lake will not help. Tyler Roberts and Cameron Renfro
Nate Dreiling, Hutchinson LB
Led team in tackles with 145, 91 solo and 14 for loss of yardage
Forrest Stucky, Hutchinson DT
Led team in tackles for loss (21), sacks (5.5) and pressures (32); third in tackles with 77
Class of '10
Blake Bell, Bishop Carroll WR (QB next season)
Damarcus Robinson, Wichita Northwest RB
1,102 yards rushing and 11 TD on 143 carries; junior Colby Duranleau one of three juniors and one sophomore returning to the Northwest OL next season
Joseph Randle, Wichita Southeast RB/DB
Deveon Dinwiddie, Hutchinson SB
∑ Returned two kickoffs for TD; 34.9 yards per kickoff return; third on team in rushing yards with 694; six receptions for 236 yards and four TD; three TD in state title game
Class of '11
Chaquil Reed. Wichita East DE
Jordan Phillips, Circle
'08 Division I Signees
Arthur Brown, Wichita East LB
Arthur Brown was a key cog in Miami’s compilation of the top recruiting class in 2008. He is one of five outside linebackers signed by the ‘Canes who Scouts Inc. ranked in the top seven. He is the only one of the five not from the state of Florida. This class led by Brown was sorely needed at Miami, as their defense performed uncharacteristically last season, leading to the firing of defensive coordinator Tim Walton. Linebackers coach Michael Barrow, one of Miami’s many great linebackers over the years as a player, was retained, however, and Brown never wavered in his decision to attend Miami when Walton was fired.
Logan Dold, Garden Plain RB/S
While Brown courted and was courted by the top programs across the country for over a year before making his decision and sticking to it, Logan Dold made a commitment to Kansas State during his junior year and never wavered. After being recruited as a safety initially, coaches at K-State are telling the second all-time leading rusher in Kansas prep history he could play on the offensive side of the ball. After watching another Kansas prep product, Jake Sharp of Salina Central, the former all-time second-leading rusher in the state, have an impact as an undersized sophomore in the backfield for KU, one of the top teams in the country last season, it’s not unfeasible. Kansas football talent is gaining respect, evidenced by the high number of Division I signees this season from the state.
Chris Harper, Wichita Northwest QB
Other than Arthur Brown, Chris Harper’s was probably the loudest storyline this recruiting year. He announced on December 17 his intentions to attend Kansas State, only to back out after the man who recruited him, Wildcat offensive coordinator James Franklin, bolted for Maryland. I remember talking to Harper’s high school coach at Northwest, Weston Schartz, on the day of the announcement and him telling me that he could still change his mind – which he did, and it led to a lot of debate. Just what do these pre-signing day commitments mean? Well, in this case, which is special, when the guy who recruits you leaves, the commitment doesn’t mean much to the athlete when it doesn’t mean much to the coach. So Harper ended up signing with Oregon, where he’ll hope to play quarterback. Darron Thomas out of Aldine, Texas, a de-commit from LSU who, like Arthur Brown at Miami, already enrolled at Oregon in January, will battle with him for the position in the coming years. Harper could very well end up as a wideout.
Brayden Burris, Bishop Carroll OL
Brayden Burris provided another interesting storyline at the final hour that involved Kansas State. Burris, who committed to the Wildcats as a junior, was asked to gray-shirt, which meant he would los his scholarship until the spring semester of 2009, late in the process before signing day. Burris ended up signing with Iowa State, a team which coincidentally sent K-State’s season into a free-for-all, dealing them their first of four straight losses in November to end their season. Burris wasn’t the only local player to be signed by the Cyclones.
Dakota Zimmerman, Campus L
Campus lineman Dokota Zimmerman was signed as a long snapper, further evidence of a developing trend in college football to take the position as seriously as the pros by recruiting specifically to fill the position.
Darius Parish, Wichita North L
Darius Parish, a 6-4, 335-pound lineman, leads a recruiting class that Scouts Inc. rated a C, as the Jayhawks landed not one of their top 150 recruits. I think you have to take this with a grain of salt, though, because how many top 150 recruits played on Kansas’ Orange Bowl title team this season? Parish has tons of ability, though it is still raw. His ability to move well with such great size, though, makes you think he can eventually be a great player. And he’s a very good, confident, soft-spoken kid. Though few Kansans would ever hold his de-commit from Nebraska against him, don’t let that situation reflect on his character. A switch in head coaches is huge. These are the guys players develop relationships with when they make their visits and talk on the phone. If they leave, how can you not expect the player re-open the process. Either way, if he re-opens the process or sticks with the original school, he’s entering unknown territory. If anything, he’s revisiting schools with coaches he already actually knows. A conversation I had with a Bishop Carroll wrestler, Jordan Keller, impacted my thoughts on this very much. He made a visit to Columbia University in New York City and thought for sure that’s where he would attend college. But a subsequent visit to Cleveland State changed his mind – and he said it was because of the relationships he built with the wrestling coaches there. I know from personal experience from trying out for a semester as a walk-on at the Division I level. Even in their off-season, their coaches own them. They’re always with the team. If a kid’s going to play Division I athletics, he better know and like the coaches, because he’s going to be doing what they tell him to do constantly.
Kale Pick, Dodge City QB
Kale Pick, the Dodge City quarterback who missed most of his senior season with a torn ligament in his thumb, also de-committed from Arkansas when Houston Nutt came under fire.
Pick signed with KU along with Parish.
Tanner Hawkinson, McPherson TE
A highly-touted prospect who could become a big name in the KU offense in the years to come.
Potential Division I guys coming up through the ranks.
Class of '09
Bryce Brown, Wichita East RB
Broke his own single-season City League rushing record this season with 1,850 yards. Would have broken 2,000 easily if not for repeated holding penalties throughout the season. With a 2,000-yard season in 2008, he’ll pass Logan Dold as the second-leading all-time rusher in Kansas prep history. Has compiled 5,185 rushing yards and scored 60 touchdowns in career. Just like his player, he’s a top-five player in the nation for his class. Bryce Brown will be scoring touchdowns on national television in a few years.
Brett Soft, Maize WR
Brett Soft is slowly building a reputation. He was a complete unknown before this past fall. He had negligible receiving stats in 2006 on a senior-laden Maize football team. Last season, however, he hovered around 200 yards receiving in several games, and ended up breaking the state’s single-season receiving yards and receptions records in just 10 games played. This is a player who needs to be on recruiting radars across the country. He’s big, 6-4, 200 pounds, and has suction cups for hands.
Huldon Tharp, Mulvane RB/LB
6-0, 200, 1,922 yard and 25 touchdowns last season, 3,195 yards and 421 tackles at linebacker for his three-year career at Mulvane; Miami and others are interested
Ian Knight, Wichita Heights DE
6-1, 235 was offered by Illinois last week
Jaydan Bird, former Andover Central RB/LB (now lives in Conway Springs)
6-0, 210 RB/LB offered by Miami; will he run out of the single wing offense with junior quarterback Caleb Brill, 1,900 total yards last season, at Conway Springs next year? Conway could be back on the map to win its first state title since 2004 when it ran off its fourth straight under Mark Bliss. Coach Lelin George at Conway will go after his first title next season after a surprise appearance at 3A sub-state this fall. Garden Plain’s loss of over 25 seniors will help, though the return of a 2,000-yard passer and 2,000-yard rusher at Silver Lake will not help. Tyler Roberts and Cameron Renfro
Nate Dreiling, Hutchinson LB
Led team in tackles with 145, 91 solo and 14 for loss of yardage
Forrest Stucky, Hutchinson DT
Led team in tackles for loss (21), sacks (5.5) and pressures (32); third in tackles with 77
Class of '10
Blake Bell, Bishop Carroll WR (QB next season)
Damarcus Robinson, Wichita Northwest RB
1,102 yards rushing and 11 TD on 143 carries; junior Colby Duranleau one of three juniors and one sophomore returning to the Northwest OL next season
Joseph Randle, Wichita Southeast RB/DB
Deveon Dinwiddie, Hutchinson SB
∑ Returned two kickoffs for TD; 34.9 yards per kickoff return; third on team in rushing yards with 694; six receptions for 236 yards and four TD; three TD in state title game
Class of '11
Chaquil Reed. Wichita East DE
Jordan Phillips, Circle
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Upset! Kind of
The Southeast boys are no longer undefeated. Granted, the reason sophomore Bishop Carroll forward Blake Bell blew up for 33 points last night was probably aided by the fact that Southeast forward Cortez Barnes was out with the flu, but Carroll did nearly beat the Buffs in the first meeting of the season as well when Barnes was in the lineup. Bell is a young athlete with huge upside (he'll be a top recruit in his class for football), and he's coming on in hoops. Carroll is a team I've been waiting for to turn the corner, and maybe this is it. They'll compete for a spot at state and beyond in Class 5A. This win added to their win over East earlier in the season makes them a team with which to be reckoned. An 88-76 win over Southeast is huge. No team ever wants to play Carroll at home in the Concrete Cave. It is a small, crowded setting with a low ceiling - perfect for shooters and gym rats. Guard Brett Steven added 20 points; he's smooth and can shoot it. It's sort of a shame they won't be playing in the Cave much longer, as they're building a new facility.
I'm curious about the Maize boys basketball team. Look for a report on them on the Web site later this week. After a slow start, they're getting it going. Wins last week over McPherson and Wichita Northwest have put them back on the map. Things didn't look good after their mid-season tournament at McPherson, where they nearly beat defending Class 6A champ Blue Valley West only to drop their next game to 4A Buhler. Brett Soft, who broke the single-season state marks for receiving yards and receptions this past football season, is supposed to be coming on strong. He's 6-4 and very athletic. Again, like Bell, he'll be a top recruit in the state for football next season. He just needs some exposure; he's got the tools to play big-time Division I football.
The Andover Central girls continue to roll. Who can stop them? Maybe only Colby in the 4A state tournament.
Across town, the Andover High boys are also undefeated. It's amazing that a town that had only one small school back in the day has grown to its current size and can produce two top basketball teams in the state now. This is truly a sports town.
I've also got my eye on the Argonia girls. They're 15-0. Look for a report on Argonia on our Web site early next week. Last season, another 1A girls team from the area, South Haven, won the state tournament going undefeated all season. The south end of south central Kansas could produce another state champ this season.
Weather update: how is it 65 degrees one day, then 25 degrees and snowing and freezing raining two days later. Kansas.
I'm curious about the Maize boys basketball team. Look for a report on them on the Web site later this week. After a slow start, they're getting it going. Wins last week over McPherson and Wichita Northwest have put them back on the map. Things didn't look good after their mid-season tournament at McPherson, where they nearly beat defending Class 6A champ Blue Valley West only to drop their next game to 4A Buhler. Brett Soft, who broke the single-season state marks for receiving yards and receptions this past football season, is supposed to be coming on strong. He's 6-4 and very athletic. Again, like Bell, he'll be a top recruit in the state for football next season. He just needs some exposure; he's got the tools to play big-time Division I football.
The Andover Central girls continue to roll. Who can stop them? Maybe only Colby in the 4A state tournament.
Across town, the Andover High boys are also undefeated. It's amazing that a town that had only one small school back in the day has grown to its current size and can produce two top basketball teams in the state now. This is truly a sports town.
I've also got my eye on the Argonia girls. They're 15-0. Look for a report on Argonia on our Web site early next week. Last season, another 1A girls team from the area, South Haven, won the state tournament going undefeated all season. The south end of south central Kansas could produce another state champ this season.
Weather update: how is it 65 degrees one day, then 25 degrees and snowing and freezing raining two days later. Kansas.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Spring fever
It's like 60 degrees outside, the likes of which we haven't seen for months, and I'm surrounding by four walls, a telephone and a computer. Bummer. As Queen says, "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike."
Spring sports are just around the corner. Their high school season is short, but in some ways it's my favorite athletic season of the year. But, of course, cracking sunflower seeds between my teeth while sipping on a fountain drink in my lawn chair is relaxing and fun to me. This is my pastime while watching a baseball game. And who doesn't enjoy strolling about a track meet for a couple hours, craning your neck to see sprinters whiz by or staring dumbfoundedly at a discus while it soars further... and further?
I thought Clearwater discus thrower Luke Bryant was the best story of the spring sports season last year. Now throwing in the University of Arizona track and field program, Bryant broke the state meet record last year with a throw of 205-5. He went on the compete in the Junior Pan-Am Games in Brazil as the top high school discus thrower in the nation.
Wichita Heights sprinter Audacia Moore should be the story this year. She won the 100- and 200-meter dashes in Class 6A last year as a junior. She has big-time written all over her and comes from a family and track and field stars. Look for a bit on her in the upcoming magazine. She'll be hard to miss on the cover.
Spring sports are just around the corner. Their high school season is short, but in some ways it's my favorite athletic season of the year. But, of course, cracking sunflower seeds between my teeth while sipping on a fountain drink in my lawn chair is relaxing and fun to me. This is my pastime while watching a baseball game. And who doesn't enjoy strolling about a track meet for a couple hours, craning your neck to see sprinters whiz by or staring dumbfoundedly at a discus while it soars further... and further?
I thought Clearwater discus thrower Luke Bryant was the best story of the spring sports season last year. Now throwing in the University of Arizona track and field program, Bryant broke the state meet record last year with a throw of 205-5. He went on the compete in the Junior Pan-Am Games in Brazil as the top high school discus thrower in the nation.
Wichita Heights sprinter Audacia Moore should be the story this year. She won the 100- and 200-meter dashes in Class 6A last year as a junior. She has big-time written all over her and comes from a family and track and field stars. Look for a bit on her in the upcoming magazine. She'll be hard to miss on the cover.
Friday, February 1, 2008
So much confusion
I'm back from my blogging hiatus. Alas, my job isn't just to write, but rather I also have to plan each issue and assign its parts to correspondents.
Let's talk about some currently pressing issues, then we'll move on to what's in the next issue. (By the way, the February issue of the magazine was just released. It's a gimmie, so...)
Bruce Haertl just asked me on the Sports Daily radio show about the Andover Central girls basketball team. Out of Class 4A, the Jags could be ranked No. 1 in the state next week, as Central beat Bishop Carroll last week and Heights lost to South on Tuesday. Can a team from Class 4A possibly be No. 1 in the state?
Look, the girls game is different. There is not as big a gap in size and athleticism between the big and small schools in the girls game as there is in the boys game.
Colby, another 4A team which some are ranking ahead of Central in their own class, trounced Wichita South at their mid-season tournament - South, a team that ended two-time defending state champ Heights' winning streak on Tuesday. Class 4A could have two teams better than anyone else in the state!
Bailey Gee and the rest of the crew at Andover Central are for real - though I still would take Heights head-to-head. I'm just saying.
Pick up the February issue of High School Sports The Magazine at Presto Convenience Stores, Wal-mart, Wendy's, YMCA, Dillon's and Blockbuster. Hutchinson wrestler Romero Cotton, a four-time football state champion and favored to win his fourth individual state wrestling title this month, appears on the cover. Not only is Cotton one of this state's best athletes, he's a solid guy. Jim Misunas allows us to get a step closer to this "great one."
The March issue of the HSSTM is in the works. While we'll continue to concentrate on basketball, spring sports previews are also in the works. So start the talk. Who are the best pitchers, sprinters and ball-strokers around?
Let's talk about some currently pressing issues, then we'll move on to what's in the next issue. (By the way, the February issue of the magazine was just released. It's a gimmie, so...)
Bruce Haertl just asked me on the Sports Daily radio show about the Andover Central girls basketball team. Out of Class 4A, the Jags could be ranked No. 1 in the state next week, as Central beat Bishop Carroll last week and Heights lost to South on Tuesday. Can a team from Class 4A possibly be No. 1 in the state?
Look, the girls game is different. There is not as big a gap in size and athleticism between the big and small schools in the girls game as there is in the boys game.
Colby, another 4A team which some are ranking ahead of Central in their own class, trounced Wichita South at their mid-season tournament - South, a team that ended two-time defending state champ Heights' winning streak on Tuesday. Class 4A could have two teams better than anyone else in the state!
Bailey Gee and the rest of the crew at Andover Central are for real - though I still would take Heights head-to-head. I'm just saying.
Pick up the February issue of High School Sports The Magazine at Presto Convenience Stores, Wal-mart, Wendy's, YMCA, Dillon's and Blockbuster. Hutchinson wrestler Romero Cotton, a four-time football state champion and favored to win his fourth individual state wrestling title this month, appears on the cover. Not only is Cotton one of this state's best athletes, he's a solid guy. Jim Misunas allows us to get a step closer to this "great one."
The March issue of the HSSTM is in the works. While we'll continue to concentrate on basketball, spring sports previews are also in the works. So start the talk. Who are the best pitchers, sprinters and ball-strokers around?
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