3 - Helter Skelter

Not just a Beatles song, but also Wichita City League basketball.

Bob Lutz on the Sports Daily radio show this morning started the conversation. I joined it when I came on the air this morning for the magazine's 10 a.m. segment, which I was able to join in studio after hauling back from Emporia last night.

City League basketball is fraught with athletic players. Helter skelter basketball has arrived and is thriving in the city of Wichita. We've been watching it on television for several years at the college level, and it was only a matter of time before high school coaches would have to adapt to the style of play. Prep players watch the college game and have begun to emulate its tendencies. The dribble-drive and kick has become the norm in college basketball, and it has seeped into prep ball, at least on teams with players capable of playing in such a manner. Half-court basketball centered around screens, cuts and flashing is no longer in vogue on athletically-capable teams. Pressure defense, driving to the hoop and shooting three-pointers off kick-outs is now in to replace it.

Lutz says he nervous during City League games, as no 10-point lead is safe, either for or against. Teams in the City League are so even, and they're proving this season that they're better than the rest of the state with "out of control" play.

Yes, they're better - without an offensive "system". I watched the Wichita Heights boys harass and gradually have their way with the defending 6A state champs, Blue Valley West, last night at White Auditorium in Emporia. Heights never developed a continuous flow in the ballgame and even looked overmatched in the early going. BV West picked apart their zone defense behind 6-9 Robert Lewandowski, likely a first-team all-stater, as he scored eight of their first ten points. But Heights extended their defense to a full-court press and forced turnover after turnover in the second half. They never built a lead until they went up six in overtime to win the game, but they were always in it, and they were always two forced turnovers away from taking the lead. They score quickly and in bunches. Scoring droughts aren't that big a deal, as they can turn it on at any time. And they don't hesitate to shoot it up. After a turnover, they'll go straight to the hoop and pray it goes in. In the half-court, its often just a look to drive, though when they do make a conscious effort to go into the post to Kelton Marshall, another first or second-team all-stater, he's money from 10 feet and in with his back to the hoop.

What's the key to this new style of play in college hoops and Wichita prep hoops? Guard play. It's why Heights can beat a team with a Lewandowski, and it's why Southeast can beat East with Garrius Holloman, arguably the best big man in the state. East lacks outside shooting, and they have a wealth of forwards, so Southeast just gets a few steals for layups or knocks down a couple three-pointers, and, bam, they're back in it. It's all about guard play. As a note, that's how Lawrence, a team with a losing record entering postseason, beat Manhattan to set up their semifinal 6A showdown tonight with Heights. Dorian Green, as Lutz noted this morning on the show, is a fabulous guard, and, despite Lawrence having all mid-sized players with no one to guard Manhattan's 6-9 Jackie Carmichael, Lawrence won the game because of it - guard play. Lesson: if you have the thoroughbreds, turn them loose. As a critique, however, some of the shot selection on these "guard" teams could be better. But then again, isn't shooting it up the point.

Tonight's lineup at White Auditorium in Emporia is outstanding. After having zero boys teams int the state semifinals last season, the City League has three of four this March. East will play Southeast for third time this season, and Heights will play Lawrence. Despite Lawrence's record, it will not be an upset if they beat Heights. After watching them last night, I have not idea how their record is that bad. They must have gelled late. They play with passion, and they play together. And they're willing to play zone, which must be played as a team with tons of communication for it to be successful.

The East-Southeast game promises to be another classic. Both regular season games were played into overtime this season. These teams know each other, the players know each other and the coaches know each other. Heck, the schools are only like three miles away from each other. Division I players will be on display, and play will be up and down the court. I've got East, though the hectic atmosphere of White Auditorium with its vibrating noise will favor Southeast, who plays well out of control. Helter skelter.

I'm back on the road. After watching the Bishop Carroll girls in Topeka yesterday afternoon before swinging down to Emporia to watch the Heights boys, I came home for a respite. Now, it's back to Emporia for the biggest night of ball this season. Heights girls versus Goddard tonight, as well, in Emporia. Unbelievable lineup.