TOPEKA -- McPherson High’s Christian Ulsaker had the full arsenal on display Wednesday night.
Left-handed jumpers. Right-handed runners. Power moves to the basket. Follow shots. Even a rainbow 3-pointer, not to mention a thunderous dunk. And a bunch -- 13 -- of free throws
Add it all up and it was a Class 5A record-breaking night for the 6-5 junior, whose 38 points led the Bullpups to an 81-56 rout of Kansas City Washington in the first round of the Class 5A State Tournament.
Ulsaker’s 38 points eclipsed by one the 5A record of 37 by Liberal’s Martin Lewis in 1991 and equaled by Arkansas City’s Matt Brumley in 1994. It also is the third-highest scoring night ever for a Bullpup, trailing George Czaplinski (44 in 1962 vs. Abilene) and Steve Henson (39 in 1986 vs. Buhler).
“How good was the big boy? queried MHS coach Kurt Kinnamon after the game. “He was just good. He was really good. There’s not much else to say.”
The victory propelled the Bullpups into Friday’s 8:15 p.m. semifinals against upstart Topeka West, which upset Andover Central 57-45 in Wednesday’s late game.
On the other side of the bracket, Miege and Gardner-Edgerton showed a lot of athleticism in their victories and they should have a dandy of a semifinal game at 4:45 p.m. Friday.
Ulsaker had a modest five points in the first quarter, which found MHS up 14-9. But then he got cooking in the second period with 16, as the Bullpups exploded for 31 points to move up 45-28. He had seven more points in the third quarter as MHS added two more points to its lead -- 59-40 -- and then completed his night with 10.
He bagged 12 of 19 floor shots and after a slow start at the line -- 3 of 6 -- he made 10 of his last 11.
“Our execution was very good and we did a good job of getting him the ball,” Kinnamon said. “We had 16 assists and that’s awesome.”
This game was all about execution over athleticism. The Bullpups forced 21 turnovers, which led to 19 points, while committing 16 themselves.
Ulsaker had plenty of help on a night that saw MHS shoot 50 percent from the field and 77 from the line (23 of 30). Treg Fawl scored 16 points, 14 in the first half to combine with Ulsaker to score 35 of the 45 MHS points. Parker Hambley was his usual ubiquitous self with 10 points, six rebounds and a couple of assists. And coming up huge was reserve Travell Robinson, who went up against the taller Wildcats to score eight points on 4-of-5 shooting.
Almost lost during the offensive explosion was a tremendous defensive effort.
Washington came into the game averaging 70 points and star guard TraVaughn White was averaging 25. But MHS held him to 16, seven in the fourth quarter after the outcome had been decided.
“All the little things that people don’t talk about win games,” Kinnamon said of his defense.
The Bullpups also did a scotch-tape job on Washington sharpshooter Kalen Allen, who missed all seven of his shots and made just two free throws to be held well under his average.
Deandre Clark scored 13 for the Wildcats, who were limited to 43 percent for the game.
The 22-1 Bullpups now prepare for an inspired hometown Topeka West team that figures to have a throng of fans on hand. The Chargers pulled off the stunner of the day against Andover Central.
“West was the better team,” Kinnamon said. “The (Alex) North kid who has signed with Washburn is big, quick and physical and can shoot. They have a couple of nice guards and another big kid.”
Kinnamon said the Bullpups once again will give away some size and athleticism.
“We don’t scare anybody,” Kinnamon said. “But we’re playing hard.”
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TOPEKA -- McPherson High’s Christian Ulsaker had the full arsenal on display Wednesday night.
Left-handed jumpers. Right-handed runners. Power moves to the basket. Follow shots. Even a rainbow 3-pointer, not to mention a thunderous dunk. And a bunch -- 13 -- of free throws
Add it all up and it was a Class 5A record-breaking night for the 6-5 junior, whose 38 points led the Bullpups to an 81-56 rout of Kansas City Washington in the first round of the Class 5A State Tournament.
Ulsaker’s 38 points eclipsed by one the 5A record of 37 by Liberal’s Martin Lewis in 1991 and equaled by Arkansas City’s Matt Brumley in 1994. It also is the third-highest scoring night ever for a Bullpup, trailing George Czaplinski (44 in 1962 vs. Abilene) and Steve Henson (39 in 1986 vs. Buhler).
“How good was the big boy? queried MHS coach Kurt Kinnamon after the game. “He was just good. He was really good. There’s not much else to say.”
The victory propelled the Bullpups into Friday’s 8:15 p.m. semifinals against upstart Topeka West, which upset Andover Central 57-45 in Wednesday’s late game.
On the other side of the bracket, Miege and Gardner-Edgerton showed a lot of athleticism in their victories and they should have a dandy of a semifinal game at 4:45 p.m. Friday.
Ulsaker had a modest five points in the first quarter, which found MHS up 14-9. But then he got cooking in the second period with 16, as the Bullpups exploded for 31 points to move up 45-28. He had seven more points in the third quarter as MHS added two more points to its lead -- 59-40 -- and then completed his night with 10.
He bagged 12 of 19 floor shots and after a slow start at the line -- 3 of 6 -- he made 10 of his last 11.
“Our execution was very good and we did a good job of getting him the ball,” Kinnamon said. “We had 16 assists and that’s awesome.”
This game was all about execution over athleticism. The Bullpups forced 21 turnovers, which led to 19 points, while committing 16 themselves.
Ulsaker had plenty of help on a night that saw MHS shoot 50 percent from the field and 77 from the line (23 of 30). Treg Fawl scored 16 points, 14 in the first half to combine with Ulsaker to score 35 of the 45 MHS points. Parker Hambley was his usual ubiquitous self with 10 points, six rebounds and a couple of assists. And coming up huge was reserve Travell Robinson, who went up against the taller Wildcats to score eight points on 4-of-5 shooting.
Almost lost during the offensive explosion was a tremendous defensive effort.
Washington came into the game averaging 70 points and star guard TraVaughn White was averaging 25. But MHS held him to 16, seven in the fourth quarter after the outcome had been decided.
“All the little things that people don’t talk about win games,” Kinnamon said of his defense.
The Bullpups also did a scotch-tape job on Washington sharpshooter Kalen Allen, who missed all seven of his shots and made just two free throws to be held well under his average.
Deandre Clark scored 13 for the Wildcats, who were limited to 43 percent for the game.
The 22-1 Bullpups now prepare for an inspired hometown Topeka West team that figures to have a throng of fans on hand. The Chargers pulled off the stunner of the day against Andover Central.
“West was the better team,” Kinnamon said. “The (Alex) North kid who has signed with Washburn is big, quick and physical and can shoot. They have a couple of nice guards and another big kid.”
Kinnamon said the Bullpups once again will give away some size and athleticism.
“We don’t scare anybody,” Kinnamon said. “But we’re playing hard.”
