After his team knocked off Kansas City Washington 81-56 Wednesday night in the first round of the Class 5A State Tournament, McPherson High boys coach Kurt Kinnamon was watching Andover Central and Topeka West warm up while holding court with the media crush.
When asked who he thought his team would play, Kinnamon pointed to Andover Central.
“Them,” he said. “Look at them. They’re huge.”
But Kinnamon, as well as most in attendance, were off the mark. Topeka West scored the only upset of the opening day at the Expocentre, breaking a third-quarter tie and actually pulling away for a 57-45 victory.
Kinnamon knows with the momentum West has, not to mention the backing of the hometown Topeka crowd, his team has a tall order tonight in the 8:15 p.m. semifinals.
“They were 7-8 at one time because of injuries, but they’ve won eight in a row,” Kinnamon said. “We have to stay close on the glass and handle their pressure.”
Alex North, a 6-6 senior, is the player to watch for the Chargers as he drilled in 21 points Wednesday. Jarrod Kruger, a 5-11 senior, is a solid guard who chipped in with 17 points.
The Bullpups were efficient in their opener, shooting 50 percent from the field and 77 from the line. They also forced 21 turnovers and held their own on the glass despite giving away a lot of size.
A lot of eyes will be on today’s first game. Miege caused a lot of jaws to drop with its performance in a 69-44 win over Miege, while Gardner-Edgerton displayed a lot of weapons in handling Great Bend, 60-47.
Kinnamon tends to side with Miege, which features Arkansas basketball signee Trevor Releford and Oklahoma football signee Justin McCay. The Stags have size and quickness and are ranked No. 20 in the country by one publication.
ULSAKER’S RECORD UNDER REVIEW -- On the statistical sheet given to the media after Wednesday’s game, MHS’ Christian Ulsaker was credited with a state-record 38 points, breaking the 5A record of 37 by Martin Lewis of Liberal and Matt Brumely of Arkansas City.
However, the official scorebook credited Ulsaker with 36 points, as two of his points should have been given to Treg Fawl.
The Sentinel’s play-by-play sheet had Ulsaker with 36 points as well, as did longtime MHS statistician Carol Swenson’s play-by-play.
As of late Thursday night, no determination had been made, though it was thought Ulsaker would be credited with 36 points.
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After his team knocked off Kansas City Washington 81-56 Wednesday night in the first round of the Class 5A State Tournament, McPherson High boys coach Kurt Kinnamon was watching Andover Central and Topeka West warm up while holding court with the media crush.
When asked who he thought his team would play, Kinnamon pointed to Andover Central.
“Them,” he said. “Look at them. They’re huge.”
But Kinnamon, as well as most in attendance, were off the mark. Topeka West scored the only upset of the opening day at the Expocentre, breaking a third-quarter tie and actually pulling away for a 57-45 victory.
Kinnamon knows with the momentum West has, not to mention the backing of the hometown Topeka crowd, his team has a tall order tonight in the 8:15 p.m. semifinals.
“They were 7-8 at one time because of injuries, but they’ve won eight in a row,” Kinnamon said. “We have to stay close on the glass and handle their pressure.”
Alex North, a 6-6 senior, is the player to watch for the Chargers as he drilled in 21 points Wednesday. Jarrod Kruger, a 5-11 senior, is a solid guard who chipped in with 17 points.
The Bullpups were efficient in their opener, shooting 50 percent from the field and 77 from the line. They also forced 21 turnovers and held their own on the glass despite giving away a lot of size.
A lot of eyes will be on today’s first game. Miege caused a lot of jaws to drop with its performance in a 69-44 win over Miege, while Gardner-Edgerton displayed a lot of weapons in handling Great Bend, 60-47.
Kinnamon tends to side with Miege, which features Arkansas basketball signee Trevor Releford and Oklahoma football signee Justin McCay. The Stags have size and quickness and are ranked No. 20 in the country by one publication.
ULSAKER’S RECORD UNDER REVIEW -- On the statistical sheet given to the media after Wednesday’s game, MHS’ Christian Ulsaker was credited with a state-record 38 points, breaking the 5A record of 37 by Martin Lewis of Liberal and Matt Brumely of Arkansas City.
However, the official scorebook credited Ulsaker with 36 points, as two of his points should have been given to Treg Fawl.
The Sentinel’s play-by-play sheet had Ulsaker with 36 points as well, as did longtime MHS statistician Carol Swenson’s play-by-play.
As of late Thursday night, no determination had been made, though it was thought Ulsaker would be credited with 36 points.
