Girls/Boys DIII State Tournament Wrap-Up

The sounds of sneakers squeaking against the hardwood, whistles blowing and emphatic cheers from fans resonated through the walls of various gymnasiums across the Kansas City Metro area last weekend, as players and coaches from over 140 teams competed against each other with one goal in mind: To be crowned state champions.  These players put their blood, sweat and tears on the line in hopes of walking away with the gold around their necks, and their gutty performances left us with many memories that will last a lifetime.  Congratulations to all of the teams who had a chance to play on the grandest of stages, and thank you for all of the hard work you put in!

In the end, though, only one team from each division came away crowned king or queen.  Let’s take a closer look at your 2012-2013 state champions:   

*We Are The Champions*

KC Superstars (3G)

Head Coach: David King

Top Scorer: Olivia King (14 ppg)

The Superstars were definitely shining bright at the State Championships winning all four of their games by and average of 17.5 points, including a 24-18 victory over the Hot Shots in the championship game.

Team Supreme Black (4G D2)

Head Coach: MiKayla Jensen

Top Scorer: Lilly Queen (7 ppg)

Team Supreme lost a close game to the Lady Rebels in pool play but got a chance at redemption in the championship game.  They wouldn’t squander their second chance against the Lady Rebels, winning the championship and letting everyone know who truly ‘reigns supreme’ in the division.

Magic (4B D3)

Head Coach: Rodger Sprouse

Top Scorer: Jaylon McDaniel (12.6 ppg)

The Magic certainly lived up to their name at the State Championships this past weekend, sweeping a tough 4th grade division with an average margin of victory of 12.8 ppg.  They defeated the Kearney Bulldogs 33-25 in the championship game.  Abracadabra.

Lady Bears (5G D1)

Team Coach: Eddie Emmons

Top Scorer: Abigayle Emmons (11 ppg)

After losing their first game of the tournament against the KC Lightning, the Lady Bears clawed back to win their next three games and earn a spot in the championship against, you guessed it, the KC Lightning.  This time around the Lady Bears’ toughness was too much for the Lightning as the Bears won the contest 30-28 to earn the gold.

Ladybugs (5G D2)

Head Coach: Paul Alberson

Top Scorer: Kassidy Heying (8.4 ppg)

Don’t let the team name fool you, these girls are fierce.  The Ladybugs went 5-0 on their way to the state title while beating teams by an average of 16 ppg.  They defeated B3C Swarm in the title game by a score of 31-18.  I think a name change is in order, don’t you?

CO MO Triple Threat (5B D3A)

Head Coach: Thaddeus Hamilton

Top Scorer: Matt Canady (11 ppg)

How do you stop a triple threat?  Teams in the 5B D3A division at the State Championships found out quickly, you don’t.  Triple Threat’s only loss came at the hands of the Wildcats, but the team was able to come back and avenge the loss in the championship game, winning the title by a score of 40-24.

Golden Eagles (5B D3B)

Head Coach: Jeff Robinson

Top Scorer: Caleb Haines (10 ppg)

The Golden Eagles overcame all odds to win the state title last weekend.  After losing to the Independence Patriots by 14 points early in the tournament, they found themselves facing off with that same team in the championship game.  The Golden Eagles soared this time though, defeating the Patriots 30-21.

Wichita Lady Magic (6G D1)

Head Coach: Marcus Myers

Top Scorer: Desiray Kernal (12.5 ppg)

The Wichita Lady Magic showed off some offensive magic of their own this past weekend, averaging an astounding 45.6 points per contest.  An early loss to the Della Lamb Running Angels wasn’t enough to keep the Lady Magic from winning gold as they came back to defeat Della Lamb 51-40 in the title game.

Wolf Pack (6G D2)

Head Coach: Jason Dampier

Top Scorer: Kerrigan Gamm (21.5 ppg)

After losing a close game in their first pool matchup against the Blue Devils, the Wolf Pack stuck together and went on to win their next three games by an average of 16 ppg to set up a rematch with the Blue Devils in the championship game.  The Wolf Pack prevailed this time around, outlasting the Blue Devils 38-32.

Thunder (6G D3)

Head Coach: Kirk Amos

Top Scorer: Jaycie Stubbs (13.3 ppg)

The Thunder made a lot of noise at the State Championships this past weekend, sweeping the division on their way to the gold.  The Thunder rolled in the championship game, defeating B3C Explosion 37-13.

Suns (6B D3A)

Head Coach: Earl Pardo

Top Scorer: Luke Rafanan (9.5 ppg)

The Suns were too hot to handle at the State Championships, going 4-0 and averaging a double-digit margin of victory for the tournament.  The Prince of Peace Cardinals did their best to cool The Suns off in the championship game, but fell short losing by a score of 28-21.

KC Mavericks (6B D3B)

Head Coach: Brian Davis

Top Scorer: Weston Davis (12.7 ppg)

After losing their first pool matchup to the KC Titans, The Mavericks cruised the rest of the tournament defeating their opponents by an average of 17 ppg.  The Mavericks defeated the Blue Springs Rebels in the championship game 47-31 to earn the gold medal.

Wildcats (6B D3C)

Head Coach: Monty Mitchell

Top Scorer: Taray Winfrey (10.5 ppg)

It was never even close.  The Wildcats went 5-0 at the State Championships winning by an average of 24.8 ppg.  From the first tip, the Wildcats’ opponents had no answer for their all-around attack.  The Wildcats defeated the Fieldhouse Clippers 64-42 in the championship game to earn the state title.

Les Chats Blue (7G D1)

Head Coach: Conrad Weledji

Tournament MVP: Brooke Lansford

The ladies of Les Chats Blue dazzled at the State Championships, going 5-0 and winning the 7th grade girls title.  They did it with a mix of offensive firepower and defensive prowess, averaging 35 ppg while only allowing 22.8 ppg.  Les Chats Blue defeated B3C Xplosion 40-33 in the title game.  

Kansas Hoopsters (7G D2)

Head Coach: Scott Smith

Top Scorer: Macy Smith (7 ppg)

The Kansas Hoopsters went 5-0 at the State Championships, proving that they are at the top of the class in the division.  The Hoopsters were excellent offensively averaging 34.4 ppg for the tournament.  They defeated the KC MetroStars in the championship game by a score of 32-20.

Lady Cougars (7G D3)

Head Coach: Robert Johnson

Top Scorer: Patricia Thomas (11 ppg)

The Lady Cougars cruised to the state title thanks in large part to their defensive intensity.  They held opponents to an average of 17.7 ppg throughout the tournament.  The Lady Cougars defeated MV Eclipse White in the title game 35-16.

Kearney Bulldogs (7B D3)

Head Coach: Whitney Weakley

Top Scorer: Addison Marshall (14 ppg)

The Kearney Bulldogs dominated the 7th grade division this past weekend, going 5-0 with an average margin of victory of 19.8 points for the tournament.  Kearney defeated Fieldhouse Thunder 51-27 in the championship game to claim the gold. 

Eclipse Red (8G D1)

Head Coach: Hal Bentley

Top Scorer: Hunter Bentley (17.5 ppg)

Eclipse Red exploded offensively at the State Championships, “eclipsing” at least 47 points in each of their five games.  They averaged an impressive 52.6 points per contest on their way to a 5-0 record.  Eclipse defeated the KC MetroStars in the championship game 49-45.

Northland Heat (8G D2)

Head Coach: Michelle Smith

Tournament MVP: Kallie Runions

Buckets didn’t come easy against the Northland Heat at the State Championships, as the team only allowed an average of 13.7 ppg.  Northland Heat coasted to the state title defeating KC Chaos 46-15.  

Tigers (8G D3)

Head Coach: Kevin Gray

Top Scorer: Sammy Blystone (19.5 ppg)

The Tigers came out on top at the State Championships in what was a very tough division.  The Tigers scratched and clawed their way to a 4-0 record while averaging 48 ppg.  They defeated Fieldhouse Shock 44-39 in the title game to earn the gold.

Blazers (8B D3)

Head Coach: Dave Johns

Tournament MVP: Zach Bass

 The Blazers were very impressive at the State Championships going 5-0 in the 8th grade boys division and defeating their opponents by an average of 13 ppg.  Offensively the Blazers were too much for their opponents as they averaged 50.2 ppg.  The Blazers defeated KC Jayhawks Select in the championship game 48-34.

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