The City League Roundup (Jan. 8)

Need to get caught up on the City League? No worries, Keeper of the Hoops has got you covered. Click the jump to read everything you missed from last night's games played in the City League and what it means for every team going forward.

JANUARY 8 SCORES

North 61, Bishop Carroll 43 | @Bishop Carroll

Heights 44, South 43 | @Heights

Kapaun Mt. Carmel 72, West 49 | @Kapaun Mt. Carmel

Southeast 53, Northwest 41 | @Southeast

SOUTHEAST PULLS AWAY FOR SWING WIN OVER NORTHWEST

RECAP: Southeast out-scored the Grizzlies 31-22 in the second half to break open a 3-point halftime lead and defeat Northwest. Neither team could establish much of an offensive flow, but that's been the case for Northwest all season. The Grizzlies are averaging 42.4 points their last five games. Southeast registered its best defensive game of the season, setting a new season-low for opponent points in the 53-41 victory.

NOTABLES: Southeast junior point guard EJ Garnes led all scorers with 17 points, bumping his average for the season a shade under 10 points per contest. He was joined in double-figures by teammate Jordan Murdock with 13 points. Northwest was led in scoring by Nick Williams at 10..

WHAT IT MEANS FOR SOUTHEAST (4-3, 4-2 CL): Another step toward a winning season in the first year under Melvin Herring. Southeast doesn't have a "bad" loss yet and is 2-0 in swing games (Carroll & Northwest), which means the Buffaloes are taking care of business. Locking up a winning record in the City League is far out, but Southeast has to like sitting at 4-2 and in a tie for third place. Another swing game is coming up on Friday at Heights, which will be another test to see where Southeast is at.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR NORTHWEST (3-4, 2-4 CL): The worries of scoring continue. Everyone knew the Grizzlies wouldn't be as potent without former cornerstones of the program, Craig Nicholson, Spenser Gales and Kendrick Miller, but averaging a City League-worst 44.7 points? It's been a rough start for Northwest, but you can count on coach Chris Collins having his team playing its best by the time the second round of City League play starts.

COVERAGE: None

HEIGHTS SURVIVES SCARE, HOLDS ON AGAINST SOUTH

RECAP: Heights was in complete control through halftime, owners of a 26-16 lead. Then the third quarter happened. Heights could not make a basket or take care of the ball and not only let South back in the game, but let them take the lead as they out-scored Heights 15-2. Yes, 15-2 in the third quarter to take a 31-28 lead. Heights got it together in time to rally for the victory in the fourth quarter, scoring on a crucial basket by Chris Reed to virtually seal the 44-43 win. The Falcons were 1 for 14 from the free-throw line.

NOTABLES: Heights junior Ealy Bell led Heights with 11 points and teammate Chris Lowe added 10. Cameron Ellis, the youngest brother of Perry, continues to play well and he added 6 points. South had two in double figures with Jordan Moore (12) and Davontae Harris (12).

WHAT IT MEANS FOR HEIGHTS (4-3, 3-3 CL): All of a sudden the Falcons are on a 3-game winning streak and are rescued from a 1-3 start. Coaches have a saying that when you're an inexperienced team, there is no such thing as an "ugly" win. Coach Joe Auer will take it and happily have his team peak its head above .500 for the first time this season. Even though Heights played far from its best, it needs to take momentum from the game and carry it into a huge swing game Friday night at home against Southeast..

WHAT IT MEANS FOR SOUTH (1-7, 1-6 CL): More frustration. It's never fun to lose and it's even worse to lose by such a small margin. The Titans have lost two City League games by a total of four points now and they missed an opportunity to win back-to-back games after beating Ark City last weekend. South needs to draw any and all positives from that third quarter when it got Heights out of its game and carry that forward with them the rest of the season.

COVERAGE: None

FRANKAMP DOESN'T MAKE A FG 2ND HALF, NORTH STILL WINS

RECAP: North made 9 of 11 shots and scored 24 points in the first half to bury Carroll in a 34-23 hole at the break. That was crucial as Frankamp missed all seven shots after halftime, yet still finished with 34 points off free throws. Carroll cut the lead to 44-36 with 6 minutes left, but turned the ball over five times and didn't score a field goal over the next four minutes to essentially stall their own comeback. It was the fifth time North has held an opponent under 50 points this season, as it improved to a perfect 8-0 on the season with 61-43 win.

NOTABLES: North senior Conner Frankamp scored 34 points on just nine field goals and also moved into 2nd place on the all-time scoring list for the City League. He's 310 points shy of Perry Ellis for first place. North junior Sean Bernard chipped in 11 points. Bishop Carroll had a nice game from its senior point guard, Chich Smith, who led the team in scoring with 18 points.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR NORTH (8-0, 7-0 CL): The beat goes on. North keeps its perfect record in tact and proves a point I believe many are missing this season. Yes, Frankamp is averaging 35 points a game. But a big reason why the Redskins are winning is because of their defense. They have by far the City League's best defense, as they're holding teams to 46.6 points a game. Only one team has scored over 53 points against North. Now that's impressive.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR BISHOP CARROLL (3-4, 2-4 CL): Not much to complain about. Carroll has to be happy to hold Frankamp without a field goal for a whole half, but disappointed it didn't take advantage and make a run at the lead. Realistically, a loss to North is nothing to fret about. It's still hard to get a read on this Carroll team. To rid themselves of the taste of this loss, Carroll should take care of business against West on Friday.

COVERAGE: (Joanna Chadwick of The Wichita Eagle)

KAPAUN SCORES 49 IN 1ST HALF, ROLLS TO WIN PAST WEST

RECAP: Kapaun was in control of this one from the start, jumping out to a 19-10 lead after the first quarter. West was content playing a high-tempo game with the Crusaders after that and Kapaun took advantage by scoring 30 points in the second quarter. Not much changed in the second half and the Crusaders improved to 5-1 in the City League with a 72-49 victory.

NOTABLES: Kapaun had four in double figures with Toby Baxter (17), Braden Hullings (14), Jeremy Lickteig (13) and Timmy Hamilton (11). West was led by Jordan Kelly and Kennedy Bates, each scoring 12 points. In the two games since break, Kapaun is allowing an average of 48.5 points in two wins.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR KAPAUN (6-1, 5-1 CL): The Crusaders did what was expected of them. They handled their business at home, which is what you have to do in the City League. Coach John Cherne has to be pleased with how his team is defending since the break and that should continue Friday when Kapaun takes on the City League's worst offense in Northwest.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR WEST (1-6, 1-5 CL): Losing to the defending Class 5A champs isn't a bad thing. West has to move on and quickly prepare for another win opportunity this Friday when it hosts Bishop Carroll.
COVERAGE: None