We're winding down the stretch to another incredible high school basketball season. Most teams only have a handful of games left on their schedules, so that means these outcomes take on such a high significance when it comes to league and sub-state standings. I know you sometimes wonder what these games mean beyond just a win and a loss.
I saved you the time and did all the work to tell you exactly what is at stake for every City League and Ark Valley team that plays on Friday. Let's check it out, even though there is not a single "must-see" type of game tonight. There still should be some great story lines develop and let's find out what they are after the jump.
CITY LEAGUE
Bishop Carroll (9-8, 7-6 CL) @ North (16-2, 13-1 CL)A Carroll win would: Be proof that Lonnie Ball is alive and well. While I see most people expect Frankamp to break the City League scoring record tonight by scoring more than 36 points, I have a feeling that Lollar won't allow that to be accomplished against the Eagles. But beating North at home is going to be nearly impossible. A win would make Carroll a favorite to win 8 of its last 9 games and roll into sub-state with a No. 5 seed and a match-up no one wants to face. A win would also hold off Heights from likely tying for 4th place and keep the Eagles alive for sharing 3rd place with East.
A North win would: Keep the momentum rolling since Frankamp returned, as the Redskins are 16-0 when he has played the majority of the game. North has already clinched its first City League title in 39 years as well as the No. 1 seed in the sub-state, so there's not much else to play for besides Frankamp chasing the scoring title and maintaining a 2-loss record for a potential higher seed at state (right now North has the 3rd-best record).
Kapaun Mt. Carmel (12-5, 9-4 CL) @ West (8-9, 6-7 CL)
A Kapaun win would: Almost erase the concerns of its struggles on the road. After losing 3 of their first 4 road games of the season, the Crusaders have bounced back with solid wins over Southeast and Carroll. A win over surging West would be another solid win that would maintain Kapaun's spot in 2nd place in the City League a game over East. It's not going to be an easy path for Kapaun to reach state, as it's looking likely it will be in a coin flip with Andover, also 12-5, for the No. 3 and 4 seeds. But that's assuming each team wins out and this one is still a hurdle for KMC.
A West win would: Officially make it the "Underdogs of the Year." After turning around their season with a streak of 7 wins in 9 games, the Pioneers are now hitting a rough patch of their schedule. The final four games are against the top 4 teams in the City League. So scrapping up a win would be gravy here. With that being said, West appears destined (even if it beats Carroll next week) to finish with the No. 6 seed in sub-state because of it's more difficult schedule. The Pioneers are also going to be clawing to maintain a middle-of-the-pack finish in the City League standings. Obviously this one would help all of that.
Southeast (7-10, 5-8 CL) @ Northwest (7-10, 5-8 CL)
A Southeast win would: Be a much-needed positive result. The Buffaloes looked like a lock for a winning season back in January, but 5 losses in their last 6 games has spoiled those plans. Southeast is reeling and the road is never an ideal place to cure those worries, but Northwest is a team it has already beaten (by 12 points at home back in early January). Southeast is 2 games back of the No. 5 seed, Heights, in sub-state and a win here coupled with a head-to-head win over Heights next week could force a coin flip for that slot and also keep distance between it and Topeka (6-11 and a game off behind them).
A Northwest win would: Almost be a bad thing. Now hear me out and I know no coach is ever going to tell this to his team, but let's face it: There is 1 team you cannot face in their sub-state and it's North. Right now the Grizzlies are sitting in the No. 5 spot, which would mean if they win their first-round game then they have to beat North to get to state. The way Maize, who is a game back at #6, is playing recently, it's looking like it's good for 2 more wins. So that means if Northwest loses out (not unreasonable considering 3 quality opponents), it could fall back to the No. 6 and then the road for state goes through Dodge City and Garden City, still a tough but much more doable proposition. Anyways, that's the end of my rant and if Northwest actually does win, it keeps its #5 spot in sub-state and also would move up in the jumbled mess that is the middle of the City League.
Heights (9-8, 6-7 CL) @ South (2-16, 0-14 CL)
A Heights win would: Be expected and put it in position to possibly climb all the way to the No. 3 seed in the sub-state. With Manhattan (10-7) and Washburn Rural (9-8) playing 3 more difficult games and could very easily lose 2 of those games, Heights needs a win here and a win on the road at Southeast next week to move up. A win over Kapaun at home in the season finale would be icing on the cake and likely ensure Heights of the 3rd spot. As far as the City League race goes, it likely moves them into a tie with Carroll for the 4th slot.
A South win would: All but guarantee it the No. 7 seed in the sub-state and escaping North in the first round. It would also be Kendall Hope's first City League win and first win at home on the season. A win here or in the finale at East is hard to see, however, as a 2-18 season looks likely.
AV-CTL DIVISION 1
Salina South (6-11, 3-6 D1) @ Maize (6-11, 5-4 D1)A Salina South win would: Be huge when it comes to its sub-state. With Valley Center (7-10) and Maize South (7-10) playing the underdog on Friday, a Salina South win here (and likely a win over Campus next week) would force a 3-way tie for the No. 3 seed. There's not much to play for when it comes to league, so sub-state is all that should be on the Cougars' mind.
A Maize win would: Keep up its winning ways, as Maize is playing for its 5th win in the last 6 games. With a Northwest (7-10) loss, Maize would be tied for the No. 5 seed, although Northwest does have the head-to-head tiebreaker. Finishing 6th in this sub-state isn't necessarily a bad thing because if Maize gets the 5 seed then it will play North in the finals if it reaches that far. Maize could also keep pace with Hutchinson for 3rd place in the league.
Newton (5-12, 3-6 D1) @ Derby (15-3, 9-1 D1)
A Newton win would: Be a complete shocker. I don't see this one coming, but a win would be huge for the Railers in the sub-state. A win and a Salina South loss would bring the two in a tie for the No. 5 seed (South has the tie-breaker) and keep Newton out of the cellar in the sub-state standings, although without a dominant team in the sub-state seeding might not matter much.
A Derby win would: Clinch at least a share of the AV-CTL Division I title, its second in a row since Brett Flory has been hired. The Panthers are a game ahead of Salina Central in the standings, so to avoid a shared title a win is needed. Derby already has the No. 1 seed in sub-state locked up, so that's about it. If the Panthers win out and reach the state tournament, they would likely be the No. 4 seed.
Salina Central (11-6, 7-2 D1) @ Campus (2-15, 0-10 D1)
A Salina Central win would: Keep it in the top spot in the sub-state and if Hays (11-6) loses to Garden City then that makes it a huge favorite to clinch the No. 1 seed because of Central's head-to-head win. The Mustangs also can keep the pressure on Derby to keep winning, although the best it can do is force a share.
A Campus win would: Be what it needs to escape the bottom of the sub-state standings. It would be coach Russell Herman's first league win and probably be the tie-breaker between it and South for the sweepstakes to avoid playing North in the first round.
Arkansas City (3-14) @ Hutchinson (8-9)
An Ark City win: Would be the escape it needs to avoid a coin flip with Goddard for the last spot in the sub-state. But a win here is difficult to see because the Bulldogs are 0-7 on the road this season.
A Hutchinson win: Could wrap up the No. 4 seed in its sub-state, which truthfully is not ideal. The Salthawks aren't likely to catch Dodge City for #3 and Northwest could be 2 games back after Friday. Hutch is 5-2 at home, so this non-league win is looking likely.
AV-CTL DIVISION 2
Andover (12-5, 6-4 D2) @ Maize South (7-10, 1-8 D2)An Andover win: Is a must-win bounce-back after a tough loss at Eisenhower earlier in the week. Andover can't afford to not win in such a competitive sub-state with a head-to-head battle with Kapaun (12-5) for the No. 3 seed. Avoiding #4 and a sub-state final against Eisenhower on its home court would be nice.
A Maize South win: Would finally get the monkey off its back in league play. The Mavericks are a head-scratching 1-8 in league play when they are 6-1 outside the league. A win here would be huge because it would likely vault the Mavs ahead of Valley Center (7-10) into the #3 spot in the sub-state, while a loss could drop them to #5.
Eisenhower (16-1, 9-0 D2) @ Valley Center (7-10, 5-4 D2)
An Eisenhower win would: Clinch at least a share of its first ever league championship. The Tigers would still have a 1.5-game lead over Andover Central and unless they lose out, then they are going to be outright champions. Eisenhower has already clinched the No. 1 seed in its sub-state, so it's just playing for potential seeding at state (if Eisenhower wins out, it would be no worse than No. 3).
A Valley Center win would: Be the upset John Wetig needs to put the Hornets on the map as a legit state tournament contender. Now I say that only because they are in a very wide open sub-state. A win here would all but lock up the No. 3 seed in the sub-state since its tie-breaker over Maize South. The Hornets could also stay pace with Andover for a possible 3rd place finish in league play.
Andover Central (14-4, 8-2 D2) @ Goddard (3-14, 3-6 D2)
An Andover Central win would: Keep it all alone in 2nd place in the sub-state. The Jaguars will be heavy favorites in their final two games and they can't afford a loss because it would drop them in a 3-way tie with Andover and Kapaun, which has the head-to-head win, and I think would force a coin flip for the No. 2, 3 and 4 seeds since no team has wins over the other two. Not that it would make much of a difference, but Central could also keep a sliver of hope of a shared league title and wrap up a 2nd place finish in league.
A Goddard win would: Be sweet for coach Kyle Taylor, a former Central assistant, but is unlikely against a top 5 team in Class 5A. The Lions could get out of last place in the sub-state and ensure a 5th place finish in the league.
Arkansas City (3-14) @ Hutchinson (8-9)
An Ark City win: Would be the escape it needs to avoid a coin flip with Goddard for the last spot in the sub-state. But a win here is difficult to see because the Bulldogs are 0-7 on the road this season.
A Hutchinson win: Could wrap up the No. 4 seed in its sub-state, which truthfully is not ideal. The Salthawks aren't likely to catch Dodge City for #3 and Northwest could be 2 games back after Friday. Hutch is 5-2 at home, so this non-league win is looking likely.
AV-CTL DIVISION 3
Mulvane (11-6, 4-3 D3) @ Winfield (10-7, 3-4 D3)A Mulvane win would: Be crucial for sub-state seeding over a fellow sub-state opponent. It has little meaning when it comes to league (unless you care about 2nd or 3rd place finishes). The Wildcats would eliminate Winfield as a challenger to catch them for the No. 3 seed and likely keep a game lead over Collegiate. Mulvane would need an upset over Trinity to tie for 2nd, but it can take a step toward locking up the No. 3 seed tonight with a win.
A Winfield win would: Force at least a 2-way, and likely 3-way, tie with Mulvane, and likely Collegiate, for the No. 3 seed in the sub-state. This is a game Winfield must win if it has hopes of being a top 4 seed since it has the toughest remaining schedule between the 3 teams. Mulvane would still be the favorite to get the #3 seed, but Winfield could give itself a shot with a win here. It also would keep the Vikings alive for a 2nd place finish in league and clinch no worse than a No. 5 seed in the sub-state.
El Dorado (11-6, 4-3 D3) @ Rose Hill (6-11, 1-6 D3)
An El Dorado win: Is a must if it wants to move up in the sub-state from its current spot a game back of the No. 2 seed. The Wildcats have @Rose Hill, Winfield and @Mulvane left, but with 3 losses in their last 4 games none of those games are assured. El Dorado can clinch no worse than hosting a 1st round game with a win tonight and also stay in 2nd place in the league.
A Rose Hill win: Would be nice, but it appears it is locked into the No. 7 seed in the sub-state and a bottom 2 finish in league. Even if the Rockets win 2 of their final 3, Augusta is more than likely to at least win one and the Orioles have the head-to-head victory so that makes it extremely difficult for Rose Hill to move up. The Rockets do need to keep winning, however, to avoid a coin flip with Wellington, one game back at 5-12, for the last seed.
Buhler (4-13, 2-5 D3) @ McPherson (15-2, 7-0)
A Buhler win would: Be the perfect spoiler for the Crusaders over their rivals. Buhler has actually been playing much better recently, so this game is a little intriguing but I don't see a way McPherson loses its first game at home. The Crusaders, with an upset win, could potentially move into a 3-way tie with Chapman and Smoky Valley, both 5-13, for a coin flip for the #5, #6 and #7 seeds.
A McPherson win: Would clinch an outright league title, which makes it somewhere in double-digit league titles for Kurt Kinnamon. McPherson could also keep its perfect league record in tact, all the while keeping pace with Hesston (16-2) for the No. 1 seed in its sub-state. McPherson would be in a coin flip with the loser facing a bit more of a difficult path in the semifinals against a very good Abilene (15-3) team.
AV-CTL DIVISION 4
Augusta (7-10, 3-4 D4) @ Collegiate (10-7, 4-3 D4)An Augusta win would: Be a very nice upset win that would bring it into a tie for 3rd in the league. I'm not sure if there's much to play for as far as sub-state seeding. The odds of it catching Winfield (10-7) or Collegiate (10-7) are very slim and Augusta holds the tie-breaker over Rose Hill, so it's virtually locked into the No. 6 seed.
A Collegiate win would: Finally build some momentum. The Spartans are coming off their first back-to-back wins since early January. Three in a row would keep the pressure on Mulvane to keep winning and if Winfield does beat the Wildcats, then it would bring all three of them into a tie for the No. 3 seed. Collegiate will be favored to win this game and next game (@Circle) and could build some serious momentum for a finale at home against Andale with a possible #3 seed in sub-state on the line.
Clearwater (13-4, 5-2 D4) @ Wellington (5-12, 1-6 D4)
A Clearwater win would: Maintain its spot atop the sub-state standings with only 4 losses. The Indians are one game up on Trinity and they still have to play Andale, so a road win here is crucial. And if Mulvane loses, then Clearwater is assured no worse than a No. 2 seed in the sub-state. Clearwater would also keep its very slim hopes of sharing the league title alive with Andale.
A Wellington win would: Be nice for the home crowd since the Crusaders are 0-5 at home this season. Wellington doesn't look like it can avoid the No. 8 seed in the sub-state with a head-to-head loss with Rose Hill and Wellington isn't going to finish higher than 5th in league, so there's not much significance to wins or losses besides momentum and pride, of course.
Andale (15-2, 7-0 D4) @ Circle (3-14, 1-6 D4)
An Andale win would: Clinch at least a share of the league title, which would make it consecutive seasons as league champs for the Indians. Andale is in a very average sub-state, so it clinched the No. 1 seed a while back. Andale would have a 4-game winning streak heading into a very difficult 2-game stretch against Collegiate and then on the road against Collegiate. A win against either would make them outright champions.
A Circle win would: Further the belief that you don't want to play Circle in the first round of sub-state, which sounds strange about a 3-14 team. But it's true. The T-Birds have played very tough this second-half of the season, but a win here is still unlikely. Circle is in a head-to-head battle with Parsons (3-15) to avoid the basement of its sub-state as well as Wellington to do the same in league. But after the T-Birds beat McPherson at their place, who's ruling this upset out?
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