High School
High School Sports
Let Star columnist Candace Buckner answer your questions
Candace Buckner joined The Star in 2005 after covering high school sports in Macon, Ga. Candace grew up in St. Louis where she was a shooting guard who was afraid to shoot for the Hazelwood East Lady Spartans. After a remarkable career on the bench, she decided to stick to journalism and graduated from Mizzou.
She loves the pagentry of Friday night, the passion of the student-cheering sections and the pride in second and third-stringers. There's so much going on in high school sports so Candace hopes to find some great stories, even the ones about benchwarmers.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 15 of 941 (Page 1 of 48)Submitted by Appreciative Mom from Stilwell, KS
Q: Hi Candace! I don't have a question, but just a big "THANK YOU" for your well balanced, well written articles (especially liked Saturday's article on the Rock). What I hear, as I read, is: the person behind this is one of integrity. I appreciate your gift of encouraging the talent, while upholding our children's dignity in the midst of mistakes. All of which makes reading your article something I look forward to. Since I'm pretty much LD when it comes to sports, I also look forward to reading them, because it helps me understand what the heck I just saw happen the night before (LOL). Seriously, though, I'm glad you're the one covering our kids. Thanks so much! God bless you!
Answered 09/06/11 14:39:32 by Candace Buckner
A: Although I'm pretty sure this is MY mom sending this... (haha) thank you so much for the kind words! You don't realize how much I appreciate it. Have a great day. Be blessed.Submitted by WinkyWrightisdabomb from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Q: What are you hearing about this football team at Rockhurst this season? I'm hearing many, many good things, like "Could be the fastest team in Rockhurst history". Just curious, since you are in the know, and because I am 8000 miles away. :)
Answered 07/18/11 12:54:41 by Candace Buckner
A: Ha! "Fastest team in Rockhurst" history? ...without Noah Pearl? Well, Ok. Guess it's never to early to find the appropiate superlative you want to pin on this year's team. So, "fastest" ever because of Jordan Walker and who else? All I know is that they're feeling confident over there about this season (...stop me if you heard this one before about Rockhurst) and all they do is reload, so I never count out the Hawklets.Submitted by Greg Bolts from Stilwell, Ks
Q: I am the Representative for the Class of 1973, and I want to nominate Paul Kies for the Rockhurst High School Hall of Fame. However, I can not remember if he made All Metro, All District, All State, could you help out. This would be for the 1972 fall footbal season.
Answered 02/11/11 18:07:02 by Candace Buckner
A: I'll have to check our archives. Send me an e-mail at cbuckner@kcstar.com so I can hit you back when I find what you're looking for.Submitted by Scott from Overland Park
Q: Hey Candance, I am new to town, and I enjoy catching a couple high school bball games(boys games) what are the top schools around here or best games left this season?
Answered 02/11/11 18:06:05 by Candace Buckner
A: Only a month late in answering this! But, if you see this tonight, check out Park Hill South-Raytown South (2/11). The "real" games are right around the corner -- districts.Submitted by Curt from Kansas City, Mo
Q: I would love to see some articles on High School student athletes. For example the SM West girls Basketball team not only is very good but many of the varsity players are national honor society members, and the team GPA is nearly off the charts.
Answered 02/11/11 18:03:38 by Candace Buckner
A: I hear ya, Curt. Near the end of the sports season, our Scholar Athlete package is more comprehensive than any other HS coverage we publish all year long. Hopefully, someone will nominate those SM West girls for the honor.Submitted by tom miller from olathe kansas
Q: I was watching a game on metro sports and i saw vickie dolan comming off the bench to hit 3 three pointers in a row i have watch her play i think she is one of the best shooter i have seen in a while what do you think
Answered 02/11/11 18:02:08 by Candace Buckner
A: Haven't seen her this year, Tom.Submitted by Kim Harrison-Tolefre from Kansas City, MO
Q: Hi Candace, on Friday night, University Academy played Harrisonville at UA. I searched all weekend for the scores and stats, how do you get those?
Answered 12/07/10 12:45:08 by Candace Buckner
A: We rely on coaches to call in the box scores. Please encourage your coaches to do so.Submitted by Reggie Nelson from Kansas City
Q: Have you seen Lee' summit north pair of freshmen
Answered 12/07/10 12:44:22 by Candace Buckner
A: For the girls? Yes, I was impressed with the center. She showed some mature post moves.Submitted by bballfan from Olathe, Kansas
Q: Hey Candance, now that high football is almost over, what are your thoughts about girl's basketball in the EKL this season?
Answered 12/07/10 12:43:31 by Candace Buckner
A: Hey bballfan, as the state runners-up, St. Thomas Aquinas Saints will be the team to watch. The Saints got a boost with DaShawn Harden coming back, remember she transferred to Olathe South after last season but ultimately returned to Aquinas. I hear that Blue Valley has size and you can never count out a Terry English Bishop Miege team. But I think BV North will be the surprise of the league. The Mustangs have three freshmen in their starting lineup and could be the transcendent talents for BV North that four-year starters Harden and Nelly Weledji were for Aquinas.Submitted by WinkyWrightisdabomb from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Q: Ok Candace, the Rock has made it this far. What is your prediction in the Class 6 title game. Personally, I think Rock wins this one by 10+, but hey, I've been wrong before. HC has serious speed, as witnessed by "The Originals" last year. What's your take?
Answered 11/27/10 17:47:00 by Candace Buckner
A: Read below, Wink. Hope you had a good holiday.Submitted by Mike from Shawnee, KS
Q: Hey Candace, Happy Thanksgiving to you! How do you see the Rockhurst-Hazelwood Central game panning out? Are you rooting for your hometown team or the Rock?
Answered 11/27/10 17:46:24 by Candace Buckner
A: Happy Thanksgiving back at you, Mike. Hope you had a great holiday. I have no rooting interest in any high school game I cover but if I did, Hazelwood Central would actually be the last high school on Earth that I would be rooting for as I am a proud Hazelwood EAST Spartan alum :) But I have to say this, for the last two years I've picked the local KC teams to win state and both times, Hazelwood Central has spoiled my predictions. Could the third time be a charm? Dunno. All I know is Central is mighty, mighty good and whether folks want to pick on the East side of the state for being weaker and allowing Central to make it to the championship game three years in a row is a non-issue IMO. Last year I was for certain that Blue Springs would win and I would feel the same about Rockhurst but gosh darn, Central is good. And fast. So ... after much thinking, I'll go ahead and say, defense wins. Rockhurst 17, Hazelwood Central 7.Submitted by Ralph Bondon from Lee's Summit
Q: Why hasn't the star done the girls All-Metro golf team..or did I miss it?
Answered 11/24/10 00:17:46 by Candace Buckner
A: The Fall All-Metro teams will most likely run in December.Submitted by WinkyWrightisdabomb from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Q: Actually, Candace, you picked Blue Springs to win BS/ROCK part I, JC to beat Rock, and BS to win BS/ROCK part II. So, technically, that was 3 times. :) And what are your thoughts for Fort Zumwalt West vs. Rock?
Answered 11/16/10 11:40:46 by Candace Buckner
A: Winky, help me out, bro, and re-read my Rockhurst answers. I don't want to get into a "he picked/she picked" ordeal here, but I can guarantee you I did not pick Blue Springs over Rockhurst in the first game. Why am I so sure? Because I never pick games in which I am reporting on... it's been my rule. But I think you're referring to my comments about Blue Springs "should have won" the first game, those are comments I made after watching the game play out. I was there and remember the many chances Blue Springs had and yes, I thought they actually should have won that first game. But again, that was a revelation after the game. I have nothing personally invested in these high school games, I solely pick 'em based on information I've culled from both teams and cold stats that I believe to be vital. So now for the update: after the latest win, I'm 1-2 when it comes to picking Rockhurst. So, there ya go. Now on to FZW, they are a big-play team who's offense is their best defense. They'll want to speed up the game but if Rockhurst slows it down and just runs Noah Pearl at 'em, FZW won't be able to stop the Hawklets. FZW has the 51st ranked defense in the state and that won't cut it against Rockhurst. So, weather permitting, Rockhurst will keep it vanilla and have an easier time dismantling FZW than it had in overcoming Blue Springs. But since Rockhurst has won the two games in which I picked they would lose, shouldn't you guys want me to say FZW will win?Submitted by Mike from Shawnee, KS
Q: Hey Candace. Will you be at the Rockhurst/Blue Springs game tomorrow? Also, you do realize that you've picked against Rockhurst several times this year and was wrong. Care to comment on that?
Answered 11/11/10 18:54:30 by Candace Buckner
A: Nope, I'll be at state swimming and diving. And sure! I'll comment on picking against Rockhurst "several" times. Here's my comment: You're wrong, my friend. There have been two instances where I've had to pick a Rockhurst game: Here and on my varsityzone.com blog. The blog was Week 2, and I picked Rockhurst to beat Hutchinson. I was right. Here, I picked Jeff City for the upset and I was wrong. That's two times: 1-1. Where's the "several?" I've also stated the obvious, realistic view that "running the table" in 6A is difficult to do. So if you want to count that as "several" times picking against Rockhurst then, er, sure. Go ahead.Submitted by WinkyWrightisdabomb from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Q: The playoffs are here Candace. Who is your class 6 favorite to get out of KC, and why?
Answered 11/11/10 12:42:29 by Candace Buckner
A: Well, tomorrow is the big Blue Springs/Rockhurst game. I was there at the Week 1 game, and to this day, I believe Blue Springs should have won ... so (get your slings and arrows ready, Hawklets) I think Blue Springs will win tomorrow. Both teams have been outstanding -- in Blue Springs' case, after Week 3. But I think the Wildcats have the most unstoppable player on the field in Darrian Miller, and that can make all the difference.
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