Kansas vs. Missouri: High school basketball bragging rights were on the line Saturday

High school basketball bragging rights were on the line Saturday as teams from Kansas played counterparts from Missouri in 810 Varsity’s Showcase 33 event.

Here are recaps from Saturday’s action:

Blue Valley Northwest 64, Staley 53

In a battle of defending state champions, the Huskies of BV Northwest, ranked No. 2 in the 810 Varsity Top 25 and the reigning Kansas 6A state titlists, beat Missouri’s defending Class 6 champs.

After a tight first half, the Huskies led 27-22. They widened that advantage behind 17 points apiece from seniors Joey Mattioni and Jake Fritz.

Avian Webb posted a game-high 20 points for Staley, while KV Stone added 16.

North Kansas City 57, Mill Valley 50

Ed Fritz’s return to the Blue Valley district resulted in the usual outcome: a win.

The longtime head coach, who coached for 19 years at Blue Valley Northwest until 2021, led North Kansas City to a win over fellow 810 Varsity Top 10 foe Mill Valley.

But it wasn’t easy at the end. The Hornets, ranked No. 6 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, held off a furious late run by No. 8 Mill Valley.

North Kansas City built a 40-21 lead midway through the third quarter. But Mill Valley’s JaKhai Carter grabbed a steal and made a layup, Mason Kemp sank a baseline shot and Kale Drummond drained a 3-pointer to pull the Jaguars within 5, at 46-41, with 4:12 left.

Later, Kamron Tate hit a shot and Xavius Kirkwood made two free throws and it was 53-49 with 55 seconds left. Jaiden Washington’s two free throws sealed it.

Samuel Dada scored 14 points and Bass and Tate added 13 each for the Hornets. Carter paced the Jaguars with 16 points and Drummond finished with 10.

Olathe South 56, Pembroke Hill 47

The Falcons played spoiler for Pembroke Hill’s debut in the 810 Varsity event.

Olathe South, ranked No. 10 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, pushed its lead to 47-35 to start the final period. But the Raiders rallied to pull within 4 points, at 51-47, after two straight buckets by sophomore Cal Sprott.

Three Nic Anderson free throws for Olathe South made it 54-47 with under a minute left. Anderson and Matthew Corrales finished with 13 points apiece for Olathe South. Josiah Polynice added 12.

Sprott paced the Raiders with 16 points and Mav Hawkins added 13.

Piper 70, Raytown South 43

Piper made its presence known in a big way Saturday.

After a nip-and-tuck first quarter, the No. 21-ranked Pirates led 19-14. By halftime, Piper had built that advantage to 37-19.

Senior Devin Kerr led the way with 22 points. DJ Thomas added 12. Malik Tillman, Travon Henderson and Jaden Jones each scored 10 for the Cardinals.

Blue Valley West 69, Hogan Prep 46

Hogan Prep gave it a go with just five players, but in the end, Blue Valley West proved to be too much.

The No. 15-ranked team in the 810 Varsity Top 25 pulled away for a runaway victory. Hogan Prep trailed 15-14 after the first period, but the Jaguars got going with 16 points from Gavin Harvey; ELi Lovich and William Watson added 12.

DaJuan Barrett paced the Rams with 19, while Jeremiah Flemons added 16.

Blue Valley Southwest 53, Center 35

The Timberwolves jumped to an early 11-0 lead and never looked back.

Jackson Bonczynski led Blue Valley Southwest with a game-high 19 points. Senior Emmitt Peters added 12.

Alex Kellum paced Center with 10 points.

BV Southwest 52, Pembroke Hill 37 (girls)

In a battle of short-handed teams, one of Blue Valley Southwest’s top reserves answered the call.

The Timberwolves topped Pembroke Hill in the morning opener for Showcase 33. BV Southwest had a few players out, under the weather or due to injury, but junior Olivia Payne stepped with four 3-pointers en route to 14 points.

Southwest held a 20-17 halftime lead over the Raiders, who were beleaguered with injuries before the season. But junior Lily Unruh netted 12 of her game-high 17 points to help her team open a 33-26 lead through third quarters.

Kenedy Nutter, Holly Woods and Lauren Legg each scored eight for Pembroke Hill.

This story was originally published January 6, 2024 at 10:46 PM.