Thursday at Class 4A
By Matt Browning
2:40-Breaking news: Ottawa High School does have students…it appears they have brought 26 students today. Gotta start somewhere…
2:35- Hello all! Day two at 4A has arrived we have the boy’s quarterfinals today.
A couple of quick notes real fast:
1. The stats problem that we had yesterday seems to be resolved, which will make life for yours truely and the boys on the copy desk much easier.
2. Aside from Girard–which probably brought its entire town–I was disappointed in the crowds yesterday. In fact, Ottawa brought zero students–pathetic. I’m hoping we get a little more atmosphere in The Bicentennial Center today, although with as spacious as this place is, it would be difficult for a NASCAR event to make noise.
Ok on to the games. Here are three questions I have for the boys bracket:
1. Can the Swank family when their second title in three years? In 2008, coach David Swank and son Matt led Wichita Trinity to the 3A title and this season the two, along with David’s other son, Micah, have Pratt 21-2 and the top seed. The Greenbacks face Circle at 4:45. I see Pratt winning, with relative ease today.
2. Just how good is Reece Holiday from Kansas City Sumer? He has signed to play at Wisconsin-Green Bay next season and is the Sabres all-time leading scorer. Sumner is 19-4 and the four seed, but that record is VERY disseaving. In fact, I believe Joanna Chadwick picked Sumner to win the whole thing, so then is has to be good, right? The thought of a Pratt-Sumner semifinal sounds enticing.
3. Finally, can Nickerson build off its first sub-state final win since 1994? The Panthers had been in the finals three other seasons in the past seven years but never could advance. Nickerson’s opponent, Coffeyville is 19-3 but that record maybe a little gaudy considering the level of talent in southeast Kansas. If I’m Nickerson, I’m thrilled with the draw and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the Panthers move on to the semis.
I’ll be back every quarter with updates. First up is Ottawa and Holton.
Peace.