Thursday, Class 5A girls
BY BROOKS SEELEY
3:20
Andover Central 9, Shawnee Heights 9 after the first quarter.
It amazes me when KU doesn’t give Cole Aldrich any touches on a possession and Central does it with Bias too. It’s like the girls forget to give the ball to her. However, the Jags are pounding it inside, getting some nice offensive rebounds. They are also defending very well.
Bias made her first 3 pt. shot of the game, the first time I’ve seen that from her, and has 6 points. Bias’ pressure on Shawnee Heights’ Cassidy Downing is impressive.
2:50 p.m.
Well, I just broke the news, that was broken here in a blog by Joanna, to Andover Central coach Staina Jefferson that Tiffany Bias won the 2010 Kansas girls Gatorade player of the year. She immediately got a big smile on her face and we talked of how deserving she is.
Central is warming up for its game against Shawnee Heights in 10 minutes.
I also briefly asked Jefferson how much she and the girls had thought about the rematch with Carroll after last year’s sub-state final loss to the Eagles. She made a quick point to let me know that the Jags aren’t overlooking Shawnee Heights, as any great coach would say. She did say that the girls had a long week after that loss and how much fun it would be to get another shot. I agree, that would be a great game.
Carroll has to get by an improving Newton team that could put a run up at an upset against the Eagles. I think both have very nice post players which should equal out, so it will have to come down to the outside shots. I think Carroll has just a little more fire pire in that area.
Here’s the sked for the rest of the day:
Andover Central v. Shawnee Heights 3 p.m., Carroll v. Newton 4:45, St. Thomas Aquinas v. Topeka Seaman 6:30 and McPherson v. Bishop Miege 8:15. My winners (and remember I went 3 of 4 yesterday with Topeka West’s upset as my miss) are the hot teams: Central (22-0), Carroll (won 13 of 14), Aquinas (won 19 straight), Mac (won nine straight).
Shawnee Heights’ band gets the most origianal music award after playing “Life is a Highway” and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Hey, Central’s band is good too, but it didn’t play “Welcome to the Jungle.” And as soon as I say that, Central rocked the National Anthem.