KC Sumner overpowers Pratt in semifinals
SALINA — The Pratt boys basketball team doesn’t have a lot of size.
Luke Southard is the Greenbacks’ tallest player at 6-foot-4 and the rest of the players in the rotation are 6-2 or shorter.
But this season, playing against taller teams was something that happened often, so the Greenbacks got used to it.
But playing against height, coupled with the athleticism Kansas City Sumner brought Friday night, and it was too much for the undersized Greenbacks.
In its 58-53 loss in the semifinals of the Class 4A tournament, Pratt was out-rebounded 43-32 and 18 of the Sabres’ boards came on the offensive glass.
Pratt plays Coffeyville today for third place.
“Those offensive rebounds often resulted in big shots for them,” Pratt coach David Swank said. “They were by far the most athletic team we’ve faced this season.”
It’s one thing to box out a player, but when that player can jump flat-footed and reach over you, then you are left helpless.
Going against Sumner’s inside trio of Reece Holliday, Anthony White and Elijah Alexander, Pratt dealt with that often. It was physical and aggressive, but the Sabres scored anyway. Those three combined for 40 points and 32 rebounds.
“Holliday and White were the difference in the game,” David Swank said. “We have a tough time guarding guys like that.”
Holliday in particular was a hassle for the Greenbacks. He could do it all — shoot off the dribble, get to the rim and even shoot from the perimeter. At times, he looked like he couldn’t be guarded. The Wisconsin-Green Bay signee scored 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds.
“That’s the Reece I’m used to seeing,” said Parra of Holliday, who scored seven points in the quarterfinals. “He made a lot of things look easyæ.æ.æ. made good passes and short jumpers.”
The Swank brothers struggled to score. Each had 15 points, but neither shot the ball well. Matt went 6 of 19 (2 of 11 from three), while Micah was 2 of 10.
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