The brackets have been released, and it’s time to analyze the girls high school state basketball tournaments in Kansas.
Here are five storylines to watch for at the seven state tournaments.
Non-3A schools are glad they aren’t 3A.
Goodness. It’s going to be an amazing girls tournament in Hutchinson. Holcomb is the No. 8 seed at 18-5, the best record for an 8 seed in any girls state tournament.
Who’s the favorite? Is it Hesston? The Swathers are undefeated, last year’s 3A runner-up and the top seed. They have an experienced team, an elite player in Kendal Brueggen, and a coach in Matt Richardson who has won two titles.
You can make an argument for many teams to win the state championship, however. How about No. 2 seed Halstead? The Dragons boast one of the best defenses in the state, a full menu of perimeter threats and a coach in Derek Schutte who is one of the most underrated coaches in Kansas.
Let’s move on, shall we? The No. 3 seed Osage City, which has one loss like Halstead. Oh … and then there’s the No. 4 seed. That would be reigning champion Silver Lake.
Let’s party.
Can anyone beat Wellington in 4A?
Considering all the boys and girls tournaments, there may not be a bigger favorite in any state tournament than the Wellington girls.
Last year’s 4A runner-up, Wellington led Bishop Miege in the fourth quarter of last year’s championship game before Miege stormed back to win. Wellington returned everyone from that team, and the Crusaders have lost just once this year, to 5A undefeated Hays, in overtime.
Wellington doesn’t just beat opponents. The Crusaders pulverize them. Seventeen opponents have lost by at least 30 points.
Andale will get first crack at Wellington, and the good news for Andale, is this is nothing more than a conference matchup. The Indians have played Wellington twice already.
Buhler could also get a shot with Wellington in the semifinals, if No. 5 Buhler can beat No. 4 Labette County. it would be an all-Crusader semifinal.
And if Wellington gets all the way to the finals, guess who would likely be waiting?
Bishop Miege.
A McPherson County derby could be on the docket
High school rivalries are golden. especially within a city or county.
Inman-Moundridge is a great rivalry. Two communities separated by about 16 miles in McPherson County, Inman and Moundridge are also two remarkable basketball communities. And their girls teams could play maybe the biggest game in the rivalry’s history in the 2A semifinals in Manhattan.
Moundridge is the top seed at 21-2 and opens with TMP out of Hays. Meanwhile, Inman is the No. 5 seed at 19-3 and opens with No. 4 Phillipsburg (20-3). Should both win, they’ll advance to a tasty 4 p.m. semifinal.
The lack of seniors on both teams means this could actually be a warmup to a bigger matchup in 2026.
Is this the year Little River kicks in the door?
First things first. We all know Little River isn’t some plucky underdog. Little River has a rich history with four state titles in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. But Little River hasn’t won a girls title since then.
Little River has beaten almost every opponent into a pulp. Little River has even beaten the aforementioned Moundridge by 12 points.
Last year, Little River reached the championship game but lost 51-34 to Frankfort.
Little River, however, isn’t an overwhelming favorite in Class 1A Division 1. Centralia is undefeated and has won five overall state championships. And Centralia plays in maybe the toughest 1A conference in the state.
This would be an epic matchup.
Is Olathe the best city for girls basketball?
Olathe is sending three teams to the Class 6A state tournament in Wichita – South, North and West. Northwest, meanwhile, was ousted in the substate championship game by North.
Even in 5A girls, eight different cities are represented at state.
It appears right now, nobody can hang with Olathe when it comes to girls basketball.
