While most of our area schools are 3A and smaller, the quality of girls basketball in the upper classifications has been high this year.
And now, the final games are about to start, as substate basketball stars for the upper classifications on Wednesday for 4A and 6A, and Tuesday for 5A.
Here are three thoughts on these area substates.
Buhler has had remarkable year
It wasn’t long ago where Buhler was struggling to win any games. Now, the Crusaders have homecourt advantage throughout substate, as the Class 4A West substate No. 2 seed.
Buhler won 16 games this season, comfortably finishing in the top four in the substate standings and winning the AVCTL Division 3 title. Now come the important games.
Buhler ended the regular season with a loss to 11-9 Augusta, but based on how well and consistent Buhler has played this season, that should be nothing more than a hiccup.
Should Buhler beat 3-17 Abilene as expected Wednesday, the Crusaders would host either a good Pratt team (11-9), or they’d need to beat 9-11 Circle for a third time.
Should Buhler make state, the Crusaders would be seeded no lower than fourth. A great opportunity lies ahead for the Crusaders.
Hutchinson will be a tough out
Class 5A West is stacked beyond stacked. Hutchinson is 14-6 and that was barely good enough to get one home game as the No. 8 seed. The Salthawks have a tough game Tuesday looming against No. 9 Andover Central (13-7).
The top 12 teams in the substate are at least .500. So many good teams here, and the Salthawks are one.
But the Salthawks are good. Like, really good. They’ve won seven of their last eight games, getting wins over Derby and Maize along the way.
The Salthawks have proven they can pass stern tests. Beat Andover Central and let loose against undefeated Hays in the championship game.
More Andale success coming?
Andale girls basketball has been as consistent as any program in 4A West, except for probably McPherson. Andale nabbed the No. 4 seed this year at 13-7 and will have home-court advantage at substate.
Clearwater is the No. 5 seed, and the teams split their regular-season series. Andale, however, has won 7 of 8, while Clearwater has lost three in a row.
Postseason success and Andale go hand-in-hand in many sports, and if things go right this week, it could be a long week in Salina coming up for Andale fans.
