The records tell it all.
As it was predicted and unfortunately came true, this was not a banner season for area high school basketball. The lack of talent and size – among other things – proved costly.
Nine schools, perhaps the most in area history, had losing records. The proud programs of Blue Springs and William Chrisman led the way.
Blue Springs finished 3-21 for its worst record since 3-22 in 1967-68. Chrisman went 0-24 as the graduation of nine seniors – including Jon Ekey and Justin Clark, who are now at Illinois State – proved to be too much to overcome.
The Bears were competitive in most games. But the fast-paced Grinnell (Iowa) College style of offense was not as rewarding as in the past, mainly because of the lack of top shooters. Obviously, it was a painful season for amicable coach John Vickers and his staff.
Chrisman is over 100 years old. I don’t know if the Bears ever had a winless season until this one. The 0-24 mark is the worst since at least the 1959-60 season.
Enough about that. Blue Springs and Chrisman will bounce back. You can bet on it.
Also having losing seasons were Blue Springs South (12-15), Fort Osage (5-19), Grain Valley (10-15), Lee’s Summit West (12-14 after a 24-4 campaign), Oak Grove (7-18), St. Mary’s (11-15), and Van Horn (2-21). Raytown was 13-13.
The big winners were Lee’s Summit North, Lee’s Summit and Raytown South. North’s 20-8 record came after a 10-15 mark last season. The Broncos also claimed the fourth boys district title in school history and advanced to the Class 5 state quarterfinals.
Although standout guard B.J. Dunbar graduates, three returning starters should make North formidable again next season.
Lee’s Summit’s 16-9 record was an improvement over the 10-16 mark from the previous season. Raytown South also increased its win total by six with a 21-7 record, including a perfect 10-0 in Suburban Middle Six play.
The season was more rewarding on the girls side with Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit North and William Chrisman leading the way.
Blue Springs finished 26-4 compared to 28-2 the previous year but finished as the Class 5 state runner-up for the consecutive year.
Liberty denied the Wildcats a repeat Suburban Big Seven title. Blue Springs, though, avenged two losses to the Blue Jays in conference play with a 43-32 victory in the state quarterfinal. The Wildcats could be the area’s best team again next season because all of their starters in the final four were underclassmen.
Chrisman, at 20-9, won 20 games in a season for the first time since 1993-94. The Bears also captured their first district title since 1992-93 and their first conference crown since 2000-01 by tying rival Truman for first place in the Suburban Middle Six.
Truman went 17-11 in maintaining its proud tradition and winning ways.
Lee’s Summit North’s 17-10 record was a big improvement over 11-14.
Blue Springs South finished 11-14 in bouncing back from 6-20 the previous season. Oak Grove’s 9-17 record may not sound impressive. Remember, though, that the Panthers finished 2-21 in 2008-2009. The seven wins increase was an area best for girls.
Grain Valley (15-11), Lee’s Summit (13-11), Lee’s Summit West (14-13) and Raytown (16-9) also had winning seasons. For Lee’s Summit, it was coach Brian Bubalo’s ninth consecutive non-losing season.
Overall, only six area teams experienced a losing record.
Now, on to spring sports.
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The records tell it all.
As it was predicted and unfortunately came true, this was not a banner season for area high school basketball. The lack of talent and size – among other things – proved costly.
Nine schools, perhaps the most in area history, had losing records. The proud programs of Blue Springs and William Chrisman led the way.
Blue Springs finished 3-21 for its worst record since 3-22 in 1967-68. Chrisman went 0-24 as the graduation of nine seniors – including Jon Ekey and Justin Clark, who are now at Illinois State – proved to be too much to overcome.
The Bears were competitive in most games. But the fast-paced Grinnell (Iowa) College style of offense was not as rewarding as in the past, mainly because of the lack of top shooters. Obviously, it was a painful season for amicable coach John Vickers and his staff.
Chrisman is over 100 years old. I don’t know if the Bears ever had a winless season until this one. The 0-24 mark is the worst since at least the 1959-60 season.
Enough about that. Blue Springs and Chrisman will bounce back. You can bet on it.
Also having losing seasons were Blue Springs South (12-15), Fort Osage (5-19), Grain Valley (10-15), Lee’s Summit West (12-14 after a 24-4 campaign), Oak Grove (7-18), St. Mary’s (11-15), and Van Horn (2-21). Raytown was 13-13.
The big winners were Lee’s Summit North, Lee’s Summit and Raytown South. North’s 20-8 record came after a 10-15 mark last season. The Broncos also claimed the fourth boys district title in school history and advanced to the Class 5 state quarterfinals.
Although standout guard B.J. Dunbar graduates, three returning starters should make North formidable again next season.
Lee’s Summit’s 16-9 record was an improvement over the 10-16 mark from the previous season. Raytown South also increased its win total by six with a 21-7 record, including a perfect 10-0 in Suburban Middle Six play.
The season was more rewarding on the girls side with Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit North and William Chrisman leading the way.
Blue Springs finished 26-4 compared to 28-2 the previous year but finished as the Class 5 state runner-up for the consecutive year.
Liberty denied the Wildcats a repeat Suburban Big Seven title. Blue Springs, though, avenged two losses to the Blue Jays in conference play with a 43-32 victory in the state quarterfinal. The Wildcats could be the area’s best team again next season because all of their starters in the final four were underclassmen.
Chrisman, at 20-9, won 20 games in a season for the first time since 1993-94. The Bears also captured their first district title since 1992-93 and their first conference crown since 2000-01 by tying rival Truman for first place in the Suburban Middle Six.
Truman went 17-11 in maintaining its proud tradition and winning ways.
Lee’s Summit North’s 17-10 record was a big improvement over 11-14.
Blue Springs South finished 11-14 in bouncing back from 6-20 the previous season. Oak Grove’s 9-17 record may not sound impressive. Remember, though, that the Panthers finished 2-21 in 2008-2009. The seven wins increase was an area best for girls.
Grain Valley (15-11), Lee’s Summit (13-11), Lee’s Summit West (14-13) and Raytown (16-9) also had winning seasons. For Lee’s Summit, it was coach Brian Bubalo’s ninth consecutive non-losing season.
Overall, only six area teams experienced a losing record.
Now, on to spring sports.
