High school basketball preview: Collegiate Spartans (+video)
Schedule
December – 7, at Cheney; 8, Valley Center; 12, TBA at Cheney; 15, Mulvane; 18, at Clearwater.
January – 5, at Wellington; 8, at Andale; 12, Circle; 16, Atchison; 19, at Augusta (G); 21-23, at El Dorado tournament (B); 26, at Augusta (B); 28-30, at El Dorado tournament (G).
February – 2, El Dorado; 5, at Buhler; 12, at Mulvane; 16, Clearwater; 19, Wellington; 23, Andale; 26, at Circle.
Boys
Coach: Mitch Fiegel, 27th season, 434-180
Last season: 22-4
Top players
Cameron Christian, 6-4, sr., G-F
Austin Waddell, 6-4, sr., F
Jack Larsen, 5-10, sr., G
Xzavaier Adams, 5-10, sr., G
Kendall Reed, 6-1, sr., G
Jacob Newlin, 6-6, sr., F-C
After Collegiate’s seniors lost in the first round of the 3A tournament as sophomores and then finished second in 3A as juniors, there’s no question they want a state title.
Collegiate will play in Class 4A-II for the first time.
The Spartans return nearly 70 points of offense, including Christian’s team-high 13.7 points and Waddell’s 11.4. Adams, Reed, Larsen and McNerney averaged more than six points.
“If I was going to pick one thing that I really like about this group, it’s their depth,” Fiegel said. “… When you have some real depth, that gets you excited. I’m not talking bodies, but I’m talking guys who can really play basketball.”
Christian can score from three or by dunking on a fastbreak. Waddell rebounds, scores and passes well, while Larsen and Reed shoot well. Cooper Root, Newlin and Nate Kelly will all play vital roles in Fiegel’s five-in, five-out system.
“To me, (Adams) is the wild card,” Fiegel said. “When he plays to potential, for me that’s when his assist to turnover ratio is 2 to 1 or better, then we become unbelievable.”
Fiegel doesn’t see a weakness with his team.
“When you have a lot of talented guys, the most difficult thing to do is get them to share the basketball,” Fiegel said. “When the basketball flows, this group is special.”
Girls
Coach: Greg Lower, first season
Last season: 16-6
Top players
Nia Tolbert, 5-4, sr., G
Alex Payne, 5-8, sr., G-F
Kirby Krumsick, 5-11, jr., F
Kennedy Brandenburg, 5-10, so., F
Loan’Anh Johnson, 5-7, so., G
Payne’s versatility is showcased most in her ability to score in a variety of ways, whether she’s in the lane or hitting a jumper.
“She might be the biggest scoring threat that we have on the team,” Lower said. “She’s probably the most well-rounded basketball player, and … I think she’s going to have a breakout season.”
Collegiate’s going to need Payne’s presence because senior Addison Root, who played varsity since she was a freshman, decided not to play basketball. She signed to play volleyball at Memphis.
But the load isn’t completely on Payne. Tolbert, a defensive stopper and point guard, has improved her offensive game.
Krumsick, Brandenburg and Emma Parkhurst are all around 5-foot-11 and, despite their varsity inexperience, they produce quickly. Krumsick and Brandenburg are inside players, while Parkhurst can play shooting guard.
“They’ll be thrown into the fire very quickly,” Lower said. “… They have the potential to be really good basketball players.”
Parkhurst and Johnson, a transfer from Maize, can score from the perimeter, Johnson is strong with the basketball.
“She can shoot from outside, and she makes you stop her,” Lower said of Johnson. “She gives us a lot of hope.”
Depth could be an issue. Lower expected the Spartans to have 13 players.”
Joanna Chadwick
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 8:59 AM with the headline "High school basketball preview: Collegiate Spartans (+video)."