Class A Regional Preview: Lebo, Onaga

The class A post-season tournament gets started Monday, February 18, with regional action. The 108 schools in the class will be battling to be one of two teams advancing to sub-state out of each regional. I will continue breaking down each region with analysis, predictions, and identify players to watch. Let's take a look at the Lebo and Onaga regionals. <table style="height: 153px"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 20px"> <td style="height: 20px;width: 204px"> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt"><u>Lebo Regional</u></span></h2> </td> <td style="height: 20px;width: 90px"> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt"><u> </u></span></h2> </td> <td style="height: 20px;width: 216px"> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt"><u>Onaga Regional</u></span></h2> </td> <td style="height: 20px;width: 78px"> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt"><u> </u></span></h2> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 19px"> <td style="height: 19px;width: 204px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">#4 Rural Vista</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 90px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(18-0)</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 216px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Centralia</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 78px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(11-6)</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 19px"> <td style="height: 19px;width: 204px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Centre</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 90px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(11-8)</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 216px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Wetmore</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 78px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(10-10)</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 19px"> <td style="height: 19px;width: 204px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Burlingame</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 90px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(8-10)</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 216px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Doniphan West</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 78px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(10-10)</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 19px"> <td style="height: 19px;width: 204px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Lebo</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 90px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(7-10)</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 216px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Valley Falls</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 78px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(9-10)</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 19px"> <td style="height: 19px;width: 204px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Marais Des Cygnes</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 90px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(1-18)</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 216px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Axtell</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 78px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(7-12)</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 19px"> <td style="height: 19px;width: 204px"></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 90px"></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 216px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Troy</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 78px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(2-15)</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 19px"> <td style="height: 19px;width: 204px"></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 90px"></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 216px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Onaga</span></td> <td style="height: 19px;width: 78px"><span style="font-size: 12pt">(0-20)</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Lebo Regional</span></span></h3> With only five schools in this year's regional the only opening round game will be the Marais Des Cygnes Trojans against the Lebo Cougars. The two teams played in early January with Lebo emerging with a 15 point win and it is unlikely the outcome will be any different. Lebo's speed, backcourt pressure, and three point shooting should see the Wolves cruise to a solid victory and advance to meet undefeated, #4 ranked Rural Vista in the semi-finals. Lebo lost to the Heat by 19 in early December and it is unlikely Lebo will be able to stop Rural Vista this time either. Lebo's biggest problems are their lack of size and inside game. Rural Vista isn't much bigger but has plenty of depth, experience, and returing all-stater Lauren Campuzano. Burlingame has three upperclassmen on the roster. But, like Lebo, does not have any size. Centre is small and short squad led by junior Kelsey Hett. Against Rural Vista she had 23 points in a 16 point loss to Rural Vista. Without her they lose by a point to three-win Elyria Christian. Anything can happen with Hett on the floor but Burlingame has a variety of weapons, led by freshman Daelyn Winters, to light up from outside as well as the inside game of Emmy Punches. Burlingame ought to win this one going away. Burlingame was not having much success until late January when they finished the season winning five of six including a close victory over Lebo. What I do not see happening is them being able to stop a rolling Rural Vista team in the finals. <strong>My Picks</strong>: Rural Vista over Burlingame by 15. <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Onaga Regional</span></span></h3> Doniphan West and Wetmore will have little trouble in their opening round games with Onaga and Troy respectively but the other game, Valley Falls and Axtell, is interesting. The only team in the tournament Valley Falls has played this season was Onaga and the Dragons beat them by 28 in early December. Axtell defeated Onaga by 35 not much later. If those scores alone are an indicator, this game should be a good one. Unfortunately, the winner has Centralia waiting in the wings and I do not see either team getting past them. Axtell was pasted by 29 by a Panther team with shooters, size, and a terrific shot blocker in Megan Koch. I do not think they will get past Valley Falls for a rematch. Valley Falls' record is a bit deceiving. All of their losses were to class 2A schools and no loss was by more than 16 points. They lost three times to 16-2 Jefferson County North and 13-6 Atchinson County, twice to 17-2 Pleasant Ridge, and once to 10-4 Jackson Heights. Centralia whacked Doniphan West by 17 and stomped Wetmore 47 points. Valley Falls and Centralia may be the best game of the tournament but the Panthers are unlikely to let them stand in their way of improving upon a third place finish at state in 2018. Doniphan West, with all but one player being a freshman or sophomore, has a good shot at getting a hat trick against Wetmore after defeating them twice during the season by 14 and 6 points. <strong>My Picks</strong>: Centralia over Doniphan West by 15. <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Players</span></span></h3> Kelsey Hett, Centre, 5'7", 2020, PG - Averaging nearly 17 ppg, 8 rpg, 3.2 assists, and 2.6 spg. Has knocked down 22 threes on the season Alyssa Espinosa, Centre, 5'6", 2021, G/F - averaging 9 ppg, 6 rpg Maddie Smith, Lebo, 2019, G - Perimeter shooter Avery Moore, Lebo, 2019, F - Finish inside off the drive in traffic. Good ball fake and first step to drive. Abby Peek, Lebo, 2022, G - Quick, handles ball in transition and with speed, athletic and aggressive around the basket. Addy Tackitt, Lebo, 2020, G - Fast with the ball in transition, three point threat, Daelyn Winters, Burlingame, 5'5", 2022, G - Team's best player, fast with the ball, smart in transition, three point-range, Emmy Punches, Burlingame, 5'7", 2021, F - Plays big inside with good post moves and ability to seal and catch the lob, fast with the ball Brooke Lewis, Burlingame, 5'5", 2022, G - Three point shooter, finish off the drive with contact Megan Griffin, Burlingame, 5'8", 2021, F - Terrific use of ball fakes, quick pull-up jumper off the drive, three point shooter Lauren Campuzano, Rural Vista, 5'9", 2019, G/F - Averaging 17.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3 spg Jessyka Barten, Rural Vista, 5'4", 2019, PG - Strong on the defensive end and assists Jordyn Sanford, Rural Vista, 5'6", 2019, G - Strong rebounder Megan Koch, Centralia, 5'10", 2020, F - Smart interior shot blocker Madison Leuger, Centralia, 5'10", 2020, F - 11 ppg last year Katie Glatczak, Centralia, 5'6", 2019, G - Averaged 13.5 ppg, 4 apg last year. Washburn signee Morgan Kramer, Centralia, 5'5", 2021, G - Fast with the ball, jumps passing lanes on weak side, three point shooter Calli Caudle, Doniphan West, 5'7", 2019, F - Average 7 ppg, 5 rpg last year Reagan Kirkwood, Valley Falls, 5'6", 2019 PG - 1,000 point scorer, 25-30' range, creates steals on the ball, creates own shot and finishes athletically in traffic with a variety of shots, Peru State signee Tricia Mathewson, Axtel, 6'1", 2019, F - 9.5 ppg, 6 rpg last year Makinley Smith, Doniphan-West, 2020, F - quick offensively inside, attacks the basket and finishes strong, transitions well. Heidi Leach, Doniphan-West, 2021, G - a steal threat, fast with the ball, finishes well in transition Sadie Leach, Doniphan-West, 2021, G - three point threat who runs the floor well, quick on the defensive end. Myah Olson, Doniphan-West, 2021, PG - auick to the passing lane, 25' range, handles ball with speed in transition Reagan Osterhaus, Wetmore, 6'2", 2021, C - averages 7.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.9 rpg Kenzie Strathman, Wetmore, 6'0", 2022, F/C - averages 10.5 ppg, 12 rpg