Postseason Preview: Class 5A Western Sub State

Photo: KSHAA

Jeremy Deckard October 25, 2024 @ 06:11 AM

Last night, I watched my fourth NHL game in six nights and am ready to head back to the Sunflower State.   Yesterday, I previewed three Kansas Sub State Tournaments and will post three more this morning before hitting the road.   Here is a look at the 5A Western Sub State. This report features a glance at all four brackets and one prospect from each grouping.   This might very well be the most competitive group of 16 schools in the Sub State Round. I have seen over half of this field play during the regular season. I would not be surprised if Chalk takes over the board in these four tournaments, but I also would not be shocked if a lower seed than No. 4 punches their ticket to Salina.   Sub State 1: Seaman (Host), Topeka West, Emporia, Maize South   [player_tooltip player_id='153936' first='Jillian' last='Gregory'], 6'0”, OH, Maize South, ‘25   So I have written a ton about the No. 1 ranked team in this region, so I want to feature an athlete from Maize South. Gregory is currently ranked No. 4 overall by Prep Dig Kansas and is ranked No. 66 nationally by Prep Dig. She leads the Mavericks in kills. Gregory has verbally committed to play at Wyoming University after graduation. It's not often you see a team with 23 wins ranked No. 9 overall in a Sub State, but that is the position Maize South is in. The Mavericks open postseason play against No. 8 Seed Emporia (23-12). The winner will face either No. 1 Seed Seaman (35-2) or No. 16 Seed Topeka West (13-21).   Sub State 2: Great Bend (Host), Goddard, Hays, Valley Center   [player_tooltip player_id='519096' first='Cassie' last='Ellegood'], 6'0”, MB, Great Bend, ‘25   Number 2 Seed Great Bend is loaded for bear and ready to make a run at a state title. Ellegood is currently ranked No. 66 overall in the Class of 2025 and recently verbally committed to play for Cowley Community College. She has recorded 239 kills and 49 total blocks in 71 sets The Panthers (33-2) will host No. 15 Seed Goddard (14-19). The winner will meet the winner of No. 7 Seed Hays (27-8) and No. 10 Seed Valley Center (20-12). I am putting the Indians on upset alert as the Hornets could make a late run.   Sub State 3: Andover (Host), Arkansas City, Bishop Carroll, Eisenhower   [player_tooltip player_id='493419' first='Aliyah' last='Green'], 6'1”, MB, Andover, ‘25   This is an awesome group of four teams. Green is currently ranked No. 86 overall by Prep Dig. She is a two-sport star who seems to be having a tough time deciding whether she wants to play college volleyball or basketball, hence the lower ranking. She leads Andover in kills with 401 in 73 sets. Andover is the No. 3 overall seed in the west and faces Arkansas City (15-18) to open postseason play. The winner will face either No. 6 Seed Bishop Carroll (28-8) or No. 11 Seed Eisenhower (22-18).   Sub State Four: Andover Central (Host), Hutchinson, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Salina South   [player_tooltip player_id='591953' first='Emmy' last='Kaberline'], 5'9”, OH, Andover Central, ‘28   I have not seen the No. 4 Seeded Jaguars play yet this season, so this is a team I hope qualifies for state. A couple of my favorite players in Kansas [player_tooltip player_id='221517' first='Jordyn' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493581' first='Bella' last='Holcomb'] are stalwarts on this team, but Central has a freshman hitter I can't wait to see in person. Kaberline's freshman stat line includes 242 kills, 78 digs, and 37 total blocks. Andover Central (31-6) begins play against No. 13 Seed Hutchinson. The winner will advance to meet the victor between Kapaun Mt Carmel (28-7) and Salina South (20-16). Kapaun arguably is the most dangerous No. 5 Seed in any of the Kansas Sub States.

Last night, I watched my fourth NHL game in six nights and am ready to head back to the Sunflower State.