Kansas CIty, Kan.'s, hottest day of the year isn't keeping new Washington High School football coach Brandon Corbin from working.

Corbin and his new team are holding their training camp this week at the school.

"This week had to be the hottest of the year," Corbin joked.

Last spring, Corbin was hired at Washington following a very rough 1-8 season for the Wildcats. Corbin and his staff are working to make last year a distant memory.

"Last year was kind of last year," he said. "We're emphasizing a same book different chapter type of thing. It's always Washington football but we're on a new page."

Corbin first met with his new team in May. Immediately, the effort to "win hearts and minds" began.

"I asked the team how many games this team and family lost," he said. "They caught on what we were trying to say. But the bad thing is we haven't won any games, either."

Corbin's been a career assistant coach, coaching at various cities such as Manhattan (where he coached against Kansas State legend Darren Sproles in a state title game), Shawnee Mission and Turner.

The past three years, Corbin's been a part of Turner head coach Allen Terrell's staff, helping establish Turner as the top football team in Wyandotte County last year.

"Coach Terrell has a 'just get it done' mentality," he said. "Kids only make excuses for a year. After that, they just don't. We start holding kids accountable. They get so much better and so much closer."

While he's never coached in the Kansas City, Kan., League, Corbin has a good identification and adequate knowledge of the league.

Corbin's Golden Bears team has played Harmon and Wyandotte the past three years in regionals and Sumner Academy the past two seasons.

"What's ironic is I've actually never coached against Washington at any level ever," he said. "Not even a freshman game. I've coached against every other team. That definitely helps. I'm not coming into it cold."

As far as early impressions of the league, Corbin expects improvement across the board.

"From what I can tell everyone's going to be better than last year," he said. "I think the water-line is getting closer to the top. That's good for the district and city."

Washington begins its journey in week one at Harmon, who defeated them 20-0 last year.

PHOTO: New head coach Brandon Corbin instructs some of his defensive starters during Washington High School's football training camp this week.

If one would compile a "Seven Wonders of Wyandotte County Sports," the following would have to be on the list:

Why hasn't Washington ever won a state title in basketball?

The Wildcats, despite having stars like Earl Watson, have never claimed the state's mantle as the top team.

And I'm not sure why.

Teams from Wyandotte County have proven themselves at the state level several times.

Wyandotte High School has the greatest high school sports dynasty in the State of Kansas' history. They've won 20 titles and hold several state records.

They also play in the most historic gym in the state and if you don't get goosebumps watching a game in that gym, check your pulse. 

Sumner High School / Sumner Academy has won four titles. Schlagle, under Chuck Minor, won two state titles in 1991 and 1993.

Still, Washington has been left out of the fun.

They've always had at least some talent to make a run and as I've said countless times before, they play in the loudest environment I've ever experienced a game in.

Washington's student base, other fans and band give them a 10-point advantage in that gym compared to when they go on the road.

There are some early signs that the 2010-11 year could be special at Washington.

• The Wildcats were 10-0 in a summer league held at Rockhurst High School. They knocked off league rivals Harmon and Schlagle in the process. Needless to say, they won the league. With St. James Academy, Kearney, Central (KCMO) and Lawrence also include, the league can be considered one of the best in the summer.

• Tra'Vaughn White is Washington's best player since Earl Watson. He's a threat to score 30 points on any given night and will create more headaches. He was the second highest scorer in the entire state last year and could be better.

• White's surrounding cast resembles the cast of Ocean's 11. The pieces are there for a special year. If the clock reads "3 seconds left" in the game, I want the ball in Kalen Allen's hand. When his shot is on, give me a better long distance shooter in the KCAL? I'm not sure there is one. Rakim McCoy is turning into a solid contributor inside for the Wildcats. He's just a junior but his rebounding and defense have improved. Speaking of an inside presence, Myles Hibler is just that for Washington. There isn't a better inside presence in the league than the one on 73rd and Leavenworth Road this year. McCoy is 6-6 and Hibler is 6-5 and both had their ways at times against competition during the summer.

• A very talented freshman class becomes a very talented and more experienced sophomore class. Jaamie Trevillion and Deandre King saw varsity action as freshman. Last year's freshman class, Wyandotte County's best, will be together as well. James Jappa is the leader of that core group.

• This Washington team shocked high school basketball fans last year by advancing to the state tournament, knocking off the three-time defending champions at Highland Park in the process. It will be interesting to see if this group of special players remain hungry enough to make another run. Regardless, they have major experience coming back, losing just three seniors.

• 5A basketball is down. Bishop Miege loses a ton of talent and Highland Park is also rebuilding.

It's silly to predict a title at this point – or quite frankly – any point.

A lot has to go right and a team needs some breaks. Ask Bishop Ward baseball and Sumner Academy basketball about that.

However, this is Washington's best chance at a title in years.

PHOTOS: The Wildcats prepare to enter their 5A state game against McPherson in last year's tournament; Tra'Vaughn White; Kalen Allen; Rakim McCoy and Myles Hibler.

Washington High School's state-record holding track star will tour Kansas City, Kan., this Wednesday in an effort to raise awareness for fitness.

Le'Tristan Pledger, a member of the 2010 United States Youth Olympic Team, will travel to Quindaro Elementary School and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Pledger will begin her day Wednesday by speaking at an assembly at 10 a.m. at Quindaro.

She was a former student at the school. At around 10:45 a.m., she'll speak at the National Youth Sports Program held at KCKCC.

In August, Pledger will travel to Singapore to take part in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. They'll be held between Aug. 14-26. She is just one of 3,600 athletes to take part in the event.

She currently holds the Kansas state record for the long jump and the hurdles.

In 2010, she won the USA Junior Long Jump Championship and was the long jump champion at the 2010 KU Relays.

She won multiple state championships in 2008 and 2009.

While the official tip of basketball season is months away in Wyandotte County, next season is here.

Kansas City, Kan., rivals Harmon and Washington played against each other this week in a summer league at Rockhurst University. I decided to make the trip across state lines to check out the teams.

Very early thoughts about each squad.

Washington:

• In some circles, The Kansan's selection of Tra'Vaughn White (pictured left) as last year's KCK Player of the Year was controversial. This year, White should go into the season as the consensus favorite. White, somehow, looks better. At times, White faced smothering Harmon defense, but still hit several jumpers and made it look easy. White's aggressiveness is still there, but it looks like he's improved his outside game. That should put some fear into the Kansas City-Atchison League's five other teams.  White could average 30 points a game this season.

• White isn't alone, however. The Hibler Twins and Kalen Allen each played very well at times. Washington will have the best inside-outside balance of the league's teams to begin the season.

• No KCAL team is deeper on paper than Washington.They have talent everywhere and the Wildcats will have a very deep team.

• Sophomore DeAndre King looks like the next sharpshooter from Washington. "King from the Wing" made a number of outside shots, particularly against Kearney. Fellow sophomore James Jappa looked good inside as well.

• The biggest question about Washington next year is how they'll handle their success. The Wildcats will likely enter the year as my favorite to win the conference. They also appeared in the Kansas 5A State Tournament last year. Will the Wildcats be hungry like they were at the end of last year? Or will they be content with "getting to state" last year? If this team is focused and hungry, they could be scary good.

Harmon:

• While the Hawks lose the most of any team from graduation, there are some early indications that Harmon will reload quickly. Junior guard Jordan Horn will be an upgrade in the starting lineup. Horn's relentless on defense and he's developing quite the offensive repertoire to accommodate his defense. Juniors Branden Roark and Darrin Hawkins will give Harmon a boost in the starting lineup.

• Sophomore JaJuan Taylor looks improved on both sides of the ball and could give Harmon valuable minutes off the bench.Taylor's outside shot is dangerous and it was on display last week.

• The biggest wild card of the Kansas City-Atchison League next year is sophomore Michael Carson (pictured right). Already 6-6 or maybe even 6-7, Carson has quite the skill set for being just a sophomore. If he continues to mature and works to improve his defense, Carson could swing the league to Harmon. He's that good. He has a knack for blocking shots and made a spectacular two-handed block that prevented a Washington dunk.

• There's better chemistry among this group of Hawks than there was last year or two years before. Chemistry wise, this is Harmon's best team in a while.

• JaJuan Wilson might be the most underrated player in the entire Kansas City metro area. Wilson was unbelievable in the two games Harmon played. Wilson, despite being just a guard, is a ferocious rebounder. He will be the team's leader and could be White's biggest challenger for the league's player of the year award.

SPECIAL TO THE KANSAN

Le’Tristan Pledger, senior at Washington High School, is a member of an elite group of high school athletes. 

The group will represent the United States of America at the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore, August 14-26.

The Youth Olympic Games are a sporting event for young people ages 16 and 17, balancing sport, education and culture.  The Games work as a catalyst to promote these three themes throughout the Olympic Movement.

Team USA will compete as part of the Americas Team which includes North, South, and Central America, and the Caribbean.  About 36,000 athletes from 205 nations are expected to compete.

Pledger is the current Kansas state record holder for 5A for the long jump. 

Her record long jump of 19 feet-3.75 inches is the best in all 6 classes in the state of Kansas.  She also posted a 5A State record in the 100 meter hurdles at 13.9 seconds at the state track meet held in May.

Other highlights of Pledger’s track are:

• 2008 Kansas 5A State Champion - 100m, 200m, and 100m hurdles
• 2009 Kansas 5A State Champion  - 100m hurdles, and long jump
• Kansas City, Kansas League record holder in long jump and 100m hurdles
• 2009 AAU National Champion – long jump, 100m hurdles and heptathalon
• 2010 USA Junior Long Jump Champion
• 2010 KU Relays Long Jump Champion
• Great Southwest Track & Field Classis Hurdles Champion

Pledger is a Head Start volunteer, a mentor for the Youth Track Team, and a member of the Washington Wildcat cheerleading squad, volleyball team, and basketball team.

With the school year done and the season of high school sports complete, I thought it would be fitting to do a Top 10 list of the biggest sports stories from the 2009-10 school year.

Overall, this season could be classified as a championship season. A number of individuals and three schools won state titles.

There were several important stories to cover this year, but only 10 were chosen.

Here they are:

10. Cole leaves mark at Piper: Danyelle Cole won three track tournaments last weekend and walked away from Piper High School as the best individual performer in 4A Kansas track. Cole signed a full-ride scholarship to Drake University earlier this year.

9. Harmon High School enjoys successful athletic year: Harmon's basketball team, girls soccer team, boys soccer team and baseball team had arguably their best seasons in a couple decades….or ever. The girls soccer team won a school record 13 games; the baseball team finished 14-3 and the boys soccer team was one win away from state. Still, it was the basketball team that generated numerous headlines for the school. The Hawks basketball team finished the season 18-4 and one win away from the state tournament. The Hawks won two season tournaments and was a win away from winning its first league title in over 20 years.

8. Hall signs with local D1 school: After starting three seasons at Wyandotte High School, Bulldog basketball star Trinity Hall won't go too far in continuing his career. Hall signed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) this spring. Hall earned a triple-double in his final home game at Wyandotte High School. He's Wyandotte's first Division 1 player in several years.

7. Turner football takes another step: Despite a tough postseason loss to close the season, the Turner Golden Bears football team is quickly establishing itself as Wyandotte County's premier program. The Bears lost just one regular season game – to the eventual Kaw Valley League champion Basehor-Linwood team. They took it to local KCK teams as well. Although they lose some talent, head coach Allen Terrell is developing a great program at the school.

6. Kaw Valley League dominates in baseball, football: The local KVL teams flexed their muscles some during football and baseball. In football, along with Turner's outstanding season, Bishop Ward finished a solid 6-3 behind a strong running game, while Piper's Jasper Sanders led a one-man offensive assault on his school's record books as Piper also finished 6-3. Meanwhile, in baseball, a young Piper team overcame a tough start to finish with a winning record. Although Turner fell back a little bit, they still had their share of success against local teams. And Bishop Ward only won the 4A state tournament.

5. Washington bowling wins state title: In Washington High School's 75-year history, a state title alluded them. That changed this spring as the Wildcats bowling team took home the title in Wichita. The Wildcats were led by James Carter, one of the best individual bowlers in the state. 

4. Washington basketball gets to state: If Wyandotte County had a Cinderella team this year, it was the Wildcats basketball team. Overshadowed this year by Sumner Academy and Harmon during the regular season, the Wildcats played their best basketball at the end of the season. They defeated Harmon to end the regular season and defeated both Lansing and Highland Park on the road to get to state. Tra'Vaughn White was second in the entire state in scoring and he's just a junior.

3. KCKL returns to glory in basketball: In the final year of the Kansas City, Kan., League (It's sadly officially the Kansas City-Atchison League now. Awful.), this year's league basketball race was fun to watch and three teams stood out above the pack. Sumner Academy won the 4A state tournament. Washington made it to state. Under fourth-year head coach Heath Cooper, Harmon is Kansas City's best basketball rebuilding story in ages and both Wyandotte and Schlagle provided challenges to the favorites. It might not remind anyone of the 1960's or even the 1990's, but the KCK League was for real in basketball this season.

2. Sumner Academy wins the state title: A year after falling short, the Sumner Academy Sabres basketball team finished the job this season. Reese Holliday, Eli Alexander and Anthony White put up a dominating rebounding performance in the state tournament in Salina in March. Benny Parker looks to be the next great superstar at Sumner Academy, making clutch shot after clutch shot against Topeka-Haydeen after Sumner's Holliday, Davonte Chaney and Alexander fouled out. It was the school's fourth title in history.

1. Bishop Ward's baseball dynasty reborn: A year after finishing fourth in the 4A baseball tournament, the Cyclones finished 10-6 in the regular season and did not appear to be Ward "of the past." However, the Cyclones played their best six games of the season when they needed it most and won their 12th state title. Ward manager Dennis Hurla won his ninth title. Ward's won seven of the past eight titles in Kansas 4A baseball and with four seniors on the team this year, they could be better next year.

PHOTO 1: The BIshop Ward Cyclones baseball team celebrated their 12th state title this season, completing the year 16-6.

PHOTO 2: Wyandotte's Trinity Hall, arguably the KCK League's most complete player, signed a letter of intent this spring with UMKC.

PHOTO 3: Washington High School's bowling team won the first state championship in the school's 75-year history.

PHOTO 4: Harmon's De'Ontae Hooks provided the Hawks some thrills in a great 18-4 season.

Here are the state qualifiers in track and field from Wyandotte County's six 5A schools. The 4A qualifiers will be posted later.

BONNER SPRINGS (6)

• Ballou, 3200 Relay (B)
• Bonner Springs team, 400 Relay (B)
• Bonner Springs team, 1600 Relay (B)
• Carver, Long Jump (B)
• Barren, Shot put (B)
• Bradley, Discus (G)

HARMON (9)

• Howard, 100 Meter (B)
• Howard, 200 Meter (B)
• Wallace, 110 Hurdles (B)
• Hurado, 300 Hurdles (B)
• Harmon Hawks team, 400 Relay (B)
• Cooper, High Jump (B)
• Zeno, Triple Jump (B)
• Harrington, 400 Relays (G)
• Skelton, 100 Hurdles

SCHLAGLE (10)

• Avery, 200 Meter (B)
• Young, 200 Meter (B)
• Young, 400 Meter (B)
• Avery, 400 Meter (B)
• Stewart, 110 Hurdles (B)
• Stewart, 300 Hurdles (B)
• Schlagle Stallions team, 1600 Relay (B)
• Bettis, 200 Meter (G)
• Schlagle Stallions team, 400 Relay (G)
• Bettis, Triple Jump (G)

TURNER (8)

• Chambers, 3200 (B)
• Brown, 3200 (B)
• Turner Golden Bears team, 400 Relay (B)
• Turner Golden Bears team, 3200 Relay (B)
• Slue, Shot put (B)
• Taylor, Javelin (B)
• Newman-Dart, 100 Hurdles (G)
• Turner Golden Bears team, 1600 Relay (G)

WASHINGTON (4)

• Dawn, 100 Meter (B)
• Pledger, 100 Meter (G)
• Pledger, 100 Hurdle (G)
• Pledger, Long Jump (G)

WYANDOTTE (7)

• Kickendoll, 110 Hurdles (B)
• Hall, High Jump (B)
• Hall, Triple Jump (B)
• Jillian, Discus (B)
• Timms, 100 Meter (G)
• Andrews, 200 Meter (G)
• Timms, 300 Hurdles (G)

The Kansas City, Kan., League's baseball teams have all been eliminated from competition in their respective state tournaments.

For KCKL champion and a top-seeded Harmon Hawks team, the fall came hard in the championship game of their regional.

After Herman Ming (pictured) pitched a complete game victory against Wyandotte 13-1, the Hawks were easily eliminated by Mill Valley 14-1 in the title game.

The Jaguars' Ethan Appleby held Harmon's explosive offense at bay throughout the game, limiting the Hawks to just one run in the game.

Harmon finishes the season 14-3, one of the best seasons in Harmon baseball history.

The game was played behind Eisenhower Middle School in KCK.

Before losing to Mill Valley, Harmon defeated Wyandotte for the third time this season. Poncho Amaya's three-run double was the game-clincher.

• Before ending the Hawks' dream of a state title, Mill Valley defeated Washington 7-0, meaning they outscored KCKL competition 21-1. Washington hung in early, trailing just 3-0 after four innings.

• Sumner Academy was blanked by Atchison, a future member of the KCKL. Atchison will take on Bishop Ward Wednesday at 2 p.m.

• Bishop Miege hammered Schlagle 16-0.

The Washington High School boys bowling team was recognized by the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education on Tuesday evening, May 11.  The team brought home the first place tropy at the Kansas State Bowling Tournament.  Pictured are (Back row L-R) Coaches Dennis Bobbitt and Sharon Peters; (2nd row L-R) Seniors Jimmy Carter, Cody Nichols, and Junior Blackie Enloe; (Front row L-R) Sophomores Greg Fears and Michael Allen.

Photo by SUSAN ENLOE

It should come as no surprise that many boys basketball seniors from the Kansas City, Kan., League are signing letters of intent this month. 

This year's batch of seniors from the league's five schools will be tough to top for a while – that's no disrespect to future classes – it's just a measure of how great this year's group was.

This month has served as a reminder to me on how good the 2009-10 senior class in the league really was.

At Sumner Academy, who won (and earned) the 4A state title this season, Reese Holliday and Davonte Chaney headlined a solid senior class.

Holliday put his place in Sumner history with his dominating performances at the state tournament, while Chaney was a four-year starter who was among the league's two best defenders for the past three seasons.

Along with Holliday and Chaney, senior Anthony White offered key contributions throughout the season and he averaged a double-double in the 4A state tournament, leading a group of Sabre-rebounders who dominated the glass.

Meanwhile, De'Ontae Hooks led a turnaround for the Harmon Hawks.

No player has transformed a KCK basketball program in a while quite like Hooks did for Harmon.

In two years at Harmon, him and fellow seniors James Davenport and Exavier Bass-Brooks earned a 34-9 record after years of losing at the school.

Wyandotte's Trinity Hall represented his school very well on and off the court.

Hall, who had a triple-double in his final game at Wyandotte High School, had a sweet all around game that many in the area did not find out about for a long time.

And quite frankly, many still missed out on Hall.

Schlagle's Darius Hill was always a double-double threat. A quiet leader, Hill often scored 20 points for the Stallions and nearly helped Schlagle upset a handful of teams this year.

While Washington's junior class is very talented, without seniors Deandre Campbell and Deandre Clark, the Wildcats fail to get to state this season.

Next year's class has talent, don't get me wrong.

Washington's Tra'Vaughn White should be the favorite to win the KCKL Player of the Year. Harmon senior Jauan Wilson and Schlagle's senior star Rozell Nunn should also contend for the award.

But next year's seniors have a lot of work to match the accomplishments of this year's group.

Two individuals from Washington High School's state champion bowling team have been recognized.

Dennis Bobbitt, head coach of the team, was named as the 5A Kansas State Bowling Coach of the Year by the Kansas Bowling Coaches Association.

Wildcat senior Jimmy Carter, Washington's leading bowler on the season, was named to the state's all-state team by the same association.

Bobbitt and Carter led Washington to its first state championship in the 80-year history of the high school.

Before moving on to spring sports beginning tomorrow, I thought I would take one last look at the basketball season in the Kansas City, Kan., League and look ahead for next season.

Here are the Top 15 players expected to return back to their respective schools. Of course, transfers can happen or kids may not return for other reasons. 

This list is assuming they will return next season. At the bottom of the list is my all-freshman team.

15. Adrian Goodlow, Wyandotte: Goodlow was a sleeper around the league due to the huge shadow of Trinity Hall. Goodlow has talent and can make shots from the outside. Expect him to take more of a roll for Wyandotte next season.

14. Rakim McCoy, Washington: A sophomore this season, McCoy is already one of the league's best defensive players. He can block shots and grab boards. If his offensive skill set and execution get better, he could be first team league by the time he graduates.

13. Darrin Hawkins, Harmon: Hawkins was among a handful of special sophomores this year for the Hawks. Hawkins swarms on defense and will cause frustration for any player in the league. He may not be flashy, but Hawkins is darn tough and the league will know about him next season.

12. B.J. Saunders, Schlagle: With Darius Hill gone, Saunders will have to pickup some of the scoring lost. He was a nice player at times as a sophomore and the Stallions will look for a nice leap in his ability entering next year. Could he be next year's Tra'Vaughn White? That might be asking too much, but both had similar sophomore seasons.

11. Vernon Vaughn, Sumner Academy: Seeing Sumner's junior varsity team this season, Vaughn stood out quite a bit. He's going to be a great rebounder and has the ability to score in spurts. As a football player, Vaughn has the athleticism to become a dominating player in the league.

10. LaRay Young, Schlagle: Before being injured last season, Young displayed flashes of being a solid player. Having seen him twice before he was hurt, Young has great natural ability to rebound and score points. Young enters next year as a junior. If healthy, Young will make some noise.

9. Myles Hibler, Washington: Hibler was one of the league's most improved players from last season. Hibler was instrumental in Washington's run to the state tournament this season and is developing an overall game that could make a difference in a league mostly void of "big men."

8. Terry Moore, Wyandotte: Moore will enter next year as the go-to-guy with Trinity Hall graduating. Moore is one of the league's more dangerous three-point shooters. In the middle of the season, Moore displayed the ability to get into the lane. With the spotlight on him, Moore could put up some big point numbers next year.

7. Jordan Horn, Harmon: Coming off the bench as a sophomore, Horn was fantastic defensively and will be a special player in this league. Harmon's offensive looked more efficient at times with Horn on the court. While he may not be as dominant as some of the other guards in the league, Horn may be the toughest. He will rarely get rattled on the court.

6. Kalen Allen, Washington: Allen is developing into one of the best players in the league. He will be the best three-point shooter returning to the league next year. Allen starting penetrating a little more and scored more inside as the season ended. Allen could be the key to a long Washington run next season.

5. Eli Alexander, Sumner Academy: One of the best student-athletes you'll come across in the league, Alexander stamped his place on the championship winning team for Sumner late. Alexander was outstanding inside, whether it was rejecting shots or grabbing rebounds. He was ferocious on the boards in Sumner's three-day trip in Salina, Kan. As a senior, Alexander will be better. (Pictured left)

4. Rozell Nunn, Schlagle: Notching a triple-double for the Stallions this season, Nunn will figure to be Schlagle's main piece on a hopefully improved team. Nunn led the Stallions in scoring, rebounding and assists.

3. Jauan Wilson, Harmon: While losing De'Ontae Hooks, James Davenport and other seniors, Wilson is reasons one through five on why you shouldn't write the Hawks off. Wilson will end up being a four-year starter for the Hawks and he could re-write portions of the school's record book. Wilson will lead a batch of younger Hawks next season. Wilson could lead the league in scoring and he is Harmon's unmistakable leader now. As a senior, Wilson has one more opportunity to get over the hump and lead Harmon to a state tournament bid. (Pictured, right)

2. Benny Parker, Sumner Academy: Any question about the Sabres' future with Benny Parker running the show should have been answered at the state tournament. Without Parker, Sumner Academy does not win against Topeka-Hayden. Parker was clutch in that game, scoring 20 points. He might have the best skill-set of anyone in the league. Like Wilson, Parker loses some talent with him. But with a state title in his belt, Parker will add on to his legacy at Sumner Academy.

1. Tra'Vaughn White, Washington: Just a junior this season, White was second in the entire state in scoring and led the Wildcats to an unexpected birth in the Kansas 5A Basketball Tournament. White averaged 26 points, 5.8 assists and about 5 rebounds a game. As a senior, White will only improve more. With Reese Holliday graduating from Sumner Academy, White is far and away the most clutch player in the league. Washington has a puncher's chance against anyone with White in the lineup. (Pictured at top)

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

• Michael Carson, Harmon: As I said when I named him the freshman of the year, Carson brought the most impact as a freshman. He could have played more varsity time if Harmon needed him too. Carson will be one of the best big men in the league next season.

• Deon Tripp, Sumner Academy: Tripp's overall game was pretty solid in what I saw of it. He's particularly good at dribble penetration.

• James Jappa, Washington: Jappa had some pretty good games against league rivals Harmon and Sumner Academy this year. He has some solid fundamentals already as a freshman.

• Houston Shackelford, Wyandotte: He didn't see much time at the freshman level because he was needed on varsity. Shackelford looks to have a good ability and will score some points next season. For Wyandotte, improved guard play is important and Shackelford will be one of the biggest pieces to that puzzle.

• JaJuan Taylor, Harmon: Don't let his small stature fool you. This little man can do amazing things with the basketball. His three-point shot has the ability to be awesome and his passing is tremendous already. If his defensive improves, Taylor has the ability to be all-state. The sky is the limit for Taylor.  (Pictured top below the line)

The Kansas City, Kan., League's Girls Player of the Year is Kathleen Brisbane from Sumner Academy.

Sumner's coach, Torrence Allen, was named the league's coach of the year.

The voting was conducted by the league's five coaches in a postseason meeting.

Brisbane did just about everything for the Lady Sabres. She led the team in scoring average (13.8 points a game), rebounds (6.4), steals (2.0) and blocks (1.2).

She and Allen guided the Lady Sabres to a 14-8 record despite an injury to Sameia Kendall, one of the best player's in the league. Sumner fell in a heartbreaker to Baldwin to close out the season.

Here are the complete tallies.

FIRST TEAM

1. Kathleen Brisbane - Sumner Academy (Player of the Year)
2. Erin Copeland - Schlagle
3. Marisha Henderson- Washington
4. Royce Shields - Wyandotte
5. Sara Dominguez - Harmon
6. Ashleigh Downs - Schlagle
*7. Alexandria Blaurock - Sumner
*7. Sameia Kendall - Sumner
8. Paris Johnson - Schlagle

* Tied with points

HONORABLE MENTION (No specific order)

1. Rodeshia Mouton - Washington
2. Raquela Bonwell - Sumner
3. Jamaica Campbell - Schlagle
4. Jamisha Crawford - Washington
5.  Jessica Cabe - Wyandotte
6.  Savaughn Johnson - Sumner
7.  KyOnnee Carr - Schlagle
8.  Shanice Palmer - Sumner
9   Shakeya Stanley - Brooks-Schlagle
10.  Ver-Lyssa Timms - Wyandotte
11.  Julie Oropeza - Harmon
12. Alexandra Bradley - Washington

COACH OF THE YEAR: Torrence Allen - Sumner Academy

Sumner Academy's 4A State Championship run got me thinking more about the basketball tradition in Kansas City, Kan.

Having traveled around the state the past two years while cover KCK hoops, there's a sense from my gathering that the tradition in KCK is not as appreciated as it should be.

Consider these basketball traditions in KCK and ask yourselves why the city is not as respected as it should be.

• Wyandotte Basketball: Any mention of hoops in KCK needs to be accommodated by talking about Wyandotte Bulldog basketball. If it's not law, it should be. Wyandotte has won 20 state titles, the most by far of any school in the state. They won titles in seven decades during the 20th Century, including an undefeated national championship in 1923. Slackers.

• The greatest high school basketball dynasty ever: Wyandotte was the first high school to win 1,000 games in the United States. Part of that can be attributed to the Walt Shublom Dynasty where Wyandotte went 296-26 over a 14-year period beginning in 1959. That's an obscene winning percentage of 92, if you're counting at home. Shublom, as a head coach, won 10 titles, coached Wyandotte to two undefeated seasons and finished five more years with just one loss. While eras are different, it's tough to imagine another one stacking up like Wyandotte's did from the late 50s to the early 1970s.

• Randy Springs: An argument also be made that Randy Springs is the greatest high school basketball coach in the state's history. Springs is the only coach to win titles at three different schools – and he won two at each of them. Along with winning two titles at Highland Park in Topeka, Kan., Springs won two titles at two KCK schools – Wyandotte and Sumner Academy. His impact at Sumner Academy is still being felt after he built them into one of the city's dominant programs in the mid-1990s.

• Sumner Academy: In the past 14 seasons, Sumner Academy has made 12 trips to the state tournament, whether it be 5A or 4A. The Sabres have won three state titles in the past 12 years and should be classified as a modern day dynasty. From Kelyn Block to Jeff Hawkins to Reese Holliday, Sumner's been a great program for nearly 15 years. Before integrating, Sumner High School also had an undefeated season in 1969 to win the state tournament.

• Schlagle High School: The team of the 1990s was flat out scary at times. The Stallions won titles in 1993 and 1995. They came very close to winning titles in 1999 and 2000. The Stallions' tradition was awesome in the 1990s. Under Chuck Minor, Schlagle was dominant for about a 10-year period.

• Lucius Allen: Allen's the only athlete from Kansas to win a title at all three levels in basketball– high school (Wyandotte), college (UCLA) and NBA (Milwaukee). Allen just might be the best player in Wyandotte history.

• Other NBA Talent: Along with Allen, Earl Watson is currently playing in the NBA. Wyandotte's Larry Drew, Larry Comely, Pierre Russell and Earl Watson also played in the NBA. Victor Williams is currently in the NBA Development League. Local players eventually moved on to play at big colleges like the University of Kansas and UCLA.

• Wyandotte and Washington's gyms: While some gyms in the city have the personality of a morgue, there might not be two better places to play or watch a game than at Wyandotte and Washington. Wyandotte's gym is proof perfection can be possible, while Washington is the loudest gym I've ever been in.

There's a ton of basketball history in KCK. Not enough people know about it, however. Keep this mind – only in KCK a school with four titles (Sumner Academy) pales in comparison to another school (Wyandotte's 20 titles).

This year will hopefully remind fans and followers of Kansas high school basketball about that tradition. Sumner brought home the trophy, Washington appeared in state and Harmon's rebuilding process nearly led it to state this season.