BonnerSprings.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Bonner Springs put forth a terrific effort before falling in the Class 5A sub-state basketball playoffs against Washington, 89-73, in one of the city’s loudest gyms.

The loss ends the season for the Braves — a season in which they won six games despite only returning one player with prior varsity experience.

“We thanked the seniors after the game for their efforts and their willingness to sacrifice for the system,” coach Ryan Hull said. “It is so much fun to coach in a system that allows 15 guys to get all of this playing time. That is such an awesome thing.”

The Braves jumped out to an early lead, 18-8, behind 11 first-quarter points by sophomore guard Juan Pichardo who was spectacular against the press the Wildcats threw at the Braves. Every open look he got, he quickly fired a shot that splashed the net. After his third bomb, Hull leaped to his feet and pumped his fist in the air, causing the Bonner faithful to explode, as well, and Washington to call a timeout.

Washington responded by going on a 16-2 run to close the quarter and head into the second leading, 24-20. The run showcased the Wildcats’ athleticism. They had an alley-oop, a twisting layup that included an extra free throw, a long 3-pointer and four other baskets from close range. BSHS was late to react on defense, causing Hull to switch his full-court pressing defense to a half court 3-2 high zone in the second quarter.

“Washington was so quick that we had to go to that zone out of necessity,” Hull said. “We had prepared to switch to that. It slowed them down for a little while until fatigue set in, and they were able to dissect it. I thought we really gave a spirited effort.”

It took Washington a while to find the holes in the zone, and the two squads exchanged baskets for much of the quarter. Bonner led, 36-34, with three minutes remaining in the half when Washington senior Brett Jones received a pass on the baseline, took two dribbles, jumped and sailed underneath the rim, twisted around and threw down a reverse rim-rocker. The gym erupted, but the Braves kept their cool. They calmly went right down the floor and got the ball to senior Jared Brailsford who scored inside to retake the lead.

Washington took a 49-46 lead into halftime, but was looking for answers on how to slow down the frenetic pace of the first half and how to slow Bonner’s hot 3-point shooting — the Braves made eight 3-pointers in the first half.

The Wildcats used their size advantage and built a 62-53 lead with time running out in the third quarter. Brailsford drove inside and had his attempt blocked, but he kept with the play and got his second attempt in the basket plus a free throw. Washington answered inside on the other end only to have BSHS freshman J.J. Jackson swish a 3-point basket for the Braves.

On the ensuing inbounds play for the Wildcats, senior Chance Crawford scrambled to the floor after a loose ball and called a timeout to secure the possession with 16 seconds remaining in the quarter. After a missed trey, junior forward Ryan Morris scored on a put-back at the buzzer to bring the Braves within 64-60 entering the final frame.

A 17-4 run by the Wildcats in the fourth quarter put the game away.

Pichardo finished with 21 points, Brailsford had 11, Kyle Day and Jackson each had 8, Luke Terrell had 6, Isaac Mills had 5 and Crawford and Chris Smith each had 4.

Bonner Springs ended its season with a 6-15 record.

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