BonnerSprings.com

The Bonner Springs Braves (8-12), fresh off a 20-point setback to rival Basehor-Linwood, travel Wednesday evening to Topeka West (12-8) for the first round of the Class 5A substate tournament.

The matchup will be a tough one partly because it’s a road game, but also because the Chargers are riding a five-game winning streak. However, BSHS coach Ryan Hull will focus on his team’s execution more than what its opponent may bring.

“We have been playing really well and the kids have been playing hard,” Hull said. “We’ve been competitive in our losses and we’ve had games that can show us where we can go if we give (maximum) effort.”

Senior Wole Imokhome will be a big key to the Bonner Springs attack. He missed the game Friday night against Basehor due to family obligations, and his absence was felt. Imokhome provides something that the Braves are short on — size.

Imokhome provides energetic play on the low block with hard-nosed defense and quick post moves on the offensive end of the court.

Another key for the Braves will be the play of guard Juan Pichardo. The Braves’ leading scorer (13 points per game) can cause headaches to defenders. His quick release, along with his knack for penetrating to the basket, can easily produce 20 points in any game.

With athletic play coming from Cameron Callahan and J.J. Jackson late in the season, the Braves have been able to make up for their lack of size on the interior. In addition, guard Stevie Williams has been a defensive stopper and provided length and quickness.

If the Braves can continue to get solid play from guards Jourdaine Smallwood and B.J. Watson, they may be able to string a couple of wins together and advance to the state tournament. However, if the Chargers impose their will down low it could be a quick exit for the Braves.

“It’ll be interesting,” Hull said. “It will always come down to the two ‘E’s’ — effort and execution. At times we were ‘E’-less this year. We were missing both. If we can get the effort along with the execution, we have seen what we can do.”

If the Braves win Wednesday, they will advance to play in the substate finals at 5:30 p.m. Friday against either Topeka Seaman (12-8) or Schlagle (7-13) at Highland Park.

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