Let me tell you about the battle of Texas and Kansas. The Guyer Wildcats of Denton, Texas took on Sunrise Christian from Wichita, Kansas. The Wildcats are led by their crafty point guard DeVion Harmon and smooth scoring wing Jalen Wilson. Sunrise came to Dallas with 6 of the 7 biggest names in Kansas high school basketball. Of the 13 seniors that saw the court last Saturday 7 of them have committed to high major Division 1 programa.
Once the ball tipped in Duncanville, the battle of the matchups commenced. The point guards showed why colleges have drooled over them during their high school careers. Harmon took on the two-headed monster of Grant Sherfield and Bryce Cook. Cook checking into the game made for the most exciting moment of the night. He hounded Harmon for 94 feet clapping as he countered every one of Harmon’s crossover attempts.
Calling the DFW home fueled each of the lead guards to show out for their friends and family. Under the bright lights and flashing cameras, Harmon’s playmaking clashed with Cook’s fearless defense and Sherfield’s ability to pack on points in a flash. Harmon finished with 21, Sherfield with 11, and Cook with 3 each showing why they will play ball at the next level.
The game’s excitement didn’t stop with guard play. The two opposing big men are textbook examples of how the modern center plays. Juniors Jacobe Coles and N’Faly Donte battled for everything.
Coles’ finesse in the post led to several pirouette-like turnaround jump shots that found the bottom of the net for the Wildcats. He stretched the floor connecting for two big time bombs from downtown. On the defensive end, he used his size and IQ to compete in a rebounding duel with his 7-foot matchup.
Sunrise’s N’Faly Donte started the game aggressively demanding the ball, ready to make a statement for coach Calipari. As the game progressed he showed off his athleticism in the half court catching oops and slamming putbacks. As Donte becomes more comfortable with the game, he’ll truly be a standout for whichever team is lucky enough to garner his services.
Guards and bigs moved the crowd but wings moved the game’s needle. Sunrise Christian’s Jadyn Turner led his team in scoring with 12 points. Jalen Wilson joined in the fun with an efficient 16 points thanks to his smooth midrange game.
After the points were scored and defensive stops were made Sunrise Christian took the victory 71 to 55. Ending the battle between Kansas and Texas in a double digit win for the Kansas boys.
The Traveling Hooper 