MAYB Summer Kickoff showcases local talent

Ellis makes time for fun

At the MAYB Summer kickoff this past weekend, All-Class forward Perry Ellis took time
out of his busy summer schedule to play with the Kansas Players. The team was made
up of Ellis and 5 other players from Wichita Heights playing in the 9th/10th grade division
which was played at Tabor College and Marion High School.

"I just wanted to have fun (this weekend) and work on my game," Ellis said. "I usually get
a week break in between playing."

The Kansas Players took an early 18-2 lead in their first game of the tournament
against the Tulsa Titans. This gave Ellis an opportunity to work on some other parts of
his game.

"I want to work on my perimeter game, just shooting and ball handling," Ellis said.

The Players led 28-22 at halftime and went on to win a close game 58-54. Ellis showed
some range, but never got his outside shot to go which allowed the Titans to slowly creep
back in the game. Wichita Southeast Head Coach Carl Taylor was also present at the game,
looking on as Ellis played.

The 6'8" incoming sophomore won the class 6A state championship this past season at
Heights over Southeast, helping them to a 24-1 record. It was the Falcon's first since 1977 and
Ellis had a great game grabbing 20 rebounds. He also averaged 19.2 points per game
and 11.7 rebounds in his supporting role with Dorrian Roberts.

"Next season I want to go undefeated in the City League again, but I dont want to lose any games
like we did last season," Ellis added.

Ellis commented that next on his list for the summer will be the Vince Carter basketball camp in
Orlando, Florida.

Three top area players go at it in Hutch

The Hutchinson High School site for the 11th/12th grade division played host to a showdown
between three top Wichita area players. Incoming juniors Ja'ln Williams (Wichita East) and Cameron
Cornelius (Derby) played for the Wichita T-Wolves who faced the Mid Kansas Elite which had All-Class
Southeast guard Joe Mitchell on the floor.

This game was tight from the start with Mitchell firing from the perimeter and Williams flying up and
down the court with the basketball. Cornelius displayed his physicality snatching down rebounds
although undersized against the Elite. The score at halftime was in favor of the T-Wolves 25-23,
whose depth kept them ahead. When the battle was all said and done the T-Wolves came out on
top 60-51.

Losing to the T-Wolves seemed to not effect Mitchell as he played in front of his college coach for
next season. Hutchinson Community College Men's Basketball coach Steve Eck was present, taking
another opportunity to watch his recruit play. Mitchell led the Golden Buffaloes to a 20-5 record this
past season also averaging 22.5 points per game along the way.

He will be in action again this Saturday at the Renewal by Andersen (RBA) Border Battle at Hartman
Arena. The game features the top Kansas seniors versus the top Nebraska seniors. The girls game
will start at 5 p.m. and the boys will take the floor at 7:30 p.m.

Callon, Shirley look to stick out in class 4A next season

Incoming seniors Devin Callon (Haven) and Tyler Shirley (Rose Hill) will be two of the top athletes
in the area next year. Callon was a first team All-MCAA selection led the Haven Wildcats to a 14-6 record
and averaging 15.3 points per game last season. Shirley also was one of the top in the AVCTL Division IV
league earning first team honors as well. Shirley is deadly from the three point arch and looks to lead his
team to state next season after losing to Wichita Trinity in the Sub-State finals ending the Rockets season 15-8.

Callon was a little disappointed in the result of this year when the Wildcats lost to Concordia in the
first round of Sub-State, but has a goal for next season.

"My goal is to make is to make it to state and compete," Callon said. "I also want to beat Wichita
Collegiate because they are big rivals to me."

He also knows what he personally has to work on to get his team to those goals.

"I want to get better, keep up my stamina, and keep up my defensive attitude for next season,"
Callon added.

He took the floor at the Salthawk Activity Center in Hutchinson this weekend against South Gray with
Hutchinson Community College Head Coach Steve Eck watching as the game progressed. One can expect
that Callon playing at Haven in the Hutchinson area caught Eck's attention.