Two Titles For Collegiate?

Class 3A just hasn't been much of a challenge for the Wichita Collegiate boys this season, evidenced by their steamrolling of the MCAA and the 3A Douglass sub-state. Collegiate beat Chaparral 81-36 in the sub-state final on Saturday. We'll see what's in store for Collegiate at 3A state this week. But to see the Spartans' true mettle, we've had to watch them outside of 3A this season. Who have they beaten? Andover Central, Dodge City, Hesston -- all state tourney teams -- and Andover High, no slouch, just one of the top teams in Class 4A all season. Collegiate legitimately runs 10 guys at their opponents. Some coaches force platooning -- Collegiate coach Mitch Fiegel hasn't had to this season. Brett LeMaster, at times, off the bench is one of the more versatile players and impressive athletes out of this area in 2008-09. And, of course, there's Blake Jablonski, the long ranger. He catches and shoots better than anyone else in the area. So many players force the dribble-drive time after time; Jablonski is satisfied with shooting the jump shot -- providing a pleasant change in mindset. But, again, it's team defense at Collegiate. That's why running 10 guys is so important to what they do. Senior guards Gideon Massey and Andrew Hourani are relentless defensively in the full court. No one picks up more quickly and deceptively after a made shot than Collegiate. Who knows how they would have done in the City League this season. We'll have to settle for Class 3A state, where, incredibly, another undefeated team from this area awaits them. Barring upsets, of which there are always some, No. 2 Collegiate (23-0) will meet No. 1 Trinity Catholic (23-0) of Hutchinson in the state final. Collegiate really is the story line in Hutchinson this week, though. Last March, as the Collegiate boys sat out state tournament week following their sub-state semifinal loss to Belle Plaine, the Lady Spartans marched to a third-place finish at state. It's strange to think Ashia Woods, Collegiate's star, was a freshman last season. Now, she's a sophomore, and we're talking about how she's one of the state's best players and likely to lead her team to a state title this week. The question is, how many will she win? She has two more years after this one. Except -- the Collegiate girls are the third seed in the tourney. However, no other team in the tournament has the quality losses Collegiate against Andover and Olathe Northwest. Height could give Collegiate problems, but it's doubtful Woods will be stopped. Two titles for Collegiate? 3A Boys, Thursday at Hutchinson No. 1 Trinity Catholic (23-0) vs. Council Grove (12-11) No. 4 Holcomb (21-2) vs. No. 5 Sabetha (21-2) No. 2 Wichita Collegiate (23-0) vs. Medicine Lodge (16-7) No. 3 Galena (22-1) vs. No. 6 Rossville (19-4) 3A Girls, Wednesday at Hutchinson No. 1 Southwestern Heights (22-1) vs. No. 8 Hillsboro (14-9) No. 4 Cherryvale (18-5) vs. No. 5 Jayhawk Linn (18-5) No. 2 Rock Creek (21-1) vs. No. 7 Riley County (17-6) No. 3 Wichita Collegiate (21-2) vs. No. 6 Beloit (18-5)