A combination of size, speed and instinct are what led the third-grade Lawrence Kings to become state basketball champions. Over the weekend of March 4 the team defeated five teams en route to the USSSA Kansas State Tournament title.

“I have a pretty talented group of young men,” Kings coach Sebastian Bonner said. “They have a lot of experience because they have opportunities to play in games a few times a week. They have different coaches, so they are getting a basketball education to make them more complete players.”

For much of the season this group of third graders played on a combination third- and fourth-grade team against other fourth-grade tournament teams. This experience along with playing in other basketball leagues helped the squad reach a high level of play in such a short time, which aided them in their run to becoming a championship-caliber team.

Bonner, in his 10th year of coaching youth basketball, selected the members of the Kings. Most of the kids have played together on Hoopster League teams or other tournament teams but never as a cohesive group until this year. Bonner also coached some of the kids on his team in the previous two seasons.

The Kings roster lists Anthony Bonner, Andrew Keating and Spencer Grob as guards, Keegan McKinney and Kevin Puryear as forwards, Weston Hack as small forward and center Scott Frantz. Joe Keating is the assistant coach.

To gear up for the USSSA tournament the Kings played the Kansas City Keys Tournament two weeks prior. This was the first time the third graders played together, and it didn’t go well. The team went 0-3 in the tournament, but by playing against three of the top AAU teams they were able to work on their team chemistry.

Bonner said losing to great teams put things into perspective because the Kings didn’t play to their potential.

“It was important for us to go and play in such a competitive environment,” Bonner said. “Hack and Spencer really became leaders on the defensive end. (Anthony) Bonner got mentally tougher and ready for the state tournament.”

Solid practices leading up to the state tournament helped them get work in the areas they were weak on so they could feel they were the strongest team going into the first game of the state tournament.

In the state tournament, the team defeated five teams by an average of a little over 16 points a game en route to their title. On the first day of competition the Kings defeated the Jaguars 46-19 and the Running Rebels 38-21.

“We got our confidence back when we went out and won our first game 27 points,” Bonner said. “That confidence carried over throughout the tournament, and so when we were down by six or eight in the semis and finals we were able to bounce back and take control.”

Day three was a triple header for the Kings, who first defeated the Spurs 45-28 and then took down the Field Ravens 46-28. In the championship game the Kings and Teamforce battled, with the Kings squeaking out the 32-29 win for the third-grade crown.

The Lawrence Kings pose after winning the USSSA Kansas State Tournament on March 5. Pictured back row, left to right, Coach Sebastian Bonner, Weston Hack, Scott Frantz, Keegan McKinney, Kevin Puryear and Coach Joe Keating. Pictured front row are Anthony Bonner, Spencer Grob and Andrew Keating.

“Our team was upbeat and confident having scored an average of over 40 points a game on the first day,” Bonner said. “We were having a lot of fun. Different people were scoring, and our confidence kept building up into the final day. Overall the atmosphere was exciting and conducive to kids gettting a lot of confidence from the early success.”

The Kings’ offensive and defensive balance plus their teamwork were team strengths that came out during the state tournament. Coach Bonner said their high-pressure defense along with really good shooters makes the Kings hard to beat.

“Anthony can take the ball to the hoop really hard off the dribble, which opens up a lot for our teams,” Bonner said.

Offensively the Kings feel they can score on anyone. Hack won the tournament’s three-point contest and is the team’s leading rebounder.

“Anthony is our most versatile and leading scorer,” Bonner said. “Hack can score from anywhere on the court. Franz and Puryear, our post players, are usually very effective in the paint. Keating, Grob and McKinney can also score the basketball.”

The defense is lead by Grob, who in the first game of the state tournament had 10 steals. Bonner said he has been their best defender all year and makes it hard for their opponents scorers to get off shots. Bonner also noted Keating as a good defensive player.

While the team’s biggest strength is their ability to score from anywhere on the court, rebounding is a weakness Bonner said he would like to see improved upon because the boards will make a huge difference in game where both teams are evenly matched.

“Westin is the best on the team, but you know in a perfect world Frantz and Puryear would get a lot,” Bonner said. “Luckily, though, they are big and hard to shoot over so the second-chance opportunities don’t fall.”

Going into the state tournament Bonner didn’t put an emphasis on winning, but by winning the state tournament the Kings get an automatic bid to the national tournament. Bonner is unsure if the team will actually go and compete.

“My expectations of any team is they get better and learn the game,” Bonner said. “I want these kids to enjoy and respect the game.”

Next year the Kings will stay together and move up an age bracket. In addition to the fourth-grade team, Bonner said he will also have a fifth-grade that the stronger fourth-graders will play on.

“We plan on staying together until junior high,” Bonner said. “The kids are great friends off the court and teammates in other sports. The families have developed really good relationships because of the team.”

The tournament win is just the start of what Bonner and the Kings want to be a successful career as a team.

“I have extreme pride in these kids,” Bonner said. “The kids worked so hard, they played against fourth-graders all year and took their lumps. Things didn’t come easy this season and in the end it made them tougher. I am really proud of what they accomplished on that weekend. Together they are as good of a team as I have ever coached.”