Tait’s Take – Free State girls vs. Wichita Northwest
One of the more popular features of our Kansas University sports site, KUSports.com, is “The Keegan Ratings,” in which Journal-World Sports Editor Tom Keegan ranks the Jayhawks’ performances in both football and basketball after every game he attends. The individual rankings provide a great starting point for discussion and debate about the game that was in KU Sports.
With that in mind, the Journal-World would like to introduce “Tait’s Take,” a similar ranking system for the local high school games that High School Sports Editor Matt Tait attends each week. Because we can’t be in two places at once — or even three for that matter — this will not be a comprehensive look at athletes at both Lawrence High and Free State over the course of any given season. However, it will provide you with a deeper look at the most recent game and will give Tait an opportunity to include those tidbits about certain players that may not have made it into his story about the game.
This feature will fly fast and furious throughout the football, basketball and baseball seasons. So stop by often. If you can’t find a game you’re interested in, click on The Dividing Line archives and search for it. Chances are it will be there.
Here’s another edition of Tait’s Take, which looks back at the top players from Friday’s hard-fought, 48-36 victory by the Free State High girls basketball team in the semifinals of the 10th annual Firebird Winter Classic.
1. Nicole Humphrey, soph. — Hit the shot of the game and provided six huge points in a game in which the Firebirds won with 35 points. Seemingly becoming more and more comfortable with varsity basketball each time out.
2. Chantay Caron, sr. — Scratched and clawed her way to nine points, which was impressive considering that FS coach Bryan Duncan shifted her back to the point guard position for this one. Finished with six rebounds and hit 5 of 8 free throws.
3. Ashli Hill, sr. — Off night offensively, but steady as ever on D. Grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots. Also hit two clutch free throws late in the game.
4. Lynn Robinson, soph. — Ice cold in the semis, Robinson was red hot to start the title game. She hit the first three shots she attempted — including two three-pointers — and also added three rebounds, two assists and a steal in the win.
5. Wren Wiebe, sr. — Continues to offer the Firebirds a tough third inside option on offense. Most of Wiebe’s buckets in this one were tough, hard-earned scores in the paint.
6. Jackie Garcia, soph. — Two shots, two points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals. That’s becoming a typical line for this super sophomore, but it only begins to tell the story of what she does for this team.
7. Amarra Lee, sr. — Her hustle play in the fourth quarter may have made the difference. Lee had six rebounds and two steals and seemed to come up with loose balls at the most critical times.
Free State record: 10-4.
Next up: 7 p.m. Thursday at SM East