Allen, Parker spark Sumner Academy to victory against Hogan Prep

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

Though only five Sumner Academy Sabres were credited with scoring in the game, the five players did just enough to spark an upset against the Hogan Prep Rams.

Benny Parker displayed his abilities again with his 28 points.

However, the story of the night was Sumner Academy guard/forward Marcus Allen.

Allen, who was the third or fourth option on last year’s team, proved that he could be a reliable second option this season with the graduation of Eli Alexander and Vernon Vaughn’s injury.

Allen scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the game.

Scoring was not a problem for either team.

Sumner Academy jumped out to a 19-12 lead and held that lead throughout the third quarter.

However, behind Maurice Mason and Broderick Newbill, the Rams fought back to force overtime in the game.

Newbill scored 27 points, leading the Rams in scoring. Mason added 24 points. Hogan came back from seven points down in the final quarter to force overtime.

However, the Sabres were too much in overtime.

They outpaced Hogan Prep to win the game 87-83.

Along with Allen’s career-high, the Sabres also had a career best performance from Alex Garvin. Garvin scored 13 points and hit three three-pointers in the game to help the Sabres keep their lead.

Also contributing to the effort was junior Deon Tripp. Tripp had one of his best games in his career with 10 points.

Sumner Academy, ranked ninth in the 810 Varsity/KCK Preps poll, will surely get a bounce in the rankings, as they defeated the third-ranked Rams.

In a close game, it’s easy to look for edges. One clear edge for the Sabres Saturday night: Three-point shooting. The Sabres hit seven three-pointers in the game, while Hogan Prep hit just two.

Sumner Academy starts the season 1-0 and helps restore some early pride in KCK basketball after Harmon and Wyandotte were dealt embarrassing losses to begin the season.

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OPEN LETTER TO THE ROYALS: Dumping Frank White a poor decision

Publisher's Note: Adam Drovetta is a sports reporter for GardnerEdge.com, an affiliate and partner in high school sports coverage. He's also a big fan of the Kansas City Royals. The team's decision to fire Frank White as an analyst did not sit well with him. Here's an open letter from him to the Royals organization.

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To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing about your recent decision regarding Frank White. It is with a great deal of sadness and frustration that I write this letter; sadness because of the end of Frank’s career covering the Royals as well as the end of my being able to enjoy his analysis during games and frustration because, until this, I believed that the course of poor decision making by your organization had finally shifted. Clearly, I was fooled.

When the trade deadline passed this summer and none of the team’s big name players had been moved, I was elated.

When Melky Cabrera was traded earlier this off season, I was sad because I knew I would miss watching Melky on the field but I was also supportive of the decision because I understood the team’s depth in the outfield was ample and the move upgraded a thin area: the starting rotation. I also was impressed with the addition of Jonathan Broxton. I believe this will help an already talented bullpen improve even more.

Unlike many other off seasons, the move that upset me the most did not involve any player personnel. Your choice to call for the removal of Frank White as an analyst during television broadcasts bothered me more than any personnel decision in recent memory by your organization.

Frank provided a friendly tone, a familiar laugh, and a level of analysis that can only come from a great baseball player.

Even more troubling is that the reason behind the decision is reportedly that Frank was too negative in his analysis.

If this is truly the reason behind your decision, then I feel you’re out of line for three reasons:

1. Frank is a legend within your organization. The things he did for the Royals during his time as a player have earned him the right to voice whatever criticisms he may have.

2. Frank’s position in the booth was as an analyst. His job was to point out what he was seeing at any given moment in the game.

3. With all due respect to the players on the field, for whom I have a great deal of admiration, the product in recent years has been very deserving of criticism. I think your organization, myself, and all of the fans can agree that the on-field performance of the team in recent years has been largely unacceptable.

I won’t fill this letter with empty threats that I’ll revoke my fandom because that just isn’t
true. There is a brick outside of your stadium declaring I will forever be a fan and I have no intention of breaking that pledge.

This letter is simply a reminder that you do have fans who are following the decisions of your organization and who are willing to hold you accountable when we see those decisions as poor. You broke a lot of hearts when you chose to do away with Frank White, and mine is one of them.


Sincerely,
Adam Drovetta

(You can contact Adam Drovetta at adamdrovetta@hotmail.com)

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COMMENTARY: B.J. Watson no longer just "Neil's little brother"

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

Being an older brother, it's very tough for me to put myself in the shoes of Bonner Springs senior guard B.J. Watson.

I have no older brother to look up to, but I also did not have to worry about matching the standards set by an older brother, either.

(Luckily, for my younger brother, he doesn't have too many standards to live up to!)

During his four-year career at Sumner Academy, Neil Watson established a legacy. He was one of the greatest guards to go through Sumner Academy - he started three years. He was the 2009 Kansas City Kansan Player of the Year.

Though I still think he's a tad under-appreciated for what he did, Neil left an impression.

During Neil's award-winning senior season, I noticed a shorter version of Neil who had a little bit more hair on the top of his head than Neil did, but had an identical face.

B.J.

At the time, B.J. Watson was just a freshman at Sumner Academy.

From that day on until last year, he was known as "Neil's little brother."

I consider Bryan Watson, the very lucky and I imagine proud father of both Neil and B.J., a friend. Bryan told me a while back that B.J. transferred to Bonner Springs in order to write his own chapter in the family's history.

While his numbers may not be as eye-popping as his bigger brother's numbers were, B.J.'s chapter is becoming more and more impressive by the game.

As a sophomore who started varsity, B.J. averaged just over nine points a game. In a game against Louisburg, Watson scored 28 points - clearly resembling Neil.

His junior season would be even better.

He averaged nearly 12 points, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebound a game. He had 12 games where he hit double figures in scoring, including a 22-point outburst against Piper in last year's season opener. He helped guide Bonner Springs to its best season in a while - a 15-6 year.

If game one against Piper is any indication, Watson could be in store for a special season.

His 29 points against Piper Friday night were a career-high. Even though he's a smaller guard, B.J. is fearless and is not afraid to attack the rim and draw contact.

He also does not sacrifice defense in order to be better offensively. Watson had 41 steals and 53 deflections last year - and he's expected to do that again this year for an aggressive Bonner Springs team.

On Friday night, Watson's team struggled a bit. His senior counter-part Stevie Williams dealt with cramps all night long and Watson had to carry his team at times.

Just like Neil did.

My game recap that mentioned B.J.'s connection to Neil will be the final game recap you see that connection made in.

While B.J. Watson will forever be Neil Watson's younger brother blood-wise, on the court, he's no longer just "Neil's brother."

He's B.J. Watson.

I think the Watson Family will get their wish in having their younger talented son establish his own chapter and legacy.

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