By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The three seniors on the Washburn Rural team are finally making a trip to the state tournament, two years after suffering a crushing quadruple-overtime loss in the sub-state final.
Washburn Rural celebrates Friday's 54-49 win over Junction City in a Class 6A sub-state championship game at Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural seniors King Leonard, Amare Jones and Kaden Ballard are presented the Class 6A sub-state championship trophy Friday night at Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues qualified for the Class 6A state tournament for the first time since 2019 by holding off Centennial League rival Junction City 54-49 at Washburn Rural Friday.
Having defeated the Bluejays twice in the regular season, the Junior Blues found themselves in a fight to do it again. They trailed throughout much of the third period, only tying it at 41-41 on a bucket by King Leonard at the buzzer.
Washburn Rural outscored the Bluejays 13-8 in the final period to claim the substate championship.
“There’s no feeling like this,” Leonard said. “We’ve been working hard all season for this. We put our heart into it.”
Leonard did not attempt a shot in the first half. But when Junction City made its move in the third quarter, Leonard scored nine points to keep the Junior Blues within striking distance.
“That’s probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball. We knew the regular season didn’t matter. It was winner take all,” Leonard said. “Normally I’m a facilitator, but I can step up and get buckets when the team needs it.”
The Junior Blues' trio of senior guards, who experienced the disappointment of the sub-state loss to Derby two years ago, combined for 35 points. Kaden Ballard led with 16, followed by Leonard with 11 and Amare Jones with eight. Junior John Hoytal added 12 points.
Junction City trailed by just two points with 2:00 remaining but failed to score again.
“That’s a really tough Junction City squad. We knew it was going to take everything tonight,” said Washburn Rural coach Alex Hutchins. “I’m proud of the guys for sticking to it and persevering.
“Sometimes in these big moments with the lights bright and the crowd going crazy, it’s easy to kind of lose focus. I thought our guys did a really good job of staying focused and doing all the little things.”
Hutchins was in his first season with the Junior Blues when they were upset in the sub-state final in which a technical foul prevented Washburn Rural from winning in the second overtime.
“We didn’t talk about specific postseasons with the guys,” Hutchins said. “We’ve just talked about, 'You guys have been good enough and you’ve been right on the doorstep of some big-time opportunities. So, let’s go finish the job. Let’s get you guys a trip to Wichita.’ ”
Hutchins has experience with the state tournament, albeit abnormal experience.
He led the Hays Indians to state in 2020 when all tournaments were abruptly suspended by the pandemic. The Indians returned to the tournament in 2021, but lost to Topeka West on their home court in a year where just four teams qualified and the higher seeds played host.
He understands, therefore, that nothing can be taken for granted.
“We had a great regular season this year, and there’s something to be said for that,” Hutchins said. “But there’s also kind of that feeling in the pit of your stomach where that doesn’t matter. Everything you’ve done up to this point could go to the wayside if you don’t get the job done.”
The Junior Blues got the job done against Junction City Friday. Now they await their pairing in the 6A tournament in Wichita.
WASHBURN RURAL BOYS 54, JUNCTION CITY 49
Junction City 11 10 20 8 -- 49
Washburn Rural 10 13 18 13 -- 54
Junction City (14-8) – Austin 3-10 4-4 12, Handy 1-2 0-0 2, Williams 2-7 5-5 9, Autry 1-5 0-0 2, Turner 5-6 0-0 10, Boeckman 1-2 0-0 2, Albanese 0-0 0-0 0, Cruz 4-4 0-3 10, Mears 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 18-37 9-12 49.
Washburn Rural (18-4) – Jones 2-6 3-6 8, Leonard 4-5 2-2 11, K. Ballard 4-9 7-7 16, Rowley 2-6 2-2 6, Hoytal 5-9 1-2 12, Chooncharoen 0-2 1-2 1, B. Ballard 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-37 16-21 54.
3-point goals – Junction City 4 (Austin 2, Cruz 2), Washburn Rural 4 (Jones 1, Leonard 1, K. Ballard 1, Hoytal 1). Total fouls – Junction City 20, Washburn Rural 14. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None.
