March 1 - Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Wyandotte West – March 12, 2009State basketballSumner Outlasts St. James in Substate Championship GameState-bound Sabres seeking titleby Donovan CorriganSumner Academy coach Dan Parra had a simple game plan in the second half of the Sabres’ substate titlegame against St. James last weekend—get the ball into the hands of their hulking power forward.Parra knew that Reese Holliday would either score himself or set up his teammates by drawing double-teams,which would leave open shooters. Holliday, a junior, didn’t disappoint. Holliday responded by scoring the bulkof his game-best 26 points in the second half.Holliday scored 11 points in the fourth quarter as Sumner staved off an upset-minded St. James team inearning a 68-51 victory. The hard-fought win secured a Class 4A substate championship, and a spot in the statetournament. Holliday added 18 rebounds, five assists and a steal.“Reese really carried us in the second half,” Parra said. “We were making sure that he touched the ball onevery possession. He would either create a shot for a teammate, or score himself. Reese and Eli (Alexander,who grabbed seven boards) were rebounding every missed shot.”Sumner’s aggressive and attacking defensive style and depth started to wear on St. James in the fourth quarter.The Sabres’ pressure defense turned into easy transition offensive opportunities that helped break open whatwas a 45-43 game heading into the fourth quarter. Sumner outscored St. James 23-8 down the stretch.“I felt our pressure really wore them down,” Parra said. “Our guards were relentless in the fourth quarter. Itwas a great game that even for three quarters, but we played (great defense) when it really counted, in the fourthquarter.”Senior point guard Neil Watson had a solid all-around game with 15 points, nine assists and four steals. Juniorguard Davonte Chaney finished with 14 points, three steals, three rebounds and two assists. Freshman guardBenny Parker added four points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.“Davonte had the biggest basket, I felt,” Parra said. “We were up three points with six minutes left, whenBenny (Parker) found Davonte for an open three-pointer that put us up six. Davonte and Neil really stepped upand played great defense. I thought it was Neil’s best game defensively.”Sumner (21-2) is the No. 4 seed and will play fifth-seeded Topeka Hayden (20-3) in the first round of the statetournament. The Sabres are returning to state for a second straight season aiming for the program’s third 4Astate title since 1998.“We worked really hard to get to this point,” Parra said. “I think the experience from last year will pay off. Atthis point every game, and opponent, is tough, so we might as well start with the defending state champs.”