The Washington Wildcats were at state for the first time since 1988.

They'll have to wait at least one more season for the state's first basketball championship.

The Wildcats were defeated by McPherson 81-56 this evening in Topeka, Kan.

McPherson's Christian Ulsaker (pictured right) scored a 5A state-tournament-record 38 points against Washington. Tra'Vaughn White (pictured left) was held to his second lowest point total this season with 16 points.

"We didn't play like we knew we could," said Eric King, head coach of the Wildcats. "Getting here was a great accomplishment, but we expect more as a program."

With McPherson's game plan on defense focused on stopping White, it was Washington's seniors that kept the Wildcats in it for a while.

After falling behind 20-11, it was Deandre Clark who led the Wildcats on a quick run to bring the score within 20-19. Clark converted two consecutive three-point plays during the quick 8-0 run.

But it was Ulsaker who struck back in earnest, scoring 11 straight points for McPherson as they regained a double digit lead. Myles Hibler did the best he could to prevent a larger gap, scoring eight points in the quarter for Washington.

However, Washington's defense allowed 31 points in the second quarter, allowing their now 22-1 opponents to build a 45-28 lead.

"They were well coached and they play well together," King said. "You can see why they are 22-1."

Washington had one more minor comeback left in them.

After McPherson built a 25-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats trimmed the lead down to 13 twice.

White and Clark led the way, scoring Washington's first 12 points of the quarter.

Ulsaker, however, had other thoughts. A three-point play expanded McPherson's lead back to 16.

Clark scored 13 points in his final game for Washington. Meanwhile, fellow seniors Deandre Campbell added eight and Thomas McCray also had eight.

"Those three seniors brought great leadership to us this season," King said. "They are home-grown, Washington kids. They are great students athletes."

Washington finishes 13-10 on the season.

The Wildcats put Kansas City, Kan., on quite a run, first knocking off a 17-3 Harmon team, upsetting a Lansing team that appeared in state on the road and then defeating the three-time defending 5A state champs in Highland Park.

I'm about to leave for Topeka, Kan., for the 5A State Basketball tournament where our very own Washington Wildcats will play.

Full coverage tonight.

I'll have some scattered updates throughout the day. More news will come this evening.

The Washington Wildcats freshman team won the Kansas City Christian Freshman Tournament recently.

The Wildcats defeated the Sumner Academy freshman team in the final round of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Harmon Hawks freshman team finished in third place in the tournament. All three teams finished with winning records overall.

Here are some photos from the final day of the tournament.

10. Dominance of Washington freshman team: Every few years or so, there are some classes in Wyandotte County that are special. The freshman group at Washington High School has an opportunity to go down as one of the best in recent years. The talent is very deep and just about every piece to the puzzle is there. They defeated fellow Wyandotte County rivals by double figures on a consistent basis. Having seen them in action, this group has a swagger to it as well. They'll be tough as nails to play against the next three years.

9. Harmon snaps Sumner's KCKL streak: The Harmon Hawks handed the Sumner Academy Sabres their first loss in Kansas City, Kan., League play in three years. Entering the game, Sumner had won 23 consecutive games against KCK rivals. Harmon snapped the streak. Sumner since then has rebounded.

8. Close losses haunt Wyandotte: The Wyandotte Bulldogs finished the season 7-14 this year. It could have been a winning season for Wyandotte, but the Bulldogs lost six games by five points or less. A few possessions here or three could have changed the entire season.

7. Injuries do in Schlagle again: With Rozell Nunn coming off a season-ending injury last year, he started the season a bit rusty, but ended with a bang. But during the season, the Stallions lost LaRay Young, the team's third leading scorer and one of the more talented sophomores in Wyandotte County. His loss hit the Stallions hard.

6. Harmon season ends in heartbreak: The Harmon Hawks had a five-point lead late in the fourth quarter and a four-point lead late in the first overtime period in their sub-state final loss to Gardner-Edgerton. However, the Hawks could not quite put the game away and fell short of Topeka, Kan. Harmon finished the season 18-4.

5. Tra'Vaughn White soars: Entering the season, a group of seniors were expected to be the stars of Wyandotte County (see #3 on this list). A younger star threw his name into the hat as the best player in Kansas City, Kan. Washington Wildcats junior guard Tra'Vaughn White was simply sensational this year. Just a junior, White put the entire school on his back and punched a ticket to the 5A state tournament this week in Topeka. White had eight games this season where he scored at least 29 points and he's second in the state in scoring. He averages about 6 assists and 5 rebounds a game.

4. Harmon basketball celebrates best season in 20 years: Disappointing sub-state loss aside, the Harmon Hawks had their best season in 20 years. The Hawks appeared in the school's first ever Hy-Vee Shootout, had a McDonald's All-American in De'Ontae Hooks, won two tournaments during the regular season in Eudora and Coffeyville, snapped Sumner's streak, had its best KCKL record in 20 years and won 13-straight games during the season. Along with Hooks, seniors James Davenport, Exavier Bass-Brooks, Ron Stallings and John Zeno led the team. Junior Jauan Wilson is expected to pick things up quite a bit next year. After two losing seasons to begin his career at Harmon, head coach Heath Cooper appears to have things rolling at Harmon.

3. KCK's best senior class in a long time: Kansas City, Kan., had its best group of seniors in a while. Sumner Academy's Reese Holliday, along with White, is the most clutch player in the city and his performances against Basehor-Linwood and St. James Academy show that. Holliday has been to state three straight seasons. Wyandotte's Trinity Hall is the city's (not KCK – the entire metro area) most underrated player and has a solid, complete game. Harmon's senior class, led by Hooks and Davenport, transformed a program. Hooks was one of the league's best overall players. Sumner's Davonte Chaney turned in another solid year. Schlagle's Darius Hill had a nice senior season to end his Stallion career.

2. Sumner Academy makes third straight state tournament: Sumner Academy won a third consecutive sub-state title this year. Holliday put on one of the most epic performances of any Kansas City area player this season, scoring 27 points and pulling in 16 rebounds against Basehor-Linwood. The Sabres won a thriller in overtime against St. James Academy the night before playing Basehor-Linwood. While this team may not have the style points as last year's team, the 19-4 Sabres are still really, really good and might be better in this sense: this team's on a mission. Winning sub-state wasn' t a big deal for them this year. The trophy presentation was one of the shortest I've seen. Sumner should be considered the favorite at this week's tournament in Salina, Kan. I like their chances a lot.

1. Washington becomes KCK's Cinderella: Not to disrespect the other schools, but Washington's postseason run has been dramatic and unexpected. While White has certainly led the team, others have stepped up. Kalen Allen's a dangerous three-point shooter, Myles Hibler is maturing into one of the better inside players in the league and senior starters Deandre Campbell and Deandre Clark were very key in the team's victory at Highland Park. The Wildcats went through Lansing, a team they lost to in last year's sub-state final. And they then knocked off the three-time defending state champion Highland Park team. Washington's run is one of the best stories in recent KCK hoops history. Having visited the school earlier this week, there is a buzz to it because of the basketball team's success.

The Sumner Academy Sabres will have an opportunity to exact a measure of revenge at this week's state tournament.

Sumner Academy, 19-4, draws the 18-5 Topeka-Hayden team who knocked them out of the 4A state tournament last year.

The game is set for 8:15 p.m. Thursday night in Salina, Kan. The game is the 4-5 seed matchup, with the winner playing the Pratt-Circle winner. The Pratt team is 21-2 and is the overall number one seed.

Many consider the winner of this game as the favorite to win the entire tournament.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats draw a tough opponent as well in Wednesday night's 5A state opener.

The Wildcats, who will enter the tournament with a 13-9 record and the seventh seed, will square off against McPherson, who enters the game 21-1.

The game's tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The winner takes on the victor of the Andover-Topeka West game. Topeka, Kan., is the site of the 5A state tournament.

One good thing about being the seventh seed in the tournament is the Wildcats are in the opposite bracket of Bishop Miege, who is 22-0.

It's tough to complain if you are a follower of athletics at Washington High School.

The Wildcats struck gold twice last week, first winning the 2010 Kansas Boys Bowling title in Wichita, Kan.

The bowling title was the school's first state championship of any kind in its history.

A few days later, the Washington Wildcats boys basketball team knocked off the three-time defending 5A state champions from Highland Park to advance to the state tournament.

Above is the team photo of the Washington bowling team celebrating with their trophy. The bottom photo is of the boys basketball team. Both photos are courtesy of Nancy Browne from Washington High School.

With the bigger awards out of the way, here are some of the other Kansas City, Kan., League award winners from The Kansas City Kansan.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Anthony White, Sumner Academy: While his offensive production won't blow anyone off the charts, White had some timely points for the Sumner Academy Sabres all season long. White's rebounding and defensive presence were key in some important victories for the Sabres, most notably at Washington High School and at Basehor-Linwood during the sub-state championship game. White joined the basketball team this year as a senior and will make his first appearance in the state title game.

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Rozell Nunn, Schlagle: Coming back from an injury, Nunn scored 15.6 points a game, adding 7 rebounds and 5.6 assists a game for the Schlagle Stallions. Nunn, a junior, will be a contender for the Kansas City, Kan., League Player of the Year next year. He shook off some early rust and scored 32 points in Schlagle's upset bid against Topeka-Seaman at the 5A sub-state tournament.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

James Davenport, Harmon: As I wrote in my piece about Harmon's senior class, Davenport doubled his points and doubled his rebounds. He nearly averaged a double-double a game and he starred in some of Harmon's important games. He had 27 points and 22 rebounds against Sumner in the first game between the schools. He had a 19 rebound game against Washington. If Davenport were a junior instead of a senior, he might be one of the three best players in the league next year. Schlagle's Darius Hill, Wyandotte's Terry Moore and Sumner Academy's Justin Strickland were also considered.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Benny Parker, Sumner Academy: Barely edging out his teammate Davonte Chaney, Parker was one of the few players in the city to hold Washington's Tra'Vaughn White at bay – White scored "just" 21 points against Sumner Academy. The 21 points were his second lowest point total. Parker's quick hands resulted in steals this season and his lightning quick. Along with Parker and Chaney, Harmon's De'Ontae Hooks and Washington's Myles Hibler and Rakim McCoy were also considered.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Mike Carson, Harmon: Watching more freshman basketball this year than ever before, Carson strikes me as the biggest impact player of this year's freshman crop of talent. Carson, who measures around 6-5 already, has skills that can't be taught. He has a great touch, can rebound and block a shot (or five) a game. Carson could be the best player in the entire league within two years. He has an opportunity to hit the KCKL like a hurricane over the next three seasons.

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

Brian Everett, Harmon: Along with his varsity duties during Harmon's great 18-4 season, Everett led an undermanned Harmon freshman team (with just six players at times) to an 11-6 record. He was also an assistant on Harmon's junior varsity team, which lost just three games this season. Everett served all three of his school's teams at a high level.

BEST FRESHMAN TEAM

Washington: The younger Wildcats were deep and had their way with Harmon and Sumner Academy multiple times. Beginning next year, no program will be in better shape than Washington's. These young Wildcats will soon make noise at the big level. Harmon's freshman team was the second best, with Sumner finishing third.

BEST JUNIOR VARSITY TEAM

Sumner Academy: The Sabres lost just one league varsity game and have won 27 out of their last 28 KCKL games at the junior varsity level. Harmon's JV team has talent, though.

Society hates a tie.

But both Sumner Academy head coach Dan Parra and Washington head coach Eric King deserve recognition on the jobs they did this year, so both are The Kansas City Kansan's Coach of the Year.

Why Parra?

• Despite losing Neil Watson, the Sabres still nearly ran the table in the Kansas City, Kan., League and still won the entire share of the league title. While Sumner still has talent, replacing Watson's points and leadership were key and Sumner did so under Parra's leadership.

• Throughout the year, Parra did a good job balancing Sumner's bench with their stars. Players like Anthony White, Armand Brisbane, Alfred Belton, Vernon Vaughn and Justin Strickland developed into key contributors to the Sabres and they were used well. Those guys won games for the Sabres this season.

• The league was tougher. Harmon was a better team than last year. Washington was certainly better. Before losing LaRay Young, Schlagle was dramatically better and Wyandotte was always a dangerous team with Trinity Hall. Still, the Sabres won the league.

• Hurdles. The Sabres dealt with injuries all season long, culminating in the loss of Davonte Chaney and Benny Parker in the last week of the season. If they were healthy, Sumner may have knocked off Bishop Miege (they only lost by 11 with a hurt Chaney and Parker, who played). They could have an opportunity to run the league schedule again if they were fully healthy against Harmon. After an ugly loss to Eudora, Parra's team rebounded well and were able to clinch the league title and a state title birth.

• Throughout the year, Sumner was the best second half team in the league, reflecting solid adjustments.

Washington's Eric King was at the helm of the most improved team record wise in Wyandotte County. King grew up as a head coach this season.

Reasons why King deserves the award as well:

• After a disappointing finishing last season with an 8-13 record, Washington reversed course this year and will finish with at least 13 wins and a birth in the Kansas 5A State Tournament. The five-win improvement (so far) is the greatest improvement in the win-loss margin for any coach in Wyandotte County.

• Washington had arguably the best senior class last year in juniors Brett Jones, Kalub Long and Dominique Simmons. On paper, it looked like Washington lost the most. However, they still will win at least five more games than last year.

• Picked last in the KCKL by many in Wyandotte County, the Wildcats finished third and pushed Sumner and Harmon to the limit four times. They were unable to beat Sumner, although they came close twice. But they did knock off Harmon, preventing the Hawks a share of the league title.

• The Wildcats were the youngest team in the KCKL, with just three seniors on the varsity roster. They still competed, had some marque wins and earned a bid in the state tournament.

• No team in Wyandotte County improved as much as they did over the course of the year. The second time they played a league team, Washington was 3-1, with the loss coming by a three-point margin to Sumner Academy.

Both coaches did a great job and deserved to be honored with the award.

One of the few disappointing things I've encountered since covering sports in Wyandotte County is the fact that local fans are generally outnumbered when the teams travel to sub-state games or state games.

This has to change.

The latest example of it was yesterday at Bishop Miege High School.

Harmon fans were drastically outnumbered by some loud-mouth, annoying fans from Gardner-Edgerton High School. Those fans were among the worst I've ever encountered at any high school event.

Those fans had a great impact on the game. They rattled some of Harmon's players at the line and may have pressured officials to call a tighter game in the second half when it mattered most.

When Sumner Academy takes on Basehor-Linwood tonight at Basehor-Linwood High School, the same circumstances could happen again.

An inner-city team going on the road against a rural team is not a good recipe for fairness from officials. Sumner Academy fans (heck, residents of Wyandotte County) need to come out and support your local teams and coaches.

Get behind the Sabres tonight as they take on the Bobcats at the sub-state tournament. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. Sumner Academy is one of the best 4A programs in the state and they need great support to bring home the hardwood.

When Washington travels to state next week, the same needs to happen.

Although it's in Topeka, Washington needs to turn that arena to "Wash House West." Hitch a ride with friends and family to Topeka. Washington is going through one of the best Cinderella runs in local history.

Fans and students must be loud. They can and must make an impact.

If Sumner Academy moves on to state, the same thing needs to happen in Salina, Kan., next week. Take the day off. Take the week off.

Do anything you can to support kids, teams, schools and coaches from KCK. They deserve and need your support.

Coming home after watching a double overtime thriller between Harmon and Gardner-Edgerton, I received a text message from a friend.

The message: Washington 70, Highland Park 66.

Wow.

The Wildcats, who flew under the radar to most in Wyandotte County all season long, made it to state.

Tra'Vaughn White, who flew under the radar entering the season, has built his case as one of the premier guards in the entire metro area the past week, scoring 29 points at Highland Park and scoring 21 in Lansing. White certainly validated our choice in naming him The Kansas City Kansan's Player of the Year.

Myles Hibler took another step in his development. The two seniors named Deandre – Campbell and Clark – scored 20 crucial points between them in the game, picking up for a struggling Kalen Allen, who hit five threes in Lansing two days earlier.

Back to the point – Washington's victory Saturday night was the best for any Kansas City, Kan., squad since Sumner Academy won a state title in 2000.

Consider these points:

• When was the last time a team from KCK ended a dynasty? Washington did that tonight, knocking off the three-time defending 5A state champions.

• When was the last time a KCK team won two straight sub-state games in pure road game environments? Despite the neutrality of sub-state games, Washington played the role of visitor twice. The Wildcats played two tough road games against teams that hurt them last season. They won both this season. 

• It was unexpected. While I've been a believer in Washington since they nearly knocked off Sumner Academy a few weeks back, I still thought their path was too tough. The toughest of anyone in Wyandotte County. But they did it.

• It's Washington. Wyandotte County's been used to Wyandotte dominating, Sumner Academy making run after run and Schlagle getting to state. A new team is on the block this season, however.

Washington's win was great for Wyandotte County. With Sumner Academy looking to clinch a bid in the 4A tournament this season, we could have two KCK teams battling for championships.

That's pretty darn good and a reminder of the glory days. Add in Harmon's great season, and we could have three powerhouse programs next season in Wyandotte County.

Highland Park 71, Washington 45.

That's the score between the two teams who squared off tonight in Topeka for a 5A Sub-State championship earlier this year in the Topeka Invitational Tournament.

Eliminate that score forever – Washington is going to state.

The Wildcats won what was in effect a road game against Highland Park in the 5A sub-state championship game at Highland Park, defeating the three-time defending 5A state champions.

Tra'Vaughn White led the Wildcats in scoring with 29 points, while Myles Hibler added 13. The two DeAndres – Clark and Campbell – each scored 10 points.

"We just came out and played hard," White said. "We just needed to come out and play tough defense."

For Washington coach Eric King, he will make his first trip to the state tournament.

"Our boys fought really hard tonight," King said. "Our kids have been studying and working hard. We had to knuckle up."

It was a war from the beginning. The game was tied at 10 after the first quarter. It was tied at halftime at 25. And Washington led by one point after three.

But the Wildcats extended the lead early in the fourth quarter to seven points.

A late rally from Highland Park wasn't enough .

"It feels really good," White said, on defeating the three-time defending state champions. "It feels really great but we just have to stay focused."

For King, his Wildcats won essentially two road games to get to the state tournament, something not a lot of schools can say.

"These kids believe," King said. "We had to go on the road and knock off Lansing and Highland Park."

Highland Park had defeated Washington two years in a row, while Lansing ended the Wildcats' run last season. But last year, White was just a sophomore. Now he's the team leader.

"We knew we had a great shot against them," White said. "They struggled earlier against a 4-17 team and we played them earlier. We knew we could do it."

King credits his team's schedule, which now includes 10 teams who won at least 14 games this season.

"It prepared me as a coach and it prepared our players," King said.

PICTURED: Eric King with Washington's sub-state championship trophy.

There will be a new Kansas 5A state champion for the first time in three years.

The Washington Wildcats knocked off Highland Park 70-66 tonight in Topeka, Kan. Stats and a full recap when available.

Highland Park was the three-time defending state champions.

Washington will advance to next week's state tournament in Topeka, Kan.

The three remaining local boys basketball teams in the postseason tournaments will look to move on to the next round.

• The Sumner Academy Sabres, 17-4, will take on the St. James Academy Thunder tonight at 6 p.m. The game will be held at Basehor-Linwood High School, with the tip coming at 6 p.m. The Sabres defeated the Thunder in last year's sub-state final game in Eudora. Sumner's led by Reese Holliday, Benny Parker and Davonte Chaney. St. James Academy is led by super sophomore Clint McCullough. The winner takes on the victor in the Basehor-Eudora game in the 4A sub-state final Saturday night.

• The Harmon Hawks look to punch their ticket to the 5A state tournament Friday night at Bishop Miege High School. Entering the game 18-3, Harmon has not been to the state tournament in 20 seasons. Awaiting them is a significant challenge – the 17-4 squad from Gardner-Edgerton. After being hurt last week, De'Ontae Hooks is back for Harmon. Hooks scored 28 points in Wednesday's first round victory. Jauan Wilson, Exavier Bass-Brooks and James Davenport provide Hooks an impressive cast. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

• Perhaps the biggest challenge for a local team comes at the doorstep of the Washington Wildcats. Washington will travel to Topeka, Kan., Friday night to take on the three-time defending 5A state champs from Highland Park. Led by Kansas City Kansan Player of the Year Tra'Vaughn White, the Wildcats prevailed on the road Wednesday night against Lansing. Kalen Allen and Myles Hibler look to provide the Wildcats a boost. Tip is set for 7:45 p.m. at Highland Park in Topeka, Kan.

All five girls basketball teams from the Kansas City, Kan., League lost Thursday night in postseason action.

• Harmon, with 11 points from Sara Dominguez, was unable to do much against Bishop Miege. Miege, the defending girls basketball champions at the level, jumped out to a 25-4 lead. They led 44-10 at the half. Miege won the game 74-19.

• Like the boys team, the Wyandotte girls team had their season ended by Gardner-Edgerton High School. Wyandotte was led by Royce Shields' 9 points in the 60-13 defeat. The Bulldogs scored just six points in the first half, trailing 32-6.

• A tough second half for the Schlagle Lady Stallions ended their state run in the first round. Schlagle was defeated 52-33 by Highland Park. After trailing 20-18 at the half, Highland Park outscored Schlagle 20-8 in the third quarter. The Stallions were led by Paris Johnson's 13 points. Erin Copeland scored nine.

• Topeka Seaman knocked out Washington 64-19. The Wildcats, led by Marisha Henderson's 14 points, trailed early and often. Topeka Seaman led 23-2 after the first quarter and led 37-5 at halftime.

• Sumner Academy, after defeating Piper in the first round of the 4A sub-state playoffs, fell to Baldwin 51-46 at Basehor-Linwood.