2025 Kaminsky Classic

[Craig Hull]

Starting this as its own thread because I did not mean to hijack the SPS Boys Season thread.

Thursday's Results
Joplin 66, William Chrisman 56
Poplar Bluff 50, Webb City 48
Hillcrest 48, Francis Howell 46
Wichita Life Prep Academy 78, Carl Junction 64

Friday's Games (times have changed due to the weather; Joplin JV now taking the place of Webb City)
3 p.m. -- William Chrisman (1-7) vs. Joplin JV
4:30 p.m. -- Francis Howell (6-6) vs. Carl Junction (9-4)
6 p.m. -- Joplin (5-4) vs. Poplar Bluff (7-4)
7:30 p.m. -- Hillcrest (7-3) vs. Wichita Life Prep Academy (9-5)

 

[AC100]

The main difference now is William Chrisman will get to play for 5th instead of 7th.

 

[da bears 25]

The main difference now is William Chrisman will get to play for 5th instead of 7th.

Correct, am I wrong in thinking if it were a seeded tournament the 7 played the 8 yesterday?

 

[AC100]

Correct, am I wrong in thinking if it were a seeded tournament the 7 played the 8 yesterday?

If they seeded it yes I think Joplin and Chrisman would be 7 and 8. Somehow Joplin got the worst out of town team in the 1st round.lol

 

[Craig Hull]

Correct, am I wrong in thinking if it were a seeded tournament the 7 played the 8 yesterday?

It's not "seeded" per se ... JHS athletic administration have made it clear over the years they try to make sure the four "local" teams and four "non-local" teams are matched up in the first round and then after that it's anybody's game.

It is nice when the bracket works out that the four local teams never play each other, but it's difficult. Since the tournament resumed in 2000 (it actually began in 1977) it was a four-team event, it grew to eight teams in 2001 and has had eight teams every year except 2014 when St. Louis Vashon did not make it due to the weather and 2021 when it was a six team event post-COVID.

 

[AC100]

The fact that Hillcrest was moved to 8pm tells me they are staying in Joplin tonight.

 

[Craig Hull]

I can say when it comes to history on this tournament, Carl Junction has had a rough go of it. Since the tournament resumed in 2000, CJ participated in it 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Bulldogs won their only opening round game ever in 2008 84-77 over William Chrisman, lost to Webster Groves in the semifinals 69-64 and defeated Webb City 48-43 for third place.

In 2009, lost to Webster Groves 84-53, defeated Neosho 64-63 in OT and lost to Webb City 69-45 in the 5th place game.

In 2010, lost to Francis Howell 44-43, Blue Springs 60-46 and defeated William Chrisman 81-68.

Carl Junction got out of the Kaminsky after 2010, returned to the tournament in 2018 and have been in it every year since. In 2018 and 2019 went 0-3, 2020 went 0-2 after the 7th place game with Joplin JV was canceled due to an ice storm, 0-3 in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Last year they lost the first two games before defeating Neosho 58-37 in the seventh place game to end a 19-game losing streak in the Kaminsky Classic.

After last night's loss, Carl Junction is 5-25 all-time in the Kaminsky Classic and 1-10 in the opening round.

 

[da bears 25]

It's not "seeded" per se ... JHS athletic administration have made it clear over the years they try to make sure the four "local" teams and four "non-local" teams are matched up in the first round and then after that it's anybody's game.

It is nice when the bracket works out that the four local teams never play each other, but it's difficult. Since the tournament resumed in 2000 (it actually began in 1977) it was a four-team event, it grew to eight teams in 2001 and has had eight teams every year except 2014 when St. Louis Vashon did not make it due to the weather and 2021 when it was a six team event post-COVID.

Yeah I know they do a local team vs an out of area team. That’s what I said if it were a seeded tournament. I think 3 of the top 4 teams ended on the bottom side of the bracket. I get the local vs out of area it ensures you play different opponents but sometimes you get 2 good teams or 2 bad teams playing early.

 

[AC100]

Carl Junction beat Francis Howell 64-46. I didn't really expect that.

 

[AC100]

Joplin says that Carl Junction is playing Webb City tomorrow. I don't know how. That isn't what the bracket says.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Hillcrest and Joplin play for the tournament title today.

Hillcrest knocked off Life Prep yesterday which is amazing considering that the Hornets have been playing the whole tournament without their 2nd best player who is a 3 year starter at guard if I’m not mistaken.

He won’t be back for another week or two.

Took a glance at Life Preps roster.
6’5, 6’7, 6’8, 6’11

Hillcrest has a post who is 6’6-6’7 and about 180 lbs and after that the biggest kid on the team is Weaver at 6’2 210

The fact that Hillcrest is playing well without one of their best guys gives me some hope that they’ll do pretty well this year.

Of their 3 losses they had the lead on Kickapoo the first 10-12 minutes of game time. It was a 4 point game with about a min or two to go with Parkview. The only team that has just flat out beat them start to finish is Republic.

Should be interesting in the OMC this year with Rogersville, Hillcrest, Bolivar and Branson looking to be the top 4. West Plains had a very good showing in the Blue and Gold for what was expected. and CJ is definitely better than I thought they would be.

With the Curley kid leaving Marshfield, they went from slightly above average to terrible.

 

[AC100]

Hillcrest should easily beat Joplin tonight. There are 4 or 5 teams in this tournament who are better than Joplin but Joplin stacked the opposite side of the bracket from them.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Hillcrest should easily beat Joplin tonight. There are 4 or 5 teams in this tournament who are better than Joplin but Joplin stacked the opposite side of the bracket from them.

I hope so, but from what I’ve seen in person and via hudl for some games, Hillcrest tends to play up or down to their competition.

 

[AC100]

I hope so, but from what I’ve seen in person and via hudl for some games, Hillcrest tends to play up or down to their competition.

Yeah it was weird because Hillcrest beat Francis Howell by 2 but then CJ beat them by 18 last night. OTOH Hillcrest beat Life Prep last night but CJ was kind of blown out by Life Prep.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Yeah it was weird because Hillcrest beat Francis Howell by 2 but then CJ beat them by 18 last night. OTOH Hillcrest beat Life Prep last night but CJ was kind of blown out by Life Prep.

That’s what I’m saying. Hillcrest is talented and they’re a good ball club, but they’re inconsistent, they’ll play a tough team close, and then almost lose to a weak team the next night, etc.

 

[AC100]

Carl Junction beat Webb City 59-50. CJ is now 4-0 against Joplin, Carthage and Webb City.

 

[da bears 25]

CJ has a decent team. Life prep and Hillcrest should win the next 2 games but who knows.

 

[AC100]

CJ lacks a post and a true point guard. They are basically playing 9 wings.

 

[da bears 25]

Well it worked today. Webb falling apart in the 4th helped too

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Watching the Hillcrest Joplin game right now.

Hillcrest leads 12-5 late 1Q

Officiating is pretty lackluster.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

My lord. The officiating just keeps getting worse and worse. These guys are a joke.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

12-11 Hillcrest at the end of 1.

I believe 7 of Joplin’s 11 points came at the stripe. And there not really shooting a high percentage from the FT line if that tells you anything. Lots of flopping and double dribble and traveling no calls going their way.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

We’ve got Joplin players arguing with the officials and that’s okay, but Hillcrest isn’t allowed to contest a rebound or play defense without it being a foul.

They better hope they get this crew in their conference home games.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

23-20 Hillcrest at half.

Officials made sure to throw on their Joplin booster club hats before heading to the hospitality room.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

33-30 Joplin at the End of 3.

Much of the same with the officiating.

With how bad both teams have played so far, Joplin would be up almost 20 points if they could make more than 10% of their fast break lay ups.

 

[Craig Hull]

Of the three officials, one is a CJ graduate who played basketball, one is the associate AD at McDonald County who lives in CJ and the third I can’t recognize in the video.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

Of the three officials, one is a CJ graduate who played basketball, one is the associate AD at McDonald County who lives in CJ and the third I can’t recognize in the video.

Whoever they are, they’re all over place.