810 Varsity leads off the new year with another strong basketball event - the third annual 810 Varsity Sunflower Showcase.

One of five 810 Varsity events for the season, this rendition usually branches deeper into Kansas. Past lineups included Derby, Washburn Rural and others, and this one brings in McPherson's boys and girls, and Baldwin girls. All three teams are ranked in the Kansas top 10 for their respective classes. 

Overall, the event features many ranked teams in Kansas:
Boys
Free State - No. 7 in Class 6A
Basehor-Linwood - No . 4 in Class 5A
McPherson - No. 10 in Class 5A
Piper - No. 1 in Class 4A

Girls
McPherson - No. 2 in Class 5A
Lansing - No. 10 in Class 5A
Piper - No. 2 in Class 4A
Baldwin - No. 3 in Class 4A

"There will be a lot of teams on Saturday that will be playing in the state tourney in Kansas in March," touted 810 Varsity's Chad Rader. "This will be a great test for these teams, and nice to criss-cross classes for some strong matchups."

The day starts off with Pittsburg vs Schlagle at 11 am, followed by a doubleheader of the Free State vs Lansing girls and boys at 12:30 pm and 2 pm. The Firebirds have been in the Class 6A state tourney the past three years, including a 2nd and 3rd place finish, and return another strong lineup with DK Middleton, Mozae Downing and others, while Lansing is off to a 3-1 start.

The Baldwin girls, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A, take on Basehor-Linwood, as the Bobcats have a twinbill with the boys. Basehor-Linwood (3-1), ranked #7 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, take on No. 11 in the 810 Varsity Top 25 in Park Hill South (7-2). 

The last two games will also be thrillers with McPherson and Piper facing off. Both will be games of top 10 teams in Class 5A and 4A boys and girls.

Basehor-Linwood vs Park Hill South
The Bobcats feature a strong quartet with three sharp-shooting guards in senior Connor Younger, and sophomores Jordan Brown and Trevor McBride. Senior Cory Davila (6-foot-7) mans the post as the Bobcats only loss was a 49-48 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the final of the Liberty North Invitational. The Bobcats finished second last year in Kansas Class 5A.

Park Hill South stands at 7-2, but with double-digit losses to Truman and North Kansas City. The Panthers finished third in the William Jewell Classic this past week, despite missing star 6-foot-9 senior Dylan Brougham. Jake Powers has come up strong with a 14-point, 17-rebound effort in the semis last week at Jewell. Josh Prososki also can fill it up for Park Hill South 

McPherson vs Piper (girls)
The matchup will be the No. 2 teams in Kansas in Class 5A (McPherson) and Class 4A (Piper). The Lady Bullpups are led by 5-foot-10 junior Grace Pyle, who is averaging 17 ppg, 7.5 rebound and 4.5 assists. Piper has also enjoyed an undefeated season to date and looks to get some players back from injury, but will fresh off facing No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas the night before. Yes, the Lady Pirates will take on No. 1 and No. 2 in Class 5A in consecutive nights.

McPherson vs Piper (boys)
The task isn't any easier for Piper, taking on the No. 3 team in Class 5A (Aquinas) on Friday night, then No. 10 in McPherson on Saturday.  Piper (6-0) features one of the Metro's top stars in Tamar Bates for the defending Class 4A champs. The 6-foot-4 junior is posting 24.8 ppg, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Dilyn Taylor-Cantu also is chipping in 13 ppg for Piper (6-0).

810 Varsity Sunflower Showcase
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Piper HS

11 am: Schlagle vs Pittburg
12:30 pm: Lansing vs Free State (girls)
2 pm: Lansing vs Free State
3:30 pm: Basehor-Linwood vs Baldwin (girls)
5 pm: Basehor-Linwood vs Park Hill South
6:30 pm: Piper vs McPherson (girls)
8 pm: Piper vs McPherson 

Piper High School is located just north of the Legends area and Kansas Speedway.