See which high school hoops teams held court at annual ’810 Varsity Showcase 36’

Kansas City-area high school basketball teams met over the weekend for the annual 810 Varsity Showcase 36.

Here’s a look at some games from the event at Oak Park High School:

No. 2 Oak Park 76, No. 1 Shawnee Mission Northwest 44

In front of a capacity crowd that included Mayor Quinton Lucas, Oak Park left no doubt about the best team in the metro.

Oak Park, which entered the game ranked No. 2 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, throttled No. 1 SM Northwest. The Northmen (4-1), coming off a 48-44 win at No. 4 Staley on Friday night, used a 20-2 surge after intermission to make it a rout.

The Cougars (0-1), the defending Kansas Class 6A state champions, rode a 25-game win streak into their season opener. The hyped matchup was set over the summer and was highly anticipated by both schools for months.

“There was a lot of talking back and forth between both groups,” Oak Park head coach and former Kansas Jayhawks guard Sherron Collins said. “This was a game we all looked for and had circled on our calendar. We played a complete game tonight.”

The Cougars’ Illinois commit, Keaton Wagler, was limited to 13 points while 7-foot-1 junior Ethan Taylor was similarly well defended and finished with just six.

The Northmen’s balanced attack — five players in double-digit scoring — was girded by stellar defense inside against the taller Cougars.

Caleb Estes paced Oak Park with 18 points, while Josh Kori scored 13 of his 15 in the first half to help the hosts build a 37-30 lead at the break.

“These guys have been playing together since sixth grade,” Collins said. “They’re so unselfish and don’t care who scores and just want to win. When you get a group like that, it’s fun to coach.”

Zeke Brown fired in 16 points, including two 3-pointers during the third period barrage. Corbin Allen and Aedin Fields each netted 12.

Lucas said he enjoyed watching the contest, which featured multiple NCAA Division I recruits.

“We spend a lot of time talking about the issues in Kansas City,” he said. “This is the exact opposite, and this is how you solve it. The more we can build up and celebrate our young people, no matter what the engagement is, that’s great. I love 810 Varsity giving everyone to see this great talent at its best.”

No. 9 Olathe North 76, No. 21 Park Hill 62 (boys)

The Eagles started slow. But once they got going, it was all but over.

Ranked No. 9 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, Olathe North trailed 14-8 after the first period. By halftime, the Eagles led 33-29 thanks in part to junior Cam Love’s 12 first-half points.

The Eagles took control in the third quarter with a 40-30 lead. Derrick Cooper poured in 11 fourth-quarter points, including three of his five 3-pointers, to put it away.

Cooper finished with a team-high 21 points, while Max Galindo added 13, including three 3-pointers. The Eagles sank 11 three-pointers overall.

Cam Jones led all scorers with 23 points for Park Hill, while fellow senior Leo Gayman added 20.

No. 2 Staley 70, No. 8 Olathe North 56 (girls)

Londyn Parker’s 21 points and impressive free-throw shooting helped lead the Falcons to victory.

Staley, No. 2 in the 810 Varsity girls Top 25, drained 21 of 23 attempts from the free-throw line to keep the Eagles at arm’s length. Junior Ava Miles scored eight first-half points and Staley led 35-24 at the game’s midpoint.

Brielle Mays (12) and Destiny Manyawu (11) also scored in double digits for Staley (2-0).

Daliyah Williams scored 21 points for Olathe North, while Asia Lee added 16.

No. 3 Shawnee Mission Northwest 80, Raytown 18 (girls)

Gabby Jackson scored a game-high 24 points to lead Shawnee Mission Northwest to victory in its season opener.

This game was the tipoff matchup for this year’s 810 Varsity Showcase 36.

Senior Sienna Lewis added 18 points for the Cougars.

For stats, recaps, online broadcasts and more, visit 810Varsity.com.