The De Soto boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams recently participated in the 61st annual Tonganoxie Invitational. The boys’ team ended up winning the championship, with the girls finishing second. 

“Going into the tournament, we were confident that we were capable of winning.  We prepared by pushing each other in practice and having a winning mentality,” junior forward Wyatt Noll said.

The boys’ varsity basketball team went a perfect 3-0 in the tourney.  The Wildcats were awarded the title of 2020 Tonganoxie Invitational Champions with a 68-54 win over Metro Academy in the final

“We were confident we could be successful in the tournament, but we knew it was not going to be easy.  We were ready for the challenge that was brought to us with the tournament,” senior guard Colton Jones said.

Juniors Nate Barnhart, Wyatt Noll and Jackson Miller earned all-tournament team honors.  Barnhart was also named the tournament MVP with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks in the championship game.

The girls’ varsity basketball team  went 2-1 during the tournament, beating Bishop Ward 68-23 to open play, before falling to Eudora 54-44. The Wildcats went on to beat Bonner Springs 47-27 in their final game. 

Seniors Mackenzie Shupe, LaMyah Ricks and Jordan Diehl all earned all-tournament team honors.  Senior Emily Fuhr also received the tournament leadership award. 

“Everyone was very determined and focused prior to the games in the tournament. We did a lot more scouting and watching the teams we were going to play, so we knew what we had to do to stop them,” Ricks said.