Kansas City AZA #2 defeated Nordaunian AZA #22 by the score of 32-28 Sunday night, April 6, at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kan., in a game that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Two’s winning the first AZA national championship.
Two’s was led by Thomas and Andrew Burns, who were named co-MVPs. It was the first Two’s victory over Nordaunian on the hardwood in several years.
“Our guys had tons of energy and the game was one everyone was looking forward to,” said Two’s Godol and head coach Bryan Persky. “The amount of players we had there was insane. Everyone showed up and helped us get the win over Nordau.”
The highly anticipated showdown between Thomas Burns, a junior at Shawnee Mission South, and Nordaunian’s Justin Parmet, a senior at Blue Valley North, did not disappoint. It was an intense mathchup, with both players carrying their teams offensively.
Nordaunian led by six at halftime, but returned to the court with renewed energy and determination. Thomas Burns scored two quick baskets to start the third quarter and Two’s never looked back.
“Two’s is No. 1, that’s all I’ve got to say,” said Thomas Burns.
Two’s guard Eli Nathan, a junior at Blue Valley North, connected on two three-pointers in the game, while sophomore point guard Andrew Burns ran the team with precision in the second half.
“I knew they were guarding him (Thomas) hard so I knew had to take control,” Andrew Burns said.
Two’s starting lineup was: Thomas Burns, Andrew Burns, Eli Nathan, Will Widman and Judah Bassin — with Sam Hochler, Gus Zitron, Beckett Tyler and Jason Persky coming off the bench. The team was coached by Bryan Persky and Rhys Pabst. David Wexler and Michael Weiss were the referees.
Thomas and Andrew Burns play for the top-ranked Shawnee Mission South basketball team, which ended their season last month with a stunning loss to No. 8 seed Maize in the Kansas 6A state quarterfinals.
