The charter school league, known as the CAA, is developing quickly in the state. With more than 75 different boys basketball programs in the state competing each season now, there are many student-athletes that are going the charter school route these days for athletics.
One of the elite programs in the state's charter school league has been Tri-City Christian - a Christian-based athletic program that has featured and produced some of the best basketball talent in the state. This year's team features the state's top senior post prospect in 6-foot-9 senior Nigel Shadd (Kansas State signee). Shadd has been unstoppable this season for charter league teams. Shadd also finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds in a narrow loss (56-51) to Aspire Prep this season.
Tri-City (8-1) would get a nice boost on Tuesday evening in a rivalry match-up with Skyline Prep, as 6-foot-7 sophomore guard/forward Walter Talley would return to the lineup after suffering an ankle injury earlier in the season. The very gifted Talley transferred to Tri-City from Desert Vista HS before the start to the high school season. Talley is among the state's elite 2019 prospects.
Tri-City would get out to a big and early lead in the game Tuesday evening, behind strong inside play from Nigel Shadd. Tri-City would jump out to a quick 7-0 lead. After another basket inside the paint from Shadd, Tri-City would take an 11-4 lead with 4 minutes left to play in the first period.
Tri-City would lead 22 to 11 after one quarter.
Skyline Prep (9-3) would fight back in the second period. After consecutive three-pointers from 6-foot-1 junior guard Lamaica Westbrook and 5-foot-7 junior guard Cameron Campbell, Skyline Prep would get to within 7 points of Tri-City, 24-17, with 5 minutes left to play in the first half.
Talley would begin to take the game over for Tri-City, as head coach Paul Brown would insert Talley into the lineup from the point guard position. Talley would show excellent poise as a point man- taking his time to find open teammates and making good decisions with the basketball. A mid-range jumper from Talley in the lane would give Tri-City a 10-point margin, and Tri-City would cruise to a 34-24 halftime lead.
The third period would belong to Tri-City, although Skyline Prep would get off to a good start in the quarter. Skyline Prep head coach Jace Romero would insert a full-court press - leading to a 6 to 2 run after several Tri-City turnovers.
Paul Brown would counter though and insert Talley back into the lineup. Talley would imediately find 6-foot-6 junior forward Isaiah Alonzo on the wing for a three-pointer. Then after a few exchanges down the floor, Nigel Shadd would finish off a strong dunk after an assist from teammate, 6-foot-3 junior Taylor Ball.
After a timeout from Skyline Prep, Tri-City would never look back - outscoring Skyline Prep 29 to 17 the remainder of the way. Tri-City would finish off a 72-47 victory over Skyline.
Kansas State-bound Nigel Shadd would finish with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in the win.