They never trailed and closed out Parsons to clinch a runner-up finish in the six-team round-robin tournament. The Thunderbirds (2-2) were the only team in the tournament to win two of the three games. Only a very powerful Wichita Collegiate squad did better, posting a 3-0 record.

The AVCTL contingent – Circle, Collegiate and Mulvane – won six of the nine matchups against the three Southeast Kansas League teams – Labette County, Parsons and Independence.
Helped by going every other day, the tournament is still a huge test of stamina, one that requires special treatment.

“A lot of blood and guts, grit, grime,” coach Jordan Crawford said. “We’ve got guys sick; we’ve got guys hurt – Landon (Boldra) took a hard fall the other night at home, he’s bruised up – it was a total team effort.”

Junior Clay Gilbertson, in his first season on the Circle varsity, hit two three-pointers in that spurt. He would hit two more and finish with a game-high 22 points.

“I want to make my mark,” he said. “I want to come out here and show everybody who I am.”
His coach is thrilled to have him.

“He’s a great player; he’s a great kid, and he’s figuring it out,” Crawford said. “It’s really good to see him play well, especially because he had a lot of family here. He’s really starting to understand what we need from him – not just on offense. Yeah, he scored the ball really well, but I love the improvement I’m seeing on the defensive end – the focus, the attacking on rebounds, the jumping of the passing lanes.

“I talk to Clay a lot about defense, and he knows the expectation … but what a night for him. What a night.

“(He scored a) pretty quiet 22 (points), and you kind of like it that way, that means he’s getting in the flow of the game. He’s not forcing it; he’s letting the game come to him. It’s also the work he puts in, too. He’s always the last one to leave practice every day. He gets an hour-plus shots in after every day.

“When you see guys working like that, you know they’re about to start putting the ball in the basket.

“He’s got a really good shot. He’s got good size to him (6-1). At this level, he can play inside; he can play outside; he can defend multiple positions.

“When you have a good foundation with your form, it goes a long way – and he does have a pretty shot.”
Gilbertson came to Circle last year but couldn’t play varsity because of the transfer rule and was on the junior varsity. Had he been eligible, he would have definitely been on varsity, Crawford said.

“He’s been with me in practice for a year (and) to see the improvement of where he is right now compared with where he was last year at this time – this kiddo has put in a whole bunch of work, and it is really paying off,” Crawford said. “I’m excited to get to coach him for a couple of years.”

Gilbertson came to Circle from Kapaun Mount Carmel, where he was coached by a true legend, Steve Eck. Eck has a national junior-college title as well as seven state titles.

Also finishing in double figures were senior Landon Boldra, with 12 points, and his younger brother, 5-foot-5 freshman Keenan Boldra (10). Gilbertson and Landon Boldra reached double figures in each of the three tournament games. Senior Hunter Cowman – a foot taller than Keenan Boldra – was held to four points but had scored in double figures in the first two games.

Circle used the three-pointer to help pave the victory, hitting eight in the game. Keenan Boldra sank two, and Landon and Easton Smith had one each.

Parsons (2-2), which went 1-2 in the tournament, did manage to pull closer by outscoring Circle in the fourth quarter, 17-9. The Vikings had five three-pointers in the game, but four of those were in the final quarter.

When the second and third quarters had finished, the Thunderbirds had doubled the score (30-15 and 46-23).

“I loved our defense (Saturday night),” Crawford said. “I liked how we started the game. I liked how we responded to adversity from the other night (a loss at home Thursday to Independence). To come away with second place (with a) 2-1 record (in the tournament). I’m just happy for the guys.”

After a grueling three-day tournament, it would seem Circle’s boys have earned a rest, especially for their tired legs.

But AVCTL Division III play resumes Tuesday, another set of Vikings – Winfield – will carry a 2-1 record into the matchup. They have home victories over Arkansas City and Andale and their only loss at Valley Center.

If that weren’t enough, McPherson will close out 2024 for Circle. The Bullpups –Crawford’s alma mater, where he starred as a player – have victories over Dodge City and Andover, and their only loss was by a point at Derby.

But first things first, Crawford said, and that means Winfield.

“Winfield is a much improved team,” he said. “They’re playing really good basketball right now, and we’ll see if we can’t go into Christmas on a high note.”

McPherson always seems to get the better of the T-Birds, but current Circle assistant Braden Kirkpatrick was on the last T-Bird team to beat the Bullpups, Crawford said.

“I’ve got to go pick his brain this weekend,” Crawford said. “We have to go into that game with a confident mindset, limit turnovers, limit second-chance opportunities – it’s really doing the little things consistently right every time.”

A rare feature of the game was that Parsons’ starting lineup was significantly smaller than Circle, with bulky 6-1 Damais Johnson in the middle. The only player they used who was taller than Johnson was 6-4 Connor Largent.

The game was filled with sparkling plays, from a steal and breakaway layup by Gilbertson, to a diving save by senior Keaton Koenigsman, to Landon Boldra going coast-to-coast for a layup as well as Boldra’s beautiful assist to set up a Gilbertson basket.

“We scouted them well (and) practiced all week,” Gilbertson said. “We did our best to shut (Parsons) down, and I think we did a great job.

“We watched out for certain players, and I think we played them well, defended them well, and that’s how we got the ‘W.’

“We’re young, so we’re excited to see what happens.”

Those plays and others made for an exciting game, but as the season is just four games old, both the T-Birds and their coach know there is a tremendous amount of work to be done and a lot of basketball ahead of them.

The Boldra boys have grown up around basketball. Their dad, Jeremy, said they’ve been playing against each other as kids since Landon was 6 and Keenan was 3.

“I’m neighbors with the Boldras, and I have been for some years, and these guys, growing up, are always outside shooting,” Crawford said. “Always had some type of ball in their hands.”

The quick release was born out of necessity, the brothers said. Keenan had to learn how to shoot quickly to avoid being blocked by opponents or Landon, and both brothers have become quite accurate.

“I think Keenan’s release is so quick because he has played so many one-on-one games with his big brother,” Crawford said. “He’s much taller than (Keenan) and always has been, so he’s had to form a quick release, a good step-back (shot).

“They just put in the work, and that’s why they are the way they are.”

For all the basketball the brothers have played at home over the years, being on the same high school varsity is vastly different. The three-year age difference might have kept it from happening sooner.

“It’s special; it’s very special,” Landon said. “I’ve never really gotten to play with him. We’ve grown up playing basketball since before we could walk. It’s just what we’ve done forever.

“We’ve just got that good brother chemistry; we just know how each other works.

“I’ll cherish it forever.”

Keenan said he’s enjoying being on the varsity as a freshman.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “Coach Crawford trusts me, trusts me to make the right plays, and I’m glad to have this opportunity. “I’ve got to cherish this one year with my brother.”

It wasn’t too long ago that Landon was about the same height that Keenan is now (Landon is now listed at 6-1). Because of his small stature, Keenan has developed a quick release to his shot, and that has proved effective, leading to games of 9, 11 and 10 points in the tournament.

So, what will Keenan be like once he gets the inevitable growth spurt?

“He’s going to be killer,” Landon said. “He’s always been very little in tournament ball and AAU, MAYB and stuff like that. He’s learned to just play small.

“I learned to play small when I was young, and then when you get big, it just gets easier. When he gets bigger, he’s going to be more of a killer than he is now.”

So, is Keenan ready to be 6-1?

“Oh yeah,” he replied. “I should be taller than that, but we’ll just see what God gives me.”

The brothers also share a work ethic, Keenan said.

“Me and Landon get a lot of shots up every day,” he said. “We always make sure to do that every day. We always stay after (practice) to work on our shot and other stuff.”

Keenan said he was nervous in the Jamboree games but credited Landon with helping him deal with that.
“I was a bit nervous; I didn’t hold my own,” he said. “Once that first game started, my brother helped me calm down, and I found my zone.”

Keenan, playing junior varsity in the opener against Abilene, really stood out, Crawford said.

“He had 33 points in three quarters, and I pretty much said, ‘All right, you’re now a four-quarter varsity guy,’ ” Crawford said.

“Yes, he can shoot it, but what he gets accomplished at his size … he has a relentless effort about him, a competitive spirit – he’s also taken a charge in our last two games. His basketball IQ is off the charts. He is going to be a special, special player.

“And, to get to do this with his brother, Landon, who has been a three-year starter for us at the point guard position, it’s really cool and special to see.”

The allure of having a tall Keenan is something Crawford is savoring.

“What Keenan is doing right now at his size is unbelievable,” Crawford said. “All I can ever say is, he’s different. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a freshman have the impact at the varsity level as quickly as he has at the size he is.”

In spite of Landon making the all-tournament team, he’s also been dealing with injury, Crawford said.
“He’s got a bum ankle; he’s got a bum tailbone,” he said. “Landon is showing the grit that he’s made of, and he’s playing through a lot of stuff right now.”

Landon was voted team captain – an honor he richly deserves, Crawford said.

“I can’t wait to watch him play ball in college,” he said.

Landon said positivity – and a strenuous practice Friday – helped the team Saturday night.

“It’s easy to get down when we’re losing games, because we really haven’t had experience doing that the past few years. Just getting back to who we really are and just fighting – fighting hard.”

Parsons 9 6 8 17 – 40
Circle 13 17 16 9 – 55

PARSONS – Sawyer 3(1) 4-6 11, Quirin 3(1) 2-3 9, Johnson 3 0-2 6, Barcus 1(1) 1-2 4, Largent 1 2-2 4, Keal 1(1) 0-0 3, Shaw 1(1) 0-0 3. Totals 13(5) 9-15 40.

CIRCLE – Gilbertson 9(4) 0-2 22, L. Boldra 4(1) 3-4 12, K. Boldra 4(2) 0-0 10, Smith 1(1) 0-0 3, Koenigsman 1 0-0 2, Jordan 1 0-0 2. Totals 22(8) 3-6 55.

All-Tournament Team – AVCTL: Landon Boldra, Sr., Circle; Sebastian Hines-Turner, Jr. Wichita Collegiate; Jaden Parker, Jr., Collegiate; Carter Drumright, Sr., Collegiate. SEK: Kellen Lanning, Jr., Independence; Jaden Colbert, Soph., Independence; Damais Johnson, Sr., Parsons; Kegan Bates, Jr., Labette County.