Who won Newton last year and the year before? Who won Basehor this year? These results are not relevant to what we are discussing. The results would only indicate who MIGHT be the "best" team in the state and are no indicators of the "toughest" class.
Of course a 16 man bracket would, usually, be "tougher" than an 8 man bracket. That is a no-brainer. This is not relevant to what we are discussing. This would only indicate which MIGHT be the "toughest" regional and is no indicator of the "toughest" class.
I agree that it is easier to score points at a "mid season invitational" than it is at the 4A state tournament. It is also easier to score points at a "mid season invitational" than it is at the 5A state tournament.
Once again, and hopefully for the last time.
5A #16 Valley Center over 4A #7 and #8 Scott City and Colby.
5A #7 Seaman over 4A #4 Andale.
I am sure that Valley Center and Seaman would agree that it is easier to score points at some "mid season invitational" or dual over the likes of mighty 4A powers like Scott City, Colby and Andale than it is to score points at the 5A state tournament. What you just gave me was an EXCUSE as to why a 5A team beat a 4A team.
I stated that the results did not mean that 5A was the "toughest" class. What they show is that 5A is just as competitive and "tough" as any class. I agree that 4A and 3A was and I say was tougher than 5A and 6A but that is not the case now. Advocates of 4A and 3A supremacy are living in the past. For every result of a 3A or 4A team beating a 5A or 6A team that you could give me, I could give you a result of a 5A or 6A team beating a 3A or 4A team.
I am not sure what the Oakley comment was trying to show? I only know that Oakley did not even make the medal round at Colby whereas Shawnee Heights and Valley Center both won their pools loaded with mighty 3A and 4A teams and finished 2nd and 3rd to Chapparal CO.
Oh, and I almost forgot, Bishop Carroll hammered Clay Center in a dual this year, yes, hammered.