By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TUESDAY'S GAMES
Connor Hanika, Hayden
EMPORIA (8-0, 0-0) at HAYDEN (3-5, 0-0)
Hayden is coming off a 79-60 non-league loss at Shawnee Heights on Friday while Emporia remained undefeated with a 73-38 non-league romp past Circle. Both the Wildcats and Spartans will be opening Centennial League play Tuesday. Senior Connor Hanika led Hayden with 20 points against Shawnee Heights while junior Mason Becker added 17 points.
Cam Ross, Shawnee Heights
DE SOTO (2-3, 0-2) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-3, 2-2)
Shawnee Heights evened its record at 3-3 with a 79-60 home win over Hayden last Friday while De Soto closed out 2025 with a 56-40 loss to Seaman on Dec. 19. Junior Cam Ross led Shawnee Heights with 28 points and four 3-pointers against Hayden while senior Ja'Veon Alston added 19 points with a pair of 3-pointers.
WABAUNSEE (5-1, 3-0) at CAIR PARAVEL (4-2, 2-0)
Cair Paravel Latin is off to a solid start, including a 60-39 Flint Hills League win over Chase County on Dec. 19, and faces a tough test Tuesday against a Wabaunsee team that is also unbeaten in league play after a 63-56 win over Osage City to close out 2025. Sophomore Chase Hastert leads Cair Paravel with a 16.3 scoring average and also pulls down 7.5 rebounds a game.
Keimani Paul, Topeka West
TOPEKA WEST (5-1, 4-0) at LEAVENWORTH (2-3, 1-2)
Topeka West will be looking to bounce back Tuesday after the No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Chargers dropped a 53-49 non-league game at 6A Free State Monday night. Senior Keimani Paul led West with 19 points and four 3-pointers against the Firebirds while senior Malakyah Duncan added 12 points. Leavenworth dropped a 66-36 United Kansas Conference decision to Basehor-Linwood last Friday.
WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 0-0) at JUNCTION CITY (4-2, 0-0)
Washburn Rural stretched its winning streak to four games with a 68-53 non-league win at Olathe West on Saturday while Junction City has won three straight games after a 56-53 win over Shawnee Mission North last time out. Sophomore Brooks Ballard scored 21 points with six 3-pointers in the Junior Blues' win over Olathe West. Tuesday's game is the Centennial League opener for both Rural and Junction City.
KC-SCHLAGLE (1-2, 1-0) at HIGHLAND PARK (1-4, 1-0)
Highland Park will be looking to stay unbeaten in Meadowlark Conference play Tuesday after dropping a 74-55 home decision to city rival Topeka High last Friday. Junior JoJo Kingcannon led the Scots with 15 points against Topeka High while sophomore Davion Anderson added 10 points with three 3-pointers.
Bryson McComas, Topeka High
TOPEKA HIGH (3-3) at LAWRENCE (2-3)
Topeka High evened its record at 3-3 with Friday's 74-55 road win over USD 501 rival Highland Park on Friday while Lawrence has been idle since closing out 2025 with a 55-44 Sunflower League loss to Shawnee Mission East. Topeka High senior Bryson McComas had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Highland Park while senior Elisha Guest had 15 points with three 3s.
ROSSVILLE (3-3, 1-1) at JEFFERSON WEST (5-1, 3-0)
Rossville closed out 2025 with a 93-42 Big East League win over Holton on Dec. 19 while Jefferson West is coming off a 65-60 win over Perry-Lecompton on Monday. Senior Jack Donovan scored 28 points and hit 5 3-pointers in the Bulldawgs' win over Holton while senior Jakoby McDonnell had 21 points with three 3s.
SILVER LAKE (5-2, 3-0) at ST. MARYS (5-1, 1-0)
Silver Lake wrapped up 2025 with a 62-54 win over Goodland while St. Marys topped Maranatha Academy 69-36 to complete its pre-holiday slate. Both the Eagles and Bears are unbeaten in Big East League play. Senior Dayne Johnson is a team leader for Silver Lake, which posted a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament last season.
