By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
In a season of big wins, Highland Park notched its biggest victory Tuesday night, romping to a 70-54 Centennial League decision over previously-unbeated Junction City on the Blue Jays' home court.
Highland Park, which improved to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in the league, took control with an 18-7 first quarter and then hit the Blue Jays with a 21-13 second quarter to open up a commanding 39-20 halftime cushion.
The Scots led 58-37 at the start of the fourth quarter and cruised the rest of the way, dropping Junction City to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the league race.
"We've got to keep taking every day serious and continue to work to get better,'' Highland Park coach Mike Williams said in a text.
Senior Juan'Tario Roberts (23) scored a game-high 24 points as Highland Park improved to 8-0 with a 70-54 road romp past previously-unbeaten Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Ketraleus Aldridge scored 18 points Tuesday night to help Highland Park remain unbeaten with a 70-54 road win at Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Juan'Tario Roberts scored a game-high 24 points for Highland Park while junior Ketraleus Aldridge added 18 points and junior Tre Richardson 10 points.
Howard Johnson led Junction City with 14 points.
Highland Park faces another key Centennial game on Friday, playing at Topeka West.
Senior Elijah Brooks scored 21 points to lead three double-figure scorers in Topeka West's 71-57 road win at Emporia Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST BOYS 71, EMPORIA 57 -- Topeka West rode a big first half to a 71-57 Centrennial League road win at Emporia, improving to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the league.
The Chargers hit the winless Spartans with an 18-6 first quarter to take control and were in command 38-21 at the half.
Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks scored a game-high 21 points to pace the Chargers while junior Xavier Alexander added 18 points, including five 3-pointers, and senior Zander Putthoff had 17 points and three 3-pointers.
Parker Leeds and River Peters scored 20 points apiece for Emporia (0-8, 0-7).
With Tuesday's win Topeka West remained a game out of the Centennial League lead and the Chargers will host league-leading Highland Park on Friday.
Senior Quincey Kidd scored 18 points to lead the way as Washburn Rural improved to 4-3 with a 51-31 win at Manhattan Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL BOYS 51, MANHATTAN 31 -- Senior Quincey Kidd scored a game-high 19 points and junior Jack Bachelor added 11 as Washburn Rural climbed above .500 with a 51-31 Centennial League road romp Tuesday night at Manhattan.
Washburn Rural, now 4-3 overall and in the league, trailed by a 7-6 margin at the end of the first quarter but took command with a 17-5 second quarter, taking a 23-12 lead to the locker room at the half.
The Junior Blues boosted their advantage to 42-28 by the end of the third quarter and outscored the Indians 9-3 in the fourth.
Kidd canned a pair of 3-pointers on the night and also connected on five of six free throw attempts.
Tate Brown led Manhattan, 2-6 overall and 2-5 in the league, with 14 points.
Washburn Rural will be at home on Friday to host Junction City.
WABAUNSEE BOYS 52, SILVER LAKE 49 -- Silver Lake suffered a heartbreaking 52-49 loss to Wabaunsee Tuesday night, with Wabaunsee's Brayden Meseke capping a 24-pound night with a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining.
Silver Lake had one last desperation possession to try to force overtime, but the 6-1 Chargers came up with a steal as time ran out.
Junior Kamryn Kaniper had a big night for Silver Lake (4-3), finishing with 21 points, while senior Troy Heiman added 12 points.
Silver Lake led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter, but Wabaunsee answered with a 20-4 second quarter to take a 28-19 haltime advantage.
Silver Lake outscored Wabaunsee 30-24 in the second half to give itself a chance before Meseke pulled out the win for the Chargers.
ROCK CREEK BOYS 61, ROSSVILLE 43 -- Junior Kade Perine scored a game-high 17 points for Rossville, including five 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough to overcome a dominant middle third quarter by the Mustangs.
Rossville and Rock Creek were locked in a 30-30 deadlock at the half but the Mustangs hit the Bulldawgs with a 17-5 third quarter to take control and held a 14-8 scoring edge the rest of the way.
Rock Creek improved to 2-6 on the season behind three double-figure scorers while Rossville fell to 1-7.
Senior Aiden Garcia added nine points for Rossville.
