By ANDREW GILL
TopSports.news
Despite having their 41-game win streak snapped the night before, it was business as usual for the Topeka High Lady Trojans Wednesday night in their 69-34 home Centennial League romp past Seaman.
Seaman jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, but Topeka High’s full court press quickly turned things around.
The Trojans, who improved to 18-1 overall and 15-0 in the league, found themselves up 14-8 at the end of the first quarter and led 28-20 at the half before Topeka High turned the game into a rout in the second half..
“I think we were still just a little hurt from last night (a 70-52 road loss to Class 4A power Bishop Miege) and it just took us a little bit to get in a rhythm,” Topeka High coach Hannah Alexander said. “I was proud of our second half effort.''
Alexander’s squad gave her a lot to be proud of in the second half, forcing 11 turnovers and scoring 41 points.
Disappointing as having their streak ended may be, the win over Seaman got Topeka High right back on track in time for the playoffs.
“That one loss doesn’t define us, we just have to get back to what we do,” Alexander said.
Junior NiJaree Canady led five double-figure scorers for Topeka High with 17 points while senior Lilly Smith added 14, sophomore Faith Shields 12 and junior Tae Thomas and sophomore Kiki Smith 10 points apiece.
Seaman (6-13, 6-9) was led by sophomore Lauren Sweeney and freshman Taylin Stallbaumer with 9 points apiece, with Sweeney hitting 3 3-pointers.
TOPEKA HIGH BOYS 74, TOPEKA HIGH 45
Seaman (11-8, 9-6) rolled to a 74-45 Centennial League road win at Topeka High (3-16, 3-13) Wednesday night, giving the Vikings a sweep of the season series.
The Vikings had earned a 2-point victory in the first game against the Trojans, but had a much easier time in the rematch.
With nine players contributing in the scoring column, it was an all-around team effort for the Vikings.
Defensively the Vikes earned 10 steals and managed to force 12 total turnovers, which helped them get the early jump on the Trojans.
Stellar shooting and transition buckets, including a breakaway dunk from junior Ty Henry, paved the way for Craig Cox’s Vikings to take a 39-22 lead into halftime.
The second half brought more of the same as the Trojans struggled defensively and failed to capitalize on free throw attempts, making just 3 of 13 attempts.
Seaman’s Kaeden Bonner, returning from an injury just a night earlier, led all scorers with 23 points and 5 3-pointers. The sophomore added 3 steals and a pair of assists.
Viking junior Mateo Hyman contributed 17 points on 7 for 8 shooting from the field, with 6 assists and 3 steals.
Seniors Jalen Smith and Jayden Leesman were the Trojans’ high scorers with 15 points each. Smith also helped his team with 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
The victory was Seaman’s fifth consecutive and provided a good tune-up as they prepare to make their playoff push.
Topeka High dropped to 3-16 and will take on Junction City Saturday in a Class 6A sub-state play-in game.
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 69, SEAMAN 34
Seaman 8 12 4 10 -- 34
Topeka High 14 14 21 20 -- 69
Seaman (6-13, 6-9) -- Kramer 3 0-0 6, C. Anderson 0 0-0 0, Cowan 2 3-5 7, Stallbaumer 2 4-4 9, J. Anerson 1 0-0 2, Sweeney 3 0-0 9, Schumann 0 0-0 0, Smith 0 0-0 0, Gormley 0 1-2 1. Totals 11 8-11 34.
Topeka High (18-1, 15-0) -- L. Smith 5 2-5 14, Thomas 4 0-0 10, K. Smith 5 0-0 10, Canady 7 3-3 17, Lyons 2 0-0 4, Z. Caryl 0 0-0 0, A. Caryl 0 2-2 2, Shields 5 1-1 12, Wiley 0 0-0 0. Totals 28 8-11 69.
3-point goals -- Seaman 4 (Sweeney 3, Stallbaumer), Topeka High 5 (L. Smith 2, Thomas 2, Shields). Total fouls -- Seaman 8, Topeka High 15. Fouled out -- none.
SEAMAN BOYS 74, TOPEKA HIGH 45
Seaman 20 19 15 19 -- 74
Topeka High 13 9 17 6 -- 45
Seaman (11.8, 9-6) -- Hyman 7 2-2 17, Henry 3 2-2 8, Bonner 7 4-6 23, Brewer 1 0-0 3, Stallbaumer 4 0-0 8, Stuewe 3 0-0 7, Kobuszewski 0 2-2 2, Griess 1 2-2 4, Davis 1 0-0 2. Totals: 27 12-16 74
Topeka High (3-16, 3-13) -- Esquibel 1 0-1 2, Smith 6 1-3 15, Phillips 2 0-1 4, Leesman 7 1-4 15, Canady 4 1-4 9. Totals: 20 3-13 45
3-point goals -- Seaman 8 (Bonner 5, Hyman, Brewer, Stuewe), Topeka High 2 (Smith 2). Total fouls -- Seaman 13, Topeka High 14. Fouled out -- none.
