Campbell Dawson, Topeka High Senior, 2025 volleyball player to watch.

[TSN File Photo]

Laruen Borjon, Hayden Senior, is on TSN's Girl's Golf watch list.

[TSN File Photo]

Juan Garcia, Shawnee Heights Senior, boys soccer player to watch.

[TSN File Photo.]

Valentin Del Real, Topeka West Sophomore, is on TSN's player to watch list.

[TSN File Photo]

Zach Watkins, Washburn University's new football head coach.

[File Photo/TSN]

Seaman senior, Brody Anderson, boys cross-country player to watch.

[Photo/TSN File.]

Julia Katzer (junior) girls tennis player to watch from Washburn Rural.

[File Photo/TSN]

Rossville junior, Nora Burdiek, is on TSN's volleyball player to watch list.

[File Photo/TSN]

Lauren Cox, Washburn Rural senior, is on TSN's girls golf player to watch list.

[File Photo/TSN]

Silver Lake junior, Ali Gerber, is on the girls cross-country player to watch list.

[File Photo/TSN]

Grace Funk, Hayden senior, TSN girls tennis player to watch.

[TSN File Photo]

A1 Lock Key Logo

Key Performers of the Week

Rising Stars Intro 002AA

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin girls battled to the wire in search of their second win of the season, coming up just short at home against West Franklin 36-33 Friday.

KarsynHastert2025WF 3Karsyn Hastert led Cair Paravel with 10 points in Friday's 36-33 Flint Hills League loss to West Franklin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

First-year coach Jaley Barkley praised the Lions' effort and sees improvement from the eight players suited up.

“We’ve played some tough teams but we’ve learned so much these past couple of games,” Barkley said. “This was one of our first games that was close to the end, so just learning to finish those last couple of minutes in the fourth quarter is huge, being able to push with our small team, just being able to figure out how to finish strong.”

The Lions are navigating the Flint Hills League for the first time, with a small roster and limited experience. Barkley had to juggle the lineup in the final minutes after two players fouled out. But she is happy with the chemistry of the group.

“The girls have grown so much and they are great together,” Barkley said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a struggle (to have just eight players). It’s more of a joy just being able to figure out how to work with these eight girls.”

LandonBackman2025WF 1Freshman London Backman (12) scored seven points Friday in Cair Paravel's 36-33 home loss to West Franklin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Lions were led Friday by 10 points from junior Karsyn Hastert. Freshman London Backman added seven.

It was less than three years ago that Barkley was running the point for the Lions before going to play at Sterling College. She said the competitive fire still burns and she has to channel her energy in a new direction.

JaleyBarkley2025WF 1Cair Paravel alum Jaley Barkley talks to her team during Friday's 36-33 Flint Hills League loss to West Franklin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

“It’s been a joy being back in my old gym,” Barkley said. “It’s so hard not to want to just run out on the court because that’s where I was for four years of my life. It’s an adjustment, but it’s been a fun challenge to learn.”

WEST FRANKLIN GIRLS 36, CAIR PARAVEL 33

West Franklin 10 6 9 11 -- 36

Cair Paravel    6 6 10 11 -- 33

West Franklin (3-6, 3-3) – Scott 4-17 1-7 9, Walters 3-12 8-16 14, Raymond 0-2 0-2 0, McMahan 1-4 0-0 2, Smith 2-6 0-0 4, E. Cameron 0-4 0-0 0, McKenzie 0-0 0-0 0, Hermreck 0-0 0-0 0, B. Cameron 2-6 3-6 7. Totals: 12-51 12-31 36.

Cair Paravel (1-8 0-5) – Hastert 4-13 2-6 10, Donaldson 2-6 0-0 4, Backman 1-7 4-6 7, A. Chada 1-3 0-0 2, K. Chada 1-9 1-4 4, Meyer 2-6 0-0 4, Welshans 1-1 0-0 2, Kipers 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 12-45 7-16 33 .

3-point goals – West Franklin 0, Cair Paravel 2 (Backman 1, K. Chada 1). Total fouls – West Franklin 14, Cair Paravel 19. Fouled out – A. Chada, Welshans. Technical fouls – None. 

Gold Partners

Community Partners

Gold Partners