By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Seaman's girls basketball team opened defense of its Class 5A state championship Friday night, surviving a tough test from Piper to take a 69-67 United Kansas Conference road win.
"What a great atmosphere for the first game of the season,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "Im proud of our girls. We were tough when we needed to be and we had some kids step up and be brave.''
Junior Maddie Gragg scored 21 points to lead Seaman in Friday's 69-67 UKC win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Maddie Gragg led four double-figure scorers for the Vikings with 21 points while junior Anna Becker added 20 points, senior Jadyn Stallbaumer 14 points and senior Ava Esser 13.
Senior Anna Becker moved into the all-time career assist lead for Seaman in Friday's 69-67 win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]
Esser grabbed 10 rebounds to give her a double-double while senior Kinley Wilhelm also had 10 rebounds and Becker had eight assists and moved into the top spot on the Seaman all-time list.
The game was tight throughout, with Seaman leading 23-19 at the end of the first quarter before the Pirates used a 13-6 second quarter to take a 32-29 halftime advantage.
Seaman still trailed by a point (53-52) at the start of the fourth quarter before the Vikings outscored the Pirates 17-14 over the final eight minutes to pull out the two-point victory, hitting 8 of 8 free throws late in the game.
"Before the game we talked about our journey and taking the first step and this is a good win,'' Tinsley said.
The Vikings will be at home Tuesday to face Lansing.
Piper boys take 69-51 win over Vikings
Piper, the Class 5A boys state runnerup last season, opened its 2024-2025 campaign with a 69-51 home United Kansas Conference victory over Seaman.
Piper led 14-9 after one quarter and took control with a 19-8 second quarter, taking a 33-17 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The Pirates went on to open up a 51-30 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter before Seaman outscored Piper 21-18 the rest of the way.
Seaman got a team-high 12 points from junior KaeVon Bonner while newcomer Cameron Brian and Axton Brewer added nine points apiece.
Seaman will be at home Tuesday to host UKC rival Lansing.
T-Bird boys rally for 70-65 road win at Basehor-Linwood
After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half, Shawnee Heights' boys rallied to take a 70-65 United Kansas Conference road victory at Basehor-Linwood Friday night.
Shawnee Heights, a Class 5A state tournament team last season, cut its deficit to five points by halftime (30-25) and outscored the Bobcats 45-35 after halftime to pull out the victory.
Senior Jaret Sanchez scored 22 points to lead four double-figure scorers for Shawnee Heights, including 19 points in the second half.
Sanchez, who also grabbed six rebounds, hit two free throws with three seconds remaining to clinch the victory.
Senior Deacon Pomeroy scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Cam Ross added 16 points and Da’Quan Lee 10.
The T-Birds will play their home opener on Tuesday, hosting Piper in a rematch of last season's 5A state quarterfinal contest.
Sophomore KK Emmot led Shawnee Heights with 24 points in the T-Birds' 48-33 win over Basehor-Linwood Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Heights girls pull away down strech for 48-33 UKC win over Bobcats
Shawnee Heights and Basehor-Linwood's girls were locked in a one-point game at halftime and the T-Birds only led by three points at the start of the fourth quarter before dominating the final eight minutes to pull away for a 48-33 United Kansas Conference road win.
Heights led 9-8 at the end of the opening quarter, 18-17 at the half and 25-22 after three quarters before the T-Birds closed with a 23-11 fourth quarter to pull away for the 15-point decision.
Sophomore KK Emmot paced the T-Birds with 24 points, including four 3-pointers, and hit eight of nine free throws in the fourth quarter.
Heights senior Kaydence Torrez added eight points for Shawnee Heights, including seven in the fourth quarter.
The T-Birds will be home Tuesday to host Piper in a UKC contest.
West opens Ulsaker era with 22-point rout
Christian Ulsaker made his successful debut as Topeka West's head boys coach Friday night, with the Chargers rolling to a 66-44 United Kansas Conference road win at De Soto.
Topeka West led by five points (20-15) at the end of the opening quarter and took control with a 19-5 second quarter to open up a 39-20 halftime advantage.
The Chargers followed that up with a 24-13 third quarter to boost its lead to 30 points and cruised the rest of the way.
Junior Malakyah Duncan led a balanced West attack with 14 points while junior Kaimani Paul added 13 points, senior Ja'Vian Chambers 13 and Jalen Foy nine.
West will return to action next Friday, hosting Seaman in a UKC game.
De Soto's girls took a 70-32 win over Topeka West to earn a split on the night.
Rural boys open season with 18-point road win
After struggling in the early going a year ago, Washburn Rural's boys got the 2024-2025 season off to a much better start, with the Junior Blues rolling to a 71-53 non-league road victory at Blue Valley Southwest.
Junior newcomer Simon Rowley led Rural with 21 points while senior Amare Jones added 14 points and senior Kaden Ballard 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Washburn Rural will compete in the Shawnee Mission East tourament next week, playing games Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Tahtionna Broils led Highland Park with 15 points and 11 rebounds in Friday's 42-29 win at Shawnee Mission West. [File photo/TSN]
Highland Park girls take 42-29 road win over Vikings
Tahtionna Broils scored 15 points, with 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the way as Highland Park took a 42-29 non-league season-opening road win at Shawnee Mission East.
Sophomore Pearmella Carter backed Broils with 12 points and nine boards for the Scots.
Highland Park set the tone for the night when it limited West to one point in the opening quarter.
Hayden boys fall to SM West in opener
Shawnee Mission West spoiled Dwayne Anthony's debut as Hayden's boys coach, with the Vikings taking a 59-44 non-league win over the Wildcats at West.
Hayden opened its basketball season just six days after completing its football season with a 36-19 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state title game.
The Wildcats and Vikings were tied 14-14 at the end of the first quarter but West took a 26-23 halftime lead and took control with a 19-5 third quarter. Hayden outscored West 16-14 in the fourth quarter but was unable to mount a serious charge.
Junior Kade Mitchell and senior Jacob Deister led Hayden with 10 points each while sophomore Mason Becker added eight points.
Hayden will compete in the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia next week, playing games on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Thursday
Topeka High boys fall 66-61 in OT at Wamego
Wamego outscored Topeka High 11-6 in overtime Thursday night to take a 66-61 home non-league win over the Trojans.
Wamego jumped out in front 19-12 in the first quarter but the Trojans used a 12-4 second quarter to take a 24-23 lead at the half.
Topeka High built a 41-37 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter but the Red Raiders outscored 18-14 over the final eight minutes of regulation to force overtime.
Juniors Elisha Guest and Jalen Aldridge led Topeka High with 17 points apiece while junior Octavian McFadden added 12 points.
Topeka High's girls also opened their season with a nailbiter, with the Trojans dropping a 48-44 decision to Wamego in Ron Slaymaker's debut as High's coach.
Both Trojan teams will compete in the De Soto tournament next week.
