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By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
It took some overtime heroics, but the Cair Paravel Latin boys kept their win streak – and their hopes to make the school’s first-ever state tournament appearance – alive Wednesday. The Lions edged Doniphan West 52-45 to advance to the Class 2A sub-state finals.
The Lions overcame illness, bumps and bruises and foul trouble, but they almost didn’t overcome an ugly first half that found them in a 20-14 hole.
Cair Paravel finally found its footing in the third period, but Doniphan West continued to trade blows with the home team. The Lions trailed 38-33 with one quarter left to extend the season.
Senior Caleb Cleverdon dropped a couple of big shots to help the Lions close the fourth-period gap. Missed free throws by the Mustangs opened the door, and the Lions tied the score at 42-42 in the final minute to send it to overtime.
Lucas Marichal, frequently the Lions’ top scorer, scored just three points in regulation and spent much of the game on the bench, weakened by a recent illness. But when the opportunity presented itself in overtime, the senior knew he had to step up.
“I’ve been fever-free since Monday, but I haven’t been full strength,” said Marichal, who missed school and practice on Tuesday and was held from the starting lineup Wednesday. “I’d been pretty low energy, pretty fatigued for most of the game.
“When I got subbed out in the fourth quarter with about two or three minutes left, I was like ‘Dang, is this really it? Is my season going to end with me on the bench being sick?’ ”
The Lions’ desperation increased when sophomore Caleb Hastert, the team’s leading scorer with 13, fouled out with 3:03 remaining in overtime. Marichal began finding creases in the Mustang defense and hit two driving floaters. He then hit two foul shots to give Cair Paravel a 48-44 lead.
“We just needed to score. It was, win the game and move on, or if we lose, you know, I never get to play basketball with these guys again,” Marichal said. “I realized that we needed to get some shots going. So, I just took it to the rim a couple of times and got some takes to go in. We figured it out because good teams find a way to win games.”
The Lions’ defense held Doniphan West to just four points in the fourth quarter and three in the overtime period, paving the way for the comeback.
“It’s technically March, so crazy things happen in March,” said Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer. “That was certainly not the way you want to start a game. But I’m proud of the grit they showed to finish it.”
Cair Paravel entered the game on an 18-game winning streak, seeded first in its eight-team bracket. Kueffer said the Lions might have been affected by the importance of the moment.
“I think jitters (bothered us), for certain,” Kueffer said. “I think (Doniphan West) is a good team. They hit shots, they pop you in the mouth and you’re kind of dizzy for a little bit. It felt like when we did hit shots, they responded really quickly. In the third quarter we tried to make a run there, then they’d respond with another three-pointer.
“I felt like we finally played like us in the fourth quarter. We started to pressure them a little bit. We felt like we could see the finish line. All right, probably better empty the gas tank now.”
Following Hastert’s 13 points was Cleverdon with 11 and Marichal with nine. Drew Fay and Blaine Durbin each contributed eight.
The Lions will travel to neutral-site Mission Valley Saturday to face St. Marys with a state tournament berth on the line. Cair Paravel has only reached the sub-state final round once previously, a heartbreaking 58-57 loss to Troy in 2022.
Kueffer reflected on the now 19-game win streak and the character required to win some of those close games.
“You’ve got to win when you play bad,” the third-year coach said. “And we certainly did that today. We played bad, but I was proud of the resilience that our captains showed.
“There have been a lot of one, two possession basketball games. So, I’m really proud of our senior class. There’s a lot of games we could have very easily lost. And so, you kind of start to develop that identity as seniors of, ‘Maybe we’re winners. If we’re winning close games, maybe we can be competitive. Maybe we can be winners.’ ”
CAIR PARAVEL BOYS 52, DONIPHAN WEST 45
Doniphan West 8 12 18 4 3 -- 45
Cair Paravel 8 6 19 9 10 -- 52
Doniphan West (13-12) – Ko. Peterson 5-9 0-0 11, Albers 2-3 0-4 4, Keller 0-5 0-0 0, Veach 4-14 0-0 12, Ke. Peterson 1-7 2-4 4, Shelton 5-10 0-0 14, Paolino 0-0 0-0 0, Harring 0-0 0-0 0. Totals17-48 2-8 45.
Cair Paravel (22-2) – Gossard 1-4 1-2 3, Hastert 5-14 0-0 13, Durbin 3-6 2-6 8, Cleverdon 4-7 0-0 11, Fay 3-9 2-4 8, Marichal 3-6 3-6 9. Totals 19-46 8-18 52.
3-point goals – Doniphan West 9 (Veach 4, Shelton 4, Ko. Peterson 1), Cair Paravel 6 (Hastert 3, Cleverdon 3). Total fouls – Doniphan West 18, Cair Paravel 12. Fouled out – Hastert. Technical fouls – Harring.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After eking out a pair of one-point regular-season wins over city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural, Topeka High coach Robbie Sanders knew his Trojans faced a tough task against the Junior Blues in Wednesday's Class 6A sub-state semifinal in The Dungeon.
Senior Bryson McComas shared team-high honors for Topeka High with 14 points in Wednesday's 57-50 sub-state win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High senior Elisha Guest had 13 points with four 3-pointers in Wednesday's 57-50 sub-state victory over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
But for the third time this season High was good enough to get the job done, taking a 57-50 victory to give the Trojans a three-game sweep over the Junior Blues by a total of just nine points.
"We gutted it out,'' Sanders said. "It was tough to beat those guys once, let alone three times.
"They're always so well-prepared and (John) Hoytal's such a physical presence and Cooper (Schmidt). It's just an interesting challenge that they give us, but I'm really proud of the way the guys handled it tonight.''
With the win No. 8 seed West seed Topeka High, now 13-11, is headed to a sub-state championship game Saturday at No. 1 seed Maize after winning only one game and failing to make into the 6A sub-state field in 2024-2025.
Washburn Rural, which finished the season 11-12, jumped out to a 5-0 advantage Wednesday, but Topeka High rallied to lead 18-13 by the end of the opening quarter.
The Trojans continued to fight off Washburn Rural in the second quarter en route to a 29-24 halftime advantage and led 40-35 at the end of the third stanza, ending the quarter with a 3-pointer from senior Ajalon Ross.
Topeka High got 13 points from senior Ajalon Ross in Wednesday's 57-50 Class 6A sub-state semifinal win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Ross's trey began a 9-0 run as the Trojans opened up their biggest lead of the night, 46-35, on two free throws from senior Jalen Aldridge with 5:31 remaining.
Topeka High eventually went up by 12 points (54-42) at the 2:03 mark on a free throw from junior Dae'Veon Campbell and the Junior Blues got no closer than the final margin the rest of the way.
Senior Bryson McComas led Topeka High with 14 points while senior Elisha Guest had 13 points with four 3-pointers and Ross also had 13 points, including a pair of traditional three-point plays and his 3-point basket.
"I didn't want my final game to be tonight,'' Ross said. "I wanted to go to practice tomorrow.''
"Ajalon's been through everything,'' Sanders said. "He had to wait his turn at Topeka West and he transferred over here. He started off really hot and he had some trials and tribulations but he never gave up.
"He shows up to work every day and he showed up when we needed it the most tonight.''
Senior John Hoytal scored a game-high 24 points in Wednesday's 57-50 Washburn Rural loss to Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hoytal, a senior, kept Washburn Rural in the hunt with a game-high 24 points, including a seven of eight performance at the free throw line.
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By NATHAN SWAFFAR
Topsports.news
WICHITA – Washburn Rural hadn’t seen an individual boys state bowling champion since Blake Massey rolled his way to a title back in 2018.
Washburn Rural senior Cody Spangler captured the Class 6A individual state championship by five pins with a 756 three-game series Wednesday in Wichita. [Photo by Selena Rivas Favela/Special to TSN]
That was until Wednesday.
With a three-game series of 756, Junior Blues senior Cody Spangler took home the Class 6A boys individual bowling title on Wednesday at Wichita’s Bowlero Northrock.
Spangler needed every bit of his score as he edged out Blue Valley North’s Eli Nathan by only five pins.
“It’s kind of surreal, I wasn’t expecting to do this,” Spangler said following his victory. “I’m kind of speechless right now.”
Spangler, who finished eighth at regionals, started his series off with a strong 245 in his first game. He rolled a slightly lower score of 223 in the second game.
The frustration was visible on Spangler, but he knew he needed to rebound in his final game.
“I was like, ‘I know I need to focus for my team, I still got a game to go and I just need to lock in,’ ” Spangler said. “I have a line and I really needed to keep the mentality of, I’ve got to get my team a score.' ”
Not only did Spangler come through for the Junior Blues, but his final game was the difference in the individual title race.
As the frames flew by, the pins continued to vacate an empty spot at the end of the lane as Spangler threw strike after strike.
After 10 straight strikes, the perfect game was in sight, but the streak came to an end on his 11th throw. But with a 288, it was just enough to squeeze by Nathan to claim the title.
With a 300 score in his career already, the choice between the perfect game and the state title was pretty easy for Spangler.
“I’m going to have to go with the state title,” Spangler said. “I’ve already got the 300 on my resume, you can’t get a lot of [state titles].”
“He’s worked hard,” Rural coach Jo Ricard said. “As a sophomore, he was down here by himself and did very well. He had some struggles last year and he’s come back, put it together again and held his own. Just to see him stay focused in on what he needs to do, to come through with what he got, that’s a big deal.”
Spangler’s effort spearheaded Rural’s second straight fifth-place team finish with 3,412 total pins, trailing behind fourth-place Olathe South (3,524), third-place Maize (3,623), second-place Derby (3,652) and team title winner Wichita Northwest (3,890).
Washburn Rural senior Zachary Hancock shot a 652 series to finish 21st in Wednesday's Class 6A state bowling tournament. [Photo by Selena Rivas Favela/Special to TSN]
Elsewhere in the individual standings, Rural senior Zachary Hancock came up just short of a medal in 21st place with a 652.
Junior Brecken Garrett (619) and senior Jackson Keller (611) also posted top-35 finishes.
Washburn Rural junior Megan Glinka finished second in the Class 6A state bowling tournament Wednesday with a 726 series, leading the Junior Blues to a second-place team finish. [Photo by Selena Rivas Favela/Special to TSN]
Glinka, Washburn Rural girls post runnerup finishes
It looked as if the Junior Blues might claim both the boys and girls Class 6A individual titles as the afternoon progressed. But for Rural, and especially junior Megan Glinka, the tiniest of margins was the difference.
Glinka’s 726 individual score came up just a pin shy of tying Mill Valley’s Layla Gonzalez at the top of the leaderboard, giving her the silver medal.
But Ginka’s strong individual performance went a long way toward the Junior Blues’ second-place team finish with a 3,318 total. Campus took home the team crown with a score of 3,420.
And like Spangler a few hours before, Glinka came up just shy of a perfect game.
After she rolled a 204 in her first game, she went on a roll in her second. As the strikes accumulated, it looked like the perfect game was inevitable, but in a similar fashion to Spangler again, she came up just short at the very end, finishing with a 288.
She finished it out with a 234 in the last game and looked to be well in contention for the title. However, that single pin made the difference as Gonzalez’s 727 was just enough to take home the crown.
“It’s about finding that pocket spot, that target where you need to be and just drilling it in there,” Ricard said of Ginka’s performance. “She’s grown and matured with that from year to year. That’s good for us even leading into next year, thinking ahead a little bit.”
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Senior Rylee Dick scored 23 points to reach the 1,500-point career milestone Tuesday night on the road as No. 9 Class 2A seed Rossville girls basketball topped No. 1 seed Kansas City Christian 71-49 in a sub-state semifinal.
Senior Rylee Dick reached the 1,500-point milestone Tuesday night in Rossville's 71-49 Class 2A sub-state win over No. 1 seed Kansas City Christian. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville junior Nora Burdiek backed Dick with 22 points while Bristol Miller added 16 points as the Bulldawgs improved to 13-10.
With Tuesday's win Rossville advanced to Friday's 7:30 p.m. sub-state championship game at Mission Valley to face No. 4 seed Maur Hill-Mt. Academy.
Silver Lake boys advance with 58-39 win over Sabetha
No. 2 Class 3A boys sub-state seed Silver Lake is a win away from making a return trip to the state tournament after 58-39 home win over Big East League rival Sabetha.
Now 18-6 on the season, Silver Lake advanced to a 7:30 p.m. sub-state championship game at Sabetha to face Perry-Lecompton, a 62-41 winner over Jefferson West.
The Eagles and Bluejays were tied 12-12 at the end of the first quarter and Silver Lake led by just a 20-18 margin at halftime.
Silver Lake opened up a 36-28 advantage by the end of the third quarter and doubled up Sabetha 22-11 over the final eight minutes to turn the game into a rout.
Junior Camden Kruger led Silver Lake with 18 points on six 3-pointers while senior Dayne Johnson added 15 points.
Scots drop 5A sub-state decision to KC-Washington
Kansas City-Washington took a 68-38 Class 5A sub-state semifinal win over Meadowlark Conference rival Highland Park Tuesday night on the Wildcats' home floor.
Washington improved to 16-8 on the season while Highland Park ended its season 7-17.
Washington advanced to a 6 p.m. sub-state final on Friday, hosting 14-10 Basehor-Linwood, a 63-47 win over Pittsburg.
Hayden girls advance to Friday final with forfeit win
Due to a shortage of available players, Atchison girls forfeited Tuesday's Class 4A sub-state game at Hayden.
With the forfeit win the Wildcats improved to 18-6 and will host Baldwin (11-13) at 6 p.m. Friday.
Baldwin upset Independence 48-38, with the Bulldogs falling to 18-5.
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By JUSTIN BURKHARDT
TopSports.news
The postseason is officially under way, and while Topeka High has been one of the hottest girls basketball teams in the state, the playoffs bring a new level of intensity where anything can happen.
Junior Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton scored 26 points to lead Topeka High to a 69-45 Class 6A sub-state win over Maize Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]
Sophomore Hailey Caryl scored 19 points for Topeka High in a Class 6A 69-45 sub-state win over Maize Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]
Ron Slaymaker's Trojans hosted Maize Tuesday in a Class 6A sub-state semifinal, and after a slow start, Topeka High took care of business, taking a 69-45 win.
Topeka High got off to a promising start when junior Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton knocked down a 3-pointer to open the scoring.
But the Eagles quickly responded with an 11-0 run to take an 11-3 lead, holding High scoreless for four minutes as the Trojans’ offense stalled.
Rayton helped spark life back into her squad by attacking the rim, drawing contact, and converting both free throws. She then forced a turnover and finished at the basket to cut the deficit to 11-7.
Despite the push, Maize held a 16-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Trojan senior Keimara Marshall made sure the momentum didn’t stay with the Eagles for long. She opened the second quarter with back-to-back steals, igniting an 11-0 High run.
Her first steal led to a breakaway layup, and the second turned into an assist to sophomore Hailey Caryl.
“Coach knew that we could play better than we were playing,” Caryl said. “But at the end of the the quarter, he just talked to us about how we just need to get our stuff together. Like, there's no reason we should be playing like this when this game is make it or break it. He just wanted to motivate us to get going.”
Marshall’s defensive energy fueled the comeback, giving the Trojans a 17-16 lead.
They kept building from there, finding Caryl for a layup before Rayton closed the half with five more points -- part of her game-high 26 -- to give High a 28-21 advantage at halftime.
“We changed our defense to be a little more aggressive and then things just started to roll,” Slaymaker said. “We got some loose balls and it was from the runouts and shots that go in -- and bingo. That’s why basketball is a really interesting game.”
The Trojans carried that momentum into the third quarter.
Senior Sasha Gotru got involved offensively, and Rayton went on a personal 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 37-21. Sophomore Sophia Brown made a big impact inside, scoring four straight points to push the lead to 47-31.
High maintained control throughout the third quarter, taking a 53-38 lead into the fourth quarter.
