By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
In a rematch of a mid-December romp, Topeka High repeated its success against Manhattan with a 62-45 decision in a Centennial League bout Friday night at High.
Topeka High senior guard Kiki Smith recorded yet another 20-plus point performance with 25 points against the Lady Indians.
Senior Kiki Smith fires a 3-point shot in Topeka High's 62-45 Centennial League win over Manhattan Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High coach Brittney Redmond said it best after another standout performance, "Kiki is going to be Kiki."
"Personally, I don't think I had the best game," Smith said. "I think what worked best for me is my teammates motivating me, the coaches kept motivating me, and everyone did a good job of keeping me going. Their support pushed me through this whole game.
"I know my goals and what I want to accomplish individually and help accomplish for the team. Thinking about how things have ended the last three years, coming up short for a state title, keeps me motivated and pushes me to where I want to be."
Smith's jaw-dropping nights on the hardwood seemingly occur each game. Smith couldn't be touched when she was driving in the paint or firing quick, effortless jump shots.
"I really don't know what to say other than Kiki is going to be Kiki," Redmond said. "She's going to be our most consistent player. We know that consistency will be there for us every game."
In typical Redmond fashion, she wasn't delighted with the team's performance, even in a convincing 17-point victory.
"It was an ugly win," Redmond said. "What's been a trend for us is that every home game, we struggle. That's just what happens when you put us on the road for all of December. It is on our home court, and we struggle, but we always find a way to win. It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't what I liked, but we won, so I'm happy."
Topeka High (13-3, 4-2) had no problem defending Manhattan (6-10, 2-4) early. In the Lady Trojans' opening 9-2 run in the first quarter. Junior guard Ladaysha Baird led the way with five points.
The defense held the Lady Indians to one or 10 shooting from the field in Topeka High's quarter-opening 9-2 run.
Freshman Keimara Marshall has notably led the Lady Trojans on the defensive front. Marshall has already guarded the state's toughest players one-on-one as a freshman. Marshall stood out in the first quarter and throughout the contest.
"(Marshall) has stepped up and helped us out a lot," Smith said. "Going up against the best in practice has really helped (Marshall). (Marshall) guards me a lot in practice, and I work her. I don't give her anything easy. Just by pushing (Marshall) and making things uncomfortable has really helped us out a lot."
Smith, Baird, senior Faith Shields and senior Adisyn Caryl also immediately stepped up and played stellar defense.
Manhattan had the hot hand later in the first quarter to decrease its deficit to 14-9 to end the quarter.
Topeka High went from a man-to-man defense to a zone defense in the second quarter. However, Manhattan outscored Topeka High 14-13 in the second period, and Redmond was ready to adjust.
"I think we really locked in on the defensive end in the second (half)," Redmond said. "We switched to zone (defense), and that slowed them down a bit. We picked our intensity up in the second half going back to man (defense). We had to switch up our defense until we found out what worked best for us, and that's okay; it got us the win."
Topeka High held Manhattan to seven of 28 shooting from the field in the first half, which was noteworthy, with the Lady Trojans potentially making more defensive-friendly adjustments during the halftime break.
Topeka High came out flying around in the third quarter. The Lady Trojans kept Manhattan at bay with a 12-2 run in the first 3:53 of the quarter. Topeka High forced turnovers and took advantage of its earned opportunities.
The Lady Trojans were able to coast in the fourth quarter and finish its battle with a 62-45 victory at home.
Topeka High will travel to Emporia (13-3, 4-2) on Friday night for another Centennial League matchup.
"Going into this next game on Friday, we have to win," Redmond said. "We can't drop this game, and it's must-win for us to contend for the Centennial League title. So I hope that lights a fire under them."
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 62, MANHATTAN 45.
Topeka High 14 13 15 20 – 62
Manhattan 9 14 7 15 – 45
Topeka High (13-3, 4-2) – Baird 4-9 1-2 11, Marshall 2-8 0-0 4, Caryl 2-3 1-6 5, Shields 3-3 0-2 9, Smith 7-19 9-9 25, Sharpe 1-4 0-2 2, Benning 2-7 0-2 4, Verser 1-1 0-0 2. Totals – 22-54 11-23 62.
Manhattan (6-10, 2-4) – Yates 3-9 8-10 15, Larson 4-9 2-2 11, Doering 1-6 0-0 2, Ruliffson 2-5 3-6 7, Chauncey 2-7 1-2 5, Ball 2-7 0-0 5, Ingram 0-2 0-0 0. Totals – 14-45 14-20 45.
3-point goals – Topeka High 7 (Shields 3, Smith 2, Baird 2), Manhattan 3 (Yates, Larson, Ball). Total fouls – Topeka High 16, Manhattan 16. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls – Topeka High assistant coach (2), ejected.
