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By KEVIN HASKIN
TopSports.news
Musings at the mid-month:
- Count me among those who agree Kansas received a favorable draw as a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
- And, count me among those who contend it does not matter if an opponent happens to play out of its gourd and the Jayhawks look sluggish.
- Lots of KU firepower has come together at the right time.
- Namely Jalen Wilson throughout Big 12 play, Remy Martin in the Big 12 tournament and Mitch Lightfoot on the right mix of Metamucil and Aspercreme.
- Anyone know when Lightfoot will start collecting his state pension?
- I kid, but Lightfoot could be a factor in the NCAAs based on David McCormack’s sore foot.
- I’ve got Kentucky to win it all. Can’t get the Wildcats’ convincing performance in Allen Fieldhouse out of my gourd.
- Would much prefer to see KU win it. I’m holding a future bet on the Jayhawks at 18:1 odds.
- Get ready to hear a familiar excuse regarding how it’s all about matchups this time of year.
- For those who desire context, it’s all about how players and coaches capitalize on favorable matchups and negate unfavorable matchups.
- As I settle in to watch the dance card, I’ll continually bark at the screen about what constitutes a block/charge and/or traveling.
- If my wife is nearby, she’ll inform me, “I’m going to go craft.”
- Oh, the collection of beautiful wreaths I’ve inspired her to create.
- She ‘s among the fortunate souls who do not recognize Doug Sirmons.
- The odds of watching him ruin a game diminish in the NCAAs but I’m sure he’ll be whistling around some tourney site(s).
- March Madness is the best thing about college sports, yet the NCAA is heavily involved. Go figure.
- Nothing, it seems, could ever enable Bruce Weber to get KU and in particular Bill Self out of his head.
- Not even the extra insulation provided by a full head of hair Bruce is waiting to cut once any fallout strikes KU stemming from NCAA allegations.
- Doesn’t it seem like the FBI probe happened during the Eisenhower administration?
- If K-State’s next basketball coach focuses on what he can control, that will be a measure of progress.
- I would encourage K-State athletics to look into the parting shots Weber fired.
- Realize, though, that K-State gave Weber all the time he needed to get the program righted at the end.
- It was high time to make a move and try to unify the fan base.
- And yes, I fall into the camp that wonders if the next coach will fare better overall than Bruce.
- I agree with Brett Ballard that Tyler Geiman’s fine run at Washburn deserves his jersey be hung in the rafters.
- Another strong season too for Ballard and his Bods as they keep threatening for MIAA superiority.
- Ron McHenry, you did it the right way. Relish retirement.
- Thoroughly enjoyed watching Craig Cox expertly coach Seaman to its first state boys basketball championship.
- The Vikings played with crisp execution on offense and shredded each state opponent as an eighth seed.
- Their run included a decisive first-round win over Wichita Kapaun and someone I consider in the upper echelon among state coaches, Steve Eck.
- Also, the Washburn Rural girls showed hearty resolve in claiming the 6A crown.
- State hoops tournaments always elicit the old cries of too many classes, too many sites, the need for a shot clock, and the need for different classification standards for private schools.
- My refrain to lower the goal universally for women’s basketball will, I’m afraid, never be enacted.
- Yet no one can adequately tell me why women are prevented from showing off the athleticism, power, grace and glory that comes from playing above the rim.
- I’ve had college volleyball coaches tell me that hoops limitations help them recruit prospects into a sport that allows women to play above the net.
- Landon Arena and its 7,000-plus capacity sure sounds like a decent place to stage a state tourney.
- How about it Shawnee County? Want to get in the game and show off that Stormont Vail Events Center upgrade?
- Too bad the facility got yanked from the KSHSAA rotation a few years ago. Bad look.
- Cool move by the KSHSAA to bring back all-time women’s greats for state basketball trophy presentations in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
- If state politicians essentially agree the food tax in Kansas is outrageous, then do something about it already.
- Quit wasting time denying credit to a rival political party when people need credit to afford groceries.
- While you’re at it, legislators, assuming you’re at it at all, pass sports wagering.
- Began the futile exercise of garage clean-up the other day.
- Set out a tackle box and a tennis ball retriever that two sets of folks enjoyed getting for free.
- I happened to be in my driveway and found the conversation to be just as enjoyable.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
MASON CASEBEER, Washburn Rural
A junior, Casebeer teamed with Nick Luetje to earn a Class 6A state doubles medal last season with a 12th-place finish. Casebeer and Luetje placed second in the city tournament in No. 1 doubles, second in 6A regional competition and fifth in the Centennial League. Casebeer earned a spot on TopSports.news' 2021 All-Shawnee County team.
Topeka West junior Carter Cool won the city No. 1 singles title and a Class 5A regional championship last spring. [File photo/TSN]
CARTER COOL, Topeka West
The Topeka West junior claimed the city title in No. 1 singles last spring as well as a Class 5A regional singles championship in his first season of high school tennis. Cool also finished as the Centennial League singles runner-up and competed in the 5A state tournament, earning a spot on the TSN All-Shawnee County team.
Topeka West twin brothers Miles and Ian Cusick swept city, Centennial League and Class 5A regional doubles titles last season before finishing ninth at state. [File photo/TSN]
IAN CUSICK, Topeka West
A junior, Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to win the city title in No. 1 doubles as the Chargers captured the city team title. The Cusicks added Centennial League and Class 5A regional doubles titles before placing ninth in the 5A state tournament.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin seniors Zach Clark, Noah Hastert and Jaley Barkley have received first-team All-Kaw Valley Conference basketball honors.
Clark and Hastert were named to the all-conference boys first team while Barkley was a first-team girls pick.
Zach Clark
Noah Hastert
Jaley Barkley
Cair Paravel senior Lauren Drum was a second-team girls all-conference selection while sophomore Allison Schwarz received honorable mention.
On the boys side, Lion seniors Ethan Everhart and Carter Brian both received honorable mention.
ALL-KAW VALLEY CONFERENCE BASKETBALL
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks has been named the Centennial League boys basketball player of the year by league coaches after leading the Chargers to a second straight league championship.
Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks has been named the Centennial League boys basketball player of the year after leading the Chargers to a 21-2 record and a second straight league title. [File photo/TSN]
Brooks helped the Chargers post a 21-2 record and a second straight Class 5A state tournament berth, including a 20-game win streak.
Seaman senior Ty Henry has been named to the All-Centennial League first team by league coaches. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman senior Mateo Hyman (10), celebrating a Viking bucket in the Class 5A state tournament, has been named to the All-Centennial League first team. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Brooks is joined on the All-Centennial League first team by seniors Ty Henry and Mateo Hyman of 5A state champion Seaman, senior Juan'Tario Roberts and junior Bo Aldridge of 5A state qualifier Highland Park and Junction City senior Howard Johnson.
Highland Park senior Juan'Tario Roberts (23) earned a spot on the All-Centennial League first team after helping the Scots reach the Class 5A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]
Highland Park's Bo Aldridge was the lone junior to earn a spot on the All-Centennial League first team. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West coach Rick Bloomquist was named the Centennial League coach of the year while Seaman senior Gavin Wilhelm was named the league's newcomer of the year.
Hayden, which finished fourth in the 4A state tournament, put junior Joe Otting and senior Trent Duffey on the All-Centennial League second team along with Washburn Rural junior Jack Bachelor, Topeka West junior Sincere Austin, Seaman junior Kaeden Bonner and Highland Park junior Tre Richardson.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Myles Alonzo
MYLES ALONZO, Topeka West
A sophomore, Alonzo was the individual runner-up in the Centennial League tournament last spring as a freshman and earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Alonzo placed third in the city tournament with a 27-hole total of 124, finished second in the Centennial League tournament with a 76 and placed third in Class 5A regional competition with a 73. The Centennial League newcomer of the year, Alonzo finished his season with a tie for 38th in the 5A state tournament, posting a 36-hole score of 165.
Bryce Badsky
BRYCE BADSKY, Silver Lake
Badsky, a sophomore, was an individual state placer last spring as a freshman, taking 13th in the Class 3A state tournament, and earned first-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors. Badsky capped his freshman season with a 13th-place finish in the state tournament, shooting a 36-hole score of 161. Badsky took fifth in a 3A regional tournament with an 87, was the runner-up in the Mid-East League tournament with a 92 and was fourth in the Silver Lake Invitational with an 82.
