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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Anna Becker’s 18-point second half was the key component of Seaman’s 47-41 home Centennial League victory over Emporia Friday night.
Becker, who finished with a game-high 20 points, put herself in multiple situations to be free-throw line-bound in the second half tne the freshman standout went a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe.
Seaman Anna Becker, who scored a game-high 20 points, goes up for a shot in the Vikings' 47-41 Centennial League win over Emporia Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“We spent a lot of time on our free throws yesterday,” Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. “We had a drill where we would shoot free throws for five minutes straight. We did that drill twice. You can shorten the game by being confident stepping up to the line.”
Emporia found itself in many situations where the Spartans were just a basket away from taking a lead. But whenever the Spartans would make a shot, Seaman would answer right back nearly every time.
“Emporia is so tough,” Tinsley said. “That Emporia team is so well-coached. Their program mirrors our program in the toughness aspect. We played them 12 times in the last four years. They knew what we were going to do and we knew what they were going to do.
“It makes these games that much tougher.”
While Friday night’s contest final score ended up with 88 combined points, the two teams would only muster five points apiece before the first quarter ended.
Seaman would capitalize on the break before the second quarter started.
Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer scored 14 points in Friday' 47-41 Seaman win over Emporia. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer, who finished with 14 points, would hit two quick corner 3-point shots and Emporia called a time out before the momentum rode with the Lady Vikings.
“Things were working well for all of us in the (second) quarter,” Stallbaumer said. “Our shots weren’t falling as fast as we wanted them to, but when the shots did fall, it gave us more confidence as the game went on.”
While Seaman’s second quarter was much improved from the first, Emporia’s shots wouldn’t fall. Emporia recorded five points again in the second quarter.
Gracie Gilpin was responsible for the Lady Spartans' entire offensive production in the first half. The senior had all of the Lady Spartans' first-half points with 10.
Coming out of the halftime break, Emporia flipped the switch and got hot.
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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Silver Lake’s Taylor Ross and Makenzie McDaniel’s 31 combined points and interior defense gave Wabaunsee fits on Thursday night.
The post play from McDaniel and Ross played a large part in Silver Lake’s 47-36 victory on Thursday night as 6-foot-1 McDaniel and 5-11 Ross had the size mismatch that created a lot of opportunities for the Eagles.
“The offensive rebounds and second-chance points they provide us are huge,” Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter said.”They’ve been a big factor for us this season and will be a huge factor for us as the season goes on.”
Although Ross and McDaniel were excellent, the dominance from Silver Lake’s interior contributors didn’t affect Wabaunsee early in the contest.
For three quarters, the Lady Chargers had the No. 1-ranked team in Class 3A right where they wanted them.
It’s not very often a team holds Silver Lake to just six points before a quarter ends. Wabaunsee did just that in the first quarter on Thursday night.
Wabaunsee’s shot selection combined with their aggressive man-to-man defense was eye-opening as Silver Lake couldn’t find a way to get around the Lady Chargers’ defense early.
Wabaunsee went on a 15-6 run in the first quarter. The run was led by the production of sophomore center Kaci Meseke, who had eight of the 15 fifteen points and forced two Silver Lake turnovers.
“Early on, our success had a big part in our patience,” Wabaunsee coach Trevor Keller said. “We got some very good looks and knocked down our free throws when we had the opportunity. We really slowed (Silver Lake) down and I thought we did a really good job on capitalizing when we needed to.”
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
PARK CITY -- There's obviously still work to be done, but Washburn Rural did what it needed to do Friday to put itself in position to win a second straight Class 6A wrestling championship.
Washburn Rural put six wrestlers in the semifinals and three in the state finals en route to opening up a 113-92 lead over Olathe East, with Derby third at 91.5 going into the final day of the tournament on Saturday at Hartman Arena.
"We felt all year that we're the best team in 6A,'' first-year Washburn Rural coach Josh Hogan said. "We went out there last week in the (Wichita Southeast) regional and we had the top six teams in the regional so it was like a microcosm of state itself and we've got all the confidence and all the belief that our guys can get it done.''
Not everything went the Junior Blues' way, with two-time state champ Jacob Tangpricha and returning state champ Jonathan Morrison being knocked off in the semifinals.
But senior 182-pound Austin Fager made it to the state finals for the second straight season and will be joined in the championship round by freshman 106-pounder Easton Broxterman and 160-pound senior Aidan Boline.
"I feel good,'' Hogan said. "We started with 11 kids today and we've still got 11 kids wrestling tomorrow. We dropped three of our six semifinal matches and we want to win them all, but this is the best competition that 6A has to offer so everybody was bringing their best shot against us today.''
And Hogan feels like if Washburn Rural wrestles like it can on Saturday, the Junior Blues could be celebrating another state title.
"If we can over-perform that would be a joy, but if we just wrestle like we're capable of, we should be in a good spot.''
Washburn Rural freshman 106-pounder Easton Broxterman gains the upper hand over Lawrence's Andrew Honas on the way to a 13-0 major decision in Friday's Class 6A semifinals. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Broxterman, now 39-5, got the semifinal round off to a good start for the Junior Blues, advancing to the 106 final with a 13-0 major decision over Lawrence sophomore Andrew Honas.
Broxterman has put together a storied Kids Wrestling career, but Friday was his first appearance in a high school state tournament.
"It was a different atmostphere, a lot more older kids,'' Broxterman said. "I'm just a freshman coming in. I'm younger, and just trying to show that I can be just as good as them even when they can be like three years older than me.''
Broxterman said he handled his state tournament jitters better than we thought he would.
"I thought I would be a lot more nervous,'' Broxterman said. "I used to get really nervous, but today was a lot less than I thought it would be.''
Broxterman will face Junction City sophomore Ezekiel Witt (39-1) in the state championship match.
Senior Aidan Boline moves into position to get a pin in Friday's Class 6A 160-pound semifinal against Liberal senior Easton Zapien Friday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Boline (40-7) earned his shot at a state title with a pin at the 1:04 mark of the first peiod over Liberal senior Easton Zapien.
After losing in the semifinals a year ago, Boline set the goal to get a chance to wrestle for a title this time around.
"This is what I've been working with coach (Travis) McBurney all offseason for,'' Boline said. "He's poured his heart into me and I wanted to give everything right back.
"He's believed in me when I didn't believe in myself and I owe it to him. I just want to go get that title for him.''
Bodine has also had to overcome multiple serious injuries to earn his title shot.
"In October (of 2020) I was in my living room crying with my dad forehead to forehead because I had just fractured my arm and its great to see it come full circle and give him a huge hug after this win and let him know I've still got one more and I'm going to get it for him. This one's not just for McBurney or my parents. This one's for all of Rural and everything that they've helped me with because it takes a village to raise someone.''
Boline will take on Olathe East senior Nick Carlson (40-7) in the 160-pound championship match Saturday.
Washburn Rural senior Austin Fager (top) dominates his Class 6A 182-pound semifinal against Junction City's Cooper Bogenhagen on the way to a 15-0 technical fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN
Fager (42-2) said that making it to the finals a year ago en route to a runner-up finish helped him relax for Friday and just concentrate on what he needed to do.
Fager dominated his semifinal against Junction City sophomore Cooper Bogenhagen from the outset on the way to a 15-0 technical fall.
"For sure I was at a comfort level I don't think he was in, I could see it in his eyes,'' Fager said. "I was calm and collected. Last year I got all the jitters out and this year I came out and I was prepared.
"I didn't have any nerves going in. I know what I have on the table this year. I won to win state as a team and individually as well, but more as a team.''
Fager will square off with Campus senior Aidan Williams (27-10) in the 182 final.
Shawnee Heights junior Sean Wunder advanced to the 5A 195-pound semifinal, losing a 20-5 technical fall to Goddard senior Kaden Glass (39-4).
Glass is a two-time 5A state runner-up.
Seaman, Highland Park and Topeka High also have at least one wrestler advancing to Saturday's competition, which starts at 9 a.m.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Senior Zander Putthoff scored 17 points and hit five 3-pointers in Topeka West's 55-50 win over Highland Park on Tuesday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST (18-1, 14-1) at TOPEKA HIGH (4-15, 4-11)
Topeka West clinched its second straight Centennial League championship with a 55-50 win at Highland Park on Tuesday. The Chargers will be looking for their 18th straight win in the regular-season finale. Senior Zander Putthoff led West with 17 points and five 3-pointers in the Chargers' win over Highland Park while senior Elijah Brooks added 12 points. Topeka High was off Tuesday after dropping a 66-57 league game to Hayden last Friday.
Senior Juan'Tario Roberts scored 18 points to lead Highland Park in Tuesday's 55-50 loss to Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL (8-11, 7-8) at HIGHLAND PARK (15-4, 12-3)
Washburn Rural dropped a 53-40 Centennial League decision at Junction City on Tuesday while Highland Park dropped a 55-50 decision to Topeka West in a league showdown. Senior Juan'Tario Roberts led Highland Park with 18 points against Topeka West while juniors Bo Aldridge and Jahmir Kingcannon added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Junior Jack Bachelor led Washburn Rural with 13 points against Junction City.
EMPORIA (3-16, 2-13) at SEAMAN (12-7, 11-5)
Seaman ran its winning streak to five games with a 78-67 Centennial League win over Manhattan on Tuesday while Emporia dropped a 52-40 league decision to Hayden. Senior Ty Henry led Seaman with 25 points against Manhattan while seniors Mateo Hyman and Dreighton Griess added 18 and 12 points for the Vikings and junior Kaeden Bonner scored 11. Rivers Peters scored 12 points and Parker Leeds 11 for Emporia against Hayden.
Hayden senior Trent Duffey scored 16 points to tie teammate Joe Otting for game-high honors in the Wildcats' 52-40 win over Emporia Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
HAYDEN (6-13, 4-11) at MANHATTAN (7-12, 6-9)
Hayden continued its late-season turnaround with a 52-40 Centennial League win over Emporia while Manhattan dropped a 78-67 league decision to Seaman. Senior Trent Duffey and junior Joe Otting scored 16 points apiece to lead Hayden against Emporia while junior Jake Muller added 14 points.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (13-6, 5-4) at BASEHOR-LINWOOD (17-2, 9-0)
Shawnee Heights has more than doubled last season's six-victory total, with the T-Bird notching win No. 13 with a 62-43 United Kansas Conference win over Turner in a Wednesday makeup contest. Heights faces a tough test Friday against a Basehor-Linwood team which has clinched the UKC title and has won 14 straight games. The Bobcats are coming off an 80-49 win over Turner on Tuesday.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TOPEKA WEST (2-17, 2-13) at TOPEKA HIGH (17-2, 14-1)
Topeka High has already clinched a share of the Centennial League championship and can clinch the title outright with a win Friday. Topeka High is coming off a 59-53 non-league loss to perennial state power Bishop Miege while Topeka West is coming off a 47-36 league loss at Highland Park. Senior Tae Thomas led Topeka High with 17 points against Miege while junior Azaryah Duncan and sophomore Zoe Clark led Topeka West with 11 points each against Highland Park.
Highland Park senior Aisya Taylor scored a game-high 15 points in the Scots' 47-36 win over Topeka West Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Washburn Rural sophomore Zoe Canfield scored 19 points in the Junior Blues' 61-14 romp past Junction City on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL (17-2, 13-2) at HIGHLAND PARK (4-15, 2-13)
Washburn Rural is coming off a 61-14 Centennial League romp at Junction City while Highland Park has won back-to-back league games, including a 47-36 home win over Topeka West on Tuesday. Senior Aisya Taylor led Highland Park with 15 points against Topeka West while sophomore Victoria Reed and freshman Amelia Ramsey added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Zoe Canfield paced Washburn Rural against Junction City with 19 points.
EMPORIA (15-4, 11-4) at SEAMAN (14-5, 12-4)
Seaman, which has won four straight games and seven of its last eight, faces a tough battle in it regular-season finale, with the No. 6-ranked Vikings (Class 5A) facing off against No. 4-ranked Emporia (5A). Seaman is coming off a 47-40 Centennial League win over Manhattan while Emporia took a 39-21 league win over Hayden in its last game. Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer and freshman Anna Becker scored 21 and 15 points for Seaman against Manhattan. Gracie Gilpin scored 12 points to pace Emporia against Hayden.
TROY (8-12) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (11-7)
Cair Paravel is the first Shawnee County team to open postseason play, hosting Troy in a Class 1A Division I playoff opener. Cair Paravel wrapped up its regular season with a 45-24 win over Bishop Seabury and the Lions have won seven of their last eight games. Troy is coming off a 56-24 loss to Hanover.
HAYDEN (10-9, 7-8) at MANHATTAN (7-12, 6-9)
Both teams are coming off Centennial League losses, with Hayden dropping a 39-21 decision to Emporia and Manhattan falling to Seaman, 47-40. Hayden struggled on the offensive end against Emporia, with senior Macy Smith leading the Wildcats with six points.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (10-9, 4-5) at BASEHOR-LINWOOD (12-7, 7-2)
Both teams are coming off lopsided wins over Turner, with Basehor-Linwood taking a 57-8 United Kansas Conference win over the Bears on Tuesday and Shawnee Heights taking a 50-10 UKC win in a Wednesday makeup game.
