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By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
Washburn women’s basketball was in action Thursday evening at Lee Arena against Missouri Southern for Senior Night.
A slow offensive night would spoil the senior ceremonies as the Ichabods fell 55-50 to the Lions.
Even in the loss Washburn coach Ron McHenry still saw a lot of the characteristics that kept the team competitive after starting 1-7, with the senior class leading by example.
“It’s a great group,” McHenry said. “They are a solid group of people and players and really for however many years they have been here have put in a lot of time and effort into this year trying to get us back and competitive in the league.”
Washburn women's basketball honored its six seniors Thursday on Senior Night at Lee Arena, with the Ichabods dropping a 55-50 decision to Missouri Southern. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]
Hunter Bentley, one of six seniors honored on Senior Night, will end her Washburn career as the program's career leader in minutes and games played. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]
“It’s kind of crazy to think about how much I have grown as a player and a person. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, I mean, all of my teammates throughout the five years and coach Mac, Brette (Herber) and Erika (Yoder),” said senior Hunter Bentley. “It’s just been awesome to get to know them and to be able to be a part of this program.”
The contest was the last at Lee Arena for the team's six seniors headlined by Bentley, the programs all-time leader in minutes and games played.
“It might take awhile for me to have that set in. It’s crazy, there have been so many good players that have gone into this program so to be one of those it’s really awesome and I couldn’t have asked for anything more out of my career,” Bentley said.
“She looked tired tonight but that’s my fault, I run her through a lot of stuff and put a lot on her plate and she handles it well,” McHenry said. “She is just a really complete player and a player that is hard for me to get off the floor for five years.”
The loss moved Washburn to 13-14 on the year and the Ichabods sit in eighth place in the MIAA.
Defense dominated the first quarter, with each team shooting 33 percent from the floor. A 12-6 rebounding advantage for Missouri Southern provided extra opportunities that the Lions capitalized on to take a 14-11 lead after 10 minutes.
Washburn’s offense continued to stay cold in the second quarter, with a 3-pointer from Bentley at the 6:36 mark the first score for the Ichabods in the quarter, ending a 7-0 Southern run.
Even at a size disadvantage, Washburn’s defense against the Lions remained strong to close the quarter, holding them to just 16.7-percent shooting in the frame.
The Ichabods shot under 20 percent themselves but two 3-pointers in the quarter and preventing turnovers cut the deficit to just two points as Missouri Southern led 24-22 at half.
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By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
Washburn men’s basketball held ceremonies for its six seniors before its game against Missouri Southern on Thurssday night.
The celebration continued into the night as the Ichabods rattled off a fifth straight win, defeating the Lions, 81-69.
“These guys have won a lot of games, MIAA tournament championship, NCAA tournament games and a lot of games in their time here, so they should be proud,” said Washburn coach Brett Ballard. “I am even prouder of just the people that they are, and what they are going to represent leaving, out of Washburn.”
Washburn honored six players on Senior Night and posted an 81-69 MIAA win over Missouri Southern Thursday at Lee Arena. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]
Among the group of six were three former all-conference selections, Jonny Clausing, Jalen Lewis and two-time first-team member Tyler Geiman.
“Definitely blessed to be a part of it (the program), and just the guys I have been here with the last five years has been awesome. I wouldn’t trade it for anything and I would do it again if I got the chance tomorrow,'' Geiman said.
Those leaving are the first group to have spent their entire careers with Ballard, including Geiman who is the lone member to join Ballard at Washburn five seasons ago.
“He was my first recruit really, and we felt like we were getting a good player but you never know and, man has he been terrific. One of the all-time greats to ever play here and it’s been an honor to play and coach him,” Ballard said.
“I love coach Ballard and my teammates, it’s awesome to come out here in Lee Arena and play so I definitely enjoyed it,” Geiman said.
Thursday's win moved the Ichabods to 18-9 and keeps them at fifth place in the MIAA.
Both teams were slow out of the gate offensively, with neither side creating more than four points of separation through 10 minutes.
Washburn was able to create some separation once Geiman began scoring, quickly getting into double figures with six free throw attempts and a few jump shots on his way to 17 first-half points.
That production coupled with eight turnovers for Missouri Southern in the first 15 minutes created some separation, with the Ichabods going ahead by double digits at the 4:49 mark.
“I really like where our defense is at, I think we are guarding and challenging and not giving up any easy baskets,” Ballard said.
The Lions reeled off a 9-2 run to pull within three points with just over two minutes left in the half. Washburn quickly responded, with scores by Geiman and Lewis to take a 36-28 lead into halftime.
Much like the first half, after five minutes of back-and-forth play the Ichabods made a run, growing the lead to 13 points and forcing a timeout at the 13:22 mark after back-to-back baskets from Lewis and Clausing.
The lead grew to 15 over the next six minutes of play with balanced offensive production on all levels for Washburn.
Freshman Avery Taggart led the Lions in scoring with 23, and two free throws from him at the 6:01 mark cut the lead to just nine points.
The lead remained a point north or south of 10 until Geiman and sophomore guard Connor Deffebaugh connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Ichabods back up by 13 with just over two to play.
The lead only grew from there, up to as many as 18, and with a strong defensive effort to finish Washburn claimed the win.
“I still think we can shoot it a little better, which I think we will, but I like the rhythm we are in, got some momentum now and we got some big ones coming up,” Ballard said.
Tyler Geiman scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Washburn's 81-69 Senior Night win over Missouri Southern. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]
Geiman finished with 23 points and 8 rebounds, both pacing the team. Lewis added 18 points and seven rebounds. Deffebaugh and Clausing both finished in double figures with 15 and 11, respectively.
Washburn is now set up to face Emporia State to close the regular season on Saturday, and again in the first round of the MIAA tournament.
“It’s not ideal obviously but it is what it is. They are good and it will be tough,” Ballard said. “There will be a lot at stake because we got to win some games to get into the NCAA tournament.”
“We are healthy, practicing well and playing well,” Geiman said. “It’s time to go now, the train is rolling and let’s keep winning.”
Washburn’s first game against the Hornets will be on Saturday at White Auditorium.
WASHBURN MEN 81, MISSOURI SOUTHERN 69
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
As a returning state champion, Rossville sophomore Kendra Hurla admitted that she felt some pressure heading into and during Thursday's Class 4A-1A 120-pound state championship match.
But like she has throughout her still-young high school career, the Bulldawg star delievered, claiming her second straight state championship and capping an undefeated season with a 3-0 decision over Pratt's Jadyn Thompson at the Tony's Pizza Events Center.
Rossville sophomore Kendra Hurla has her hand raised as a two-time Class 4A-1A state champion after a 3-0 win over Pratt's Jadyn Thompson Thursday at Salina. [Submitted]
"I definitely felt the pressure, especially at certain points,” Hurla said. “But you can’t walk out onto a mat unless you’re head’s in the right spot, otherwise you aren’t winning that match.
"My brother (Layne), he helps a lot. He told me to walk out on that mat ready to kick someone's butt and I did."
Rossville sophomore Kendra Hurla (left) battles Pratt's Jadyn Thompson Thursday at Salina in the 120-pound 4A-1A state championship match. Hurla won her second straight title with a 3-0 decision. [Submitted]
Hurla, who capped a 39-0 season, got one of her toughest matches of the season from Thompson in a battle between the No. 1 and 2-ranked wrestlers in 4A-1A, but welcomed that challenge.
"I feel good about that match because I know I worked hard for that one,'' Hurla sad. "It came because I gave it my all and I deserved that match. Same with last year, too. It makes it feel so much better."
Thompson, a junior, lost for just the second time in 39 matches on the season.
Hurla reached the finals with three straight pins, winning in 1:27, 1:58 and 1:47.
Hurla's Rossville teammates, sophomore Keera Lacock (126) and junior Reagan Wonnell (143), both won matches in the state tournament but fell short of making it to the place matches.
Silver Lake freshman Ellen Doty (115) posted a pair of state wins while freshman Karley Holmes (109) and sophomore Hailey Horton (155) also won state matches, but none of the Eagles advanced to the place matches.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
PARK CITY -- Washburn Rural's two-year girls state wrestling title reign came to an end Thursday in the Class 6A-5A state tournament at Hartman Arena.
But the big smile that Junior Blues coach Damon Parker wore after his team was awarded the second-place trophy showed the immense pride that Parker feels for this year's Rural team.
Dodge City won the state title by a slim 118.5-111 margin over the Junior Blues, with junior state finalist Addison Broxterman leading five state medalists for Rural.
"With the way our girls wrestled this week, even if we finished fourth and didn't bring home something to put in the trophy case, I would have been ecstatic,'' Parker said. "There were absolutely incredible.
"We knew coming into this that we were the underdog and we knew that we would have to wrestle our tails off to finish first. We wrestled our tails off and we were close. We were in this thing until the very last match of the medal rounds, so we had an opportunity down the stretch and to even be in shooting range I really couldn't be more proud of this crew.''
Washburn Rural 120-pound junior Addison Broxterman exchanges a hug with Blue Valley Southwest's Hannah Glynn after Thursday's Class 6A-5A state championship match. Broxterman posted a state runner-up finish for the second straight season. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Broxterman, Washburn Rural's standout 120-pounder, finished second in the state tournament for the second straight season, but like Parker, she was proud of what she and the team accomplished.
"I kind of look at it as I've made it to the state finals two times,'' said Broxterman, who dropped an 11-1 major decision to Hannah Glynn of Blue Valley Southwest. "Honestly, winning the first three matches this year and then the first two matches last year at state, it's been a big accomplishment compared to my first year.
"I just look at it as a milestone that first place is something that I need to cross later on and I've got one more try.''
Broxterman was also proud of her team, which challenged for a third straight title despite graduating state champs Dajia Anderson and Rebekah Smith.
"I feel proud about our team getting second place,'' Broxterman said. "I don't see it as we didn't get first. I see it as we got second place.
"Honestly, this year has been the best year. We've gained a lot of freshmen that are going to come a long way and I have no doubt in my mind that later on we're going to take back our first place.''
The Junior Blues also got a third-place finish from junior Alexis Fredrickson (132 pounds), a fourth from sophomore Kristen Rezac (101), a fifth from senior Jailyn Johnson (155) and a sixth from freshman Annie Gallegos (126).
The Washburn Rural girls wrestling family poses for a picture with its Class 6A-5A second-place trophy Thursday at Hartman Arena. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman freshman Koti Best finished fourth at 132 pounds while Viking senior Rylee Murray finished fifth at 126 pounds.
Topeka West sophomore Trystan Johnson finished fifth at 235 pounds while Topeka High junior Marilena Zuniga finished sixth at 138 pounds.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
PARK CITY -- Shawnee Heights star senior wrestler Maranda Bell knew she had one last shot at a state championship and was determined to take full advantage of that opportunity.
Bell was the aggressor from the start in Thursday's Class 6A-5A 191-pound title match and needed just 1 minute, 3 seconds to make her championship dreams come through, recording a first-period pin over Derby sophomore Meya Howell to become Shawnee Heights' first official KSHSAA girls state champ.
"Maranda, when she wants to be aggressive, can be very aggressive on the mat and she made a decision she was out here to score points, that was all she wanted to do,'' Shawnee Heights coach Chad Parks said. "If the pin was there (she'd take it), but she was going to score points and it worked out.''
Shawnee Heights senior Maranda Bell hugs Derby's Meya Howell after Bell won the Class 6A-5A 191-pound state championship with a pin. Bell avenged a loss to Howell in the 2021 semifinals. [Submitted]
Bell won all four of her state matches by pin, recording pins in 13 seconds, 3:01 and 56 seconds to reach the final.
Making the title extra sweet was the fact that Bell, who capped a 27-1 season, was able to avenge a 2021 state semifinal loss to Howell, who finished this season 23-4.
"It was my last year to try and get the title and I was giving it all I had this year,'' said Bell, who finished third at state as a junior. "It meant a lot to me because sophomore year I got thrown out of regionals with my injury and last year I came out third and this year I just didn't let it control me.
"I think It was pure joy, especially to be the first Shawnee Heights girl to take a championship title.''
Bell said she tried not to think about Thursday's match being a championship match and just tried to concentrate on what she needed to do.
"I didn't look at it as like a championship match essentially,'' Bell said. "I just looked at it as another match and giving it 100 percent and leaving it all on the mat was more important to me.''
first
Shawnee Heights senior Maranda Bell not only became the T-Birds' first official girls state champion Thursday at Hartman Arena, but she is also Heights' first member of the girls 100-win club. [Submitted]
Parks has coached more than 10 state champions, but Bell is his first official state girls champ (Marissa Patterson won an unofficial state title) and the moment was special for the veteran coach.
"I'm still getting choked up and it's 30 minutes later,'' Parks said. "This is one of the most emotional and inspirational state champs for us.
"If people had any idea about her back story and all she's been through in her life, not just the injuries but other things, for her to stay dedicated and show up every single day and then finally achieve (the title) and see that pay off is so huge for her, and for our other girls.''
Bell was one of three Shawnee Heights state medalists, with junior 115-pounder Molly Busenitz taking fourth place and sophomore 109-pounder Odessa Schmidt finishing fifth.
