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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Topeka High sophomore point guard Bryson Thrasher had a huge 23-point night on Tuesday, leading the Trojans to a 69-56 home Centennial League win over Manhattan.
Thrasher canned four 3-point shots on the night while scoring 13 points in the first half and 10 in the second.
Trojan coach Ty Baumgardner believes that Tuesday's win was a good step for his team, whch has won two out of its last three games.
“Any win is a good win,” Baumgardner said. “Ever since we got back from Christmas break, we’ve been knocking on the door and have been right there. We haven’t been able to put it all together to get a win, but tonight was a good win.”
Topeka High coach Ty Baumgardner talks to his team during Tuesday's 69-56 Centennial League win over Manhattan. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Topeka High is a team comprised of three seniors, two juniors and 10 sophomores and freshmen.
Baumgardner acknowledges the youth of the team, but he doesn’t believe that youth should be a factor in wins or losses at this point of the season.
“We are a young, inexperienced team,” said Baumgardner. “We keep telling them that you aren’t young anymore. I know we are starting four sophomores, but they’re not sophomores anymore. At this point in the regular season, you can’t be making freshman or sophomore mistakes.”
Topeka High had three players score in double figures, with senior Germane Mays adding 16 points and sophomore Isaiah Lyons 14 for the Trojans.
The 21-point second quarter from High was the turning point of the game for the Trojans, who trailed by two points to end the first quarter.
“To be quite honest, the second quarter has been our demise,” said Baumgardner. “This second quarter was really good to see. I thought we played with a lot of poise throughout that second quarter.”
It wasn’t just the second quarter that was friendly to the Trojans, all four were. The 69 total points scored Tuesday were a season-high for Topeka High. It was the best scoring night that the Trojans have seen since they scored 70 points against St. Marys back on Jan. 24th, 2020.
While the win was nice, Baumgardner believes that the team has a lot to work on before Friday night’s Centennial League contest with Emporia.
“We still have a lot to work on, there is no question about that,” said Baumgardner, an Emporia High grad. “Friday is the Dean Smith game and that is a pretty big and meaningful game for both schools. (Emporia) won it last year, so they will bring the trophy up here, and I hope they don’t take it back with them.
TOPEKA HIGH BOYS 69, MANHATTAN 56
Manhattan 15 13 17 11 – 56
Topeka High 13 21 18 17 – 69
Topeka High (3-11, 3-7) – Thrasher 8 3-4 23, Mays 6 4-4 16, Lyons 2 8-8 14, Flenoy 3 1-3 7, Canady 3 1-3 7, Cameron 1(0-1 2.
Manhattan (3-10, 2-7) – Wilson 5 0-0 12, Brown 5 1-2 12, Perkins 3 1-2 10, Coonrod 3 0-0 7, Elumugo 3 0-1 6, DeLurt 2 0-0 4, Holloway 0 3-4 3, Schartz 1 0-0 2.
3-point goals -- Topeka High 6 (Thrasher 4, Lyons 2), Manhattan 7 (Perkins 3, Wilson 2, Brown, Coonrod). Total Fouls: Topeka High 10, Manhattan 18.
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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
The inability to convert shots in the second half haunted the Hayden girls basketball team in the Tuesday night, as the Wildcats dropped a home 48-33 Centennial League decision to Emporia.
“I thought we played hard,” Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. “I thought our defensive effort was good. We made (Gracie) Gilpin work hard for her shots.
"I think that we lost to a great player and a great team.”
Both Emporia and Hayden were coming off of mid-season tournaments, with the Lady Spartans, who are ranked No. 3 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, winning the Glaciers Edge Invitational and the Lady Wildcats finishing as the runner ups in the Top Gun Invitational.
Despite coming off of a busy tournament week, Reynoldson didn't believe that his team waa suffering from any fatigue.
“I don’t think that we are fatigued at all,” said Reynoldson. “I think our girls are pretty fresh. They love each other and work for each other. They will always fight.”
Freshman Brylee Meier led Hayden with 12 points in Tuesday's 48-33 Centennial League loss to Emporia. [File photo/TSN]
The amount of converted 3-point shots was the difference for Emporia, with the Spartans nailing eight treys on the night.
“Three’s are something we work on quite a bit,” Emporia coach Carolyn Dorsey said. “I think (the team) is playing well. I think they’re understanding their roles. We have enough kids that are buying in to what we are trying to do here.”
Gilpin created numerous problems for Hayden, mostly beyond the arc, with the Spartan senior standout hitting five 3-point shots and finishing with 19 points.
“Gracie works at shooting all the time,” said Dorsey. “She’s been playing extremely well for us this season and she did a good job tonight.”
Emporia’s Rebecca Snyder had her way against Hayden in the first quarter. The 6-foot junior had eight points and was a problem for Hayden’s defense down on the low block.
Snyder, who would go on to have 10 points in the contest, also recorded 13 rebounds. Tuesday night’s double double was her fourth of the year.
Emporia’s defensive pressure was a big problem for Hayden to overcome in the second half, with the Wildcats scoring just 12 total second-half points.
Brylee Meier continued her solid freshman year season, leading the Wildcats with 12 points Tuesday night while senior Macy Smith added 11 and senior Carly Stuke seven.
Dorsey admitted that this is a tough week for her Spartans, who will face undefeated Topeka High on Friday.
I was nervous,'' Dorsey said. "(Hayden) is a tough place to play. (Reynoldson’s) kids play hard, they’re intelligent, and (Hayden) is a good team. I think (Topeka High) is playing better than they did when they beat us the first time. Kiki (Smith) is hard to guard, (Tae) Thomas is so athletic and (Topeka High) forces a lot of problems.''
Hayden also faces a tough challenge Friday night, playing at No. 3-ranked Washburn Rural.
EMPORIA GIRLS 48, HAYDEN 33
Emporia 16 11 13 8 – 48
Hayden 10 11 7 5 – 33
Emporia High (11-3, 7-3) – Gilpin 7 0-0 19, Snyder 4 2-6 10, Kirmer 2 1-2 6, Shivley 2 0-0 5, Peak 1 1-2 3, Stewart 1 0-0 3, Baker 1 (0-1) 2.
Hayden (7-5, 5-4) – Meier 4 2-4 12, Smith 4 3-5 11, Stuke 1 4-6 7, Greco 0 2-2 2, Grunert 0 1-2 1.
3-point goals – Emporia 8 (Gilpin 5, Kirmer, Shivley, Stewart), Hayden 3 (Meier 2, Stuke). Total fouls – Emporia 16, Hayden 9.
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By RICK PETERSON
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Seaman struggled through much of Tuesday night's Centennial League girls contest against Manhattan, with the game going down to the final possession.
But the Vikings got the job done, hanging on for a 49-46 win in a makeup contest at Seaman as freshman Anna Becker led the way with a career-high 26 points.
Freshman Anna Becker scored a career-high 26 points as Seaman held off Manhattan for a 49-46 Centennial League win Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
"Sometimes you just have to find a way to win,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "We have a young team and I told the girls after the game that we needed a grind-it-out, see-how-tough-you-are kind of game.
"This was a good step for us. Tough teams win games and credit Manhattan. They didn't quit and they had some girls hit some big shots late.''
Seaman, which improved to 9-4 overall and 7-3 in the league, never trailed after taking a 16-15 lead with about five minutes left in the opening half, but Manhattan (4-9, 3-6) refused to go away.
The Vikings led 28-21 at the half and by 10 points twice in the third quarter, but Manhattan cut its deficit to six at the start of the fourth quarter and fought back from nine points down in the fourth quarter to get within two points (48-46) with 23.3 seconds remaining.
Seaman sophomore Tayln Stallbaumer hit one of two free throws with 15.6 seconds left to account or the final margin as the Vikings survived the Manhattan upset bid despite missing some key free throws late (12 of 22 for the game).
"Usually we're a pretty good free throw team down the stretch and I think we were one of eight maybe at the line,'' Tinsley said. "But it's good for us to be in that situation and still come out with a win when I feel we didn't play our best.''
Becker scored 12 points in the first half and 14 after the break to power Seaman's offense as the Vikings' lone double-figure scorer.
Junior Jaycee Schumann added eight points off the bench for Seaman.
Senior Grace Dixon led Manhattan with 14 points while sophomore Maxine Doering added 11.
Seaman will be back at home Friday to host Highland Park in a Centennial League contest.
SEAMAN GIRLS 49, MANHATTAN 46
Manhattan 10 11 12 13 -- 46
Seaman 10 18 11 10 -- 49
Manhattan (4-9, 3-6) – Yates 1-4 2-3 4, Larson 1-4 1-2 3, Doering 3-5 4-4 11, Ruliffson 2-5 1-3 5, Dixon 6-8 2-4 14, Ingram 2-3 0-0 6, Sa. Salmans 0-1 0-0 0, So. Salmans 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 16-32 10-16 46.
Seaman (9-4, 7-3) – Anderson 0-0 0-0 0, Stallbaumer 2-4 1-2 5, Becker 8-12 9-12 26, Gormley 1-2 0-1 2, Mills 1-3 0-0 2, Schumann 3-7 2-2 8, Esser 3-3 0-5 6, Smith 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-31 12-22 49.
3-point goals – Manhattan 4 (Ingram 2, Doering, Sophia Salmans), Seaman 1 (Becker). Total fouls – Manhattan 21, Seaman 15. Fouled out – Doering, Ruliffson.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
MANHATTAN (4-8, 3-5) at SEAMAN (8-4, 6-3)
Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer was named to the Capital City Classic all-tournament team after helping lead Seaman to a third-place finish. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman is coming off a third-place finish in last week's Capital City Classic, taking sandwiching wins over Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission East around semifinal loss to Wichita Heights. The Vikings closed out their tournament appearance with a 61-32 win over SM East on Saturday. Viking sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer was named to the all-tournament team. Manhattan is coming off a 69-59 loss to Clearwater.
EMPORIA (10-3, 6-3) at HAYDEN (7-4, 5-3)
Emporia won its Glacier's Edge Invitational title last week while Hayden finished second in the Top Gun Invitational at Wellsville. Emporia closed out its tournament championship with a 64-35 win over Great Bend on Saturday while Hayden dropped a 55-47 decision to state-ranked Spring Hill (5A) in the Top Gun final. Sophomore Lauren Sandstrom led Hayden with 14 points against Spring Hill while senior Carly Stuke added 13 points and senior Macy Smith 12 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (6-5) at TONGANOXIE (5-7)
Shawnee Heights finished 1-2 in last week's Glacier's Edge Invitational at Emporia, posting a 52-39 win over Wichita South on Saturday. Tonganoxie has won three straight games, including a 37-33 win over Piper on Friday. Shawnee Heights was ranked No. 9 in Class 5A in last week's Kansas Basketball Coaches Association state rankings.
![Topeka High's girls are 12-0 on the season after winning last week's Capital City Classic with a 65-57 win over Wichita Heights. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]](/images/aa-images/THighjube_1.jpg)
Topeka High's girls are 12-0 on the season after winning last week's Capital City Classic with a 65-57 win over Wichita Heights. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH (12-0, 9-0) at JUNCTION CITY (2-9, 2-6)
Topeka High won the Capital City Classic on its home floor Saturday, with the Trojans taking a 65-57 win over Wichita Heights in the tournament championship game. Topeka High junior Kiki Smith and senior Tae Thomas were both hamed to the all-tournament team. Smith scored 20 points and Thomas 19 in the championship game to cap the Trojans' 3-0 week.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (6-6) at KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN (2-10 )
Cair Paravel Latin has won four of its last five games, including two straight. The Lions are coming off a 36-27 road victory over Maranatha Academy on Friday. Senior Jaley Barkley scored 20 points to lead the Lions.
SILVER LAKE (11-1) at OSAGE CITY (6-8)
Silver Lake improved to 11-1 with a 51-13 road win at Sabetha while Osage City is coming off a 46-40 loss to Santa Fe Trail. Junior Taylor Ross led Silver Lake with 15 points against Sabetha while sophomore sophomore Makenzie McDaniel had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
ROSSVILLE (7-6)) at ST. MARYS (5-7)
Rossville won the tournament championship in the Jefferson County North Invitational, including a 57-41 win over the host team in the championship game. St. Marys is coming off a 53-51 overtime loss to Atchison County. Senior Caylee Douglas led the Bulldawgs with 14 points against Jefferson County North while sophomore Kinley Porter added 13 points with three 3-pointers and sophomore Kinsey Perine had 12 points with a pair of 3s. Sophomore Emma Mitchell scored eight points Saturday and was named to the all-tournament team along with Perine.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TOPEKA WEST (12-1, 8-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (6-6, 5-3)
Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks has scored 30 or more points in five straight games and became West's career-leading scorer in last Friday's 74-58 win over Seaman. [File photo/TSN
Topeka West avenged its only loss of the season on Friday, taking a 74-58 win over Seaman, as the Chargers protected their share of the Centennial League lead with their 11th straight win. Senior Elijah Brooks scored 33 points, his fifth straight game of at least 30 points, and Brooks became West's career scoring leader. Washburn Rural played a rare Saturday night Centennial League game, evening its record with a 51-45 league win at Emporia.
JUNCTION CITY (9-3, 6-2) at SEAMAN (7-5, 6-3)
Seaman will try to bounce back from Friday's 74-58 loss at Topeka West, but faces a tough test against the Blue Jays, who are coming off a 77-57 home Centennial League win over Topeka High. The Blue Jays took an 80-63 win over the Vikings in the season-opener. Senior Gavin Wilhelm paced Seaman with 14 points against Topeka West while senior Mateo Hyman and juniors Kaeden Bonner and Aron Davis added 10 points apiece.
MANHATTAN (3-9, 2-6) at TOPEKA HIGH (2-11, 2-7)
Topeka High picked up its second win earlier in the week (53-49 over Hayden in overtime) before falling 77-57 at Junction City Friday night in a Centennial League contest. Manhattan is coming off a 70-34 league loss to Seaman last Tuesday.
Highland Park senior Juan'Tario Roberts scored the game-winning basket in the Scots' 62-60 win at Hayden last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
HIGHLAND PARK (11-2, 8-1) at EMPORIA (2-10, 1-8)
Juan'Tario Roberts scored the game-winning basket with five seconds remaining to take a 62-60 win at Hayden Friday night while Emporia is coming off a 51-45 league loss to Washburn Rural on Saturday. Junior Tre Richardson scored 19 points for Highland Park against Hayden while junior Ketraleus Aldridge scored 15 points, junior Jahmir Kingcannon 13 and Roberts 12. Parker Leeds scored 18 points and River Peters 16 for the Spartans in the loss to Washburn Rural.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (9-2) at TONGANOXIE (8-5)
Shawnee Heights has been off since dropping a 71-34 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest in the championship game of the Vikings Classic on Jan. 22. Tonganoxie took a 63-60 win over Olathe Heritage Christian Academy last Tuesday. Senior Carter Olson led Shawnee Heights with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Shawnee Mission Northwest while senior Jarin Sanders also scored 10 points.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (9-3) at KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN (8-4)
Cair Paravel Latin is coming off a 74-63 road win over Maranatha Academy last Friday night. Senior Noah Hastert scored 26 points and grabbed 24 rebounds for the Lions against Maranatha while senior Zach Clark added 21 points and had 11 rebounds.
SILVER LAKE (5-7) at OSAGE CITY (13-1)
Silver Lake is coming off a 49-40 loss to Sabetha on Friday while Osage City took a 70-37 victory over Santa Fe Trail. Kamryn Kaniper scored 15 points and Troy Heiman for the Eagles in the loss to Sabetha.
ROSSVILLE (2-11) at ST. MARYS (9-3)
Rossville went 1-2 in the Oskaloosa tournament, ending the tournament with a 45-33 loss to Jefferson County North. St. Marys went 1-2 in the Topeka Invitational Tournament against Class 6A and 5A competition, posting a win over Topeka High before dropping games to tournament champion Topeka West and Highland Park.
