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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Olathe West outscored Washburn Rural's boys 35-15 in the middle two quarters to take control in a 62-49 first-round win Monday in the Basehor-Linwood Invitational.
Washburn Rural, which fell to 5-2, led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter, but the 5-3 Owls outscored the Junior Blues 19-7 in the second quarter to take a 32-21 halftime lead and boosted their lead to 48-29 with a 16-8 third quarter.
Senior Jack Hutchinson led Washburn Rural with 11 points, including 3 3-pointers, while senior Joe Berry added 9 points.
Senior Carter Lightsinn scored a game-high 21 points for Olathe West while senior Aidan Sturdivan added 10 points.
Washburn Rural will play a 3:30 p.m. consolation game Wednesday.
MAIZE SOUTH BOYS 52, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 29
Shawnee Heights was still in the hunrt against Maize South through three quarters, trailing 28-22, but the Mavericks outscored the T-Birds 24-7 over the final eight minutes to take a 52-29 McPherson Invitational victory.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
As Cheryl Gleason begins her final stretch as Assistant Executive Director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, she can’t help but savor the exceptional experience the last 31-plus years has been.
“It’s been a good ride, it really has,’’ Gleason said. “It’s been a wonderful journey.’’
Gleason, who joined the KSHSAA staff on Nov. 1, 1989, will retire on July 1 after serving 45 years in the state as a teacher, coach and administrator.
Cheryl Gleason
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rylee Murray had little to no interest in girls wrestling a year ago when the Kansas State High School Activities Association made it an official sport.
Now Murray can’t imagine not wrestling.
Seaman ended up with zero girls wrestlers for the 2019-20 season, but as Viking coach Patrick Kelly, his staff and athletic director Steve Bushnell continued their recruiting efforts, there was a gradual change of heart, with 21 Vikings making up the girls roster this winter.
Murray is one of those that took the plunge and is sure glad she did, particularly after a history-making performance in Friday’s Centennial League meet at Seaman.
“The coaches just pushed us girls to do it and just the people I’d be with, I knew it would be fun, so that’s why I decided to go out,’’ Murray said. “The coaches and girls have made it so fun.’’
Seaman junior 115-pounder Rylee Murray stands on top of the victory stand after winning a Centennial League wrestling title last Friday at Seaman. [Photograph by Rick Peterson]
And as Murray, who also plays softball, waded into her new sport, she discovered she was pretty good at it.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University guard Levi Braun is a walking, talking, shooting testament to how valuable a redshirt year can be for a college athlete.
And while it was probably hard at times for the former Hayden basketball star to sit and watch last season while his Washburn teammates played games, Braun knows that year helped prepare him to make the major contribution he has for the 10-1 No. 8-ranked Ichabods this winter.
"It helped a ton,'' said the 6-foot-4 guard, who helped Hayden win a state championship in 2018. "I dedicated my time to the weight room, to class and just practice and learning and developing.
"I would suggest that to more incoming freshman, not just for basketball, for any sport, just because college is hard, especially at a program like this. You’ve got to be special to come in and make a difference right away. It takes time.''
Hayden product Levi Braun has hit 26 3-pointers and is shooting 54.2 percent from outside the arc for 10-1 Washburn. [Photograph courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
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TopSports.news
The No. 8-ranked Washburn men outscored visiting Pittsburg State 51-31 in the second half to pull away for an 84-62 MIAA victory over Pittsburg State Saturday at Lee Arena.
Washburn, which improved to 10-1 overall and in the MIAA, led by just a 33-31 margin at halftime before dominating things after the break.
“Basketball’s funny sometimes,’’ Washburn coach Brett Ballard told KTPK radio. “I don’t know that we played all that much different in the second half. Obviously, we played better.
“I thought we got some really good looks in the first half that didn’t go. Offensively, (the second half) I think we kind of got in a flow and I just love that our guys are staying aggressive.''
Tyler Geiman
