- Details
Topeka High's NiJaree Canady led the scoring against Wichita Heights with 21 points (Photo by Rex Wolf / TSN)
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
By now Topeka High's girls basketball team knows the way to Wichita's Koch Arena, a trip the Trojans will make for a third straight year later this week.
Now the complete focus for Hannah Alexanders team is on bringing home the prize they've coveted since 2019 -- a Class 6A state championship.
Topeka High finished second to city rival Washburn Rural in the '19 championship game and the Trojans were odds on favorites to win the championship a year ago when the tournament was canceled after the first round due to COVID-19.
Now the Trojans have put themselves back in position for a title run after advancing to Friday's state semifinals with an impressive 71-36 state quarterfinal romp past Wichita Heights Tuesday night at High.
"We had a great senior class last year and we have a great senior class this year, so I think the leadership is where it all has started and we want to make sure these girls don't leave empty-handed,'' Alexander said. "They've been been wanting this (a state title) for the last three years.''
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Ottawa High School football job appealed to former Topeka High coach Walt Alexander for several reasons.
For one thing, Ottawa is a convenient commute for Alexander from his home in Lawrence.
Ottawa, which approved Alexander as its new head coach Monday night, also gives the former highly-successful Trojan coach the opportunity to return to the role he's grown accustomed to over more than three decades -- running his own program.
"I like to set my own schedule, I like doing everything I like to do and when the Ottawa job came open, it was awesome,'' Alexander, 59, told TopSports.news Tuesday. "It's like 20 miles from Lawrence and Shawn Phillips is the (activities director) and Kelly Whittaker's the principal and they were great.
"They've got nice facilities, it's a one-school town and everybody's pulling for one team, which is kind of nice. There's just so many things I liked about it.''
Former highly-successful Topeka High football coach Walt Alexander has accepted the head coaching position at Ottawa High School. [Submitted]
- Details
TopSports.news
Junior Aubrie Kerscht and Salina Central's girls basketball team ended Seaman's season Monday night in the Class 5A state quarterfinals, with the Mustangs rolling to a 66-38 home victory.
Kierscht scored a career-high 34 points with six 3-pointers as Salina Central improved to 19-4 while Seaman ended its season 8-15.
Brooklyn Gormley came off the bench to lead Seaman with 11 points in Monday's 66-38 loss to Salina Central in Monday's 5A quarterfinal. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High's girls cleared a major hurdle with a 72-52 win over Washburn Rural in Saturday's Class 6A sub-state championship game at Topeka High.
But Trojan coach Hannah Alexander knows there's still major challenges ahead for her 21-1 team, beginning with Tuesday's 6 p.m. 6A quarterrfinal against 16-6 Wichita Heights at High.
The Falcons and Trojans were both in the 6A state tournament a year ago, with Heights dropping a 49-48 decision to Olathe East while Topeka High rolled to the semifinals with a 79-55 win over Olathe North before the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.
Three of Heights' losses this season have come against teams that advanced to the 6A or 5A quarterfinals and Alexander said the Falcons have the Trojans' complete attention.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West's boys basketball team faces a tough challenge in Tuesday night's Class 5A boys quarterfinal contest, with the Chargers going on the road to face 22-0 Hays, which ended the season top-ranked in the KBCA 5A rankings.
But West coach Rick Bloomquist started preparing his team for just such a challenge months ago.
Topeka West coach Rick Bloomquist talks to his team during Saturday's Class 5A sub-state final against Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
