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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel sophomore girls tennis standout Madilyn Poole and Topeka West sophomore running back Damon Webb have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Poole and Webb over the past week:
Cair Paravel sophomore Madilyn Poole is the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week after becoming her school's first girls tennis state qualifier. [File photo/TSN]
MADILYN POOLE, Cair Paravel Latin
Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Madilyn Poole finished as the singles runnerup in last Saturday's Class 3A-1A regional tennis tournament at Marysville, becoming the Lions' first-ever girls state tennis qualifier.
Poole, 19-6 on the 2024 season, dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision to Kansas City Christian senior Lauren Seitz (24-4) in the regional championship match.
Poole, who scored all six of fifth-place Cair Paravel's team points at regionals, will compete in the 3A-1A state tournament at Wichita Friday.
Topeka West sophomore running back Damon Webb has been selected as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week after a 192-yard, three-touchdown rushing performance against KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
DAMON WEBB, Topeka West
Webb, a sophomore running back, rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 17 attempts as the Chargers' football team picked up its first win of the 2024 season last Friday.
Webb scored touchdowns on 4, 8 and 17 yards in Topeka West's 32-20 United Kansas Conference victory over Kansas City-Turner at Hummer Sports Park.
Webb also plays basketball for the Chargers, seeing varsity action last season as a freshman.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Having beat Topeka High 13 days earlier, Topeka West's soccer team knew the Trojans would be fired up for Wednesday's rematch at Hummer Sports Park, which was also High's Senior night.
But it took the Chargers just 36 seconds to take the wind out of the Trojans' sails, with sophomore Diego Gonzalez-Talavera gathering in a long pass from senior Jafet Rodriguez and putting the ball in the net to give West a lead it wouldn't relinquish in a 2-0 victory.
Sophomore Diego Gonzalez-Talavera scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 2-0 Topeka West win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It felt good and obviously it boosted our morale for the rest of the game to keep on pushing because we know they're a tough team,'' Gonzalez-Talavera said of his early goal. "Jafet has got a good leg on him so obviously when he has it back there I try to make a run and see if he can find me and it worked and we scored off of it.''
Topeka West added its second goal just over four minutes later on a shot from sophomore D'Ante Smith Dilone' off an assist from freshman Valentin Del Real and the Chargers and junior goalkeeper Gage Kindred-Noragon made the two early scores stand up the rest of the way as West improved to 11-2-0 with its eighth straight victory.
"Momentum can do some amazing things and the guys can play,'' Topeka West coach Josh Kutter said. "They went after it, they were excited to start the game and they did exactly what they had to do.''
Wednesday's win also gave Topeka West a season sweep and its fourth straight win over its USD 501 rival.
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By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
On Tuesday evening, the Seaman Vikings volleyball team hosted a triangular with fellow United Kansas Conference member Shawnee Heights and the top-ranked team in Class 6A, Blue Valley West.
Seaman volleyball survived three-set tests from Blue Valley West, Shawnee Heights to sweep home triangular. [File photo/TSN]
In the first match, the Seaman Vikings faced the Blue Valley West Jaguars. The Vikings were coming off their first defeat since early in the season to St. Thomas Aquinas last Thursday.
Viking coach Tatiana Dowling discussed the team’s preparation for another highly ranked opponent in Blue Valley West.
“I’m proud of the way we bounced back after the Aquinas game,'' Dowling said. "We had intense practices and held each other accountable to make sure we improved before tonight.”
In Set 1, Seaman jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, with all six service points from junior Kinsley Smith.
Blue Valley West battled back to tie the set at 23. After trading points, Seaman senior Maegan Mills had two kills to win the set, 26-24.
In Set 2, both teams traded points, with Seaman having a lead no larger than two points and Blue Valley West went ahead 15-12, leading to Seaman’s first timeout. The Jaguars increased their lead to 21-15 and they closed out the set, winning 25-16.
In the deciding set, each team traded points until the Jaguars stretched the lead to 11-7, causing the Vikings to call a timeout.
Seaman battled back to take the lead, 17-15, which led to the Jaguars using their first timeout. Blue Valley West came back to tie the set at 19. In a repeat of the first set, the teams traded points until it was tied at 24 before Mills duplicated the first set with two kills to win the set and the match, 26-24.
“Our intensity showed in our defense which was really nice to see,” Dowling said.
The Vikings were led by Smith in service points. Mills and senior Campbell Chabot led the team in kills. Chabot and junior Harper Hafenstine led the team in assists while senior Kinley Wilhelm and Chabot were the leaders in digs.
In the second match of the evening, the Thunderbirds of Shawnee Heights played Blue Valley West. The Jaguars were in control from the beginning of the first set, winning 25-14. The second set began with both teams trading points until the Jaguars went on a 4-0 run to take an 18-12 lead. Blue Valley West continued to extend the lead and won the set, 25-14.
The T-birds were led by juniors Jaidyn Euwer and Avery Willey in kills. Senior Taylor Brees and Willey led the team in digs. Senior Kaydence Torrez led in blocks.
In the last match, Seaman took on their UKC rival, Shawnee Heights. The Vikings jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead. The Vikings extended their lead throughout the remainder of the set, winning 25-12.
Set 2 began with the T-Birds taking the lead 14-9, causing the Vikings to take a timeout. Shawnee Heights continued their inspired play, stretching out the lead to 19-13, which led to Seaman taking their final timeout of the set.
The Lady Vikings charged out of the timeout and cut the lead to 21-17, but Shawnee Heights scored four of the final six points of the set, winning 25-19.
The third and deciding set began with both teams trading points until Seaman pulled ahead 11-7. Seaman continued their run by outscoring Shawnee Heights 14-8 to win the set and the match, 25-15.
“The Shawnee Heights match was a little frustrating because we were such a rollercoaster,'' Dowling said. "Great teams play tough all the time, so we will work on making sure we stay intense and focused regardless of the team we are facing.”
Seaman was led by Kinsley Smith with 10 service points; Maegan Mills totaled 22 kills while senior Ava Esser and Campbell Chabot both had nine kills apiece. Chabot and Hafenstine led with 16 and 14 assists, respectively.
Shawnee Heights was led in kills by juniors Reianna Vega and Euwer as well as Torrez. Brees led the T-Birds in digs and Torrez led in blocks.
In the Seaman-Shawnee Heights match, Seaman senior Kinley Wilhelm reached 1,000 digs for her career.
Match results
Seaman def. Blue Valley West 26-24, 16-25, 26-24; Blue Valley West def. Shawnee Heights 25-14, 25-14; Seaman def. Shawnee Heights 25-12, 19-25, 25-15.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Highland Park sophomore running back G'Honi Montgomery has helped lead the Scots to a 4-2 start to the 2024 season. [File photo/TSN]
KC-EAST, MO. (0-6) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (4-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park will be looking to bounce back with a big non-league victory Thursday night against winless Kansas City-East, Mo. after suffering back-to-back road losses at Wichita East and Meadowlark Conferference power Atchison. The Scots are coming off a 62-21 loss to Atchison and will be eyeing a big offensive game Thursday after being outscored 136-27 over its past two games. Highland Park has outscored its foes 201-136 on the eason while East has been outscored 353-43 on the year. Senior running back Jamon Wilson, junior quarterback Dontrail Fox and sophomore running back G'Honi Montgomery have turned in big years for the Scots.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has rushed for 507 yards and scored 15 total TDs this fall. [File photo/TSN]
PERRY-LECOMPTON (2-4, 1-1 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (5-1, 2-0 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden is coming off a big 31-7 Class 3A District 4 road win at Holton last week and is in control of the District 4 race. Perry-Lecompton is also coming off a win, taking a 43-14 decision over Jefferson West. Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 54 times for 507 yards and caught 17 passes for 251 yards while scoring 15 total touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 62 of 95 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns while senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 17 passes for 295 yards and scored seven TDs. Sophomore Mason Becker is 32 of 32 on extra point attempts while senior Jude Krentz leads the Wildcats with 53 tackles (30 solo).
Seaman junior Kaden McKinney (9) has rushed for 574 yards and 10 TDs while senior quarterback Max Huston (7) has passed for 1,365 yards and 17 TDs. [File photo/TSN]
BASEHOR-LINWOOD (6-0, 5-0) at SEAMAN (5-1, 5-0 UKC)
Friday's game is likely to decide the United Kansas Conference championship, with both the Bobcats and Vikings entering the night 5-0 in the conference. Seaman took a 59-34 UKC win at Shawnee Heights last week while Basehor-Linwood took a 44-6 non-league win over Tonganoxie. Seaman has won four straight games since a non-league loss to Class 6A Shawnee Mission East. Viking senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 75 of 121 passes for 1,365 yards and 17 touchdowns and has rushed for 381 yards and four TDs on 51 attempts. Junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 84 times for 574 yards and 10 TDs while senior Bryer Finley has caught 43 passes for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior linebacker Cameron Brian leads Seaman with 60 tackles (31 solo), while recording five tackles for loss.
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By NICHOLAS GAINEY
Special to TopSports.news
In a battle of city rivals, the Topeka High School boys soccer team overcame a halftime deficit to earn a 2-1 victory over Seaman on Tuesday night at Hummer Sports Park.
Antonio Aguirre scored the game-winning goal Tuesday night in Topeka High's 2-1 soccer win over city rival Seaman. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka High senior Jaime Alvarado (13) scored the Trojans' first goal in Tuesday's 2-1 soccer win over Seaman. [File photo/TSN]
The Trojans put pressure on the visiting Vikings in the opening minutes, with Antonio Aguirre receiving a through pass and taking the ball down the left side of the penalty box. Aguirre did not get enough power on the ensuing shot attempt, resulting in a save for freshman goalkeeper Landon Geis.
After the initial scare, the Vikings settled in and the two teams traded possession and offensive opportunities.
The momentum shifted in favor of Seaman in the 18th minute, when the Vikings broke away from the Trojan back line and earned a one-on-one opportunity with goalkeeper Billy Lutz, who fouled a Viking attacker outside the box while attempting to clear the ball.
Lutz was initially shown the red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, but the card was downgraded to yellow after further discussion by the referees.
Despite being denied a numerical advantage, Seaman still earned a free kick in a dangerous location.
Kaelin Loy initially approached the ball, but faked a shot attempt to distract the Trojan wall, while Logan Townsend came in and put a powerful strike on the ball to put the Vikings up 1-0.
After trailing at halftime, Topeka High opened the second half with a renewed offensive push.
The Trojans finally equalized the match in the 47th minute, when Ian Martinez played a through ball to Jaime Alvarado, who used his speed to track down the ball near the left post and score on a close-range attempt.
