Cair Paravel Lions

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a junior, captured four gold medals in last Friday's city swimming championships at Capitol Federal Natatorium, helping lead Washburn Rural to its 22nd straight city team title. Appuhn won the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 57.66 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.60 and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley (2:01.75) and 400 free (4:04.31) relays as Rural won the team title by a 526-430 margin over Seaman.

Cale Deutscher

CALE DEUTSCHER, Washburn Rural

A junior, Deutscher teamed with Dylan Willingham to win the doubles championship in last Monday's Centennial League tennis tournament at Junction City and followed that up with a Class 6A regional doubles title Saturday at Wichita, helping the Junior Blues capture the team championships in both tournaments. Deutscher and Willingham won the league title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Hayden's Chase Blaser and Evan George and took the regional title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Derby's Collin Bale and Garrett Haupt.

Cole Fay

COLE FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

Fay, a freshman, captured a Class 3A-1A regional singles championship last Friday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping lead Cair Paravel Latin to the regional team championship with by a 15-13 margin over Kansas City Christian. Fay, who improved to 20-7 on the season, topped Kansas City Christian's Isaac Seitz 6-1, 6-2 in the singles final, qualifying for this weekend's 3A-1A state tournament at Kossover.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg pulled off a rare feat in Friday's Topeka City Girls Swimming Championships at Capitol Federal Natatorium.

Washburn Rural took first in the city meet for the 22nd straight season, with two of their leading swimmers taking two first places each.

Trailing the Junior Blues’ 526 points was Seaman with 430. Topeka High finished in third place with 307.

Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg won a pair of city titles Friday, winning the one-meter diving competition and the 50-meter freestyle. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Gregg accomplished the rare feat of winning the dive competition early in the day, then coming back to win an individual swim event. Gregg won the 50-yard freestyle and was also a part of two second-place relay teams for Hayden.

Gregg said she started swimming and diving as a freshman, having had no previous training. As a swimmer, she participates only on short races. But, in truth, she admitted she doesn’t train for swimming.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been to a swim practice,” Gregg said. “I just show up and do my best.

“I did gymnastics growing up and now I do cheer, so I had the stamina to be able to get through the 50s and the 100s,” Gregg said. “My dive coach is actually my gymnastics coach growing up. She really helped me. You’re going into water like we go into (gymnastics) pits, so it’s not that different.”

Gregg has qualified for state all four years as a diver and has participated at state on relay teams. She is holding out hope to qualify for the 50 freestyle, with one chance – the Centennial League meet – remaining.

While she didn’t quite eclipse the required time to qualify for state in the 50 freestyle, she received some other great news at the city meet.

“This has been a really cool night for me because I made the KU Cheer team today,” Gregg said. “I found out as soon as I got done with our first relay.”

Seaman senior Joslynn Grace was a double city champion Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Having a good day in her own right was Seaman senior Joslynn Grace, who took first in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. The senior has committed to swim at the University of Nebraska-Kearney after high school. She said she enjoyed participating in the city meet one last time.

“This was really exciting for me because I’m happy with my times,” Grace said. “The city meet is really fun to just watch everybody and see them all do their thing, too.

“Swim is like my second life. I love it so much. To practice and see yourself get better is like therapy for me. I’ve enjoyed it so much.”

Audrey Appuhn captured four gold medals Friday, helping Washburn Rural win the city team championship. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Genevieve Miranda helped lead Washburn Rural to the city swimming team title Friday, posting two individual wins and swimming on two city-champion relays. [File photo/TSN]

Also placing first in two individual events were Washburn Rural’s Audrey Appuhn and Genevieve Miranda, with Appuhn winning the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and Miranda winning the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Appuhn and Miranda also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay.

TEAM SCORES

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin had a big day in Friday's Class 3A-1A regional tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center, sweeping the singles, doubles and team titles.

Caid Paravel tennis won the team championship in Friday's Class 3A-1A regional by a 15-13 margin over Kansas City Christian. [Cair Paravel Athletics]

Freshman Cole Fay won the singles championship for the Lions and juniors Drew Fay and Eric Buchenau captured the doubles crown as CPLS won the team title by a 15-13 margin over Kansas City Christian.

Cair Paravel freshman Cole Fay won the singles championship in Friday's tennis regional at Kossover Tennis Center. [Cair Paravel Athletics] 

Cole Fay earned a regional title and his first 3A-1A state tournament berth with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Kansas City Christian's Isaac Seitz in the final, improving to 20-7 on the season.

Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay (above) teamed with Eric Buchenau to win the doubles championship in Friday's regional tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

Cair Paravel juniors Drew Fay and Eric Buchenau won the doubles championship in Friday's regional tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

City champions Drew Fay and Eric Buchenau won the regional doubles championship with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Bishop Seabury's Sabastian Borjas and Gabe Rinnert, with the Lion duo improving to 26-1.

Cair Paravel will compete in the 3A-1A state tournament Friday and Saturday at Kossover.

Hayden seniors Chase Blaser (left) and Evan George won a Class 4A regional doubles title Friday at Harmon Park. [File photo/TSN]

Wildcat duo wins 4A regional doubles title 

Hayden seniors Chase Blaser and Evan George, now 23-6 on the season, won the doubles championship in Friday's Class 4A regional tennis tournament at Harmon Park, taking a 7-5, 6-2 decision over Clay Center seniors John Alton and Anthony Davies in the final.

Hayden senior Chase Blaser (above) and doubles partner Evan George will take a 23-6 record into the Class 4A state tournament. [File photo/TSN] 

The Wildcats also qualified senior singles player Palmer Heskett and junior William Luke for the state tournament, with Heskett (11-15) taking a 6-3, 6-4 win over Luke (13-7) in the fifth-place match.

Clay Center won the regional team championship by a 21-19 margin over Bishop Miege, with Hayden third with 13 points.

The 4A state tournament will be played Friday and Saturday in Winfield. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Tadd Armstrong 

TADD ARMSTRONG, Washburn Rural

A senior golf standout, Armstrong captured the individual championship in last Monday's city golf tournament at Topeka Country Club, posting a 27-hole score of 118 and winning his first city title in a playoff over Hayden's James Kuta as Washburn Rural won the team crown by a single stroke (489-490) over the Wildcats.

Eric Buchenau 

ERIC BUCHENAU, Cair Paravel Latin

A junior foreign exchange student from Germany, Buchenau teamed with fellow Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay to win the No. 1 doubles title in last Thursday's city tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. Buchenau and Fay registered a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4 tiebreaker) win over Washburn Rural's Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham in the city title match, improving to 20-1 on the season.

Drew Fay

DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

Fay, a junior, teamed with fellow Cair Paravel junior Eric Buchenau to win the city title in No. 1 doubles title in last Thursday's city tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. Fay and Buchenau won the city championship with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4 tiebreaker) win over Washburn Rural's Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham in the city title match.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Not everything went Washburn Rural's way in Thursday's city boys tennis tournament, but advancing to the finals in all four divisions was enough to give the Junior Blues a second straight city team championship at Kossover Tennis Center.

Washburn Rural dropped tight decisions in both the No. 1 singles and doubles championship matches, but the Junior Blues swept both No. 2 titles on the way to a 32-23 margin over runnerup Seaman while Topeka High was a point behind the Vikings in third place.

Greyson Jones won the city championship in No. 2 singles, helping Washburn Rural win its second straight city team title Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Ben Tryhus and Kieffer O'Connor won a city title in No. 2 doubles for team champion Washburn Rural Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Rural got a title from Greyson Jones in No. 2 singles and from Ben Tryhus and Kieffer O'Connor in No. 2 doubles while while Keegan Knudtson was the No. 1 singles runnerup and Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham finished second in No. 1 doubles.

"We're a young team, we're still piecing together who's fitting with who and what arrangements work best for the team as opposed to the individual and we've come a long way since the first practice,'' said Michelle Rose, who is in her first season as Rural's coach.

"They're excited, I'm excited for them. I think we've got great opportunities ahead of us and it's going to be fun. We have incredible talent in boys tennis in Topeka.''

Individually, Thursday was a big day for Topeka High junior Tres Lassiter in singles and the Cair Paravel doubles team of juniors Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay.

Topeka High junior Tres Lassiter won the city title in No. 1 singles Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Lassiter, in his first season of high school tennis, won the city championship in No. 1 singles with a 7-6 (8-6 tiebreaker), 6-4 win over Washburn Rural's Knudtson.

"This was one of my goals to win city,'' Lassiter said. "This was a big goal. I'm enjoying my high school season. I have a winning record right now and that's all I wanted this season, was just to have a winning record.

"Every day when I'm at practice my coach (Duane Pomeroy) and my teammates are getting me better and that gives me confidence for these up and coming meets that I'm about to do.''

Cair Paravel's Drew Fay (left) and Eric Buchenau won the city championship in No. 1 doubles Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Cair Paravel's Fay and Buchenau, a foreign exchange student from Germany, captured the No. 1 doubles title with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4 tiebreaker) win over Washburn Rural's Deutscher and Willingham.

Fay had finished second in the city meet and fourth in Class 3A-1A in singles as a sophomore before making the decision to switch to doubles this spring.

"I want to play college tennis and you need to be able to play doubles to play college tennis,'' Fay said. "I wanted to get that experience and I also thought it would be fun and it's been a lot of fun.''

Fay and Buchenau are now 20-1 on the season after Thursday's hard-fought win over Deutscher and Willingham.

"We just wanted to stay level, play hard and whatever happened would happen,'' Fay said. "We didn't want to go out there and play scared and if we didn't play scared we would have been happy with the result. This was our best match of the year, so it gives us a lot of confidence.''

Seaman finished second as a team on the strength of three top-three finishes.

Ethan Winter placed third in No. 1 singles while Camden Dutton was the runnerup in No. 2 singles and the Vikings also finished second in No. 2 doubles.

CITY BOYS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The Seaman girls soccer team – led by an assortment of multi-sport athletes – took down a depleted Cair Paravel team 8-0 in a shortened affair at the Bettis Family Sports Complex Tuesday.

After tallying four scores in the first half, the Vikings scored four more in rapid succession following the intermission. With 22:15 remaining in the second half, the mercy rule was invoked, giving Seaman its sixth win of the season.

The Vikings are led by a number of athletes who have experienced great success in other sports. Having placed second in the Class 5A volleyball and basketball tournaments this school year, Seaman knows a thing or two about winning.

Anna Becker (9) and Ryin Miller are part of a large group of multi-sport athletes who are playing a major role for the Seaman soccer team, which shut out Cair Paravel 8-0 Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]tg

Utilizing multi-sport athletes is both a blessing and a curse, Seaman coach Kyle Seevers said.

“They’ve all chosen track, basketball, volleyball, whatever,” said Seevers. “But they still love (soccer) so when they come out here, it’s like every year we wait … as soon as basketball is over, we can have all our players. But they are a lot of fun because they compete at the highest level at everything they do.”

Seevers said he has to be patient with players who have put so much into other sports throughout the school year. By the time they arrive on the soccer field, their skills aren’t sharp, and they are worn down by the intensity of competition.

“Our practice may not always be crisp. But when the whistle blows, they’re going to give it their all,” Seevers said. “I could get upset with it, but then we wouldn’t have some of the best athletes (go out for soccer).”

“It’s kind of preached at our school that we want to have multi-sport athletes and that’s a good thing,” said senior Anna Becker, who is committed to play basketball at Drake University. “We have a lot of athletic girls, and I think at our school we know how to win. So, it helps having that core of a lot of different girls who play different sports.”

Seevers said Seaman banks on significant improvement throughout the course of the soccer season as the players regain their touch and feel for the game. The Vikings advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals last year with many of the same players.

Junior Maya Martin had a pair of assists in Tuesday's 8-0 Seaman soccer win over Cair Paravel. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]  

“I think we had our ups and downs in the first half, but we are looking for a big second half,” Becker said. “We have three big games this week and we’re looking for three wins.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin's junior doubles team of Drew Fay and Eric Buchenau captured the No. 1 doubles championship in Friday's John Markham Invitational at Goddard, remaining undefeated on the season.

Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay and junior doubles partner Eric Buchenau are 13-0 after winning the championship in Friday's Goddard tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Fay and Buchenau went 5-0 in the tournament and are now 13-0 on the season.

The Lion duo opened its season with a 3-0 record in the Paola quadrangular before going undefeated in the Marysville Invitational.

Fay finished fourth in Class 3A-1A singles last season. 

Hayden baseball sweeps Nemaha Central

Hayden baseball, which won the Class 3A state championship last season, improved to 8-0 this spring with a 10-0, 12-3 non-league doubleheader sweep over Nemaha Central Friday at Hayden.

Hayden senior Jett Wahlmeier delivers a pitch in Friday's 12-3 second-game win over Nemaha Central. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden senior Cooper Grace tags out a runner at third base in Friday's 12-3 second-game win over Nemaha Central. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The Wildcats ended the first game by way of a 10-run spread in the fifth inning and scored the final nine runs of the second game after the game was tied 3-3.

Hayden will travel to Emporia on Tuesday for a Centennial League twinbill.

Hayden, Rossville battle to softball split 

Hayden held off Rossville to take a 3-2 first-game win before the Bulldawgs answered with a 12-0 victory in the nightcap of Friday's non-league softball twinbill at Hayden.

Sophomore Maura Valdivia delivers a pitch in Friday's 3-2 first-game softball win over Rossville Friday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Rossville sophomore Leni Lewis slides safely into third base in Friday's doubleheader softball split at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the opener and went up 2-0 in the third on a run-scoring single from sophomore catcher Emberly Connell before adding another run in the fourth.

Rossville's offense came to life in the top of the seventh, getting a run-scoring triple from sophomore Leni Lewis and a run-scoring hit from sophomore Nora Burdiek, but Hayden freshman pitcher Blakely Walter came on to record the final out and preserve the Wildcat victory.

Sophomore Maura Valdivia picked up the pitching win in relief of junior Emmy Jeffers while Walter was credited with a save.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Two-time senior player of the year Ja'Corey Robinson headlines the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.

Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball player of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN] 

Robinson was a repeat pick as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, the Scots' third straight top-three state finish.

Robinson and senior teammate Mikey Williams are two of the five All-Shawnee County Top 10 repeat picks along with Shawnee Heights senior Jaret Sanchez, Seaman junior KaeVon Bonner and Rossville junior Jack Donovan.

Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy, Washburn Rural senior Amare Jones and Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson all moved up to Top 10 after being named to the Second 10 in 2024 while Hayden senior James Kuta and Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley round out the all-county team.

 Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Rowley was also named the county newcomer of the year after helping 18-5 Washburn Rural win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament.

Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year for the third straight season after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a runnerup state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the third straight season, leading the Scots to a 71-4 record over the past three years.

All-Shawnee County capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman senior Anna Becker has been tapped as the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County girls basketball player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to back-to-back championship games in Class 5A.

Seaman senior Anna Becker, a four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to a second-place Class 5A state finish. [File photo/TSN]

A four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and three-time United Kansas Conference player of the year, Becker helped Seaman post a 24-1 record and a second-place finish behind St. Thomas Aquinas as a senior after the Vikings won the Class 5A state title in 2024.

Becker is one of five repeat picks on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 along with Hayden senior Millie Ramsey, Seaman junior Maddie Gragg, Silver Lake junior Kailyn Hanni and Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery.

Ramsey and Gragg are three-time all-county Top 10 selections.

Also earning All-Shawnee County Top 10 spots are Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck, Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Trojan sophomore Ahsyierhuajh Rayton, Shawnee Heights sophomore KK Emmot and Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein.

Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball newcomer of the year while also earning Top 10 honors. [File photo/TSN]

Schmeidtlein, who helped Hayden post a third-place state finish in Class 4A, was also named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year, while Topeka High coach Ron Slaymaker was named the county coach of the year.

Topeka High's Ron Slaymaker has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball coach of the year after leading the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in his first season. [File photo/TSN]

The 88-year-old Slaymaker, a Kansas coaching legend and High's third coach in four seasons, led the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in the 2024-2025 campaign, with Topeka High posting a 14-8 record. 

All-Shawnee County capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Granted, it's only one game, but Hayden girls soccer got the 2025 season off to a big start Friday, topping last season's Class 4A-1A runnerup, Cair Paravel Latin, 1-0 in a non-league contest at Hayden.

Junior Carsyn Broxterman (4) scored the game-winning goal in Hayden's 1-0 season-opening win over Cair Paravel Friday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"I think a win against a good team is always good,'' Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer said. "I did see some good things. I think we saw some good passing combinations, I think the communication was good and the hustle. They worked hard and I think that was the best part.''

Hayden and Cair Paravel battled through a scoreless first half before Wildcat junior Carsyn Broxterman scored what proved to be the game-winning goal 41 seconds into the second half.

Hayden was able to make the goal stand up the rest of the way, with Wildcat junior Lauren Borjon picking up the shutout in goal.

Cair Paravel fell to 0-2 on the season, opening its season with a non-league loss to eight-time 4A-1A defending state champion Bishop Miege, which took a 1-0 double-overtime win over the Lions in the 2024 championship game.

Hayden will play a non-league road game at Lawrence Free State on Monday while compete in next week's Wichita South tournament, beginning with a Tuesday game against Dodge City.   

HAYDEN 1, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 0

Cair Paravel (0-2-0) 0 0 -- 0

Hayden (1-0-0)        0 1 -- 1  

Hayden -- Goal: Carsyn Broxterman. Shutout: Lauren Borjon. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman senior Anna Becker (9) was a first-team All-City and All-UKC soccer honoree last season. [File photo/TSN]

ANNA BECKER, Seaman

A Division I basketball signee with Drake, Becker also received All-City and All-United Kansas Conference first-team soccer honors last spring after helping the Vikings advance to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. 

Hayden junior Carsyn Broxterman (4) was a first-team All-City and All-Centennial League soccer honoree last season. [File photo/TSN]

CARSYN BROXTERMAN, Hayden

Broxterman, a junior forward, is a returning first-team All-City and All-Centennial League honoree for the Wildcats. Broxterman also received second-team All-4A-1A All-State recognition last spring from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Cair Paravel junior Kelly Ann Chada was a first-team All-Class 4A-1A soccer honoree last season. [File photo/TSN]

KELLY ANN CHADA, Cair Paravel Latin 

Chada, a junior forward, helped lead Cair Paravel to a runnerup finish in the Class 4A-1A state tournament last spring, earning All-City first-team recognition as well as first-team All-4A-1A All-State honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association. 

ZAHRA FRIESS, Washburn Rural

A forward, Friess will play her senior season at Washburn Rural after helping Cair Paravel Latin finish second in Class 4A-1A last season. Friess earned All-4A-1A first-team honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association in 2023 and 2024 and was a former two-time All-City pick for the Lions. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden senior Chase Blaser (left) finished fifth in doubles in the Class 3A-1A state tournament last spring. [File photo/TSN]

CHASE BLASER, Hayden

A senior, Blaser teamed with then-senior Joseph Luke to post a 24-10 record and a fifth-place finish in Class 3A-1A state doubles last spring. An All-City honoree, Blaser and Luke posted a third-place finish in No 1 doubles in the city meet as well as a third in the Centennial League and a fifth-place showing at regionals. A three-sport standout, Blaser helped lead the Wildcats to the 4A-1A state bowling championship this past winter.  

Washburn Rural junior Cale Deutscher and doubles partner Brayden Kohls qualified for the Class 6A state tournament last season. [File photo/TSN] 

CALE DEUTSCHER, Washburn Rural

Deutscher, a junior, was a 2024 All-City honoree after teaming with Brayden Kohls to win the city title in No. 2 doubles. Deutscher and Kohls finished fourth in Centennial League doubles and third in Class 6A regional competition to earn a state tournament berth. Deutscher and Kohls went 1-2 at state to cap an 18-10 season.

A two-time state qualifier, Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay finished fourth in Class 3A-1A state singles last spring. [File photo/TSN]

DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

Fay, a junior, is coming off a fourth-place singles finish in the Class 3A-1A state tournament a year ago, his second straight state tournament appearance. Fay, who posted a 23-11 record on the season, was an All-City honoree after finishing as the No. 1 singles runnerup in the city tournament and also finished second in 3A-1A regional competition.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural senior Tadd Armstrong was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season. [File photo/TSN]

TADD ARMSTRONG, Washburn Rural

Armstrong, a senior returning All-Shawnee County first-teamer, helped Washburn Rural capture its 14th straight city team title and a team berth in the Class 6A state meet with a runnerup regional finish last season. Armstrong finished fourth in the city meet (126 for 27 holes), tied for fifth in the Centennial League (79) and tied for 11th at regionals (86).

CALEB CLEVERDON, Topeka High/Cair Paravel Latin

A junior, Cleverdon helped Cair Paravel earn the third-place team trophy in the Class 2A state tournament with a tie for 32nd place with a 36-hole score of 176 after competing for Topeka High in the regular season. A second-team All-Shawnee County pick last season, Cleverdon placed ninth at regionals (84) and placed 15th in the Centennial League (86).

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A junior, Donovan earned an individual medal in the Class 3A state tournament, placing 20th with a 36-hole score of 162. A first-team All-Shawnee County pick as a sophomore, Donovan finished third individually in the Mid-East League tournament with an 86 and placed fourth in 3A regional competition with a 74 to earn a state tournament berth.

Hayden senior James Kuta was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after helping the Wildcats finish fourth in Class 3A. [File photo/TSN]

JAMES KUTA, Hayden

A senior, Kuta tied for 14th in the Class 3A state tournament with a 36-hole score of 159 (73-86), helping Hayden finish fourth as a team. A first-team All-Shawnee County selection in 2024, Kuta tied for eighth in the Centennial League meet (82), placed 10th in the city tournament (132 for 27 holes) and tied for 11th in 3A regional competition (83) as the Wildcats finished second as a team.

Washburn Rural senior Tagan Monasmith was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2024. [File photo/TSN]

TAGAN MONASMITH, Washburn Rural

A senior, Monasmith was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season. Monasmith finished fifth individually in the city tournament (126 for 27 holes), was eighth at regionals as Washburn Rural qualified for the Class 6A state tournament as a team with a runnerup finish and finished 18th in the Centennial League (88).

By JUSTIN BURKHARDT

TopSports.news

Just a year ago the Wildcats were in Class 3A and entered the postseason 5-13.

What a difference a year makes and the Wildcats, led by first-year coach Dwayne Anthony entered the postseason in Class 4A with a 13-8 record and ranked No. 7 in the last Kansas Basketball Coaches Association poll.

Senior Jacob Deister (4) led Hayden with 15 points in Tuesday's 93-59 Class 4A sub-state win over Independence. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden would end up drawing the Bulldogs of Independence, who would enter the game with a 9-11 record and led by 5-foot-10 sophomore Javen Colbert. Javen's mom is from Topeka so he was able to play in front of a lot of friends and family and would score 14 points on the night. 

"It was very special to be able to play in Topeka tonight because all my family is from here, and I am glad I was able to represent for them just wish the game would of gone a different way,'' Colbert said.

The Wildcats would get off to a 6-0 run to start the game and take off from there as they would stretch that into a 22-10 lead midway thru the first quarter and take a commanding 32-19 lead to end the first quarter.

The Wildcats would start the second quarter with a 12-0 run that would put them up 47-19 as the Wildcats would use their length and speed to go into halftime up 54-29.

The Wildcats would be led by senior Jacob Deister, who would have 13 of his game-high 15 points at halftime.

The Wildcats would roll from there and out-score the Dawgs 39-29 the rest of the game to take a 93-59 semifinal win.

Hayden would get double-digit nights from four athletes as Deister would lead the way with 15 points, followed by Mason Becker’s 14, Connor Hanika’s 13 and Cooper Zweisler with 11 points.

The Wildcats were hot from 3-point range all night as they would shoot 9-17 from outside the arc.

"We came out really hot and our press really got the momentum going for us,'' Hanika said. "We still have a few adjustments to make to get ready for Rock Creek, including watching lots of film before Friday.”

"I really applaud the boys' passion and attention to detail and our energy and effort,'' Anthony said. "We are really, really a strong team when they bring those things. Now we just need to get back to it and watch film on Rock Creek and get ready for Friday.

"I am blessed, I have a team full of leaders, not just Mason, Connor and Jacob, but the senior class alone, each and every one of them is solid individuals and it is the reason that these guys have experienced success so far.''

The Wildcats now turn their attention to the No. 2 team on the East side of sub-state in Rock Creek, which advanced with a 59-39 win over Tonganoxie.

The game will be Friday night at Rock Creek with a game time of 7p.m. The winner will punch their ticket to the Class 4A state tournament next week in Salina.

HAYDEN BOYS 93, INDEPENDENCE 59

Independence 19 10 7 23 — 59

Hayden           32 22 22 17 — 93

Independence (9-12) — Smith 5-12 2-4 15, Colbert 4-11 4-6 14, Lanning 2-7 2-2 7, Veile 1-2 3-6 5, Bunyard 2-3 0-0 4, Sprague 3-3 1-2 7, Small 2-2 0-0 6, Sanders 0-0 1-1 1. Totals 19-40 13-21 59.

Hayden (13-8) — Deister 7-12 0-0 15, Becker 5-8 1-2 14, Hanika 6-9 1-2 13, Mitchell 2-4 0-0 4, Kuta 2-3 0-2 4, Zweisler 4-7 1-1 11, Compton 3-6 2-2 10, Tourtillot 4-6 0-2 9, Banks 3-5 0-0 6, Heinen 2-4 1-1 5, Wolff 1-2 0-0 2, Power 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 39-67 6-12 93.

3-point goals — Indy 8 (Smith 3, Colbert 2, Small 2, Lanning) Hayden 9 (Becker 3, Zweisler 2, Compton 2, Tourtillot, Deister). Total Fouls — Indy 10, Hayden 18.

Highland Park girls roll to 59-11 5A sub-state win

No. 3 Class 5A East girls seed Highland Park opened its sub-state bid with a 59-11 home semifinal win over Meadowlark Conference rival Kansas City-Washington Tuesday night. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Parirings have been finalized for this week's sub-state high school basketball tournaments, with 12 city teams earning home court advantage for at least the semifinals of sub-state competition, which begins Tuesday and continues through Saturday.

Both Washburn Rural (Class 6A), Highland Park (5A) and Seaman (5A) teams, Shawnee Heights' boys (5A) and Hayden's girls (4A) could all stay at home through both rounds of sub-state competition.

Topeka High's girls (6A), Topeka West's boys (5A), Shawnee Heights' girls (5A) and Hayden's boys (4A) will be at home for at least the sub-state semifinals.

Both Silver Lake and Rossville teams and the Cair Paravel Latin boys have already posted first-round sub-state wins to advance to semifinals.

Silver Lake's girls and boys will compete in the Class 3A Hiawatha sub-state while Rossville and the CPLS boys will compete in the Class 2A Valley Heights sub-state.

Here's a look at sub-state tournaments involving Shawnee County teams:

Senior Kaden Ballard and the Washburn Rural boys will open their bid for a Class 6A state tournament berth with a home semifinal game against Wichita West Tuesday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

CLASS 6A BOYS

West sub-state No. 3 -- Centennial League champion Washburn Rural (16-4) is the No. 3 West seed and will host No. 14 Wichita West (4-16) a 6 p.m. Tuesday semifinal.

The Washburn Rural-Wichita West winner will advance to a Friday night 7 p.m. sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 seed Junction City (13-7) and No. 11 Manhattan (6-14).

Senior standout Kate Hinck and the Washburn Rural girls are the No. 3 West seed for the Class 6A sub-state tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

CLASS 6A GIRLS

West sub-state No. 3 -- Washburn Rural, second in 6A the past two years after winning the title in 2022, is the No. 3 West seed and will host No. 14 Lawrence Free State (3-17) in a 7 p.m. Wednesday semifinal.

The Washburn Rural-Free State winner will advance to a 5 p.m. Saturday sub-state championship game to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 seed Manhattan (13-7) and No. 11 Maize (5-15).

CLASS 6A GIRLS

West sub-state No. 2 --Topeka High, the No. 7 West seed at 13-7, will host No. 10 Wichita South (8-12) Wednesday for a 6 p.m. sub-state semifinal. 

The winner of that game will advance to a 5 p.m. Saturday final to meet the winner of the semifinal between No. 2 seed Wichita Heights (17-3) and No. 15 Dodge City (1-19).

CLASS 5A GIRLS

East sub-state No. 2 -- Shawnee Heights is the No. 7 East seed at 13-7 and will host No. 10 Basehor-Linwood (10-10) in a 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal. The T-Birds beat the Bobcats twice during the regular season in the United Kansas Conference.

The winner of that game will advance to a 7 p.m. Friday final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 2 seed Piper (16-4) and No. 15 Kansas City-Harmon (6-14).

East sub-state No. 3 -- Highland Park (16-4) is the No. 3 East seed and will host No. 14 seed Kansas City-Washington (6-14) in a 7 p.m. semifinal on Tuesday. Hi Park owns a pair of Meadowlark Conference wins over the Wildcats this season.

The Highland Park-Washington winner will advance to a 7 p.m. Friday sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 Aquinas (13-7) and No. 11 Pittsburg (10-10).

Undefeated Seaman begins defense of its Class 5A state title Tuesday against city rival Topeka West. [File photo/TSN]

West sub-state No. 2 --Defending Class 5A state champion Seaman is the No. 2 West seed with a perfect 20-0 record and will host city and United Kansas Conference rival Topeka West, the No. 15 West seed at 6-14, in a 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal.

The Seaman-West winner will advance to Friday's 7 p.m. sub-state final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 7 Kapaun Mt. Carmel (15-5) and No. 10 Valley Center (10-10).

CLASS 5A BOYS

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin girls basketball team came up short in its bid for a Senior Night victory Thursday. A 48-37 loss to Atchison County closed the Lions’ regular season at 4-15.

Junior KellyAnn Chada led Cair Paravel with 16 points in Thursday's 48-37 loss to Atchison County. [File photo/TSN]

The Lions and Tigers traded leads in a game full of runs. But the Tigers got the momentum when it counted. They turned a 33-26 third-quarter deficit around by reeling off 12 straight points, going up 38-33 midway through the fourth period. In the end, they outscored Cair Paravel 20-4 in the final period.

“In the fourth quarter, (Atchison County) pushed more, they were just fighting, they were being aggressive, and we just didn’t have the execution and the drive,” said Cair Paravel coach Jaley Barkley. “Finishing those last 10 minutes is always hard, but I’m still proud of them. I could see the heart they had.”

Trailing 19-16 at halftime, the Lions got hot in the third period, outscoring the visitors 17-9. Freshman London Backman was the catalyst, scoring nine points in the third. But Backman picked up her fifth foul at a crucial moment early in the final period, depriving the Lions of one of their two primary offensive threats.

Junior KellyAnn Chada scored 16 for the Lions, followed by Backman with 14. Those two combined for 30 of the Lions’ 37 points.

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin's boys celebrated Senior Night and set itself up for the postseason in style Thursday. The Lions raced passed Atchison County 76-30 to finish the regular season with a 9-10 record.

Ben Roeder led Cair Paravel with 21 points in Thursday's 76-30 Senior Night win over Atchison County. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

The outcome was not in doubt from the time Cair Paravel reeled off 12 straight points to start the game. The Lions hit 32-62 from the field and got points from eight different players.

Senior Jase Pavlik scored 15 points as Cair Paravel's boys finished their regular season with a 76-30 win over Atchison County. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

Junior Lucas Marichal scored 14 points Thursday as 9-10 capped its regular season with a 76-30 rout over Atchison County. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

Ben Roeder led the Lions with 21 points in his final regular-season game, while fellow senior Jase Pavlik added 15. Junior Lucas Marichal chipped in 14.

“It’s awesome having this group of people here to support us,” Roeder said. “I love this community and I’m grateful for my senior buddies. We’re looking to let Christ’s light shine through us to our teammates and to the other schools we play.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Junior Dayne Johnson scored 35 points Thursday night as Silver Lake's boys improved to 12-4 with a hard-earned 64-60 home Big East League win over St. Marys.

Junior Dayne Johnson (2) scored 35 points Thursday as Silver Lake rallied for a 64-60 win over St. Marys. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake trailed 53-47 at the end of the third quarter before outscoring the Bears 17-7 over the final eight minutes to pull out the victory.

Johnson canned 13 field goals and went 9 of 10 at the free throw line on the night to lead the Eagles.

Silver Lake led 19-12 at the end of the first quarter, but the Bears cut their deficit to 30-29 at halftime before outscoring the Eagles 24-17 in the third quarter.

Silver Lake will take aim on its third win of the week on Friday when the Eagles travel to Royal Valley.

Silver Lake girls improve to 14-2

Defending Class 3A champion Silver Lake, currently ranked No. 6 by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 14-2 Thursday night with a 67-54 home Big East win over St. Marys.

The Eagles led by just a 44-41 margin at the end of the third quarter before taking control with a 23-13 fourth quarter.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka West's boys got back on the winning track Tuesday night, snapping a four-game losing streak against state-ranked teams with a 77-57 United Kansas Conference road romp past Lansing.

Senior Kamoni Ford was one of five double-figure scorers for Topeka West in Tuesday's 77-57 win over Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

The Chargers, who improved to 9-6 overall and 8-4 in the UKC, had five players crack double figures and seven players score at least seven points.

Seniors Kamoni Ford and Jalen Foy and junior Keimani Paul led the Chargers with 12 points apiece while junior Malakyah Duncan added 11 points and senior Javian Chambers 10.

Topeka West trailed 19-17 at the end of the opening quarter and led by just a 34-31 advantage at the half before breaking open the game with a 28-16 third quarter.

The Chargers then outscored the Lions 15-10 over the final eight minutes to finish off the 20-point win.

Topeka West will travel to Leavenworth on Friday for a UKC contest.

West girls pick up fourth win

Topeka West notched its fourth win overall and second United Kansas Conference victory Tuesday night, posting a 56-40 conference win at Lansing.

With the win the Chargers improved to 4-11 and 2-9 in the UKC.

West will travel to Leavenworth on Friday.

Silver Lake girls improve to 13-2

Defending Class 3A champion Silver Lake, currently ranked No. 6 by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Assocation, improved to 13-2 Tuesday night with a 61-36 home romp past Marysville.

The Eagles took control with a 22-13 opening quarter and put the game out of reach with a 19-4 second quarter, opening up a huge 41-17 halftime advantage and cruising the rest of the way.

Six Silver Lake players scored eight or more points, led by Karys Deiter with 13 points and Kailyn Hanni with 12 points.

Jaylie Whitehead and Taylor Zordel scored nine points apiece and Ella Bolan and Savannah Wende had eight each.

The Eagles will host St. Marys on Thursday.

Junior Dayne Johnson led Silver Lake with 16 points in Tuesday's 54-50 win over Marysville. [File photo/TSN]

Eagle boys top Bulldogs, 64-50

Four Silver Lake players cracked double figures Tuesday night as the Eagles posted a 64-50 home win over Marysville.

Junior Dayne Johnson led the Eagles with 16 points, followed by Brody Deiter with 15 points, Jared Johnson with 11 points and Aemon Coffman with 10.

Silver Lake, now 11-4, led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter and took control with a 21-6 second quarter.

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Lions boys basketball team never looked back after a 24-point first quarter on its way to a 69-50 victory over the Maranatha Christian Eagles on Tuesday night at Cair Paravel Latin School.

Lucas Marichal led Cair Paravel with 19 points in the Lions' 69-50 win over Maranatha Academy Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

The contest started as a scoring duel between Maranatha’s Daniel Dean and Cair Paravel’s Lucas Marichal, with Dean tallying the 3-11 Eagles’ first five points as the visitors took an early 5-2 lead.

Marichal answered with his first of four 3-pointers of the night, and following a free throw from Dean, the Cair Paravel junior made consecutive baskets to give the Lions (6-8) a 9-6 lead they would not relinquish.

The 3-point barrage continued for the Lions, with triples from Chase Hastert and Judah Congdon before Marichal knocked down another shot from behind the arc to give Cair Paravel a 24-17 advantage after the first quarter.

The Lions showed off their defensive prowess in the second quarter, allowing only six points off three Maranatha field goals.

Hastert and Caleb Cleverdon hit 3-pointers in the frame for Cair Paravel, while Jase Pavlik recorded his first five points of the evening in the quarter as the Lions took a 38-23 lead into halftime.

After the break Pavlik and Cleverdon found baskets in the first minute of the third quarter, extending the lead to 19 and forcing a quick timeout from the Eagles.

The Lions pushed the lead as high as 21, but a pair of baskets from Dean and a 3-pointer from Joe Allen brought the deficit back to 13 as Cair Paravel held a 46-33 lead midway through the third quarter.

Any sign of a comeback was quickly put to rest, as Marichal knocked down another 3-pointer and Blaine Durbin added a pair of baskets, with the Lions leading 55-38 after three quarters.

Cair Paravel finished the game with a balanced offensive attack, with five points from Marichal and four from Pavlik in the fourth quarter.

Senior Billy Lanich added a layup in the closing seconds to seal the 19-point victory for the Lions. Marichal led all scorers with 19 points for Cair Paravel.

Pavlik recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Hastert added 10 points off the bench.

The Lions shot just over 48 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Eagles, 34-18.

Dean led Maranatha with 18 points on 7-10 shooting while also pulling down six rebounds. Pennbrook Shaver tallied 14 points, while center Luke Shrader scored nine points with six rebounds.

Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer was impressed with all aspects of his team’s performance in the win.

“I think defense always leads to offense,'' Kueffer said. "We were really focused defensively on (Maranatha’s Owen Smail and Luke Shrader), both of those guys can get 25 a night,” Kueffer said. “We really just focused on making them uncomfortable, picking them up at halfcourt, and then offensively, you don’t have anything to think about.”

Despite a significant size disadvantage, Cair Paravel grabbed 16 more rebounds than Maranatha, and the effort did not go unnoticed by Kueffer.

“We’re giving up a lot of size, and they play their hearts out,” Kueffer said of his squad. “Everybody has to do their part to defend and rebound. If you’re on the floor, you’re rebounding. If you’re on the floor, you’re defending, no excuses. So I was glad to see that out of everybody today.”

Cair Paravel will be back in action on Thursday against Eskridge-Mission Valley. The Lions will look to avenge a 50-48 loss on Jan. 21.