Cair Paravel Lions
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's been a challenging but very successful last few days for Washburn Rural's boys tennis team.
Washburn Rural's boys tennis team poses for a picture after winning Wednesday's city team championship at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The eventful stretch began with last Thursday's city meet being postponed by inclement weather and continued in Monday's Centennial League meet, which Brad Johnston's Junior Blues won despite playing without top singles players Dylan Dodge and Keegan Knudtson, who were out of state on a school-related trip.
City schools also had to deal with weather uncertainty again on Wednesday, with teams initially reporting to Plan B indoor venue Genesis before the weather conditions vastly improved and the city championships were able to go on as planned at Kossover Tennis Center.
And once city competitors got back to Kossover and were treated to near-perfect conditions, Washburn Rural did the rest, sweeping all four individual titles on the way to a perfect team score and a 36-26 win over 2023 city champ Topeka West.
"The boys obviously kept their heads and stayed level-headed and finished the job,'' Johnston said. "I feel like we're at the top of our game right now and I feel like they're going to keep performing at a high level.
"Obviously you just never know, but I'm proud of where they're at and proud of where they're working towards.''
Dodge, a senior, and sophomore Knudtson swept the No. 1 and No. 2 singles championships while senior Lawsen Lobatos and sophomore Dylan Willingham prevailed in No. 1 doubles and sophomores Brayden Kohls and Cale Duetscher completed the sweep with the title in No. 2 doubles.
Washburn Rural senior Lawsen Lobatos makes a return during Wednesday's city meet at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sophomore Dylan Willingham helped Washburn Rural post a perfect team score in Wednesday's city boys tennis championships at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The match of the day was the No. 1 doubles final, with Lobatos and Willingham avenging an earlier tiebreaker loss to Topeka West returning Class 5A medalists Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew, with the Rural duo taking a hard-earned 8-6 victory.
"You never want to lose to your city rivals, so losing in their invitational of course it gives us motivation to practice and try harder and go and play other, better guys afterwards to just prepare for it and then to come back and win is pretty nice,'' Lobatos said. "Winning and sweeping city as a team is great motivation and great momentum going into regionals.''
"It doesn't get any better,'' Willingham said. "Winning now is perfect because we have all the momentum going to regionals. I lost to them last year and I lost to them this year. I was tired of losing and I was so glad we got the win today.''
Washburn Rural senior Dylan Dodge won the city No. 1 singles championship on Wednesday after winning the No. 2 doubles title as a junior. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Dodge, who won a city title in No. 2 doubles as a junior, made it two city titles in a row with Wednesday's 8-4 win over Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Drew Fay.
"That was one of the things on the top of my list of goals,'' Dodge said. "To win city is a big achievement I feel like, especially in Topeka, because tennis has a very rich tradition here.
"This is a big confidence boost for regionals and hopefully I can carry this into regionals and state.''
Knudtson added the No. 2 singles crown with an 8-6 win over Topeka West's Mark Cianciarulo while Kohls and Duetscher took an 8-5 win over Seaman's Noah Andrews and Austin Bramlett in the No. 2 doubles final.
Hayden and Cair Paravel will begin two days of 3A-1A regional competition on Thursday in Marysville while the remaining six city teams will compete on Friday.
Rural and Topeka High will compete in a 6A meet in Junction City while Highland Park, Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will compete in a 5A meet at Emporia.
The top six regional finishers in singles and doubles will qualify for state tournaments on May 10-11.
The 6A state tournament will be played in Wichita, 5A in Andover and 3A-1A in Prairie Village.
CITY BOYS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TopSports.News, in partnership with A-1 Lock and Key, Washburn University, Capital Label, Peggy's Tax and Accounting and the Jamie Hornbaker State Farm Insurance Agency, will host the 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26, 2024 at Washburn's Memorial Union.
For the fourth straight year TopSports.news will serve as host for the Sports Awards/Hall of Fame banquet, a longstanding tradition for the Topeka and Shawnee County sports community.
The ceremony will highlight Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes’ achievements throughout the 2023-2024 school year along with the induction of the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.
Schools have been asked to submit nominees with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both female and male candidates for the fall, winter and spring seasons as well as nominees for most inspirational athlete. Overall outstanding male and female athletes for 2023-2024 will also be named.
Also recognized will be an outstanding female and male athlete from Washburn University.
The four-member 2024 Hall of Fame class and the '24 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news in the coming days.
The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Micah Williams continued her prolific freshman soccer season for Highland Park on Tuesday to lead the way as the Scots improved to 4-5 on the season with a 6-2 win over Meadowlark Conference foe Kansas City-Washington.
Highland Park freshman Micah Williams had four goals and an assist in the Scots' 6-2 Meadowlark Conference soccer win over Kansas City-Washington on Tuesday. [Submitted photo]
Williams scored four of Highland Park's six goals, raising her season total to 19, and was also credited with an assist in the win.
The Scots also got goals from Jazmin Bermudez-Morales and Melany Noj-Hernandez.
The Topeka High/Cair Paravel golf team posed for a team picture after winning the team title in the Topeka High Invitational Monday at Western Hills. [Submitted photo]
Cleverdon, host Trojans post wins in Topeka High Invitational
Host Topeka High/Cair Paravel Latin posted a 17-stroke victory in Monday's Topeka High Invitational golf tournament at Western Hills while sophomore Caleb Cleverdon shot a 78 to take individual honors.
Cair Paravel sophomore Caleb Cleverdon shot a 78 on Monday to take the individual win in the Topeka High Invitational at Western Hills. [Submitted photo]
Cleverdon posted a three-shot win over Shawnee Heights' Dylan Packard (81), while Heights' Evan Jones, Topeka High/CPLS's Rich Helmbold and Seaman's Hunter Gerhardt tied for third place with 82s.
Topeka High/CPLS also got an 84 from Jase Pavlik and a 93 from Luke Budden to round out its top four.
Shawnee Heights (354), Seaman (370) and Hayden (384), who all played split squads in the event, finished second, third and fourth in the six-school event.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's softball team ran its win streak to four games with Friday's 8-3, 15-4 non-league road doubleheader sweep over Olathe South, with the Junior Blues improving to 6-2 on the season.
Washburn Rural senior Makayla Ekis recorded her second straight complete-game pitching win in Friday's doubleheader sweep over Olathe South. [File photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Junior Naudia Wech sparked the Washburn Rural offense in the opener with a bases loaded triple while freshman Olivia Koch picked up the pitching win with a complete-game performance.
Junior Avery Rupp hit a grand slam in the second game, her first home run at the varsity level, while senior Makayla Ekis went the distance in the pitcher's circle for the victory.
Rural's sweep over Olathe South came on the heels of a 5-2, 10-1 Centennial League road sweep over Emporia.
Washburn Rural will be at home Tuesday to host Hayden (2-2) in a Centennial twinbill.
Seaman senior Paige Glasgow (left) congratulates sophomore teammate Aubrey Warren after Warren scored a run in Friday's softball triangular at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman softball bounces back from first loss with win over city rival Topeka High
After suffering a heartbreaking 10-inning 5-4 loss to Eudora in its first game, Seaman's softball team bounced right back to take a 19-9 win over city rival Topeka High in Friday's triangular at Seaman.
Junior Kaelyn O'Rourke and the Seaman Vikings are 5-1 on the season after a split in Friday's triangular at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
With its second-game win the Vikings improved to 5-1 on the season.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Two girls soccer teams with high expectations for the season battled each other, and the elements, to a 0-0 double-overtime tie in their opening games Friday at the Sunflower Soccer Complex.
Hayden sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Borjon kept Cair Paravel soccer off the scoreboard as the Wildcats and Lions battled to an 0-0 double-overtime tie Friday. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Cair Paravel senior Katherine Keys (1) advances the ball as Hayden senior Mary Burenheide gives chase in Friday's 0-0 double-overtime tie between the Lions and Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Hayden and Cair Paravel were both hampered by a 20-30 mile per hour wind from the north that didn’t provide any decisive impact on the game other than to produce a lot of goose bumps and cramps. In the end, both coaches found enough positives to be happy with the result.
“The conditions were kind of tough on offense,” said Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer. “The wind makes it more difficult, but we did some things to make it difficult for ourselves. I thought we looked good defensively. We just didn’t take enough shots on goal. We looked for layups instead of taking a jump shot.”
Cair Paravel started the game with the wind at its back but produced just one shot on goal in the first half. The Lions nearly knocked home a couple of shots in in the second overtime, but Hayden held on to preserve the tie.
Cair Paravel junior Zahra Friess controls the ball in Friday's 0-0 soccer tie with Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Hayden sophomore Ella Foster (1) advances the ball against Cair Paravel in Friday's 0-0 double-overtime tie. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
“It seemed like we played better against the wind than we did with it for whatever reason. We took a couple of good shots at the end of the game and were like, ‘Where were those in the first half,’ ” said Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery. “But I feel like we got lucky, too, because they had some missed opportunities.
“For our first game, I was very pleased with our play. It’s hard to play in the wind. I felt like Klaus did a good job of preparing his team to defend against us.”
NOTE: Final 2023-2024 statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley after receiving reports from city coaches.
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Carter, Highland Park 19 343 18.1
Highland Park freshman Pearmella Carter averaged a city-best 18.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in 2023-2024. [File photo/TSN]
Vickery, Washburn Rural 25 388 15.5
Rayton, Topeka High 20 302 15.1
Ramsey, Hayden 21 312 14.9
Becker, Seaman 23 340 14.8
Gowan-Britt, Highland Park 16 217 13.6
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 22 297 13.5
Canfield, Washburn Rural 22 291 13.2
I. McGlory, Topeka West 21 277 13.2
Gragg, Seaman 21 261 12.4
Sandstrom, Hayden 26 320 12.3
Meier, Hayden 25 318 12.2
T. Stallbaumer, Seaman 24 276 11.5
Broils, Highland Park 16 155 9.7
Vega, Shawnee Heights 22 207 9.4
Marshall, Topeka High 20 188 9.4
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Carter, Highland Park 19 193 10.2
Bearman, Topeka West 21 213 10.1
Ramsey, Hayden 21 191 9.1
NOTE: Final statistics for city boys basketball teams for the 2023-2024 season were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley after receiving reports from city coaches.
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Robinson, Highland Park 25 545 21.8
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) led the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double on the season. [File photo/TSN]
J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 19 366 19.3
Everhart, Cair Paravel 21 349 16.6
Dodge, Shawnee Heights 21 348 16.6
Williams, Highland Park 25 409 16.6
Bonner, Seaman 18 283 15.7
Foy, Topeka West 22 296 13.5
Anderson, Highland Park 23 291 12.7
Pavlik, Cair Paravel 21 265 12.6
Hales, Topeka High 20 244 12.2
Ballard, Washburn Rural 22 264 12.0
Durst, Washburn Rural 22 256 11.6
Finley, Seaman 21 234 11.1
Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights 21 233 11.1
Lyons, Topeka High 16 176 11.0
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Robinson, Highland Park 25 289 11.6
J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 19 171 9.0
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior Anna Becker and Silver Lake senior Makenzie McDaniel have been tapped as the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County co-girls basketball players of the year after helping lead their teams to state championships.
Seaman junior Anna Becker, a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county co-player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to the Class 5A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Senior Makenzie McDaniel, who helped lead Silver Lake to a 26-0 record and the Class 3A state title, has been named the Shawnee County co-player of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Becker helped Seaman post a 23-2 record on the way to the Class 5A state title while McDaniel helped lead Silver Lake to a perfect 26-0 record and the 3A crown.
The four Shawnee County teams that posted top-four state finishes in three different classes, including 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and third-place Hayden in 3A, combined to earn every spot on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 while Seaman, Silver Lake and Washburn Rural combined to sweep the individual awards.
Matt Tinsley has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after leading Seaman to the Class 5A state championship. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after the Eagles went 26-0 and won the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]
In addition to co-players of the year Becker and McDaniel, Seaman's Matt Tinsley and Silver Lake's Kyle Porter share the Shawnee County coach of the year award while Washburn Rural freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the county newcomer of the year.
Freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup finish in the Class 6A state tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Becker is joined on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 by Seaman senior teammate Taylin Stallbaumer and Viking sophomore Maddie Gragg after Seaman captured its first girls state championship since 1991 with a 54-41 win over Maize South Saturday night in Emporia.
Silver Lake also earned three Top 10 all-county spots with senior McKinley Kruger and sophomore Kailyn Hanni joining McDaniel on the team after the Eagles finished off their perfect run to the 3A title with a 66-61 win over Hesston.
Washburn Rural senior Zoe Canfield and Vickery were both named to the Top 10 along with Hayden senior Lauren Sandstrom and Wildcat junior Amelia Ramsey.
Canfield and Vickery helped lead the Junior Blues to their third straight 6A state final, where the Junior Blues dropped a 47-37 decision to Shawnee Mission South, while Ramsey and Sandstrom helped Hayden bounce back from a semifinal loss to Silver Lake to finish third with a 50-39 win over Goodland.
Becker, McDaniel and Kruger all earned Top 10 honors for the third straight season while Gragg and Ramsey are repeat picks.
Canfield and Stallbaumer also made the Top 10 for the second time, with both players also earning that honor in 2022.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights junior Lailah Benz (2) is a returning All-City and All-UKC pick. [File photo/TSN]
LAILAH BENZ, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Benz was a repeat first-team All-City honoree last spring as a sophomore for the 7-10-0 T-Birds and was also a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection for the second straight season. Benz earned All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season.
Cair Paravel junior Zahra Friess (3) is a two-time All-City soccer pick. [File photo/TSN]
ZAHRA FRIESS, Cair Paravel Latin
A junior forward, Friess helped lead Cair Paravel to a 16-2-1 record last season, earning a spot on the All-City team for the second straight season. Friess earned All-4A-1A first-team honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association in 2023.
Washburn Rural junior Destiny Higgs was a first-team All-Centennial League pick last season. [File photo/TSN]
DESTINY HIGGS, Washburn Rural
Higgs, a junior, earned All-Centennial League first-team recognition last season as well as All-6A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association.
Washburn Rural junior Kate Hinck (9) is a returning All-City and All-Centennial League first-team selection. [File photo/TSN]
KATE HINCK, Washburn Rural
A junior forward, Hinck earned first-team All-City and All-Centennial League recognition for the second straight season. Hinck, who received All-6A honorable mention from the KHSSCA, helped the Junior Blues post a 15-5-1 record en route to the Centennial title
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson and Shawnee Heights senior repeat pick Brennon Dodge headline the 2024 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the Shawnee County player of the year after helping lead the Scots to a 23-2 record and a third-place finish in Class 5A. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Robinson was tapped as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, posting double-doubles in all three of Highland Park's state tournament games.
Dodge, the lone all-county first-team repeat pick, helped lead Shawnee Heights to a 19-4 record and the T-Birds' first 5A state tournament berth since 2017.
The Scots, who dropped a three-point overtime loss in the semifinals to eventual state champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel, also put senior Tamir Anderson and junior Mikey Williams on the TSN Shawnee County Top 10.
Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]
Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the second straight season, leading the Scots to a 47-3 record over the past two years.
Dodge is joined on the all-county first team by junior teammate Jaret Sanchez while five other county schools put one player apiece on the Top 10.
That group includes seniors Simon Everhart of Cair Paravel Latin and Griffin Durst of Washburn Rural along with junior Jalen Foy of Topeka West and sophomores KaeVon Bonner of Seaman and Jack Donovan of Rossville.
Robinson and Sanchez both moved up to the Top 10 after being Second 10 picks in 2023 while Anderson, Bonner, Donovan, Everhart and Williams received honorable mention a year ago.
Hayden freshman Mason Becker has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden freshman Mason Becker was selected as this season's Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping the 8-16 Wildcats put together a strong postseason run to reach the 3A state tournament.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
DYLAN DODGE, Washburn Rural
A senior, Dodge earned a berth on the 2023 All-City team by teaming with Keegan Knudtson to win the city championship in No. 2 doubles. Dodge and Knudtson also posted a second-place finish in Class 6A regional competition last spring to help Washburn Rural win the team championship. Dodge and Knudtson competed the '23 6A state tournament.
Cair Paravel Latin Drew Fay was a Class 3A-1A state singles qualifier last spring as a freshman. [Submitted photo]
DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin
Fay, a sophomore, qualified for the 2023 Class 3A-1A state tournament last spring in Cair Paravel Latin's first season of fielding a tennis program. Fay posted a 21-12 record in singles competition as a freshman.
KEEGAN KNUDTSON, Washburn Rural
Knudtson, a sophomore, teamed with Dylan Dodge to win the city championship in No. 2 doubles last spring. Knudtson and Dodge posted a second-place finish in Class 6A regional competition to earn a berth in the 2023 6A state tournament while helping Washburn Rural win the regional team championship.
Hayden senior Joseph Luke is a returning Class 4A state doubles medalist. [File photo/TSN]
JOSEPH LUKE, Hayden
A senior, Luke earned All-City honors for the first time last season, teaming with Gus Glotzbach to finish fifth in the Class 4A state tournament. Luke and Glotzbach finished third in the city meet in No. 1 doubles and went on to finish second in the Centennial
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A whopping four local wrestlers garnered individual state titles in the 2024 state meet and that championship quartet headlines the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County boys wrestling team.
Washburn Rural junior 132-pounder Easton Broxterman has been named the Shawnee County boys wrestler of the year after winning his second straight Class 6A state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural junior 132-pounder Easton Broxterman was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after earning his second straight Class 6A state championship in his third straight trip to the state finals.
Washburn Rural junior Kristjan Marshall has his hand raised as the 150-pound Class 6A state champion. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Brody Byrne (right) won the Class 6A 157-pound state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Broxterman, who went 49-1 on the season, was joined on top of the 6A awards stand by junior 150-pounder Kristjan Marshall (39-4) and senior 157-pounder Brody Byrne (37-3), who both won their first state titles after posting fourth-place finishes in 2023.
Shawnee Heights senior 285-pounder Rykan Carver won a Class 5A state title in his final state meet, taking a 4-3 overtime decision in the championship match. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Shawnee Heights senior Rykan Carver (38-8) capped his high school career with a bang, winning the 5A state 285-pound championship in overtime to capture his first state medal.
Washburn Rural wrestling coach Josh Hogan has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year after three Rural wrestlers won state titles and finished third as a team. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural, which finished a close third in the 6A team standings, put a county-high eight wrestlers on the all-county first team, while Rural's Josh Hogan was named the county coach of the year and freshman 144-pounder Brodye Kocher-Munoz was selected as newcomer of the year.
The TopSports.news all-county team is based in part on selections made by the seven Topeka head coaches as well as at large selections for county schools Rossville and Silver Lake.
Also earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors for Rural in addition to the three state champions were sophomore 106-pounder Ryder Harrison (17-14), junior 120-pounder Walker Doyal (27-23), sophomore 126-pounder Cooper Stivers (11-5), sophomore 138-pounder Landen Kocher-Munoz (36-5) and senior 165-pounder Chase Calhoon (28-15).
Seaman and Shawnee Heights both put three wrestlers on the All-Shawnee County first team.
Seaman is represented by 144-pound senior Colin Little (40-10), 190-pound junior Deyton Mentzer (24-12) and 215-pound senior Hunter Reno (44-12) while Heights is represented by Carver, 138-pound senior Andrew Bonebrake (34-8) and 175-pound senior Allen Baughman (30-8).
Bonebrake and Baughman are both first-team repeat picks.
Rossville is represented on the first team by Class 3A-1A 215-pound senior state runnerup Barret Lietz (36-9) while Topeka High put 113-pound sophomore Luis Morones (19-10) on the first team.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS WRESTLING
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Highland Park got off to somewhat of a slow start in Tuesday's Class 5A boys sub-state semifinal against Kansas City-Turner, but opened up a double-digit advantage by halftime and turned the game into a rout with a 33-point third quarter on the way to an 85-43 win at Topeka High.
Highland Park senior Amari Taylor (0) scored 25 points in the Scots' 85-43 Class 5A sub-state win over KC-Turner Tuesday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Highland Park senior Mikey Williams scored 21 points as the Scots improved to 20-1 with an 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
The Scots led the Bears by just a 19-18 advantage at the end of the opening quarter but used a 20-9 second quarter to take a 39-27 advantage at the halftime break and outscored Turner 33-9 in the third quarter to take a 72-36 lead and force a running clock throughout the fourth quarter.
Senior Amari Taylor led Highland Park, now 20-1, with 25 points, followd by junior Mikey Williams with 21 points, junior Ja'Corey Robinson with 16 points and senior Tamir Anderson with 12 points on four 3-pointers.
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson slams down a dunk in Tuesday's 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Tamir Anderson scored 12 points on four 3-pointers in Highland Park's 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner Tuesday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Highland Park advanced to Friday's sub-state championship game to face the winner of the semifinal between Kansas City-Washington and Bonner Springs.
The sub-state championship game will be played at Topeka West, with the sub-state winner advancing to next week's Class 5A state tournament at Emporia's White Auditorium.
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 61, WICHITA NORTHWEST 24
The ‘second season’ began on Tuesday night with the first round of the sub-state tournament. The Grizzlies of Wichita Northwest
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Parirings have been finalized for this week's sub-state high school basketball tournaments, with 11 Shawnee County teams earning home court advantage for at least the first round of sub-state competition, which begins Monday and continues through Saturday.
Both Highland Park teams, Seaman's girls and Shawnee Heights' boys could all stay at home through both rounds of sub-state competition.
Hayden will compete in the Class 3A Royal Valley sub-state while Silver Lake and Rossville will both compete in the Class 3A Riley County sub-state and Cair Paravel Latin will compete in the 2A Jefferson County North sub-state
Here's a look at sub-state tournaments involving Shawnee County teams:
CLASS 6A GIRLS
West sub-state No. 3 -- Topeka High (5-14) is the No. 11 West seed and will be on the road Tuesday for a 7 p.m. Tuesday game at Centennial League rival Manhattan (10-10).
The Topeka High-Manhattan winner will advance to a Friday night sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 3 seed Liberal (14-6) and Wichita North (3-17).
Senior Zoe Canfield and the Washburn Rural girls will be at home Tuesday to open Class 6A sub-state play against Wichita Northwest. [File photo/TSN]
West sub-state No. 4 -- Washburn Rural, second in 6A a year ago after winning the title in 2022, is the No. 5 West seed at 13-7 and will host Wichita Northwest (5-15) at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The Washburn Rural-Wichita Northwest winner will advance to a Friday sub-state championship game to face the semifinal winner between No. 3 seed Wichita South (13-7) and Dodge City (5-15).
CLASS 6A BOYS
West sub-state No. 1 -- Washburn Rural, the No. 9 West seed at 10-10, will go on the road Wednesday for a 6 p.m. sub-state semifinal against No. 8 Wichita Southeast (11-9).
The winner of that game will advance to a Saturday final to meet the winner of the semifinal between No. 1 seed Wichita Heights (19-1) and Liberal (5-15).
Senior Taylin Stallbaumer and the No. 1-seeded Seaman girls will be at home Wednesday to open Class 5A postseason. [File photo/TSN]
CLASS 5A GIRLS
East sub-state No. 1 -- Seaman is the No. 1 East seed at 18-2 and will be at home for a 7 p.m. Wednesday semifinal to face No. 16 Kansas City-Harmon (1-15).
The winner of that game will advance to a Saturday final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 8 seed Basehor-Linwood (12-8) and No. 9 KC-Sumner (10-9).
East sub-state No. 2 -- Shawnee Heights, the No. 7 East seed at 14-6, will host No. 10 seed Piper (10-10) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with the T-Birds and Pirates meeting for the second straight game. Piper upset United Kansas Conference foe Heights last Friday in the regular-season finale.
The Heights-Piper winner will move on to a Saturday sub-state final to face the winner of another UKC matchup between No. 2 West seed De Soto (17-3) and Lansing (2-18).
Rob Brown's Highland Park girls, 14-5 on the season, will be at Topeka High for Wednesday's Class 5A sub-state semifinal against Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]
East sub-state No. 3 -- Highland Park (14-5) is the No. 3 East seed and will be looking for its second straight Class 5A state tournament berth.
HIghland Park will face No. 14 seed Pittsburg (5-15) in a 6 p.m. semifinal on Wednesday at Topeka High. The Highland Park-Pittsburg winner will advance to a Saturday sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 Spring Hill (14-6) and Blue Valley Southwest (10-10).
West sub-state No. 3 -- Topeka West is the No. 14 West seed at 8-12 and will travel to No. 3 seed Emporia (19-1) for a 7 p.m. Wednesday semifinal.
The winner will advance to Saturday's sub-state final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 6 Great Bend (14-6) and No. 11 Salina Central (10-10).
CLASS 5A BOYS
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
When Hayden's boys faced Kansas City-Bishop Ward back on Dec. 15th, the Wildcats needed overtime before escaping with a one-point victory over the Cyclones.
Senior Cooper Colboch paced Hayden with 21 points in Monday's 65-47 sub-state quarterfinal win over KC-Bishop Ward. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Dom Ridley scored 15 points, with four 3-pointers, in Hayden's 65-47 Class 3A sub-state win over KC-Bishop Ward Monday night. [File photo/TSN]
Monday's rematch, which came in a Class 3A sub-state quarterfinal, was a different story with Hayden, the No. 6 seed in the Royal Valley sub-state, rolling to a 65-47 win over No. 3 seed Ward in a game that was played at Kansas City-Turner.
With Monday's victory the 6-15 Wildcats advanced to a 7:30 p.m. Thursday night sub-state semifinal at Royal Valley to face No. 2 seed Perry-Lecompton, which took a 57-51 overtime win over Royal Valley.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Top-ranked Washburn Rural edged No. 2 Manhattan for the team championship in the Class 6A boys wrestling regional at Wichita North Saturday, with the Junior Blues claiming five individual titles while qualifying 10 wrestlers for this weeks state tournament at Hartman Arena in Park City.
Returning Class 6A state champion Easton Broxterman will take a 34-1 record into this week's state tournament in Park City. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural sophomore Landen Kocher-Munoz will be shooting for his second straight Class 6A state title this week at Hartman Arena in Park City. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural, which took a 243-234 win over Manhattan in the regional team race, got regional titles from 132-pound junior Easton Broxterman (45-1), sophomore 138-pounder Landen Kocher-Munoz (33-4), freshman 144-pounder Brodye Kocher-Munoz (36-12), junior 150-pounder Kristjan Marshall (35-4) and senior 157-pounder Brody Bryne (33-3).
Broxterman, a returning state champion, earned a medical forfeit over Vicent Rosas of Maize in the championship match while returning state champ L. Kocher-Munoz took a 10-8 decision over Daniel Gomez of Maize, B. Kocher-Munoz took a 2-1 decision over Manhattan's Logan Lagerman, Marshall took a 4-2 overtime decision over Grayson Hagen of Free State and Byrne pinned Free State's Gabe Swoyer in 59 seconds.
Sophomore 126-pounder Cooper Stivers (9-2) and senior 165-pounder Chase Calhoon (25-13) also advanced to regional championship matches, finishing second.
The Junior Blues got fourth-place finishes from sophomore 106-pounder Ryder Harrison (43-12), junior 120-pounder Walker Doyal (26-21) and 175-pound freshman Jadyn Baum (29-18)
Topeka High finished 12th as a team with 50 points and qualified junior 150-pounder Rehabiah Williamson (38-9), who finished sixth, senior 120-pounder Elijah Elliot (17-13), who finished seventh, sophomore 157-pounder Brandon Blancas (18-12), who placed eighth, and junior 215-pounder Detrick Johnson (23-12), who took eighth.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's boys rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 52-46 Mid-East League road win at Rock Creek Friday night.
The Eagles trailed 30-22 at the half but outscored the Mustangs 17-6 in the third quarter to take a 39-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
Silver Lake outscored Rock Creek 13-10 in the fourth stanza to hold on for the win, avenging a 51-38 home loss to the Mustangs on Jan. 5.
Junior Brody Deiter led Silver Lake with 19 points, going 5 of 6 at the free throw line.
Elijah Lopez added 14 for the Eagles, who improved to 11-7 overall and 5-4 in the Mid-East.
Silver Lake will travel to Royal Valley on Tuesday before hosting Wabaunsee on Thursday.
Senior Makenzie McDaniel scored 28 points for Silver Lake in the Eagles' 66-33 win over Rock Creek Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
McDaniel's 28 points leads Silver Lake girls to 66-33 romp past Rock Creek
Emporia State signee Makenzie McDaniel scored 28 points to lead the way as undefeated and top-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Lake rolled to a 66-33 Mid-East League win at Rock Creek Friday night.
Silver Lake, which improved to 18-0 overall and 9-0 in the Mid-East League, took control with a 27-8 first quarter and led 48-14 at the half and 64-25 at the start of the fourth quarter, forcing a running clock over the final eight minutes.
Senior McKinley Kruger added 16 points for Silver Lake while senior Kaylee Deiter finished with 11.
NOTE: Midseason statistics for city boys basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the second of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Robinson, Highland Park 10 211 21.1
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) leads the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double on the season. [File photo/TSN]
J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 10 182 18.2
Anderson, Highland Park 8 132 16.5
Bonner, Seaman 10 161 16.1
Dodge, Shawnee Heights 12 184 15.3
Williams, Highland Park 10 153 15.3
Everhart, Cair Paravel 12 183 15.3
Ballard, Washburn Rural -- --- 12.8
Finley, Seaman 10 124 12.4
Hales, Topeka High 12 148 12.3
Durst, Washburn Rural -- --- 12.3
Foy, Topeka West 11 135 12.3
Pavlik, Cair Paravel 12 140 11.7
Colboch, Hayden 11 117 10.6
Lyons, Topeka High 9 93 10.3
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Robinson, Highland Park 10 140 14.0
J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 10 83 8.3
NOTE: Mideason statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. Topeka High did not report midseason stats. The following stats are the second of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Carter, Highland Park 9 144 16.0
Highland Park freshman Pearmella Carter is leading the city in scoring and rebounding. [Highland Park basketball]
Ramsey, Hayden 9 140 15.6
Canfield, Washburn Rural 8 124 15.5
Vickery, Washburn Rural 11 166 15.1
Becker, Seaman 13 194 14.9
Meier, Hayden 13 183 14.1
Gowan-Britt, Highland Park 6 80 13.3
I. McGlory, Topeka West 15 198 13.2
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 12 147 12.3
Gragg, Seaman 13 152 12.3
T. Stallbaumer, Seaman 13 151 11.6
Sandstrom, Hayden 13 149 11.5
Broils, Highland Park 9 87 9.7
Clark, Topeka West 15 138 9.2
Vega, Shawnee Heights 12 107 8.9
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Carter, Highland Park 9 94 10.4
Ramsey, Hayden 9 88 9.8
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Freshman Pearmella Carter turned in a huge 38-point, 18-rebound performance Friday night as Highland Park's girls basketball team bounced back from a loss to perennial Class 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas with a 66-30 Meadowlark Conference road win over Kansas City-Wyandotte.
Freshman Pearmella Carter scored 38 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in Highland Park's 66-30 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Wyandotte Friday night. [Highland Park basketball]
Carter hit 18 of 27 shots from the floor and went two of three from the free throw line in the Highland Park win while also recording six steals.
Angelique Gowan-Britt scored 15 points with 9 assists and 6 steals in Highland Park's 66-30 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Wyandotte. [Highland Park basketball]
Tahtionna Broils scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Highland Park's 66-30 win over KC-Wyandotte. [Highland Park basketball]
Carter was backed by Angelique Gowan-Britt with 15 points, 9 assists and 6 steals while Tahtionna Broils scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Highland Park led 15-7 at the end of the opening quarter and 28-17 at the half before outscoring the Bulldogs 38-13 in the second half.
Now 7-4 on the season and undefeated in conference play, Highland Park will travel to Atchison on Monday for a Meadowlark Conference contest.
Topeka West sophomore Imani McGlory led all scorers with 15 points in the Chargers' 58-21 UKC win over Turner. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
West girls take 58-21 runaway UKC decision over KC-Turner
Having lost four of its last five games at the start of the night, Topeka West's girls got back on track in a big way Friday night, taking a 58-21 home United Kansas Conference victory over Kansas City-Turner.
The Chargers started somewhat slowly, scoring seven of their 11 first-quarter points from the free throw line, but West still led 11-5 and then put the game out of reach with an 18-4 second quarter that gave West 29-9 halftime advantage.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Junior Jalen Foy turned in a huge performance Tuesday night as Topeka West rolled to a 68-51 United Kansas Conference road win over Lansing, the Chargers' fifth straight victory.
Topeka West junior Jalen Foy scored a career-high 31 points as the Chargers won their fifth straight game Tuesday, 68-51 over Lansing. [File photo/TSN]
Foy scored 31 points with four 3-pointers and a 5 of 5 performance at the free throw line while also contributing 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals.
Sophomore Keimani Paul scored 11 points with 5 assists and 3 steals while senior Caleb Noonoo had 8 points and 4 steals for the Chargers.
Topeka West, 9-4 overall and 7-2 in the UKC, led 20-14 at the end of the opening quarter and led 37-26 at the half before outscoring the Lions 31-25 in the second half.
Topeka West will travel to Piper on Thursday before hosting Kansas City-Turner on Friday.
Lady Scots rebound from back-to-back losses with 63-34 Meadowlark romp
Highland Park's girls basketball team bounced back from two straight losses with a 63-34 Meadowlark Conference road rout over Kansas City-Washington.
The Scots, who had dropped three of their previous four games, improved to 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the conference.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Highland Park's boys basketball team has only played one home game this entire season and that's not likely to change any time in the immediate future due to recent flooding in the Hi Park gym.
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Highland Park's 93-53 win over KC-East Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Mikey Williams scored 18 points in Highland Park's 93-53 win over KC-East on Friday. [File photo/TSN]
But the Scots continue to roll up victories, with No. 3-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park bouncing back from its lone loss of the season to post three regular-season wins in four days last week, capped by Friday night's 93-53 non-league road victory over Kansas City, Mo.-East.
Highland Park opened the week with a 66-46 non-league win at Eudora, followed by a 58-19 Meadowlark Conference win at KC-Schlagle on Thursday and the Friday night win over KC-East.
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against East, followed by junior Mikey Williams with 18 points.
Also cracking double figures for the Scots were senior Amari Taylor with 14 points and freshman Jojo Kingcannon with 11 points.
Junior guard Jamon Wilson dished out 11 assists Friday night.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
A furious comeback by Cair Paravel Latin fell short Tuesday night in a Kaw Valley Conference battle against Bishop Seabury, with the Lions falling at home, 69-62.
Cair Paravel Latin senior Simon Everhart (1) led the Lions with 21 points in Tuesday's 69-62 loss to Bishop Seabury. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
A cold second quarter found the Lions trailing 34-21 at the half and the Seahawks stretched their lead to 55-38 to start the fourth period.
The Lions, led by junior Jace Pavlik, came roaring back. Pavlik fired in 14 points in the fourth period as the Lions ramped up fullcourt pressure and rattled the visiting Seahawks.
The Lions shaved the deficit to 65-59 and nearly made it a one-possession game when a 3-point attempt by Cair Paravel senior Simon Everhart rattled out with just under two minutes remaining.
Bishop Seabury made just enough of its free throws to hold off the home team down the stretch.
“We had a lid on the cup for a little bit,” Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer said. “There were some things that we could have done to help ourselves out. But all in all, that’s basketball. It’s a game of runs. So, you’ve got to be able to take ‘em on the chin and punch back.”
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Rossville's boys basketball team completed its run to the Oskaloosa Invitational championship with a decisive 57-37 victory over Perry-Lecompton in Saturday's title game.
Rossville's boys basketball team poses for a team picture on Saturday after winning the tournament championship in the Oskaloosa Invitational. [Rossville Athletics]
Imroving to 7-4 on the season, sophomore Jack Donovan had a monster 28-point performance for the Bulldawgs, scoring 28 points with four 3-pointers and a 6 of 6 performance at the free throw line.
Rossville also got 16 points from junior Kameron Bonura.
Rossville led by just a point (14-13) at the end of the opening quarter but used a 16-6 second quarter to take control, leading 30-19 at the half.
The Bulldawgs boosted their lead to 45-30 at the start of the fourth quarter and cruised the rest of the way.
Sophomore Jack Donovan (3) and Tayson Horak (12) were named to the Oskaloosa Invitational All-Tournament Team. [Rossville Athletics]
Donovan and junior Tayson Horak were named to the all-tournament team for the Bulldawgs.
Silver Lake's girls basketball team poses for a team picture after winning the tournament championship in the Burlington Invitational. [Silver Lake basketball]
Top-ranked Silver Lake girls top Ottawa for Burlington championship
Silver Lake's girls, top-ranked in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, claimed the tournament championship in the Burlington Invitational with a 64-46 romp past Ottawa.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Sophomore Imani McGlory scored a game-high 29 points with seven 3-pointers to lead the way as Topeka West's girls rolled to a 55-36 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth.
Sophomore Imani McGlory scored a career-high 29 points with seven 3-pointers in Topeka West's 55-36 UKC win over Leavenworth Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
McGlory, who also canned three 3s in limited time in the junior varsity game was joined in double figures by senior Rebecca Bearman, who had 14 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter as Topeka West improved to 4-5 overall and 3-5 in the UKC.
Topeka West will compete next Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Capital City Classic at Seaman.
ROSSVILLE BOYS ADVANCE TO TITLE GAME
Rossville's boys will play for the championship in the Oskaloosa Invitational at 4:30 p.m. Saturday after a 57-38 semifinal win over Jefferson County North Friday night.
Rossville and Jefferson North were tied at 10-10 at the end of the first quarter but the Bulldawgs outscored North 47-28 the rest of the way to take the 19-point win.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights junior standout Jaret Sanchez scored 32 points to lead the way as the T-Bird boys basketball team ran its winning streak to seven games with an 80-51 romp past Ozark, Mo. in the second round of the Shawnee Mission West Invitational Thursday.
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez (23) scored 32 points Thursday as the T-Birds rolled to an 80-51 win over Ozark, Mo. [File photo/TSN]
Sanchez's big night came after he missed the T-Birds' previous game, a win over tournament host SM West, with a slight ankle injury.
Senior Brennon Dodge added 15 points for the 7-2 T-Birds while junior Deacon Pomeroy and sophomore Ontarius Emmot added 10 points apiece for Shawnee Heights.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: There are likely to be changes to tournament schedules early in the week due to inclement weather. TopSports.news will attempt to update the schedules as changes are announced.
BOYS
Monday
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN vs. McLOUTH
At McLouth Invitational
Cair Paravel Latin (4-3) was scheduled to play a 5 p.m. first-round game against tournament host McLouth on Monday, weather permitting The Lions have been idle since a 68-52 win over Maranatha Academy. The Cair Paravel-McLouth winner will advance to a 5 p.m. semifinal on Thursday to face the winner of the first-round game between Horton and Riverside. The first-round losers will play consolation games on Thursday. All place games will be played on Saturday, beginning with the seventh-place game at 10 a.m. and ending with the championship game at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday
SILVER LAKE vs. OTTAWA
At Burlington Invitational
Silver Lake (5-2) is scheduled to open its bid in the Burlington Invitational with an 8:15 p.m. first-round game against Ottawa. The Eagles are coming off a 53-38 win over Riley County. The Silver Lake-Ottawa winner will advance to a Friday semifinal (time to be announced) to take on the first-round winner between Sabetha and Labette County. Consolation games will be played on Friday (times to be announced). All place games will be played on Saturday, starting with the seventh-place game at 1:35 p.m. and culminating in the championship game at 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS vs. SHAWNEE MISSION WEST
At Shawnee Mission West Invitational
Shawnee Heights (5-2) will put its five-game winning streak on the line in a 7 p.m. first-round game against tournament host Shawnee
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez has helped the T-Birds post five straight wins, including a 54-51 UKC win at Seaman on Friday. [File photo/TSN]
Mission West (0-6) in the Shawnee Mission West Invitational. The T-Birds are coming off a 54-51 United Kansas Conference road win at Seaman last Friday. Junior Jaret Sanchez scored 15 points and senior Brennon Dodge 14 in Heights' win over Seaman. Shawnee Heights will play a second-round game against Ozark, Mo. at 7 p.m. on Thursday and will play a place game on Saturday (times to be announced).
Rossville sophomore Jack Donovan scored 20 points last Thursday night as the Bulldawgs rolled to a 75-43 win over Valley Heights. [File photo/TSN]
ROSSVILLE vs. OSKALOOSA
At Oskaloosa Invitational
The 4-4 Bulldawgs will face off against tournment host Oskaloosa in a 7:45 p.m. first-round game that was postponed from Tuesday. The Rossville-Oskaloosa winner will move on to a 6 p.m. semifinal game on Friday to face the winner of the first-round game between Jefferson County North and St. Mary's Academy. Consolation games between the first-round losers will also be played on Friday. The tournament championship game is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, following the other place games, which will start at 12 p.m.
Thursday
HIGHLAND PARK vs. LAWRENCE
At Topeka Invitational Tournament at Hayden
As it worked out, the 2024 Topeka Invitational Tournament will begin with the same matchup that ended the '23 event, matching last year's tournament champion Highland Park against runnerup Lawrence in Thursday's 2 p.m. first-round game. Highland Park, No. 3-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, is 4-0 on the season after an 111-43 Meadowlark Conference win
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson slams down a dunk in Thursday's 111-43 Meadowlark Conference rout over KC-Sumner. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
over Kansas City-Turner while Lawrence is 1-7. Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 31 points with 12 rebounds and six dunks for the Scots against Sumner. With a win Thursday Highland Park will advance to Friday's 5:30 p.m. semifinal to face the winner of the first-round game between Shawnee Mission North and Topeka West. The consolation games will also be played on Friday. The Topeka Invitational championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:45 p.m., following the other place games.
SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH vs. TOPEKA WEST
At Topeka Invitational Tournament at Hayden
Topeka West, 4-3 on the season, will square off against Shawnee Mission North (2-6) in a 3:45 p.m. first-round game on Thursday. The Chargers will be looking to advance to a 5:30 p.m. semifinal game on Friday to meet the winner of the Highland Park-Lawrence tournament opener. Topeka West has been off since a 76-30 loss to De Soto on Jan. 5. Topeka West fell in the semifinals to Lawrence in the 2023 Topeka Invitational while Highland Park claimed the tournament title. The consolation games will also be played on Friday. The Topeka Invitational championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:45 p.m., following the other place games.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 35-second shot clock was approved on a trial basis for the 2024-25 basketball season by the KSHSAA Executive Board at their board meeting Wednesday.
All KSHSAA member schools will have the option to utilize the shot clock for all home boys and girls basketball games at the varsity level.
The trial will only be during the regular season.
If a school chooses to participate in the trial they must do so for all boys and girls varsity games they host.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) approved the use of the shot clock for state adoption in 2022.
The KSHSAA has surveyed school administrators and coaches for their opinions on adopting the shot clock since before allowance by the NFHS.
Most recently, at the October Regional Administrator meetings, the question was favored for adoption by classes 6A and 5A (Yes 47 N0 22). However, the total vote for all classes did not favor implementation (Yes 116 N 279).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville's boys basketball team rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 60-57 Mid-East League win over Riley County Friday night.
Rossville sophomore Jack Donovan scored 13 points Friday night as the Bulldawgs rallied for a 60-57 Mid-East League win over Riley County. [File photo/TSN]
Brandon McDonnell's Rossville boys basketball team improved to 3-4 Friday night with a 60-57 win over Riley County. [File photo/TSN]
Riley County led 21-14 at the end of the opening quarter and took a 35-27 advantage to the locker room at halftime before the Bulldawgs outscored the Falcons 33-22 in the second half.
Rossville still trailed 46-41 at the start of the fourth quarter but outscored the Falcons 19-11 over the final eight minutes to improve to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the league.
Sophomore Jack Donovan and junior Mason Jones scored 13 points apiece to lead the Bulldawgs while junior Tayson Horak added 11 points with a pair of 3-pointers and sophomore Cameron Miller and junior Kameron Badura scored 10 points apiece.
ROSSVILLE GIRLS 40, RILEY COUNTY 33
Rossville and Riley County were deadlocked 20-20 at halftime before the Bulldawgs outscored the Falcons 20-13 in the second half to pull out the Mid-East League victory.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Here's a glance at all of Friday night's games involving Shawnee County boys teams:
FRIDAY
WASHBURN RURAL BOYS (0-6 overall, 0-1 Centennial) at HAYDEN (4-2 overall, 0-1 Centennial)
Washburn Rural and Hayden will be playing their second Centennial League game on the week after opening Centennial League play on Tuesday. Rural dropped a hard-fought 51-48 decision at undefeated Junction City on Tuesday and while Hayden dropped a 58-42 home contest to Emporia. Junior Kaden Ballard scored 15 points for the Junior Blues against Junction City while sophomore Kade Mitchell led the Wildcats with 10 points against Emporia.
Highland Park senior Tamir Anderson leads the city in scoring and 3-point field goals. [File photo/TSN]
POSTPONED: ATCHISON BOYS (6-0 overall, 2-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (3-0 overall, 1-0 Meadowlark)
Friday's Atchison-Highland Park games have been postponed due to weather concerns and will be made up at a later date. Highland Park is ranked No. 3 in Class 5A by the KBCA while Atchison is ranked No. 3 in 4A. Highland Park closed out 2023 with a 77-30 win over Kansas City-Wyandotte in its Meadowlark Conference opener while Atchison rolled to a 91-41 conference win over
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A game-by-game glance at all of Friday night's Shawnee County girls basketball games:
FRIDAY
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS (5-1 overall, 1-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (5-1 overall, 0-1 Centennial)
Washburn Rural and Hayden will both be playing their second Centennial League games of the week after the Junior Blues and Wildcats were the first Shawnee County teams to open 2024 with Tuesday night games. Washburn Rural rolled to a 58-31 win at Junction City while Hayden dropped a 54-40 home decision to Emporia. Senior Zoe Canfield and freshman Maddie Vickery scored 17 points apiece in just a half against Junction City while junior Brylee Meier led Hayden with 14 points and senior Avery Grunert added 12 points against Emporia.
Highland Park junior Amelia Ramsey is the city leader in scoring and rebounding, averaging 22 points and 15 rebounds. [File photo/TSN]
POSTPONED: ATCHISON GIRLS (3-3 overall, 2-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (3-0 overall, 1-0 Meadowlark)
Friday's Atchison at Highland Park games have been postponed due to weather concerns and will be made up at a later date. Highland Park opened Meadowlark Conference play with an 87-17 win over Kansas City-Wyandotte in its final game before the holiday break while Atchison improved to 2-0 in the conference with a 47-36 win over Wyandotte in its 2023 finale. Highand Park
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024 portion of the Shawnee County high school basketball season cranks up in a hurry, with all 10 county schools in action this week, beginning with a pair of Centennial League games on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Here's a glance at all of this week's games involving county boys teams:
TUESDAY
Senior Cooper Colboch is averaging 16.2 points to lead 4-1 Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
EMPORIA BOYS (4-2 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (4-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
Both Hayden and Emporia will open Centennial League play Tuesday while meeting for the second time this season. Emporia handed the Wildcats their lone loss, a 50-44 decision, in the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia in early Dec. Hayden, ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, closed out 2023 with a 69-56 win over Class 6A school Shawnee Mission West while Emporia dropped a 45-42 decision to Great Bend in its '23 finale. Senior Cooper Colboch leads Hayden with a 16.2 scoring average while seniors Dom Ridley and Carter Charvat average 10.2 and 10.0 points. Charvat also leads the Wildcats with a 7.2 rebounding average.
Junior Kaden Ballard (2) is averaging a team-high 11.6 points for Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL BOYS (0-5 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at JUNCTION CITY (6-0 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
Washburn Rural and Junction City will both open their Centennial League schedules on Tuesday. Washburn Rural closed out its pre-holiday slate with a 67-45 loss to undefeated Kapaun Mt. Carmel while Junction City, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, took a 55-51 overtime win over Bishop Carroll in its 2023 finale. Junior Kaden Ballard leads Washburn Rural with an 11.6 scoring average while
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024 portion of the Shawnee County high school basketball season cranks up in a hurry, with all 10 county schools in action this week, beginning with a pair of Centennial League games on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Here's a glance at all of this week's girls games involving county teams:
TUESDAY
Junior Brylee Meier is averaging team-highs of 16 points and 7.6 rebounds for 5-0 Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
EMPORIA GIRLS (5-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (5-0 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
The Spartans and Wildcats open Centennial League play Tuesday night while meeting for the second time this season. Hayden took a 50-45 win over in the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia in early Dec., handing the Spartans their lone loss in a 5-1 start. Emporia wrapped up the 2023 portion of its schedule with a 43-29 win over Great Bend while Hayden rolled to a 61-7 non-league decision over Kansas City-Ward in its '23 finale. Junior Brylee Meier is averaging a team-high 16 points and 7.6 rebounds for Hayden while Kaliya Fulton averages 10.6 points, Norma Greco 9.2 and Lauren Sandstrom 8.4 points. Fulton averages 3.8 assists. Hayden is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association while Emporia is No. 6 in 5A.
Freshman Maddie Vickery (right) is averaging 15 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS (4-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at JUNCTION CITY (0-6 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
Washburn Rural, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, will put a three-game win streak on the line in its Centennial League opener while Junction City is still looking for its first win as it opens league play. Freshman Maddie Vickery leads the Junior Blues with a 15-point scoring average, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Senior Zoe Canfield is averaging 14.5 points and 2.5 assists while junior Kate Hinck is averaging 4.0 steals. Washburn Rural wrapped up 2023 with a 52-26 win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel while Junction City dropped a 58-10 decision to Bishop Carroll in its final game before the holdays.
THURSDAY
Freshman Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton leads Topeka High with a 13.2 scoring average. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS (2-4 overall) at BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (3-1 overall)
Topeka High closed out its pre-holday slate with a 40-33 non-league win over Bonner Springs while Northwest took a 46-45 win over Lee's Summit North, Mo. in its final game of 2023. Freshman Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton averages a team-high 13.2 points for Topeka High
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee County high schools captured a pair of boys state team titles in 2023 while county athletes combined to earn a whopping 13 individual championships, led by six athletes who captured multiple gold medals.
Topeka West is No. 1 on TopSports.news' list of the Top 10 boys high school sports stories of 2023 after two-time state doubles champs Ian and Miles Cusick led the Chargers to the Class 5A state tennis title while Washburn Rural bowling is right behind West after turning in one of the top performances in state tournament history en route to the 6A boys team championship.
Individually, Shawnee Heights distance ace Jackson Esquibel won state titles in two sports in 2023 while former Highland Park star Tre Richardson and Hayden's Jake Muller, Finn Dunshee, Jensen Schrickel and Liam Stegman all captured multiple state championships.
Here's a look at TopSports.news' Top 10 Shawnee County boys prep stories of 2023:
Topeka West twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick exchange a hug after winning their second straight Class 5A doubles title in 2023. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West's tennis poses for a team picture after winning the school's first Class 5A boys state tennis team title in May. [Submitted photo]
1. TWIN TITLES -- After leading Topeka West tennis to a second-place team finish with their first Class 5A state doubles championship in 2022 twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick and Kurt Davids' Chargers completed their title quests in 2023. The Cusicks capped their bid for a repeat with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arkansas City's Oakley and Dawson O'Donnell in the state final while all six West players earned state medals as the Chargers won the school's first boys state team crown by a 34-28 margin over Blue Valley Southwest. West senior Carter Cool added a seventh-place state singles finish while then-juniors Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew finished ninth in doubles and then-junor James Maag placed 11th in singles.
Washburn Rural's boys bowling team won the 2023 Class 6A state championship by 135 pins. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
2. STRIKING GOLD -- A year after failing to qualify for state as a team in 2022, Jo Ricard's Junior Blues turned in a performance for the ages in the 2023 state meet, winning the Class 6A state team championship by a whopping 135 pins over Olathe Northwest (3,711-3,576). Senior Josh Hammons paced Rural with a fourth-place individual finish (725) while then-sophomore Logan Glinka finished seventh (696) and senior Walker Thompson 11th (671).
As a senior Highland Park's Tre Richardson posted four top-four finishes with a pair of Class 5A state titles in the state track meet, scoring 33 total points. [File photo/TSN]
3. TRE-RIFIC --After helping Highland Park's football team snap an eight-year losing skid with a breakout 6-3 season to end 2022, Scot star Tre Richardson helped lead the Scots to a 24-1 record and a third-place Class 5A state finish in basketball. But Richardson saved his best for last, winning a pair of gold medals in the long jump and 100-meter dash and posting four top-four finishes in the 5A state track meet. Richardson scored 33 points to outscore 32 other 5A schools by himself.
NOTE: Statistics for city boys basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Highland Park senior Tamir Anderson leads the city in scoring and 3-point field goals. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Anderson, Highland Park 3 74 24.7
Robinson, Highland Park 3 60 20.0
Bonner, Seaman 4 79 19.8
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 5 91 18.2
Colboch, Hayden 5 81 16.2
Hales, Topeka High 6 91 15.2
Williams, Highland Park 3 41 13.7
B. Finley, Seaman 4 54 13.5
Dodge, Shawnee Heights 5 66 13.2
Foy, Topeka West 6 76 12.7
Everhart, Cair Paravel 6 75 12.5
Chambers, Topeka West 6 74 12.3
Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 58 11.6
Villegas, Topeka High 6 67 11.2
Taylor, Highland Park 3 33 11.0
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez leads the city in rebounding with a 9.8 average. [File photo/TSN]
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 5 49 9.8
NOTE: Statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Highland Park junior Amelia Ramsey is the city leader in scoring and rebounding entering 2024. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Ramsey, Highland Park 3 66 22.0
Meier, Hayden 5 80 16.0
Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 75 15.0
Canfield, Washburn Rural 2 29 14.5
McGlory, Topeka West 6 86 14.3
Becker, Seaman 5 68 13.6
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 5 67 13.4
Rayton, Topeka High 5 66 13.2
Broils, Highland Park 3 38 12.7
T. Stallbaumer, Seaman 5 62 12.4
Carter, Highland Park 3 33 11.0
Gragg, Seaman 5 53 10.6
Fulton, Hayden 5 53 10.6
Greco, Hayden 5 46 9.2
Vega, Shawnee Heights 5 44 8.8
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Ramsey, Highland Park 3 45 15.0
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: @TopSports.news plans to run high school basketball roundups throughout the 2023-2024 season for the 10 Shawnee County high schools. Coaches are encouraged to submit game reports to
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Hayden's girls basketball team wrapped up the championship in the Paul Terry Classic with a 57-35 win over Wichita Trinity on Saturday at Emporia's White Auditorium.
Hayden's girls baketball team poses for a team picture after winning the championship in the Paul Terry Classic Saturday at Emporia. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Hayden junior Brylee Meier (25) hoists the Paul Terry Classic trophy Saturday at Emporia's White Auditorium as the Wildcats celebrate the title. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
The Wildcats, who are ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 4-0 on the season with Saturday's victory, their third tournament victory in as many days.
Junior Brylee Meier scored 29 points with four 3-pointers in Hayden's 57-35 win over Wichita Trinity on Saturday. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Junior Brylee Meier scored 29 points with four 3-pointers to power Hayden past Trinity.
Hayden opened the tournament with a 48-30 win over Spring Hill on Thursday before knocking off tournament host Emporia, ranked No. 6 in 5A on Friday, 50-45.
Meier scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Friday's win over Centennial League rival Emporia while junior Kaliya Fulton added 12 points.
Hayden will play a road game Friday against Kansas City-Bishop Ward.
Rossville's girls basketball team poses for a team picture after winning the championship in the Irish Classic Saturday in Chapman. [Rossville Bulldawgs photo]
ROSSVILLE GIRLS 83, CHAPMAN 40
Rossville's girls wrapped up the championship in the Irish Classic with an 83-40 romp past tournament host Chapman on Saturday.
The 4-0 Bulldawgs got 25 points from freshman Nora Burdiek, 23 from sophomore Rylee Dick and 14 from senior Emma Mitchell in Saturday's win over Chapman.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Cair Paravel Latin boys basketball team held off a late rally by Mission Valley to beat the Vikings 48-40 at Cair Paravel Thursday.
The Lions built an 18-point lead by the middle of the third period, but saw that margin evaporate quickly.
Cair Paravel senior Simon Everhart (1) drives the lane in Thursday's 48-40 win over Mission Valley. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Mission Valley used a 13-2 run to get back in the contest, eventually whittling the Cair Paravel lead to just three points with a minute remaining.
“There’s a lot of momentum that happens,” Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer said. “There for a moment we were playing not to lose. You always want to play to win. In the first half, we took some bad shots that went in. That’s sort of fool’s gold. That catches up to you.''
The Lions were handcuffed by fouls which sent several of their players to the bench for extended stretches. The Lions committed 17 fouls in the first period alone.
“You can write it on the white board but sometimes the game gets away from you. You’ve got to control what you can control,” Kueffer said. “Fortunately, we had a lot of guys come in off the bench and make contributions early. I’m grateful for the way we handled the adversity.”
Most notably, Cair Paravel senior Rich Hembold come into the game and drilled three 3-pointers in the second period.
When it got down to crunch time, it was senior guard Simon Everhart who came through. He scored 10 of the Lions’ last 13 points, mainly by knocking down eight of nine free throws in the second half.
Chip Kueffer's Cair Paravel Latin boys improved to 3-2 with Thursday's 48-40 win over Mission Valley. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“Evan Will, Simon Everhart, Ty Gossard, those guys made big plays in the last three or four minutes,” Kueffer said. “We kind of made it hard on ourselves, but those guys kept their composure and finished the game for us.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: @TopSports.news plans to run high school basketball roundups throughout the 2023-2024 season for the 10 Shawnee County high schools. Coaches are encouraged to submit game reports to
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Coming off a 24-1 season and a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, Highland Park's boys basketball team is off and running again, opening its season Tuesday night with a 90-33 non-league road win at Bonner Springs.
Tamir Anderson
Ja'Corey Robinson
Highland Park, ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, had four players crack double figures, led by senior Tamir Anderson, who scored a game-high 21 points on seven 3-pointers.
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 19 points for the Scots, followed by senior Amari Taylor with 16 points (two 3-pointers) and junior Mikey Williams with 15 points.
Highland Park was in command after opening up a 28-12 first-quarter lead and the Scots took a 46-23 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The Scots finished off the rout with a 44-10 scoring advantage in the second half, holding Bonner Springs scoreless in the fourth quarter. A running clock was used throughout the fourth.
Highland Park will return to action next Tuesday, traveling to Kansas City-Southeast, Mo.
HIGHLAND PARK GIRLS 52, BONNER SPRINGS 41
Highland Park, which advanced to the 5A state tournament a season ago, opened its season with a 52-41 non-league road win at Bonner Springs Tuesday night, getting a monster game from junior star Amelia Ramsey.
Amelia Ramsey
Ramsey, an All-Shawnee County pick last season, scored 21 points and grabbed 23 rebounds to key Highland Park's season-opening win.
Tahtionna Broils joined Ramsey in double figures for the Scots, finishing with 16 points.
Highland Park, ranked No. 10 in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, will travel to Kansas City-Southeast, Mo. on Thursday.
ROSSVILLE BOYS 56, KC-WARD 48
Rossville evened its record at 1-1 with a 56-48 home win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward Tuesday night in the opening round of the Irish Classic.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin's boys basketball team opened the Chip Kueffer era with a come-from-behind 46-42 win over Burlingame in the opening round of the Waverly tournament.
Kueffer was making his debut as the Lions' coach and picked up the win as CPLS closed with a strong fourth-quarter rally.
Cair Paravel senior Evan Will scored 14 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, in the Lions' 46-42 win over Burlingame on Thursday. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Evan Will led the Lions with 14 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer from the left wing off a pass from Ian Brian.
Brian also came up with an offensive rebound off a missed Lion free throw with 10 seconds remaining to clinch the win.
CPLS senior Simon Everhart scored 10 points in Thursday's 46-42 season-opening win over Burlingame in the Waverly tournament. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Ty Gossard goes to the hoop in Thursday's 46-42 Cair Paravel win over Burlingame. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN\
Ty Gossard and Simon Everhart added 10 points apiece for the Lions.
Cair Paravel will face tournament host Waverly at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 53, NEWTON 13
Maddie Vickery, a 6-foot-1 freshman, scored 18 points in her high school debut, helping lead Washburn Rural to a 53-13 win over Newton in the first round of the Hays Shootout.
In addition to Vickery's game-high performance, the Junior Blues got 13 points from junior Kate Hinck.
Washburn Rural played without senior standout Zoe Canfield.
The Junior Blues, who won the Class 6A state title in 2022 and finished second in 2023, advanced to a 6:30 p.m. Friday semifinal game to face tournament host Hays.
Rural will close out its tournament appearance on Saturday.
BURLINGAME GIRLS 57, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 30
Burlingame topped Cair Paravel Latin 57-30 in the opening round of the Waverly tournament.
The Lions will play Waverly at 6 p.m. Friday.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game, and 6A semifinalist Washburn Rural combined for 11 Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' 2023 All-Shawnee County football team while Seaman's Max Huston and Rural's JC Heim garnered the top individual honors.
Washburn Rural senior linebacker JC Heim has been named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County defensive player of the year after registering 173 tackles for the 11-1 Junior Blues. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has been tapped as the TopSports.news Shawnee County offensive player of the year after passing for 3,257 yards and 39 touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden, which posted a 12-1 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Carter Charvat, Finn Dunshee and Jude Konrade and junior Jensen Schrickel while Washburn Rural, 11-1 on the year, put seniors Packson Bettis, Jaren Heim, JC Heim, Branton DeWeese, Jamond Lane and Titan Osburn and junior King Leonard on the Top 22.
'Seaman quarterback Huston, who led the Vikings to a 6-5 season and the third round of the 5A playoffs, was named the Shawnee County offensive player of the year while Heim, a linebacker, was named the county defensive player of the year.
Huston, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior, completed 230 of 379 passes for 3,257 yards and 39 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Huston also carried the ball 134 times for 706 yards and eight TDs.
Heim, a 6-3, 225-pounder, was in on 173 tackles (102 solos) with 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles (one for a touchdown), two blocked extra points and a blocked punt. Offensively, Heim rushed for 530 yards and 10 TDs on 90 carries.
Hayden coach Bill Arnold (right) has been named the TopSports.news 2023 Shawnee County coach of the year while sophomore quarterback Connor Hanika (3) was tapped as the co-offensive newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Bill Arnold, now 211-66 as a head coach, was named the Shawnee County coach of the year.
Hayden sophomore Kade Mitchell (25) is the TSN Shawnee County co-offensive newcomer of the year after rushing for 764 yards and scoring 15 total touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural junior cornerback Wilson Miller (2) has been named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year after helping the Junior Blues post an 11-1 record this fall. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden sophomores Connor Hanika and Kade Mitchell were named the county co-offensive newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural junior Wilson Miller was named the defensive newcomer of the year.
Hanika, 6-3, 165, took over as the Wildcats' quarterback after an injury to starter Jett Wahlmeier and completed 38 of 60 passes for 470 yards and seven touchdowns while MItchell, a 5-9, 165 running back, rushed for 764 yards on 79 attempts, caught 13 passes for 209 yards, had five kickoff returns for 174 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns.
Miller, a 6-0, 190 cornerback, was in on 48 tackles (40 solos) with five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Miller also handled the Junior Blues' place-kicking duties for much of the season.
Shawnee Heights put seniors Allen Baughman, Rykan Carver and Christian Gonzales on the All-Shawnee County Top 22, while Seaman is represented by Huston and senior Callen Barta, Silver Lake by seniors Tanner Martin and Blake Redmond, Cair Paravel Latin by senior Jesiah Bonura, Highland Park by junior Adrian Burney, Rossville by senior Barrett Lietz and Topeka West by senior Kyrece Robinson.
Hayden's Dunshee and Schrickel, Rural's Bettis, DeWeese, JC Heim and Osburn, Shawnee Heights' Baughman, Rossville's Lietz and Silver Lake's Martin are All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22 or Second 22 teams. Eight county teams posted winning records this fall, with seven winning at least one playoff contest.
TopSports.news selected the 2023 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from all 10 county head coaches.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Cair Paravel Latin School cheer squad is a perfect three for three in state championship competition.
After becoming full Kansas State High School Activities Association members in the fall of 2020, the Lions’ cheer squad has participated in three state competitions and has yet to take home anything but gold.
The Cair Paravel Latin cheer squad has gone three for three in KSHSAA competition, recently winning its third straight title. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Cair Paravel Latin held a hall parade on Monday at the school to honor its cheer squad, which recently won its third straight state title in as many state appearances. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
For a school finding success quickly in KSHSAA competition, it is the cheer squad which leads the way.
Head cheerleading coach Courtney Bond took over leadership of the team in the fall of 2020. She presented the challenge of competition to the team that year, and they began preparing for the next year’s championship, held each fall.
“I had competed in cheerleading competitions in high school (in Ohio), so it was something that I was familiar with,” Bond said. “When I presented the idea to the girls, they were all about it. So, we went and competed in (Class) 1A and were pleasantly surprised to bring home the championship.”
Cair Paravel junior Piper Ellis (left), senior Isabel Gateley (center) and junior Katelyn Bond (right) have been part of all three of the Lions' KSHSAA state cheer championships. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
“We went into it with no expectations, just trying to work our hardest and do the best we could,” said Isabel Gateley, the lone senior to have been part of all three championships. “None of us had ever been in a cheer competition before. Most of us had never even performed in front of that many people before. We went into it a little shocked, but we did our best and it really showed.
“That set the stage for the next couple of years. As each year went on, the expectations got a little higher. But we went with it and met those expectations.”
Cair Paravel Latin's cheer squad celebrates after winning its third straight state championship on Nov. 18 in Topeka. [Submitted photo]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Tamir Anderson
TAMIR ANDERSON, Highland Park
A 6-foot-4 senior, Anderson earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Highland Park post a 24-1 record and a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. Anderson was one of Shawnee County's top 3-point shooters, hitting 47 treys on the season.
Kaden Ballard
KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural
Ballard, a 5-10 junior, was a key player off the bench for the 15-6 Junior Blues last season, averaging 6.1 points, 2.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds. Ballard received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a sophomore.
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
Bonner, a sophomore, was named the TSN All-Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year as a freshman while also earning All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention. Bonner averaged 8.4 points for the 13-8 Vikings while canning 32 3-pointers and shooting 39 percent on 3-point attempts. Bonner shot 77.4 percent from the free throw line.
Brennon Dodge
BRENNON DODGE, Shawnee Heights
A senior guard, Dodge was the lone underclassman on the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after helping lead Shawnee Heights to a 15-7 record. Dodge averaged 13.8 points a year ago to go with 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Dodge shot 52.5 percent on 2-point field goal attempts and hit 19 3-pointers on the season.
Jack Donovan
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
Donovan, a sophomore, was named the TSN All-Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and earned all-county honorable mention as a freshman for the Bulldawgs, who showed strides in a 7-14 season. Donovan also was named to the Valley Falls All-Tournament team and earned second-team All-Mid-East League recognition.
Malakyah Duncan
MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West
Duncan, a 6-4 sophomore, saw varsity action as a freshman for Rick Bloomquist's 14-8 Chargers and will be counted on to fill a more extensive role this season after Topeka West graduated several key players.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
Washburn Rural senior JC Heim scored three touchdowns, including a 95-yard run, in last Friday's 35-14 Class 6A playoff win over Wichita East. [File photo/TSN]
DERBY (10-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (11-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, is coming off a 35-14 home playoff win over Wichita East last Friday while Derby advanced with a 23-21 win over 2022 Class 6A state champion Manhattan. Rural has won 11 straight games since dropping a 36-21 state quarterfinal decision at Derby a year ago while Derby has won 10 straight since a 33-19 loss to Manhattan in the opening game of the '23 season.
Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese has completed 111 of 180 pass attempts for 1,644 yards and 27 touchdowns while junior Lafayette Thompson has rushed for 559 yards and four TDs on 93 attempts and senior JC Heim has 453 yards and nine TDs on 67 carries.
Senior Titan Osburn has 29 pass receptions for 528 yards and 11 touchdowns and Thompson has 22 catches for 278 yards and three scores.
Defensively, JC Heim has been in on 153 tackles (91 solo) with 17 tackles for loss while Jaren Heim has 116 tackles (62 solo) with 10 tackles for loss and senior Jamond Lane has 67 stops (38 solo) with eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
Junior King Leonard has nine interceptions on the season while junior Wilson Miller has five interceptions. Both Leonard and Miller have returned interceptions for touchdowns.
Derby senior quarterback Braxton Clark has completed 80 of 110 pass attempts for 1,246 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games and has rushed for 268 yards and seven TDs on 59 attempts.
Panther senior Derek Hubbard has rushed for 917 yards and 13 TDs on 124 carries while senior Colton Ruedy has 40 receptions for 706 yards and four TDs and junior Da'saahn Brame has 39 catches for 807 yards and 12 scores.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news (Games at 7 p.m.)
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
Senior Branton DeWeese threw for three touchdowns in Washburn Rural's 27-20 Class 6A playoff win over Junction City last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
WICHITA EAST (8-2) at WASHBURN RURAL (10-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, is coming off a 27-20 home playoff win over Junction City last Friday while Wichita East advanced with a 48-28 win over Wichita Northwest. Rural has won 10 straight games for the first time since a perfect 12-0 season in 1989 and has won 10 games in a season for the first time since 1992. Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for three touchdowns against Junction City, including a 69-yard game-winning strike to senior Calvin Hayes with 6:15 left in the game. Senior JC Heim scored a pair of TDs and starred defensively for the Junior Blues in last week's win while junior King Leonard had a pair of pass interceptions. Washburn Rural will be playing a Wichita East team that it faced in the opening game of the 2023 season, with the Junior Blues taking a 26-25 win in that game at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the 6A sub-state round to face the winner of Friday's game between Manhattan (9-1) and Derby (9-1) at Manhattan. With a win Friday Rural will be at home for the sub-state contest.
Class 5A
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston helped lead the Vikings to a 31-28 upset win over No. 1 Class 5A seed De Soto last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
SEAMAN (6-4) at MILL VALLEY (8-2)
Seaman, the No. 9 seed in the 5A East, posted its second straight Class 5A road playoff win over a higher seed last Friday, knocking off No. 1 East seed De Soto 31-28 on junior Ethan Geiger's 25-yard field goal with 7:08 remaining. Four-time defending state champion Mill Valley advanced with a 56-7 win over Spring Hill. Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston ran for two touchdowns and threw for two TDs in the win over De Soto. Huston has completed 188 of 309 passes for 2,774 yards and 34 touchdowns while senior Callen Barta has caught 63 passes for 1,254 yards and 16 TDs and junior Bryer Finley has 43 receptions for 529 yards and nine TDs and senior Holden Finley has 41 catches for 548 yards and six TDs. Huston is also Seaman's leading rusher with 581 yards and seven TDs on 115 attempts. Mill Valley senior Tristan Baker has carried the ball 161 times for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns while
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After putting together an outstanding four-year volleyball career for Cair Paravel Latin, Taryn Pridgett has had to wait her turn to make her mark for Washburn University.
After having her freshman season at WU wiped out by COVID-19, the 5-foot-8 junior outside hitter saw only spot duty the past two seasons, seeing action in a combined total of 26 matches and 43 sets while compiling 41 kills and six total blocks.
Washburn junior Taryn Pridgett, a Cair Paravel product, tied her career-high with 13 kills in Monday's 3-1 MIAA win over Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Cair Paravel product Taryn Pridgett (center) is congratulated by her Washburn teammates after a kill in Monday's 3-1 MIAA win over Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But Pridgett's time has finally come for Chris Herron's Ichabods this fall and she's making the most of it.
Pridgett has already set a career-high with 19 matches and 51 sets played this season and her 89 kills and 25 blocks have more than doubled her totals for the previous two seasons combined heading into Saturday's regular-season finale at Newman.
"It's really exciting to see the growth personally, just being in practice and getting reps in,'' Pridgett said after Monday's 3-1 home MIAA win over Emporia State. "It's always fun to see the work have a high result. It's fun.
"I love being out there and I love building trust with my teammates. I think that's been the most important thing is just slowly building trust through practice and in games.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Allen Baughman
ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights
A 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior running back, Baughman carried the ball 12 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the first half last Thursday night as Shawnee Heights rolled to a 56-20 win over Highland Park in the regional round of the Class 5A football playoffs. Baughman scored on runs of 4, 70 and 20 yards as Shawnee Heights improved to 8-2 on the season.
JC Heim
JC HEIM, Washburn Rural
Heim a 6-2, 225-pound running back/linebacker, starred on both offense and defense Friday night as Washburn Rural improved to 10-0 with a 27-20 win over Junction City in the regional round of the Class 6A playoffs. Unofficially, Heim rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. Heim scored on a 2-yard run and a 23-yard pass from Branton DeWeese.
Griffin Heinen
GRIFFIN HEINEN, Washburn Rural
A senior midfielder, Heinen had an assist and the game-winning goal on Saturday as Washburn Rural's soccer team capped a 19-2 season with a 2-1 win over Dodge City in the third-place game of the Class 6A state tournament. Heinen was credited with the assist on Hayden Shriver's goal 1:26 into the game and scored the game-winning goal with just 56 seconds remaining off an assist from Devon Rutschmann.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman, which won its first Class 5A state championship, put four players on the TopSports.news 2023 All-Shawnee County volleyball team, led by player of the year Maegan Mills.
Seaman junior Maegan Mills has been named the Shawnee County volleyball player of the year after heping lead the Vikings to a 38-6 record and the Class 5A state title. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman coach Tatiana Dowling was named the TSN Shawnee County coach of the year after leading the Vikings to the Class 5A state volleyball title. [File photo/TSN]
Mills, a junior, is joined on the all-county first team by Viking seniors Brooklyn Gormley and Taylin Stallbaumer and junior Reagan McGivern while Seaman's Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year after leading the Vikings to a 38-6 record, including five straight-set wins in the state tournament.
Mills and Gormley are first-team repeaters while Stallbaumer and McGivern move up to the first team after being second-teamers in 2022.
Silver Lake, which placed third in the 3A state tournament, is represented on the first team by seniors Mckinley Kruger and Sarah Wehrli and junior Ella Bolan, with Kruger and Wehrli earning all-county honorable mention a year ago.
Washburn Rural seniors Jada Ingram and Zoe Canfield and junior Layla Collins are first-team selections after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.
Ingram and Canfield are both first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks while Collins moves up from the second team.
Rossville, which posted a 31-8 record, is represented on the first team by seniors Kinsey Perine, a three-time All-Shawnee County first-teamer, and Kinley Porter, who moves up from the second team.
Cair Paravel Latin is represented by senior Mayah Pridgett while Topeka West senior Addison Brooks, Shawnee Heights junior Kaydence Torrez and Hayden sophomore Ella Foster also earned all-county first-team recognition.
Pridgett has been a second-team all-county pick the last two seasons while Brooks received honorable mention the past two seasons and Foster and Torrez received honorable mention a year ago.
Rossville freshman Nora Burdiek was selected as the county newcomer of the year after compiling 312 kills and 181 digs in her first season of high school volleyball.
All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Games at 7 p.m., unless noted)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Class 5A
Shawnee Heights senior Ryeki Tuley has passed for 1,861 yards and 19 touchdowns for the 7-2 T-Birds. [File photo/TSN]
Highland Park junior Jamon Wilson (5) has rushed for 368 yards and three touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 474 yards and six TDs. [File photo/TSN]
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (7-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (7-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park won its first playoff game since 1991 and only its third in school history last Friday, rolling to a 55-7 win over Meadowlark Conference foe Kansas City-Harmon, while Shawnee Heights advanced with a 68-0 first-round playoff win over KC-Sumner Academy. The two city rivals will be meeting for the first time since the 2017 season. Highland Park senior Amari Taylor has rushed for 568 yards and seven touchdowns on 63 attempts while junior Jamon Wilson has rushed for 368 yards and three touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 474 yards and six TDs. Shawnee Heights senior Allen Baughman has carried the ball 141 times for 690 yards and 12 TDs while T-Bird senior quarterback Ryeki Tuley has passed for 1,861 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 343 yards and six scores on 79 attempts. Senior Jayden Moore has caught 50 passes for 620 yards and five TDs. Heights senior Alex Dawkins has been in on 60.5 tackles with 15 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The winner of Thursday night's game will advance to a state quarterfinal to take on the winner of Friday's game between Blue Valley Southwest (8-1) and Lansing (5-4).
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
Washburn Rural senior Jaren Heim (27) scored a pair of touchdowns in the Junior Blues' 28-7 Centennial League win at Junction City earlier in the season. [File photo/TSN]
JUNCTION CITY (6-2) at WASHBURN RURAL (9-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, opened its playoff quest with a 48-7 win over winless Wichita North last Friday while Junction City advanced with a 27-18 win over Wichita Heights. Rural and Junction City will be playing for the second time this season, with the Junior Blues taking a 28-7 Centennial League win over the Blue Jays earlier this fall. Washburn Rural has already won nine straight games for the first time since a perfect 12-0 season in 1989 and is within a win of winning 10 games for the first time since 1992. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the 6A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between Wichita Northwest (7-2) and Wichita East (7-2). With a win Friday Rural would also be at home for the quarterfinals.
Class 5A
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden remained undefeated with a 49-0 Class 3A home playoff rout past Baldwin Friday night.
Hayden sophomore Kade Mitchell rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the Wildcats' 49-0 Class 3A playoff win over Baldwin Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Dom Ridley rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats' 49-0 Class 3A playoff win over Baldwin. [File photo/TSN]
The 9-0 Wildcats advanced to a second-round game next Friday at Hayden against Santa Fe Trail (7-2), which advanced with a 56-40 win over Royal Valley.
Hayden scored the only points it would need on the second play from scrimmage, with junior Jensen Schrickel bursting 62 yards for a touchdown (conversion failed) to put the Wildcats up 6-0 with 11:41 left in the opening quarter.
Sophomore Kade Mitchell started off his big night with a 5-yard TD run that capped an eight-play, 74-yard scoring drive (conversion good) to give Hayden a 14-0 lead with 2:01 left in the first quarter.
Hayden broke the game open in the second quarter, with Dom Ridley scoring on a 9-yard run (Mason Becker kick), Mitchell scoring on a 21-yard run (Becker kick) and Conner Hanika completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Makhi Kidd (Becker kick) with 2:53 left in the half to give the Wildcats a commanding 35-0 halftime lead.
