Cair Paravel Lions

'By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

HAYDEN (9-5, 2-4) at WASHBURN RURAL (11-4, 6-0)

Senior Chloe Carlgren and Centennial League-leading Washburn Rural will host Hayden on Friday. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A, maintained its two-game lead in the Centennial League race with a 46-28 league win at Junction City on Tuesday while No. 8-ranked (Class 4A) Hayden is coming off a 44-32 Centennial League loss to Emporia. Hayden got 22 points from junior Lauren Sandstrom against Emporia. Washburn Rural was on top by just a point at halftime (23-22) in Tuesday's game at Junction City but the Junior Blues outscored the Blue Jays 23-6 in the second half. Washburn Rural took a 56-32 win over Hayden earlier this season.

Freshman Maddie Gragg (left) is in the midst of an outstanding freshman season for 14-1 Seaman, which will play at Topeka West on Friday. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

SEAMAN (14-1, 10-1) at TOPEKA WEST (5-11, 4-8)

Top-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman is coming off a 70-8 United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City-Turner on Tuesday while Topeka West dropped a 43-26 UKC decision at Shawnee Heights. Sophomore Kinley Wilhelm and freshman Maggie Gragg scored 12 points apiece for Seaman against Turner while sophomore Maggie Moulden had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Azayah Duncan scored 10 points for Topeka West against Shawnee Heights with three 3-pointers. Seaman beat Topeka West 60-26 earlier in the year.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Sophomore Kaden Ballard came up with a steal and the game-winning basket at the buzzer to give Centennial League-leading Washburn Rural a 46-44 road victory at Junction City Tuesday night.

Sophomore Kaden Ballard (right) scored the game-winning basket in Tuesday night's 46-44 Centennial League win over Junction City. [File photo/TSN] 

With the win Washburn Rural moved to 12-4 overall and 5-1 in the league while Junction City dropped to 10-6, 4-2.

Washburn Rural led 35-32 at the end of the third quarter and 23-20 at the half.

Senior Wyatt Conklin led the Junior Blues with 11 points while senior Jack Bachelor added nine points.

The Junior Blues have now won five straight games.

WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 46, JUNCTION CITY 28 -- Washburn Rural protected its two-game lead in the Centennial League race with a 46-28 win at Junction City Tuesday night.

The Junior Blues improved to 11-4 overall and 6-0 in the league race.

Washburn Rural led by only a point, 23-22, at haltime before outscoring the Blue Jays 23-6 in the second half.

Junior Lauren Sandstrom scored a game-high 22 points in Hayden's 44-32 Centennial League loss to Emporia Tuesday night. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]

EMPORIA GIRLS 44, HAYDEN 32 -- Hayden was within six points (11-5) at the end of the opening quarter and eight points (25-17) at the half but Emporia opened up a 13-point cushion at the end of the third quarter on the way to a 44-32 Centennial League victory Tuesday at Hayden.

Emporia improved to 13-3 overall and 4-2 in the league with its third win of the season over the Wildcats while Hayden fell to 9-5 and 2-4, with the Spartans ending Hayden's five-game winning streak. 

Junior Lauren Sandstrom led Hayden with a game-high 22 points.

Senior Joe Otting scored a game-high 12 points for Hayden in Tuesday's 39-38 Centennial League loss ot Emporia. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]

EMPORIA BOYS 39, HAYDEN 38 -- Hayden was whistled for a foul with .3 on the clock and Cooper Rech hit one of two free throws to give Emporia the 39-28 Centennial League victory at Hayden.

Hayden (7-7, 2-4) led  21-16 at halftime and 30-26 at the start of the fourth quarter.

'By RICK PETERSON

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TOPEKA WEST (5-10, 4-7) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (10-5, 8-3)

Shawnee Heights senior Emari Doby (13) is coming off an 18-point game in the T-Birds' 62-43 UKC win over Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]

Both teams are coming off United Kansas League victories last Friday, with Topeka West taking a 58-28 win at Kansas City-Turner and Shawnee Heights posting a 62-43 home win over Leavenworth. Shawnee Heights, which took a 42-33 win at West earlier in the season, got 18 points from senior Emari Doby while senior Riley Showalter added 14 points with four 3-pointers. Topeka West has won two straight games and four out of its last six.

EMPORIA (12-3, 3-2) at HAYDEN (9-4, 2-3)

Hayden won its fifth straight game last Friday, taking a 57-41 Centennial League home decision over Manhattan, while Emporia is coming off a 45-39 overtime league loss at Washburn Rural. Junior Lauren Sandstrom scored 19 points to lead four Wildcats in double figures against Manhattan while Kaliya Fulton added 15 points, Brylee Meier 12 points and Norma Greco 11. Emporia will  be playing Hayden for the third time this season, with the Spartans taking 52-27 and 43-34 wins in the first two games. 

Senior Kiki Smith scored 22 points in Topeka High's 62-25 Centennial League romp past Junction City. [File photo/TSN]

MANHATTAN (6-9, 2-3) at TOPEKA HIGH (12-3, 3-2)

Topeka High is coming off a 62-25 Centennial League romp past Junction City while Manhattan dropped a 57-41 league decision at Hayden last Friday. Senior Kiki Smith scored 22 points to lead Topeka High against Junction City while junior Ladaysha Baird added 14 points. Topeka High took a 75-42 decision over Manhattan earlier in the season.

'By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TOPEKA WEST (12-3, 9-2) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (11-4, 8-3)

Senior Malachi Berg is coming off a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds in Topeka West's 85-56 UKC win over KC-Turner last Friday. [File photo/TSN]

Sophomore Jaret Sanchez led Shawnee Heights with 18 points in last Friday's 69-32 UKC win over Leavenworth. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Topeka West and Shawnee Heights have both already clinched winning seasons and are looking to strengthen their Class 5A sub-state seedings. Topeka West is coming off an 85-56 United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City-Turner while Shawnee Heights rolled to a 69-32 home UKC win over Leavenworth last Friday. Sophomore Jaret Sanchez led Shawnee Heights with 18 points against Leavenworth while junior Brennon Dodge added 14 points and senior Q Stovall 13. Senior Malachi Berg had 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals against Turner while Xavier Alexander led the Chargers with 24 points and three 3-pointers, while Sincere Austin and Mason Jones had 11 points apiece. Topeka West took a 64-51 home win over the T-Birds early in the season. 

Senior Joe Otting led Hayden with 14 points in last Friday's 51-48 Centennial League win over Manhattan. [File photo/TSN]

EMPORIA (10-5, 3-2) at HAYDEN (7-6, 2-3)

Hayden posted a 51-48 home Centennial League win over Manhattan last Friday while Emporia let a 14-point lead get away in a 50-42 league loss to Washburn Rural. Senior Joe Otting led Hayden with 14 points against Manhattan while senior Jake Muller added nine points. Emporia and Hayden will be squaring off for the third time this season, with the Spartans taking 57-53 and 59-52 wins in the first two meetings.

MANHATTAN (8-7, 2-3) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-12, 0-5)

Manhattan dropped a 51-48 Centennial League decision at Hayden last Friday while Topeka High is coming off a 52-46 loss to league co-leader Junction City. Manhattan beat Topeka High, 56-46, earlier in the season.

'By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

HAYDEN (7-7, 2-4) at WASHBURN RURAL (12-4, 5-1)

Sophomore Kaden Ballard (left) scored the game-winning basket at the buzzer in Tuesday night's 46-44 Centennial League win over Junction City. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden is coming off a heartbreaking 39-38 home Centennial League loss to Emporia on Tuesday while No. 10-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural took over sole possession of the Centennial League lead with a 46-44 thriller at Junction City. Hayden was whistled for a foul at the .3 mark of the fourth quarter against Emporia and the Spartans hit a free throw for the game-winning point. Washburn Rural's game at Junction City also went down to the wire, with Junior Blue sophomore Kaden Ballard scoring at the buzzer to give Rural the win. Senior Joe Otting scored 12 points and freshman Ayden McGibboney 11 for Hayden against Emporia while seniors Wyatt Conklin and Jack Bachelor scored 11 and nine points, respectively, for the Junior Blues against Junction City. Rural took a 46-36 win over Hayden in an earlier game.

Senior Aron Davis scored 26 points in Seaman's 67-46 United Kansas Conference victory over KC-Turner on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

SEAMAN (8-7, 5-6) at TOPEKA WEST (12-4, 9-3)

Seaman moved back above .500 with a 67-46 United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City-Turner on Tuesday while No. 8-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West is coming off a 67-48 league loss at Shawnee Heights. Senior Aron Davis scored 26 points for the Seaman in the Vikings' win over Turner while senior Malachi Berg scored 14 points and senior Sincere Austin 11 for Topeka West against Shawnee Heights. Topeka West took a 74-62 UKC win at Seaman in the first game between the Chargers and the Vikings this season.

ROSSVILLE (6-10, 2-4) at SILVER LAKE (4-12, 3-4)

Rossville and Silver Lake will both be looking to get back on track in Friday's Mid-East League rematch. Silver Lake was off Tuesday night after a 74-67 league loss to St. Mary's last Friday while Rossville is coming off a 64-45 non-league loss to Osage City. Freshman Jack Donovan scored 14 points with four 3-pointers for the Bulldawgs in the loss to Osage City. Rossville took a 50-43 Mid-East League win over the Eagles earlier this season.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman's girls, the top-ranked team in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, dug themselves a hole Friday night against De Soto before fighting back to take a 43-35 United Kansas Conference road victory.

Matt Tinsley's Seaman girls rallied for a 43-35 UKC win over De Soto Friday night, improving to 13-1 on the season. [File photo/TSN]

The Vikings, who improved to 13-1 overall and 9-1 in the UKC, trailed 13-4 at the end of the opening quarter and Seaman still trailed by nine at the half, 23-14.

Seaman rallied to take a 30-28 lead by the end of the third quarter and the Vikings outscored the Wildcats (9-6, 7-5) by a 13-7 margin over the final eight minutes to take their seventh straight win.

Seaman will return to action on Tuesday, hosting Kansas City-Turner in a UKC contest.

DE SOTO BOYS 68, SEAMAN 39 --Eighth-ranked (Class 5A) De Soto jumped on short-handed Seaman early Friday night and cruised to a 68-39 home United Kansas Conference decision.

Seaman, which fell to 7-7 overall and 4-6 in the league, played without standout seniors Kaeden Bonner and Aron Davis due to injuries.

De Soto (13-2, 11-1) led 17-9 at the end of the first quarter and 31-15 at the half before using a 23-8 third quarter to force a running clock over the final eight minutes.

Seaman will be at home Tuesday to host Kansas City-Turner in a UKC game.

Topeka High senior Kiki Smith had 22 points in Friday's 62-25 Centennial League win at Junction City. [File photo/TSN]  

 TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 62, JUNCTION CITY 25 --Topeka High, fifth-ranked in Class 6A, ran its winning streak to five games with a 62-25 Centennial League romp at Junction City.

The Trojan, who improved to 12-3 overall and 3-2 in the league, were never seriously threatened by the Blue Jays, opening up a 16-11 first-quarter advantage and using a 19-6 second quarter to take command at halftime, 35-17.

High outscored Junction City (3-12, 1-5) in the third quarter by a 14-5 margin to take a 49-22 lead and the Trojans forced a running clock down the stretch.

Trojan senior Kiki Smith scored a game-high 22 points while junior Ladaysha Baird continued her hot streak, adding 14 points. 

Topeka High will be at home Tuesday to face Manhattan.

'By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

MANHATTAN (6-8, 2-2) at HAYDEN (8-4, 1-3)

No. 8-ranked (Class 4A) Hayden has been off since winning the Wellsville Top Gun Tournament last Saturday with a 48-39 win over Spring Hill. The Wildcats have now won four straight games and put sophomores Brylee Meier and Kaliya Fulton and junior Lauren Sandstrom on the all-tournament team. Manhattan is coming off a 46-35 win over Dodge City and has won two straight games for the first time this season.

Senior Brooklyn DeLeye scored 19 points in Washburn Rural's 54-52 overtime loss to Blue Valley Northwest on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

EMPORIA (12-2, 3-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (9-4, 4-0)

No. 4-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural will be looking to protect its lead in the Centennial League race while No. 4 (5A) Emporia will be looking to pull even with the Junior Blues. Both teams are coming off losses, with the Spartans dropping a last-second 46-43 decision to Seaman in the Glaciers Edge championship game last Saturday while Rural fell to non-league foe Blue Valley Northwest in overtime on Tuesday, 54-52. Senior Brooklyn DeLeye scored 19 points against Blue Valley Northwest while senior Chloe Carlgren added 11 points and sophomore Tenly Bunck nine points on three 3-pointers.

LEAVENWORTH (2-11, 2-7) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (9-5, 7-3)

Ninth-ranked (Class 5A) Shawnee Heights is coming off a tough 37-33 United Kansas Conference loss at Basehor-Linwood Tuesday night while Leavenworth is coming off a 59-26 loss to Bonner Springs. Shawnee Heights took 49-36 UKC win over the Pioneers earlier in the season. All five of Shawnee Heights losses have been by four or fewer points. Senior Riley Showalter led the T-Birds with 11 points against Basehor-Linwood while seniors Emari Doby and Taylor Rottinghaus added 10 and seven points, respectively.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

MANHATTAN (8-6, 2-2) at HAYDEN (6-6, 1-3)

Hayden was off Tuesday after a 58-51 non-league home loss to Shawnee Heights last Friday. Manhattan is coming off a 67-59 loss to Blue Valley, its third straight loss. Senior Joe Otting and junior Jacob Padilla scored 14 points apiece in the Wildcats' loss to Shawnee Heights, with Otting going six of six at the free throw line. Senior Jake Muller also cracked double  figures for Hayden with 11 points.

Washburn Rural senior Jack Bachelor is coming off a 27-point performance in Tuesday's 65-60 non-league road win at Blue Valley. [File photo/TSN]

EMPORIA (10-4, 3-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (10-4, 3-1)

Senior Jack Bachelor scored 27 points in Washburn Rural's 65-60 non-league victory over Blue Valley on Tuesday. Bachelor went nine of 13 from the field and six of seven from the free throw line against the Tigers while sophomore Kaden Ballard added 13 points while hitting four of seven 3-point attempts. Emporia is coming off a 41-39 win over Manhattan. 

LEAVENWORTH (4-9, 2-8) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (10-4, 7-3)

Shawnee Heights posted a 57-48 United Kansas Conference road win at Basehor-Linwood on Tuesday, giving the T-Birds a regular-season sweep over the Bobcats. Sophomore Jaret Sanchez led Heights with 16 points while junior Brennon Dodge added 15 points, seniors Jeremyah Kendrick and Q Stovall eight points apiece and sophomore Deacon Pomeroy seven. Leavenworth has lost four straight games, including a 67-60 non-league loss to Bonner Springs on Tuesday. Heights beat Leavenworth 61-40 in an earlier game between the two teams.

Senior Jahmir Kingannon scored 18 points with five 3-pointers in Thursday's 79-48 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Schlagle. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (13-0, 6-0) at KC-WYANDOTTE (3-10, 3-4)

Highland Park, top-ranked in Class 5A, will be playing its third game in four days. The Scots are coming off a 79-48 Meadowlark Conference home win over KC-Schlagle Thursday night, with seniors Tre Richardson and Jahmir Kingcannon scoring 18 points apiece and senior Bo Aldridge adding 11 points. Kingcannon canned five 3-pointers on the night. Highland Park took a 95-42 win over Wyandotte earlier in the season. The Bulldogs are coming off a 65-62 league win over KC-Harmon on Tuesday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Five Shawnee Heights boys players scored between seven and 16 points as the T-Birds posted a 57-48 United Kansas Conference road win at Basehor-Linwood.

Sophomore Jaret Sanchez led a balanced Shawnee Heights attack with 16 points as the T-Birds posted a 57-48 UKC road win at Basehor-Linwood Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

The T-Birds improved to 10-4 overall and 7-3 in the UKC while earning a regular-season sweep over the Bobcats.

Sophomore Jaret Sanchez scored 16 points to pace the T-Birds while junior Brennon Dodge joined Sanchez in double figures with 15 points.

Seniors Jeremyah Kendrick and Q Stovall added eight point apiece while sophomore Deacon Pomeroy had seven points.

BASEHOR-LINWOOD GIRLS 37, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 33 -- No. 9-ranked (Class 5A) Shawnee Heights dropped a tough 37-33 United Kansas Conference road decision at Basehor-Linwood Tuesday night, with the T-Birds falling to 9-5 overall and 7-3 in the league.

The Basehor-Linwood win Tuesday night avenged an earlier 48-40 loss to the T-Birds. The Bobcatss improved to 10-3, 8-2.

Senior Riley Showalter led Shawnee Heights with 11 points while seniors Emari Doby and Taylor Rottinghaus added 10 and seven points for the T-Birds.

Washburn Rural senior Brooklyn DeLeye scored 19 points in the Junior Blues' 54-52 non-league overtime loss to Blue Valley Northwest Tuesday night. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]

BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST GIRLS 54, WASHBURN RURAL 52 (OT) -- Blue Valley Northwest held a 9-7 scoring edge in overtime to take a 54-52 non-league win over No. 4-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural.

Rural, which fell to 9-4 on the season, led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter but the Huskies outscored the Junior Blues 12-2 in the second quarter to take a 26-23 halftime lead.

Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick talks to his team during Tuesday's 54-52 overtime loss to Blue Valley Northwest. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]

Northwest (6-7) led 37-31 at the starf of the fourth quarter, but Rural held a 14-8 edge over the final eight minutes of regulation to force ovetime.

Senior Brooklyn DeLeye led Washburn Rural with 19 points while senior Chloe Carlgren added 11 points and sophomore Tenly Bunck nine points on three 3-pointers.

Washburn Rural will be at home Friday to host Emporia in a Centennial League game.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

PIPER (10-4, 7-3) at SEAMAN (7-5, 4-4)

Senior Kaeden Bonner (right) and the Seaman boys basketball team will be looking for their fifth straight victory in Tuesday night's United Kansas Conference home game against Piper. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman has posted four straight victories, including a 68-41 United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing last Friday. Piper is coming off a 62-56 UKC loss to De Soto. Tuesday night will be the second game of the season between Seaman and Piper, with the Pirates taking a 61-48 win over the Vikings in the earlier meeting.

Senior Bo Aldridge and the Highland Park boys ran their winning streak to 11 games with a pair of non-league victories last week. [File photo/TSN]

KC-WASHINGTON (5-7, 3-2) at HIGHLAND PARK (11-0, 4-0)

Highland Park, the top-ranked team in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Class 5A state rankings, continued its dominating season with a pair of non-league victories last week The Scots took a 76-45 win over state-ranked Eudora on Tuesday and then rolled to an 82-21 victory over Kansas City-East, Mo. on Friday. The league-leading Scots return to Meadowlark Conference play against KC-Washington.

'By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

PIPER (10-4, 7-3) at SEAMAN (11-1, 7-1)

Seaman junior Taylin Stallbaumer is congratulated by her teammates after hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in Saturday's 46-43 win over Emporia in the Glaciers Edge Tournament. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

Seaman, top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, captured the tournament championship in last week's Glacier's Edge Tournament, taking a 46-43 win over tournament host Emporia on junior Taylin Stallbaumer's buzzer-beating 3-pointer in Saturday's championship game. Freshman Maddie Gragg scored 16 points and Stallbaumer 15 against Emporia while sophomore Anna Becker was named the tournament Most Valuable Player. Piper has posted three straight wins, including a 62-50 win over De Soto in the Pirates' last game. Seaman beat Piper 63-35 in an earlier meeting.

Sophomore Amelia Ramsey (center) has led Highland Park's girls to an 8-3 record and the Meadowlark Conference lead this winter. [File photo/TSN]

KC-WASHINGTON (3-7, 2-4) at HIGHLAND PARK (8-3, 4-0)

League-leading Highland Park will return to Meadowlawk Conference play after a 75-7 non-league romp past Kansas City-East, Mo. last Friday. Washington is coming off a 67-18 win over Kansas City-Northeast, Mo. Sophomore Amelia Ramsey leads Highland Park, which has not had a Meadowlark Conference game closer than 16 points. The Scots have won their last three games.

LANSING (3-9, 2-7) at TOPEKA WEST (3-10, 2-8)

Topeka West finished sixth in last week's Firebird Classic at Free State, posting a 1-2 record. The Chargers took a 46-40 consolation win over Great Bend last Friday before dropping a 59-53 decision to Wichita Northwest in Saturday's consolation final. Lansing is coming off a 49-45 win over Jefferson West.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior star Kiki Smith scored 36 points in three quarters of action as Topeka High's girls advanced to Saturday's Firebird Classic championship game with a 69-37 semifinal win over Goddard Eisenhower Friday night at Free State, improving to 10-3 on the season.

Topeka High senior Kiki Smith scored 36 points in just three quarters as the Trojans rolled to a 69-37 win over Eisenhower Friday night in the semifinals of the Firebird Classic. [File photo/TSN]

The seventh-ranked (Class 6A) Trojans took control with a 22-12 first quarter and opened up a 37-21 halftime advantage.

Topeka High used a 22-10 third quarter to take a 59-31 lead and cruised the rest of the way.

Smith canned six 3-pointers against Eisenhower while junior Ladaysha Baird added 11 points for Topeka High with three 3-pointers.

Topeka High will face 8-3 Blue Valley in the tournament championship game, with the No. 8-ranked Tigers advancing with a 59-38 win over No. 5 Lawrence.

The championship game is a rematch of last season's 6A state tournament first-round game between Topeka High and Blue Valley, with the Tigers taking a one-point win in that game.

SEAMAN GIRLS 45, DERBY 39 -- No. 1-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman posted a 45-39 statement win over No. 4-ranked (6A) Derby in Friday night's semifinals of the the Glacier's Edge Tournament..

Seaman, which improved to 10-1, led 25-19 at halftime over Derby, last year's 6A runner-up, and held off the Panthers the rest of the way.

Seaman advanced to Saturday's championship game to take on tournament host and former Centennial League rival Emporia.

The 12-1 Spartans, ranked No. 4 in 5A, advanced with a 53-52 win over Wichita Heights.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake swept a non-league basketball twinbill at Santa Fe Trail Tuesday night, with both Eagle teams posting double-digit victories.

The seventh-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Lake girls improved to 11-1 with a 55-36 win over the Chargers while the Eagle boys snapped a four-game losing streak in an 81-62 win over Trail.

 Senior Troy Heiman led Silver Lake with 20 points in Tuesday's 81-62 non-league win at Santa Fe Trail. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake's girls, coming off the tournament championship in last week's Burlington Invitational, posted their fourth straight double-digit victory while handing Santa Fe Trail its second loss in 12 games on the season.

Silver Lake's boys, who improved to 4-8, were led by senior Troy Heiman with 20 points and three 3-pointers while junior Elijah Lopez added 12 points and freshman Dayne Johnson and sophomore Jared Johnson 10 points each.

Coach Michael Bell's Rossville girls advanced to the semifinals of the Jefferson North Invitational with a 48-9 first-round win over Valley Falls. [File photo/TSN]

ROSSVILLE GIRLS 48, VALLEY FALLS 9 --Rossville rolled to a 45-9 first-round win over Valley Falls in the Jefferson County North Invitational, improving to 8-3 on the season.

With the win the Bulldawgs, who led 32-2 at the half, advanced to a 7:30 p.m. tournament semifinal on Friday against Atchison County, 10-0 and ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by the KBCA.

Freshman Rylee Dick led Rossville with 13 points while junior Kinsey Perine added 10 pointss, junior Katie Spielman eight points and juniors Emma Mitchell and Kinley Porter seven apiece.

Atchison County advanced to the semifinal with a 63-39 first-round win over Atchison.

DE SOTO BOYS 55, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 48 -- De Soto earned a regular-season sweep over Shawnee Heights, taking a 55-48 home United Kansas Conference decision over the T-Birds.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 8 in Class 5A by the KBCA, improved to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in the UKC while the T-Birds fell to 8-4, 6-3. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH BOYS (1-7) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-0)

Bo Aldridge and the top-ranked Highland Park boys will open the Topeka Invitational Tournament at 3:15 p.m. Thursday against Shawnee Mission North. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka Invitational Tournament at Topeka West

Top-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park will open the Topeka Invitational Tournament in Thursday's 3:15 p.m. game against Shawnee Mission North, coached by former Topeka High coach Pat Denney. Highland Park is coming off a 91-29 Meadowlark Conference rout over Kansas City-Harmon last Friday while SM North is coming off a 44-34 Sunflower League loss to Shawnee Misssion South, the Bisons' seventh straight loss. Scot senior Bo Aldridge led the Scots with 27 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Harmon. The Highland Park-SM North winner will advance to an 8:30 p.m. Friday semifinal to face the winner of the first-round game between Wichita Southeast and Hayden. 

Hayden junior Jacob Padilla (0) is coming off a 25-point performance with four 3-pointers in last Friday's 67-57 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

WICHITA SOUTHEAST BOYS (4-5) vs. HAYDEN (4-4)

Topeka Invitational Tournament at Topeka West

Hayden will face Wichita Southeast in a 5 p.m. first-round game in the Topeka Invitational Tournament. Hayden, ranked No. 10 in Class 4A, snapped a three-game losing steak with a 67-57 Centennial League win over Topeka High last Friday while Wichita Southeast has won three straight games, including a 68-55 win over Wichita East on Tuesday. Junior Jacob Padilla led Hayden with 25 points, including four 3-pointers, against Topeka High while senior Joe Otting added 12 points. The Hayden-Wichita Southeast winner will play an 8:30 p.m. Friday semifinal against the winner of the opening-round game between Highland Park and Shawnee Mission North.

LANSING BOYS (1-7) vs. TOPEKA WEST (6-2)

Topeka Invitational Tournament at Topeka West

The defending Topeka Invitational Tournament champions will be on their home court to take on United Kansas Conference rival Lansing in a 6:45 p.m. first-round game. Topeka West will be looking to bounce back from last Friday's 71-56 UKC loss to Piper, which snapped the Chargers' six-game winning streak. Senior Xavier Alexander scored 19 points and hit three 3-pointers while senior Malachi Berg added 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. Lansing has dropped six straight games, including a 45-32 UKC decision to Basehor-Linwood last Friday. West beat the Lions 65-49 on Dec. 13. The West-Lansing winner will play a 6:45 p.m. semifinal Friday night against the winner of the first-round game between Lawrence and Topeka  High.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Highland Park's girls and boys basketball teams continued their dominating start to Meadowlark Conference competition Friday night, with the Scots winning their two conference games against Kansas City-Harmon by a total of 140 points. 

Senior Bo Aldridge (1) scored 27 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had five assists in Friday's 91-29 win at KC-Harmon. [File photo/TSN]

Highland Park sophomore standout Amelia Ramsey scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Scots' 96-18 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Harmon. [File photo/TSN]

The top-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park boys rolled to a 91-29 Meadowlark Conference road win over Harmon while the Scot girls romped to a 96-18 home victory over Harmon.

Highland Park's boys improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference as senior Bo Aldridge scored 27 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had five assists for the Scots.

Sophomore Amelia Ramsey scored 30 points and grabbed 13 points to lead four Scots in double figures as Highland Park's girls improved to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

Highland Park's boys will compete in the Topeka Invitational Tournament next week while the Scot girls will travel to Salina for the Salina Invvitational.

PIPER BOYS 71, TOPEKA WEST 56 --No. 10-ranked (Class 5A) Piper topped No. 6 Topeka West 71-56 in Friday's United Kansas Conference game at West, with the Pirates snapping the Chargers' six-game winning streak.

Topeka West fell to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the UKC while Piper improved to 6-3 overall and 6-2 in the conference.

West will be at home next week to host the Topeka Invitational Tournament.

'By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

SEAMAN (6-1, 5-1) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (7-1, 7-1)
Senior Emari Doby led Shawnee Heights with 13 points in Thursday's 41-32 UKC victory over De Soto. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman, which is top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, is coming off its first loss of the season, a 74-71 double-overtime United Kansas Conference decision at Basehor-Linwood Tuesday night, while No. 9-ranked Shawnee Heights will be playing its third game of the week after taking a 43-7 UKC home win over Kansas City-Turner on Tuesday and a 41-32 win at No. 8-ranked De Soto Thursday night. Shawnee Heights has now won seven straight games dating back to a four-point loss to De Soto in the T-Birds' season-opener. Seniors Emari Doby and Taylor Rottinghaus led the T-Birds with 13 and 12 points, repectively.

TOPEKA HIGH (7-3, 1-2) at HAYDEN (4-3, 1-2)

No. 8-ranked (Class 6A) Topeka High is coming off its second straight Centennial League loss, a 47-46 home loss to No. 5-ranked Washburn Rural Tuesday night, while Hayden snapped a two-game losing streak with a 37-27 league win at Junction City. Senior Kiki Smith led Topeka High with 16 points against Washburn Rural while junior Lauren Sandstrom and sophomore Brylee Meier scored 13 points apiece for Hayden in the win over Junction City. 

Senior Brooklyn DeLeye had game-high totals of 17 points and 11 rebounds as Washburn Rural ended its seven-game losing streak against the Trojans with a 47-46 win Tuesday night at Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

MANHATTAN (3-5, 1-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (6-2, 3-0)

No. 5-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural held on for a 47-46 Centennial League victory over No. 8-ranked Topeka High Tuesday night, with the Junior Blues snapping a seven-game losing streak against the Trojans with their fourth straight win. Senior Brooklyn DeLeye led the Junior Blues with 17 points and 11 rebounds while senior MaRyah Lutz added 11 points and seven rebounds. Manhattan was off Tuesday after a 47-25 Centennial League win over Junction City last Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

SEAMAN (3-3, 3-3) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (5-2, 5-2)

Senior Kaeden Bonner and the Seaman boys posted their second straight win on Tuesday, a 48-39 UKC decision over Basehor-Linwood. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights posted its fourth straight win Tuesday, a 67-41 United Kansas Conference home decision over Kansas City-Turner, while Seaman posted its second straight victory, a 48-39 UKC road win at Basehor-Linwood. Sophomore Jaret Sanchez led Shawnee Heights with 12 points against Turner while Q Stovall added 10 points and Dylan Sanchez nine.

 Senior Joe Otting and the Hayden boys will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak Friday night against Topeka High. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (1-7, 0-3) at HAYDEN (3-4, 0-3)

Topeka High dropped a 54-42 home Centennial League decision to No. 10-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural on Tuesday while No. 6 (4A) Hayden lost a tight 44-42 league game at Junction City. Junior Bryson Thrasher led Topeka High with 16 points, including three 3-pointers, against Washburn Rural while junior Isaiah Lyons added nine points on three 3s.

Senior Jack Bachelor scored a game-high 17 points as Washburn Rural improved to 6-2 with a 54-42 win at Topeka High Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

 MANHATTAN (5-3, 1-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (6-2, 3-0)

Washburn Rural has won four straight games, including a 54-42 Centennial League road win at Topeka High Tuesday night. Senior Jack Bachelor paced the Junior Blues with 17 points while senior Jacob Hirschi added 11. Manhattan was off Tuesday after dropping a 53-46 Centennial League decision to Junction City last Friday.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Highland Park's boys basketball team celebrated its rise to the No. 1 spot in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Class 5A state rankings with a 107-64 romp past Meadowlark Conference foe Kansas City-Sumner Academy Tuesday at Sumner.

Senior Bo Aldridge (1) and the top-ranked Highland Park boys are coming off a 107-64 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Sumner Academy on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

With the win the Scots improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference.

Highland Park will travel to KC-Harmon for a Meadowlark Conference game on Friday before competing in the Topeka Invitational Tournament next week at Topeka West.

HIGHLAND PARK GIRLS 64, KC SUMNER ACADEMY 20 --Highland Park improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the Meadowlark Conference with a 64-20 conference road win over KC-Sumner, ranked No. 7 in Class 5A by the KBCA.

Sophomore DeAsia Sanders scored 20 points on eight of 12 shooting from the field for the Scots against the Sabres while sophomore Amelia Ramsey added 14 points.

Highland Park will be at home Friday to host KC-Harmon in a Meadowlark Conference contest before competing in the Salina Invitational Tournament next week. The Scots will play Salina South in a first-round game on Thursday, Jan. 19, at Salina South.

HAYDEN GIRLS 37, JUNCTION CITY 27 --Hayden snapped a two-game losing streak with the Wildcats' first Centennial League victory, a 37-27 road decision at Junction City.

Hayden improved to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Centennial League after dropping games to state-ranked Emporia and Washburn Rural to open league play.

Junior Lauren Sandstrom and sophomore Brylee Meier led Hayden with 13 points apiece.

Hayden will be back in action Friday, hosting No. 8-ranked (Class 6A) Topeka High in a Centennial League game.

'By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 2-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (7-2, 1-1)

Senior Brooklyn DeLeye scored a game-high 17 points Friday night as Washburn Rural improved to 2-0 in the Centennial League with a 56-32 win over Hayden. [File photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural posted its fourth straight win on Friday night, a 56-32 Centennial League win over Hayden. Senior Brooklyn DeLeye led the Junior Blues with 17 points while junior Zoe Canfield added 15 points and sophomore Kate Hinck 11 points with three 3-pointers. Topeka High is coming off a 51-40 league loss to Emporia, which ended the Trojans' seven-game winning streak. Senior Kiki Smith led High with 13 points while junior Ayana Leesman added 11 points.

Senior Emari Doby led Shawnee Heights with 15 points in last Friday's 49-23 UKC road romp at Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

KC-TURNER (0-6, 0-5) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (5-1, 5-1)

Shawnee Heights ran its winning streak to five games in last Friday's 49-23 United Kansas Conference win at Lansing. Senior Emari Doby paced the T-Birds with 15 points while senior Taylor Rottinghaus added 13 points. Shawnee Heights is a game behind unbeaten Seaman in the UKC race. Turner is coming off a 47-12 UKC loss to Basehor-Linwood, remaining winless on the season.

Silver Lake junior Makenzie McDaniel scored 34 points and grabbed 2 rebounds on the week as the Eagles posted a pair of Mid-East League wins to improve to 6-0 on the season. [File photo/TSN]

WABAUNSEE (1-4, 0-2) at SILVER LAKE (6-0, 4-0)

Silver Lake is coming off a 59-30 Mid-East League victory over previously-unbeaten Rock Creek last Friday after knocking off previously-unbeaten Rossville on Tuesday. Junior McKinley Kruger scored 18 points and grabbed four rebounds for the Eagles against Rock Creek while junior Makenzie McDaniel had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Wabaunsee is coming off of a 42-22 Mid-East League loss to St. Marys.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 2-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (1-6, 0-2)

Senior Jack Bachelor led Washburn Rural with 15 points and went eight of eight from the free throw line in Friday's 46-36 Centennial League win over Hayden. [File photo/TSN]

 Washburn Rural remained unbeaten in the Centennial League with a 46-36 road win at Hayden last Friday while Topeka High dropped a 69-59 league decision to Emporia. Senior Jack Bachelor scored 15 points, including an eight of eight performance at the free throw line, in the Junior Blues' win over the Wildcats. Junior Isaiah Lyons scored 21 points with five 3-pointers for Topeka High against Emporia while senior Mason Gomez added 13 points with three 3-pointers.

Junior Brennon Dodge led Shawnee Heights with 17 points in Friday night's 76-50 UKC win at Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

KC-TURNER (0-6, 0-5) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-2, 4-2)

Shawnee Heights posted its third straight win on Friday, rolling to a 76-50 United Kansas Conference win at Lansing. Kansas City-Turner remained winless on the season after dropping a 60-41 UKC decision to Basehor-Linwood. Junior Brennon Dodge led the T-Birds with 17 points while senior Jeremyah Kendrick added 13 points, senior Q Stovall and sophomore Deacon Pomeroy 11 points each and sophomore Jaret Sanchez 10.

WABAUNSEE (2-3, 0-2) at SILVER LAKE (2-4, 2-2)

Both teams will be looking to bounce back from Mid-East League defeats, with Silver Laking dropping a 52-33 decision to Rock Creek Friday night and Wabaunsee falling to St. Marys, 67-64. Sophomore Jared Johnson led Silver Lake with 13 points while senior Troy Heiman added eight points.

Senior Bo Aldridge (1) led Highland Park with 18 points in Friday's 66-44 Meadowlark Conference win at Atchison. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (4-0, 2-0) at KC-SUMNER ACADEMY (3-4, 2-2)

Highland Park remained undefeated with a 66-47 Meadowlark Conference road victory at previously-undefeated Atchison Friday night, with senior Bo Aldridge leading the Scots with 18 points. Kansas City-Sumner is coming off an 80-61 Meadowlark win over KC-Wyandotte. Senior Tre Richardson added 14 points and sophomore Jacorey Robinson 13 points for the Scots against Atchison.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Topeka West tightened an already tight United Kansas Conference boys basketball race on Friday night, with the Chargers rallying for a 51-50 road win at De Soto, handing the Wildcats their first league loss.

Topeka West, which improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the UKC, trailed De Soto (6-2. 4-1) 44-36 at the start of the fourth quarter but fought back for the victory, getting the game-winning free throw from senior Malachi Berg with 1.6 seconds remaining.

Topeka West senior Sincere Austin helped lead the Chargers to their sixth straight win Friday night, a 51-50 UKC decision at De Soto. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Sincere Austin led the Chargers to their sixth straight victory with 21 points.

West and De Soto were tied at 26-26 at the half.

With Friday's win Topeka West is now part of a three-way tie for the league lead in the loss column with De Soto and Piper while Shawnee Heights and Basehor-Linwood are a game back.

DE SOTO GIRLS 58, TOPEKA WEST 38 -- Topeka West, which picked up its first win of the season in its final game before the holiday break, played state-ranked De Soto tough through three quarters before the Wildcats put the game away with a 19-7 fourth quarter.

De Soto, 6-2 overall, 4-1 in the United Kansas Conference, led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter and by just two points at the half (22-20) before opening up a 39-31 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

With Friday's loss Topeka West fell to 1-6, 1-5.

Shawnee Heights senior Emari Doby lead the T-Birds with 15 points in Friday's UKC win at Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS GIRLS 49, LANSING 23 -- Shawnee Heights continued its hot streak in Friday night's United Kansas Conference road win at Lansing, with the T-Birds improving to 5-1 overall and in the UKC with their fifth straight victory.

Senior Emari Doby led the T-Birds with 15 points while senior Taylor Rottinghaus added 13 points.

Shawnee Heights has not lost since a four-point decision against De Soto in its season-opener and the T-Birds are tied for second with De Soto in the UKC race, a game behind undefeated Seaman.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

WASHBURN RURAL (4-2, 1-0) at HAYDEN (3-2, 0-1)

Senior Brooklyn DeLeye scored a game-high 17 points Tuesday night as Washburn Rural opened Centennial League play with a 50-9 romp past Junction City. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural opened Centennial League play Tuesday with its third straight win, a 50-9 romp past Junction City. Senior Brooklyn DeLeye led the No. 7-ranked (Class 6A) Junior Blues with 17 points while junior Zoe Canfield added 13 points and three 3-pointers. Hayden dropped a 43-34 decision at No. 3-ranked (5A) Emporia on Tuesday in the Wildcats' Centennial League opener. Sophomore Brylee Meier led Hayden with 17 points while sophomore Norma Greco added nine points. Both Meier and Greco hit two 3-pointers.

Topeka High senior Kiki Smith is coming off a 25-point, 11-rebound effort Wednesday night in the Trojans' 56-36 non-league win over Blue Valley Northwest. [File photo/TSN]

EMPORIA (7-0, 1-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (7-1, 1-0)

Topeka High, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, opened the 2023 portion of its schedule with a 56-36 non-league win over Blue Valley Northwest Wednesday night in the Trojans' home opener. Senior Kiki Smith led Topeka High with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Emporia, No. 3-ranked in 5A, remained unbeaten with a 43-34 win in the Spartans' Centennial League opener. Senior Rebecca Snyder led Emporia with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Senior Taylor Rottinghaus (left) scored 17 points to lead Shawnee Heights in a 48-36 UKC win over Leavenworth in the T-Birds' final game before the holiday break. [File photo/TSN]

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-1, 4-1) at LANSING (2-3, 2-3)

Shawnee Heights will be making its 2023 debut with a United Kansas Conference road contest at Lansing. The T-Birds wrapped up '22 with a 48-36 UKC win over Leavenworth. Senior Taylor Rottinghaus led Shawnee Heights with 17 points while senior Emari Doby added a double-double with 13 points an 13 rebounds. Lansing returned to action on Tuesday, with the Lions dropping a 54-23 UKC decision to Lansing.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

WASHBURN RURAL (4-2, 1-0) at HAYDEN (3-2, 0-1)

Senior Jack Bachelor led Washburn Rural with 21 points in Tuesday's 64-58 Centennial League win over Junction City. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural opened Centennial League play on Tuesday night with a 64-58 win over Junction City while Hayden dropped a 59-52 league decision at Emporia. Senior Jack Bachelor led the Junior Blues with 21 points while junior Griffin Durst and sophomore Max Bettis scored eight points apiece. Sophomore Jacob Deister led Hayden with 18 points on six 3-pointers against Emporia while senior Joe Otting added 14 points and nine rebounds and Jacob Padilla had 12 points on four 3-pointers.

EMPORIA (6-1, 1-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (1-5, 0-1)

Emporia opened its Centennial League schedule with a hard-earned home 59-52 win over Hayden Tuesday night while Topeka High is coming off an 88-40 non-league loss to perennial Class 6A power Blue Valley Northwest Wednesday night at Topeka High. Senior Jalyn King scored a game-high 20 points for Emporia in the Spartans' win over Hayden while Cooper Rech added 10 points. Junior Isaiah Lyons led Topeka High with 14 points, including three 3-pointers, in the Trojans' loss to Blue Valley Northwest. 

Senior Xavier Alexander is averaging 20.3 points with a city-high 19 3-pointers for 5-1 Topeka West. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA WEST (5-1, 4-1) at DE SOTO (6-1, 4-0)

Topeka West, which has posted five straight victories, ended the 2022 portion of its schedule with a home 89-43 United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City-Turner while De Soto returned to action on Tuesday with a 66-43 UKC victory over Lansing. Senior Xavier Alexander leads Topeka West with a 20.3 scoring average and a city-high 19 3-pointers while senior Malachi Berg averages 16 points and 7.3 rebounds and senior Sincere Austin 11.3 points and 5.3 assists. DeSoto is ranked No. 6 and West No. 7 in Class 5A by the KBCA.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

At some point in the past there may have been a better overall year for Shawnee County girls high school sports than 2022.

Then again, maybe not.

County schools captured state team championships in five different sports in three different classifications while county athletes combined to win 10 individual state titles.

That depth of talent made it nearly impossible to narrow down TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County girls stories to just 10, and even harder to decide which accomplishments deserve to be at the top of the list, but here goes.

Topeka High's softball team celebrates its 2022 Class 6A state title after a 2-1 win over city rival Washburn Rural. [File photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]

1. CHAMPIONSHIP RE-RUN -- After posting a perfect 25-0 record and winning the school's first state softball title in 2021, Topeka High had a tougher path to a second straight Class 6A championship in 2022, but Stanford signee NiJaree Canady and the Trojans got the job done, taking a nail-biting 2-1 win over Washburn Rural in an all-city final to cap a 22-3 season. Canady ended her high school career with a second straight Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year award while then-senior Elycia Joyce and then-juniors Adisyn Caryl and Alesia Alvarez earned All-6A first-team honors.

Washburn Rural's volleyball team dogpiles on the court after winning the 2022 Class 6A state title, the eighth in school history. [Photo by Jeff Jacobsen/Action Images Photography]

2. BUMP, SET, DOMINATE -- Perennial state volleyball power Washburn Rural was 1-1 two matches into the 2022 season before going on a 44-match tear to win its eighth Class 6A title under Kevin Bordewick, capped by a 25-21, 26-24 win over Blue Valley. Bordewick surpassed the 1,000-victory mark for his career during the season while Junior Blue star Brooklyn DeLeye, a multi-time Class 6A player of the year and Kentucky signee, went over the 2,000 mark for career kills.

Former Topeka West swimming star Kadence Jeffries finished her high school career six for six at state in her individual events. [File photo/TSN]

3. STREAK COMPLETE --Topeka West swimming star Kadence Jefferies kept her incredible streak intact of never losing an individual race in the Class 5A-1A state meet. Jeffries swept the 200 and 500-yard freestyle state titles as a freshman in 2019. Then, after the '20 season was canceled due to COVID-19 Jeffries swept the same two events in '21 and '22, winning the 200 as a senior in 1 minutes, 53.29 seconds and the 500 in 5:03.66. Jeffries is now swimming for NCAA Division I Nebraska Omaha. Joining Jeffries as a 5A-1A state champion was Seaman sophomore Avery Walz, who won the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.03, helping the Vikings finish fourth in 5A-1A as a team.

Washburn Rural poses for a team picture after winning the Class 6A basketball title last March in Wichita. [Submitted photo]

4. SAME SONG, DIFFERENT VERSE --  Washburn Rural set the table for this fall's Class 6A volleyball championship with a run to the 6A basketball title last spring. The Junior Blues went 23-2 on the season, capped by a dominating 40-23 win over Derby in the state final. Brooklyn DeLeye, Zoe Canfield, Jada Ingram, Chloe Carlgren and Destiny Ochs were members of both the basketball and volleyball championship teams, along with coach Kevin Bordewick, who won his 10th 6A title as a head coach (eight volleyball, two basketball). Bordewick was also a part of three state championship teams in basketball as an assistant to Bill Annan. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Senior star Kiki Smith scored 28 points to go with six assists and five rebounds as Topeka High advanced to the championship game of De Soto's Hardwood Classic with a 52-44 semifinal win over Olathe Northwest Thursday night. 

Topeka High senior star Kiki Smith scored 28 points with five 3-pointers as the Trojans improved to 3-1 with a 52-44 win over Olathe Northwest Thursday night in De Soto. [File photo/TSN]

Brittney Redmond's Topeka High girls picked up their third straight win to improve to 3-1 on the season and will play tournament host De Soto at 3 p.m. Saturday for the championship.

Smith went 9 of 19 from the field and hit 5 of 11 3-point attempts and 5 of 7 free throws.

Topeka High led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter, 23-18 at the half and outscored Northwest 29-26 in the second half to hold the Ravens at bay.

Senior Adisyn Caryl added six points and seven rebounds for the Trojans while sophomore Jo'Mhara Benning had six points and six rebounds.

Senior Faith Shields was credited with five steals.

De Soto advanced to the championship game with a 51-42 semifinal win over Notre Dame De Sion, Mo.

Senior Jack Bachelor (right) scored 21 points in Washburn Rural's 68-31 win over KC-Schlagle on Thursday in SM East's Championship Showdown. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL 68, KC-SCHLAGLE 31  --Seniors Jack Bachelor and Wyatt Conklin combined for 37 points as Washburn Rural evened its record at 1-1 with a 68-31 romp past Kansas City-Schlagle in Thursday's consolation game of the Shawnee Mission East Championship Showdown.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

After tough season-opening road losses at Basehor-Linwood last Friday, Shawnee Heights' girls and boys basketball teams bounced back with a home United Kansas Conference sweep over Piper Tuesday night.

The Heights girls took a 54-32 win over the Pirates before the T-Bird boys took a 61-46 win over Piper. 

Shawnee Heights senior Taylor Rottinghaus scored a career-high 18 points in Tuesday night's 54-32 UKC win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Taylor Rottinghaus paced the Shawnee Heights girls with a career-high 18 points while senior Emari Doby was right behind with 16 points for the T-Birds in the 22-point rout..

Shawnee Heights' boys jumped out to a 14-8 first-quarter lead and led 30-19 at the half and 47-32 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Q Stovall and Deacon Pomeroy paced the T-Birds with 12 points apiece while Jaret Sanchez added 11 points and Brennon Dodge nine.

Shawnee Heights' girls and boys will be on the road Friday night at Topeka West for the first United Kansas Conference matchups between the two longtime city rivals.

The girls game is scheduled for a 5:45 p.m. tipoff, followed by the boys game at approximately 7:15.

Topeka High senior Kiki Smith (right) had 22 points and 10 rebounds in Tuesday's 48-30 win over Blue Valley Northwest. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 48, BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST 30 --Brittney Redmond's Topeka High girls picked up their second straight double-digit win in Tuesday's opening round of the De Soto Hardwood Classic, rolling to a 48-30 victory over Blue Valley Northwest.

Senior standout Kiki Smith had a double-double for the Trojans with 22 points and 10 rebounds while junior Ayana Leesman had a career-high 19 points while hitting 5 of 6 shots from the field and 5 of 5 free throws.

Topeka High led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter and used a 10-3 second quarter to open up a 22-12 halftime advantage. The Trojans outscored Northwest 26-18 to win going away.

Topeka High will face Olathe Northwest in a 6:30 p.m. semifinal Thursday night in De Soto.

ST. JAMES ACADEMY BOYS 67, WASHBURN RURAL 62 -- Washburn Rural took state-ranked St. James Academy down to the wire in the Junior Blues' debut under new coach Alex Hutchins, but the Thunder held on for the 67-62 victory in the first round of the Championship Showdown at Shawnee Mission East.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Emporia State soccer standout Hannah Woolery, a Cair Paravel Latin graduate, has been named a first-team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators, becoming the first ESU student-athlete to be voted first-team Academic All-American and first-team All-American in the same year since Lady Hornet basketball player Emily Bloss in 2001.

Emporia State senior Hannah Woolery, a Cair Paravel product, has been named a first-team Academic All-American after also receiving first-team All-America honors on the field. [Photo courtesy of Emporia State Athletics]

Woolery's ESU teammate Mackenzie Dimarco also earned Academic All-America honors as a third-team pick, marking the first time in school history that two teammates have earned All-American honors from the College Sports Communicators both in the classroom and in the field of play.

Woolery has a 3.90 grade point average in English and was named first-team All-America on the field by the D2CCA this year. 

Woolery holds the Emporia State career record with 21 assists, also ranks second in shots on goal and third in both career goals and career points.    

She earned first-team All-MIAA and was fourth in the MIAA in goals, third in shots on goal, fourth in points and sixth in assists.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

TOPEKA WEST (0-1, 0-1) at SEAMAN (1-0, 1-0)

Senior Kaeden Bonner scored a game-high 15 points as Seaman took a 56-35 win over Lansing in the Vikings' UKC debut last Friday at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Tuesday's game pits a pair of 2022 Class 5A state qualifiers against each other in Tuesday's 7:15 p.m. contest, with Seaman winning the state title a year ago while West lost a quarterfinal game to St. James Academy. Seaman ran its winning streak to 12 games with a 56-35 home United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing last Friday while Topeka West dropped a tight 58-52 UKC decision to Basehor-Linwood. Senior Kaeden Bonner scored a game-high 15 points to lead Seaman against Lansing while junior Holden Finley added nine points and senior Trey Parsel and sophomore Bryer Finley seven apiece. Topeka West put up a fight on the road against perennial 5A power Basehor-Linwood, including a 34-34 tie at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats took control down the stretch.

BONNER SPRINGS (1-0) at HIGHLAND PARK (0-0)

 Senior Ketraleus Aldridge is a top returner for Highland Park, which is coming off an 18-5 season and a Class 5A state tournament berth. [File photo/TSN]

Highland Park, a Class 5A state qualifier last season, opens its 2022-2023 season against Bonner Springs. The Scots, ranked No. 3 in 5A in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association preseason rankings, are loaded with experience, led by senior Bo Aldridge, who averaged 18.7 points and 8.1 rebounds a year ago for 18-5 Hi Park. Also back are seniors Tre Richardson (10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals), Jahmir Kingcannon (10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 38 3-pointers) and Quentin Adams (6 points, 2.8 assists, 1.9 steals). The Scots will play two straight non-league games before beginning their first seaon in the Meadowlark Conference. Bonner Springs opened its season with a 79-45 non-league win over Labette County.

PIPER (1-0, 1-0) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (0-1, 0-1)

Shawnee Heights opened its season with a 59-46 United Kansas Conference loss to De Soto, which played for the Class 5A state championship last season, while Piper opened with a 79-56 UKC win over Leavenworth. Sophomore Jaret Sanchez scored 14 points to lead the T-Birds against De Soto but was the lone Heights player to score more than seven points. The Pirates are coached by former Shawnee Heights coach Steve Wallace, who led the T-Birds to the 5A state title in 2017.

ST. MARY'S ACADEMY (2-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (0-2)

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

TOPEKA WEST (0-1, 0-1) at SEAMAN (1-0, 1-0)

Seaman's Anna Becker opened her sophomore season with 15 points and 10 rebounds in Friday's 63-32 season-opening win over Lansing. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN] 

Seaman opened its first season in the United Kansas Conference with a 62-32 win over Lansing last Frdiay night while Topeka West dropped a 52-36 decision to Basehor-Linwood in its UKC debut. Freshman Maddie Gragg scored a game-high 17 points in her high school debut for Seaman while Viking sophomore Anna Becker registered a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

BONNER SPRINGS (1-0) at HIGHLAND PARK (0-0)

Highland Park opens its season Tuesday after taking steps forward last season in a 4-17 season. The Scots return a solid nucleus from that team, led by sophomore Amelia Ramsey. Ramsey averaged 9.2 points and 10.2 rebounds, which led the city of Topeka, while shooting 59 percent from 2-point range and 72 percent from the free throw line as a freshman. Ramsey received All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season. Bonner Springs opened its season with a 56-45 win over Labette County last Friday.

Shawnee Heights' Emari Doby opened her senior season with 24 points in last Friday's 54-50 loss to De Soto. [File photo/TSN]

PIPER (1-0, 1-0) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (0-1, 0-1)

Shawnee Heights dropped a tight 54-50 United Kansas Conference decision to De Soto in last Friday's season-opener while Piper, a new UKC member this season, is coming off a 49-47 conference win over Leavenworth. Senior Emari Doby scored 24 points against De Soto while junior Breezy Canady and senior Abby Fleischer scored nine and eight points, respectively, for the T-Birds.

Senior star Kiki Smith and the Topeka High girls are 1-1 on the season after a 50-19 romp past Valley Center last Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (1-1) vs. BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (1-0)

At De Soto Hardwood Classic

Class 6A stalwarts Blue Valley Northwest and Topeka High will square off in Tuesday's opening round of the De Soto Hardwood Classic. Topeka High, which has qualified for the Class 6A

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Rossville's girls basketball team opened its 2022-2023 season in impressive fashion, rolling to a 58-30 road victory at Atchison.

Rylee Dick had a big night in her first high school game, scoring 24 points with four 3-pointers while Bulldawg junior standout Emma Mitchell added 17 points.

Rossville took command with a 15-4 opening quarter and then hit Atchison with a 27-6 lick in the second quarter to take a big 42-10 lead to the locker room at the half.

The Bulldawgs, who were 11-10 in 2021-2022, cruised the rest of the way, emptying their bench in the second half.

HAYS GIRLS 37, WASHBURN RURAL 33 --Washburn Rural struggled to get its offense untracked Friday night, with tournament host Hays taking advantage of a big second quarter to upset the top-ranked Junior Blues 37-33 in the semifinals of the Hays Shootout.

Junior Zoe Canfield led the Junior Blues (1-1) with 13 points, including three 3-pointers, but Washburn Rural only had four players crack the scoring column. Senior Brooklyn DeLeye added eight points while sophomores Kate Hinck and Tenly Bunck scored six points apiece.

Hays (2-0) and Rural were deadlocked at 8-8 after the opening quarter, but Hays used a 14-6 second quarter to take a 22-14 halftime lead.

Rural cut its deficit to a point (29-28) by the end of the third quarter, but Hays held off the Junior Blues down the stretch, holding an 8-5 scoring edge over the final eight minutes.

Carly Lang scored 11 points and Molly Martin 10 for Hays, which will play for the championship Saturday. Washburn Rural will play for third place.

BASEHOR-LINWOOD BOYS 58, TOPEKA WEST 52 -- Topeka West was in the hunt for the entire game at Basehor-Linwood, but the Chargers were unable to get over the hunt as the No. 10-ranked (Class 5A) Bobcats prevailed over the No. 9 Chargers, who were making their debut in the United Kansas Conference, by a 58-52 margin.

Basehor-Linwood led 15-7 at the end of the first quarter, but West cut its deficit to 22-21 at the half and the game was tied at 34 entering the fourth quarter.

Washburn University signee Tyson Ruud led Basehor-Linwood with 24 points.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

LANSING at SEAMAN

Seaman sophomore Anna Becker averaged 14 points as a freshman for the 16-6 Vikings, earning Top 10 All-Shawnee County and first-team All-Centennial League honors. [File photo/TSN]

A good Class 5A and United Kansas Conference matchup right out of the gate between Lansing, No. 3 in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association preseason rankings, and No. 9 Lansing (5:45 p.m. tipoff). Seaman posted a 16-6 record a year ago and will build this year's team around returning standouts Anna Becker, a sophomore, and junior Taylin Stallbaumer. Becker was a TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-Centennial League first-team pick as a freshman and was named the newcomer of the year in the Centennial League and Shawnee County. after averaging 14 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.7 assists. Stallbaumer averaged 11 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.0 assists a year ago while connecting on 43 3-pointers. Stallbaumer was a Top 10 All-Shawnee County and second-team All-Centennial League selection. Lansing finished fourth in the 5A state tournament last season.

DE SOTO at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS

Shawnee Heights senior Emari Doby returns to lead a T-Bird team that is looking to improve on last season's 10-11 record. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights opens its United Kansas Conference schedule against De Soto (5:45 p.m.), with the T-Birds looking to take steps this season after a 10-11 record a year ago. Bob Wells' T-Birds showed flashes of potential last season and Shawnee Heights returns a solid nucleus from that team. After missing her sophomore season with a knee injury, Emari Doby bounced back with a strong junior campaign, earning first-team All-UKC and Second 10 TSN All-Shawnee County recognition. Doby averaged 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists while hitting 13 3-pointers. Breezy Canady, a junior, also returns for Shawnee Heights after averaging 1.6 asists and 1.2 steals as a sophomore. Other experienced T-Birds include seniors Riley Showalter, Taylor Rottinghaus, Abby Fleischer and Taylor Rantz. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

LANSING at SEAMAN

Seaman senior Aron Davis is coming off a summer knee injury but is being counted on to be one of the top players in Shawnee County for the Vikings, the defending Class 5A state champions. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman senior Kaeden Bonner averaged 13.4 points and hit 64 3-pointers last season as the Vikings captured the school's first Class 5A boys state title. [File photo/TSN]

The reigning Class 5A state champions kick off the 2022-2023 season with their first United Kansas Conference game against Lansing (7:30 p.m.). Craig Cox's Vikings won their final 11 games last season to finish 18-7 and dominated the 5A state tournament. Returning from that team are senior standouts Kaeden Bonner and Aron Davis, who played a big role in the Vikings' run to the school's first boys state title . Bonner received TSN Top 10 All-Shawnee County and second-team All-Centennial League recognition last season as well as All-5A honorable mention from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Bonner averaged 13.4 points, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals, shooting 63 percent on 2-point field goal attempts and 45 percent from 3-point range while hitting a city-high 64 3-pointers. Davis came on strong late last season for the Vikings, earning All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition and averaging 5.7 points and 1.6 blocked shots while shooting 65 percent from 2-point field goal range.

DE SOTO at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS

Junior Brennon Dodge is in his third varsity season for Shawnee Heights, averaging 14 points with 47 3-pointers last season. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights had a breakout 14-8 season a year ago and opens its United Kansas Conference schedule (7:30 p.m.) against a De Soto team  that advanced to the Class 5A state championship game last season, dropping a 66-47 decision to Seaman to finish off a 20-5 campaign. Shawnee Heights is still a relatively young team, but returns several experienced players. Junior Brennon Dodge, who has played a big role for Ken Darting's T-Birds since his freshman season, earned Second 10 All-Shawnee County honors and second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season. Dodge averaged 14 points his sophomore season to go with 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game while hitting 47 3-pointers on the season.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Washburn Rural's girls basketball team opened defense of its Class 6A state championship, its second title since 2019, with a 49-24 win over Thomas More Prep-Marian in Thursday's opening round of the Hays Shootout.

The Junior Blues, who are coming off a 23-2 season, advanced to a 6:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face Hays.

Senior Brooklyn DeLeye scored 10 points to lead a balaced Washburn Rural attack in Thursday's 49-24 season-opening win over TMP-Marian. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural led by just an 8-6 margin at the end of the opening quarter but the Junior Blues stretched their lead to 23-14 at the half and outscored the Monarchs 26-10 in the second half.

Rural emptied its bench in the second half, with 10 Junior Blues cracking the scoring column.

Senior Brooklyn DeLeye led the Junior Blues with 10 points while sophomore Kate Hinck and junior Zoe Canfield added nine points apiece.

Senior Jaci Von Lintel led TMP with a game-high 12 points, accounting for half of the Monarchs' points.

With a semiinal win on Friday Washburn Rural will advance to Saturday's 5 p.m. tournament championship game.

CAIR PARAVEL BOYS 53, WAVERLY 47 (OT) -- Trey Brown and his Cair Paravel boys basketball team had to work overtime Thursday night but the Lions gave Brown his first coaching victory in the opening round of the three-day Burlingame tournament.

Cair Paravel jumped out to a big first-half advantage but the Bulldogs rallied in the second half to force the extra session with the game tied at 44.

The Lions closed out the victory with a 9-3 edge in the OT period.

Jase Pavlik had a big night for the Lions, scoring 19 points with four 3-pointers.

Pavlik scored six points in overtime.

Cair Paravel got eight points from Ty Gossard, seven from Evan Will and six apiece from Ben Roeder and Cameron Brian.

The Lions will play tournament host Burlingame at 7:30 p.m. Friday.  

WAMEGO BOYS 62, TOPEKA HIGH 47 -- Wamgeo spoiled Geo Lyons' debut as Topeka High's head coach with a dominating second half, pulling away for a 62-47 victory at Wamego.

The Trojans and Red Raiders were tied at 26 at halftime, but Wamego opened up a three-point advantage and the end of the third period and outscored High 20-8 the rest of the way.

Madon Gomez had 16 points and Da'Mykel Hayes 15 for Topeka High while Jayden Norman added nine points.

The Trojans will play at Valley Center on Saturday.

WAMEGO GIRLS 57, TOPEKA HIGH 52 -- Seniors Kiki Smith and Faith Shields combined for 32 points Thursday night, but Wamego took control down the stretch for a 57-52 non-league win at Wamego.

Smith scored 20 points and Shields 12 for the Trojans.

The Trojans, who were making their debut under new coach Brittney Redmond, led 16-10 at the end of the opening quarter and took a 20-19 lead to the locker room at the half.

Topeka High 38-35 at the start of the fourth quarter but Wamego closed with a 22-14 fourth-quarter rally.

Topeka High will play at Valley Center on Saturday.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Emporia State senior Hannah Woolery, a Cair Paravel Latin product, and Hornet teammate Mackenzie Dimarco have received first-team All-America soccer honors from the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) as selected by the College Sports Communicators. 

Cair Paravel Latin graduate Hannah Woolery, a senior soccer standout for Emporia State, has received first-team All-America honors. [Photo courtesy of Emporia State Athletics]

Woolery also earned first-team All-MIAA honors this season after ranking fourth in the MIAA in goals, third in shots on goal, fourth in points and sixth in assists.

Woolery holds the Emporia State career record with 21 assists. She also ranks second in shots on goal while ranking third in both career goals and career points.

Off the pitch, Woolery was named CSC Academic All-District with a 3.90 GPA in English.

Dimarco, also a senior, was unanimously named first-team All-MIAA at forward after leading the MIAA in goals, shots, shots on goal and points while ranking second in game-winning goals.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A sub-state round, and 6A sectional partcipant Washburn Rural combined for 11 Top 22 spots on TopSports.news'  All-Shawnee County football team while Highland Park's Tre Richardson and Rural's Ty Weber garnered the top individual honors.

 Senior Tre Richardson has been named the TopSports.news Shawnee County offensive player of the year after keying a dramatic Highland Park turnaround in the 2022 season. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural senior linebacker Ty Weber (32) hass been named the TSN All-Shawnee County defensive player of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, which posted a 10-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors JC Cummings, Ben Evans and Joe Otting, junior Finn Dunshee and sophomore Jensen Schrickel while Washburn Rural, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Weber and Ma'kenttis Adams and juniors Packson Bettis, Branton DeWeese, JC Heim and Titan Osburn on the Top 22.

Highland Park's Richardson, who led the Scots to a breakout 6-3 season, was named the Shawnee County offensive player of the year while Weber was named the county defensive player of the year for the second straight season.

Richardson, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior, rushed for 1,964 yards and 27 touchdowns on 96 attempts and caught 40 passes for 1,079 yards and 15 TDs as the Scots snapped a 65-game losing streak in the season-opener and went on to record one of Highland Park's best seasons in school history.

Weber, a 6-3, 230 senior, recorded 134 total tackles (82 solos) with 19 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles, two sacks and an interception. 

Hayden's Bill Arnold has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after a 10-2 2022 season. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural's Steve Buhler has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after leading the Rural to the Class 6A sectional round. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden's Bill Arnold and Washburn Rural's Steve Buhler were named the Shawnee County co-coaches of the year.

Shawnee Heights junior running back Allen Baughman and Hayden's Dunshee, a running back/linebacker, were named the co-offensive newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural junior defensive end Jamond Lane was named the defensive newcomer of the year.

Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman han been named the TSN Shawnee County co-offensive newcomer of the year after rushing for 1,496 yards and 20 TDs. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden junior Finn Dunshee has been named the Shawnee County offensive co-newcomer of the year after rushing for 1,150 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]

Baughman, 5-8, 180, rushed for 1,496 yards and 20 touchowns on 225 carries for the 5-5 T-Birds while Dunshee, 5-8, 160, rushed for 1,150 yards on 96 attempts and scored 17 total touchdowns for the 10-2 Wildcats.

Washburn Rural junior defensive lineman Jamond Lane (left) has been named the TSN All-Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Lane, 6-0, 280, was in on 44 tackles (23 solos) with six sacks, six tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception return for a touchdown.

Rural's Weber and DeWeese, Highland Park's Richardson, Hayden's Otting and Rossville senior Jacob Carver are All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks.

Seaman is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Kasen Hasenkamp, Sean Miller and Bryson Vawter, while Shawnee Heights put Baughman and senior Gavin Zuperku on the Top 22, Silver Lake is represented by juniors Eli Barnes and Tanner Martin, Rossville by Carver and junior Barrett Lietz and Topeka West by senior Malachi Berg.

All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22 or Second 22 teams.

All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

By RICK PETERSON             

TopSports.news

Editor's note: Additional pictures will be added at TopSports.news when they are received.

 Quentin Adams

QUENTIN ADAMS, Highland Park

A senior point guard, Adams was a floor leader for a Highland Park team that posted a 18-5 record and advanced to the Class 5A tournament last season, averaging 6 points, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals for the Scots, who begin their first season in the Meadowlark Conference this winter. Adams earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season.

Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

A 6-foot-4 senior, Aldridge helped lead the 18-5 Scots to a Class 5A state tournament berth last season, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-Centennial League first-team recognition last season. Aldridge, who received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, averaged 18.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.3 blocked shots and 1.6 steals as a junior.

Xavier Alexander

XAVIER ALEXANDER, Topeka West

Alexander, a senior guard, helped Topeka West post a 21-2 record in 2021-2022 en route to a second straight Centennial League championship and a second straight 5A state tournament berth. Alexander received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after averaging 10.7 points, 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals while hitting 47 3-pointers and shooting 66 percent from 2-point range.

Sincere Austin

SINCERE AUSTIN, Topeka West

A 6-foot-1 senior, Austin helped Topeka West post a 21-2 record last season with the Chargers claiming a second straight Class 5A state tournament berth and a second straight Centennial League championship. Austin earned TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-Centennial League second-team recognition as a junior after averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals and hitting 32 3-pointers.

Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-2 senior, earned TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-Centennial League second-team honors as a junior for the 9-13 Junior Blues, averaging 13.8 points, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals while connecting on 44 3-pointers and shooting 43 percent from outside the arc.

Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

A 6-2 senior, Berg was a workhorse inside for the 21-2 Chargers, who claimed a second straight Centennial League title and a second straight 5A state tournament berth. Berg earned All-Centennial League and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention, averaging 6.0 rebounds and shooting 60 percent from 2-point field goal range.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Geo Lyons and Brittney Redmond have spent a lot of time in Topeka High's gymnasium, affectionately known as "The Dungeon.''

But this year is different, with Lyons and Redmond running the show at their alma mater.

Lyons, a 1998 THS graduate, held his first official practice as the Trojans' boys basketball coach on Monday while Redmond, a 2011 grad, kicked off her tenure as the High girls coach as preseason practice got under way across the state in boys and girls basketball, boys and girls wrestling and boys swimming.

Topeka High graduate Geo Lyons held his first official practice as the Trojans' head boys basketball coach on Monday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Brittney Redmond, a 2011 Topeka High graduate, was back in "The Dungeon'' on Monday for her first practice as the Trojans' head girls basketball coach. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Redmond was named the Trojans' girls coach in May after stints as an assistant coach at four junior colleges while Lyons was named Topeka High's boys coach in June after four seasons as the head coach at Kansas City-Schlagle.

"I think it brought back some nastaligic memories but it also made it real that basketball is officially here,'' Redmond said about Monday's opening practice. "In college you jump right in it, but here you kind of have to wait a minute and then it's just the rush of trying to get a team ready in two weeks.''

Lyons, who had stints as an assistant at both High and Topeka West, said he was excited to get started in his new role of guiding the THS program.

"I'm looking at this as really a blank canvas,'' Lyons said. "We've got a whole new staff so everything's going to be new to these young men, but I like that I really get to come in and put my stamp on this thing.''

Redmond and Lyons face different challenges in the 2022-2023 campaign, with Redmond trying to help Topeka High continue a recent run as one of the state's most successful girls programs while Lyons will be trying to help the Trojans return to their once-storied status.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which won its eighth Class 6A state championship and its first in 10 seasons, put four players on the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County volleyball team, led by two-time player of the year Brooklyn DeLeye.

Washburn Rural two-time Shawnee County player of the year Brooklyn DeLeye headlines the 2022 TSN all-county volleyball team. [File photo/TSN]

DeLeye, a senior, is joined on the all-county first team by senior Taylor Russell and juniors Zoe Canfield and Jada Ingram while veteran Junior Blues coach Kevin Bordewick, who went over the 1,000-win mark for his career in 2022, was named the coach of the year after Rural went 45-1 on the season with 44 straight wins to end the year.

State placers Rural and Seaman, fourth in 5A, combined to earn seven of 13 first-team berths.

The Vikings, who posted a 32-11 record and won the United Kansas Conference title, are represented on the first team by senior Laynee Brown, junior Brooklyn Gormley and sophomore Maegan Mills.

Mid-East League champion Rossville put senior Brinley Dyche and junior Kinsey Perine on the all-county team while Shawnee Heights is represented by seniors Emily Loy and Taylor Rottinghaus, Silver Lake by senior Taylor Ross and Topeka West by senior Makinsey Jones.

Brown, DeLeye, Ingram, Jones, Loy, Perine and Russell are all repeat first-team selections while Canfield, Dyche, Gormley and Mills were second-team picks a year ago and Ross and Rottinghauls received honorable mention.

Hayden freshman Reese Huscher was named the county newcomer of the year after compiling 148 kills, 254 digs and serving at 97 percent.

All-Shawnee County first team capsules:

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Local high schools open regional boys soccer competition this week, beginning with three Monday contests.

Hayden, 7-8-1 on the season, will host Mulvane (7-9-0) in a 4 p.m. Class 4A-1A regional semifinal Monday while Cair Paravel Latin (0-10-0) will host Circle (0-15-0)  in a 4:30 p.m. 4A-1A play-in game at the Sunflower Soccer Complex. The Cair Paravel-Circle winner will advance to a 6 p.m. game Tuesday at Buhler (15-1-0).

In 5A, Seaman (3-11-2) will travel to Leavenworth  (5-10-1) for a 6 p.m. play-in game on Monday, with the winner playing Kansas City-Sumner (13-2-1) at Kansas City-Schlagle at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Seaman dropped a 1-0 overtime United Kansas Conference decision to the Pioneers in the regular season.

Washburn Rural senior Easton Bradstreet (13) has scored 25 goals this season entering Tuesday's Class 6A regional soccer opener at McElroy Field. [File photo/TSN]

Centennial League champion Washburn Rural (13-3-0) will open 6A postseason at 6 p.m. Tuesday at McElroy Field against the winner of Monday's play-in game between Lawrence (5-10-1) and Wichita South (0-16). The Junior Blues have asssured themselves of homefield advantage through the state quarterfinal round.6A.

Junior Chris Gomez (18) and the Topeka High soccer team will host Free State in a Class 6A regional game Tuesday night at Hummer Sports Park. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High will also open 6A postseason Tuesday, with the 11-5-0 Trojans hosting Free State (6-7-2) in a 6 p.m. regional game at Hummer Sports Park.

Nic Simons and his 10-5-1 Shawnee Heights soccer team will open Class 5A postseason Tuesday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex against KC-Washinton. [File photo/TSN]

UKC champion Shawnee Heights (10-5-1) will be at the Bettis Family Sports Complex at 6 p.m. Tuesday to host KC-Washington (7-7-2) in a 5A regional opener.

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

After losing four straight to state contending 8-man teams, Cair Paravel Latin ended its football season on a high note with a 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy Friday night at Highland Park.

The Lions rapidly put 62 points on the scoreboard on their Senior Night, needing just 24 minutes to get the win at the halftime break.

Cair Paravel junior quarterback Evan Will went 7 of 7 passing for 117 yards and three TDs in Friday's 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Senior Jachin Bonura carried tJunior Noah Collins had a 37-yard pick-six in Cair Paravel's 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Cair Paravel junior Jesiah Bonura finds running room in the Lions' 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Cair Paravel sophomore Ben Roeder (26) and junior Noah Collins (33) close in on a Maranatha Academy ball-carrier in Friday's 62-12 Lion win. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

“Our guys came out and executed the way we wanted them to,” Cair Paravel Latin coach Doug Bonura said. “We were able to get a lot of guys in the game tonight and learn on the spot. They responded well after losing last week, which was a rough one for us. Being able to come back and play the way we wanted to play was great to see.

“But with all of that being said, I’m disappointed that we’re not going to the playoffs.”

In its first full year as a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, Cair Paravel Latin received an un-warm welcome. The Lions were delivered a juggernaut of a schedule for nearly the entirety of the 2022 campaign.

“This year was a bit of a disappointment because we have a tremendous team with a lot of talent,” D. Bonura said. “This year was good and humbling for us. Our district has several teams who are top-20 in the entire state. We learned so much about this year and we look forward to taking those lessons into next year.”

Out of the Lions’ eight regular season games played, only three of the teams that Cair Paravel has played has had a losing record. Cair Paravel Latin has won all of its games against those three teams with a losing record.

In its three games won, Cair Paravel Latin has outscored the opposition, 178-28. The Lions do what they’re supposed to do, blow out the teams that they’re supposed to beat. 

On Friday night, Cair Paravel Latin was able to execute the game plan flawlessly against a wounded Maranatha Academy squad.

The Lions 40-point first quarter was impressive.

In fact, it took Cair Paravel under four minutes to put up 24 points on the scoreboard and it was evident that the Lions would roll over the Eagles in the beginning portion of the game.

Lion senior running back Jachin Bonura had an eye-opening game on Friday night, touching the pigskin eight times for 218 yards and four touchdowns.

Cair Paravel junior quarterback Evan Will had a quick but perfect night. Will went 7-7 for 117 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Lions were stout. Seven sacks, two interceptions, 14 tackles for losses and a defensive touchdown. Noah Collins’ pick-six was for 37 yards.

The game started and ended in a blink of an eye. Similar to Cair Paravel’s season. A dominating home performance to cap off a season filled with lessons was important to this young and aspiring Lions group.

“Our guys competed in every game this year,” D. Bonura said. “We played the way we wanted to. We are going to have to work on our technique going forward and polish a lot of things for us to move in the direction we want to go in.”

Cair Paravel Latin finished its season with a 3-5 overall and 1-4 district record.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 62, MARANATHA ACADEMY 12

Maranatha Academy (0-7, 0-4)    6 6 – 12

Cair Paravel Latin (3-5, 1-4)      40 22 – 62

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 46 run (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 48 pass from Will (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Collins 37 interception return (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 27 pass from Will (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Roeder 38 run (2-pt conversion is good)

Maranatha Academy – Higginbotham 26 pass from Nelson (2-pt is no good)

Maranatha Academy – Higgenbotham 13 pass from Nelson (2-point is no good)

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 47 run (2-pt is no good)

Cair Paravel – Je. Bonura 47 run (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Gossard 9 pass from Will (2-pt is no good)

Individual statistics 

Passing: Cair Paravel Latin – Will 7-7, 117 yards; Pavlik 2-2, 24. Maranatha Academy – Nelson 8-16, 105 yards; Smail 1-4, 7.

Rushing: Cair Paravel Latin – Ja. Bonura 3-118, Pavlik 3-26, Je. Bonura 1-47, Roeder 1-38. Maranatha Academy – Nelson 8-(minus)-54, Higginbotham 6-45, Smail 4-17, Wiley 4-(minus)-3.

Receiving: Cair Paravel Latin – Ja. Bonura 5-100, Will 2-24, Gossard 1-9, Helmbold 1-8. Maranatha Academy – Higginbotham 4-63, Smail  4-34, Dean 1-5.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Wasshburn Rural and Seaman, Final Four teams a year ago, lead Shawnee County's 10-school contingent into Saturday's sub-state tournaments across the state.

Washburn Rural finished fourth in Class 6A and Seaman fifth in 5A a year ago and both the Junior Blues and Vikings are coming off league championships and sport top-three state rankings entering post-season.

All 10 county high schools will be vying for berths in state tournaments, which will be contested on Oct. 28 and 29.

Rural won the Centennial League tournament and is ranked No. 1 in 6A in the final Kansas Volleyball Association rankings with a 38-1 record while Seaman won the United Kansas Conference championship and is No. 3 in 5A with a 28-8 record.

Rossville and Silver Lake are two of the top teams in 3A, with Rossville (30-5) ranked No. 6 and Silver Lake (24-9) No. 9 by the KVA. 

Here's a class-by-class look at sub-state tournaments involving Shawnee County schools:

Washburn Rural volleyball, 38-1 on the season, celebrates a point in the Junior Blues' recent match against state-ranked Seaman. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 6A

Washburn Rural, which has advanced to 23 state tournaments under coach Kevin Bordewick, with seven state titles and 20 Final Four appearances, will be a heavy favorite in Saturday's 6A sub-state at Rural.

The top-ranked Junior Blues will play a semifinal match at approximately 2 p.m. against the winner of the play-in match between Dodge City (5-27) and Wichita South (2-33).

Manhattan (15-19) will face Derby (15-20) in the other semifinal match, with the semifinal winners playing for the sub-state title at approximately 4 o'clock.

The sub-state champion will advance to the state tournament at the Tony's Pizza Events Center in Salina on Oct. 28.

• Topeka High (8-24) will make the long trek to Liberal to face the host team in a 2 p.m. semifinal. Liberal is 25-8 on the season and the No. 3 in the 6A West.

The Topeka High-Liberal winner will play the winner of the semifinal between Wichita North (16-13) and Campus (11-21) for the sub-state championship at approximately 4 p.m.

Senior Laynee Brown is a standout for Seaman's volleyball team, which will host a Class 5A sub-state on Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 5A

Seaman, the No. 3 seed in the 5A East, will be at home on Saturday as it shoots for a third straight state tournament berth.

The Vikings will open their sub-state bid at 2 p.m. Saturday in a semifinal matchup against  De Soto (9-21).

The winner of the Seaman-De Soto match will play for the sub-state title at approximately 4 p.m. against the winner of the semifinal between Kansas City-Schlagle (11-6) and KC-Turner (11-20).

The sub-state champion will move on to the 5A state tournament at the Tony's Pizza Events Center in Salina on Oct. 28.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

LEAVENWORTH (2-5, 2-5 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-3, 4-2 UKC)

Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman (5) has rushed for 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns on this fall. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Shawnee Heights snapped a two-game losing streak with a 49-6 United Kansas Conference win over Topeka West last Friday. T-Bird junior Allen Baughman carried the ball 12 times for 153 yards and five touchdowns against Topeka West and enters Friday night's game against Leavenworth with 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns on 152 attempts. Alex Dittman leads the T-Birds with 54 tackles while Jon Scott and Sean Wunter have 46 and 45 stops, respectively.

TOPEKA WEST (1-6) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2)

Washburn Rural junior Titan Osburn caught three touchdown passes in last Friday's 49-14 Centennial League win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural took a 49-14 Centennial League win over Emporia last week while Topeka West js coming off a 49-6 United Kansas Conference defeat against Shawnee Heights. Rural junior Branton DeWeese completed seven of seven passes for 91 yards and two TDs last week while junior Titan Osburn caught three passes for 67 yards and three TDs. Senor Ma'Kenttis Adams had three carries for 76 yards and a TD while DeWeese carried the ball six times for 57 yards and a pair of TDs. Senior Ty Weber registered eight tackles (seven solo), with three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Topeka West senior quarterback Malachi Berg scored West's lone TD against West on a 16-yard run and rushed for 96 yards and passed for 112 yards.

Topeka High senior quarterback Peyton Wheat has passed for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns this season. [File photo/TSN]

HAYS (6-1) at TOPEKA HIGH (1-6) 

Topeka High dropped a 54-12 Centennial League decision at Junction City while Hays is coming off a 56-12 win over Liberal, which handed High a 27-0 defeat earlier in the year. Hays' lone loss was a 31-21 decision to undefeated Manhattan. Topeka High dropped a 59-7 league game to Manhattan in Week 2. High sophomore Jayden Norman has caught 43 passes for 620 yards and four touchdowns while senior quarterback Peyton Wheat has completed 82 of 174 passes for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns.

MARANATHA ACADEMY (0-6, 0-3 district) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (2-5, 0-4 district)

Cair Paravel wraps up Eight-Man Division I play Friday night after dropping an 54-8 district decision to Chase County last Friday. Cair Paravel junior Evan Will went 9 of 13 passing for 74 yards and a touchdowns against Chase County while Jachin Bonura caught six passes for 64 yards and a TD. Maranatha Academy is coming off a 63-14 district loss to Burlingame

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

The rebuilding Cair Paravel Latin boys soccer team took a tough 10-1 loss at the hands of a solid Kansas City Christian team on Thursday evening at the Sunflower Soccer Complex.

It’s been a tough year for the Lions as Cair Paravel still hasn’t found the win column near the end of the 2022 campaign as its young and small roster has dealt with its fair share of challenges.

Cair Paravel Latin soccer coach Mark Congdon congratulates his team after Thursday's 10-1 loss to Kansas City Christian. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]

It doesn’t help the Lions that several contributors are dealing with injuries.

With a young group like the Lions have, CPLS coach Mark Congdon said it's essential to find different ways to evaluate the team, not just wins and losses.

“We were just lucky to be out here and playing today,” Congdon said. “Last night we almost lost a couple of guys and that would’ve put us in a bad spot. We have two or three nagging injuries within the team right now all with our 11 guys. A win for us right now is starting and finishing the game.

“The fact that we were able to play a game from start to finish was big for us. It’s great to allow our guys to go out there and compete as well as get some minutes. Even with the loss we had today, it was a good day for us.”

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake's boys will be looking to build off last week's Mid-East League championship when all 10 Shawnee County high schools compete for state berths in Saturday's regional cross country meets.

Silver Lake and Rossville will both compete in a Class 3A regional at the Leonardville Golf Course (10 a.m. girls, 10:45 boys), while Topeka High and Washburn Rural will compete in a 6A regional at Manhattan (10 girls, 10:40 boys), Highland Park, Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will take part in a 5A regional at Kanza Park (9 girls, 9:45 boys), Hayden will host a 4A regional, also at Kanza Park (10:30 girls, 11:15 boys), and Cair Paravel will be part of a 2A regional at Central Heights (10 girls, 10:40 boys).

Silver Lake tuned up for postseason last Thursday, winning the league title by 38 points while dropping its average team time by two seconds.

"The wind made things tough, but our runners made the best of it,'' Eagle coach Kevin Brokaw said.

Sophomore Jared Johnson paced the Eagles with a second-place individual finish while junior Eli Ferguson finished third, senior Mason Brokaw fourth and sophomore Aemon Coffman seventh to earn league medals.

"(I'm) especially proud of sophomore Jared Johnson who continues to improve and broke under 18 minutes for the first time,'' Kevin Brokaw said.

Silver Lake's girls dropped their team time average by 29 seconds to 22:22 and placed second behind Riley County by just four points after losing to the Falcons by 11 points two weeks earlier.

"(We) will try our best to get them at regionals,'' Kevin Brokaw said.

Senior Mariah Farmer finished third in the league meets, with sophomore Tessa Gerber seventh and freshman Kylie Podlena ninth.

"We had 17 season-bests out of 27 runners,'' Kevin Brokaw said.

Senior Amelia Foster finished fifth to lead Rossville in the girls race while the Bulldawg boys got an eighth-place finish from junior Mason Broce and a 10th-place finish from senior Hayden Sanders.

• Washburn Rural swept the Centennial League titles last week, with the the Junior Blues riding a one-two-three individual finish to a 27-62 win over Junction City and Rural winning the boys title by a 44-47 margin over Manhattan.

Washburn Rural sophomore Payton Fink followed up her city championship with a win in last Saturday's Centennial League meet. [File photo/TSN]

Sophomore Payton Fink won the girls title in a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 53.9 while senior Madeline Carter (19:11.0) and sophomore Rylee Ismert (19:25.1) finished second and third.

The Rural girls also got an eighth-place finish from Brooklyn Nolte (20:36.4) and a 13th-place finish from Vilde Tronstad (21:03.7) to round out the Junior Blues' top five.

Rural's boys got third and fourth-place finishes from seniors Davin Johnson and Easton Dial to lead the Junnior Blues to the team title.

Senior Grayson Fink (17:21.4) finished eighth for Rural's boys, followed by junior Hayden Keller (17:30.3) in 12th place and senior Trevor Cain (17:42.2) in 17th. 

Hayden's girls finished fifth as a team, led by Elliot Wrench's 17th-place finish in 21:23.8, while Topeka High placed sixth, led by Marilina Zuniga, who placed 33rd in 24:46.3.

Hayden and Topeka High finished fifth and sixth in the boys team standings.

Topeka High's Michael Christoper and Hayden's Aiden Amis both posted top-10 finishes in the boys race, with Christopher (17:23.1) taking ninth and Amis (17:26.0) 10th.

• Seaman's girls and Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge claimed titles in last Thursday's United Kansas Conference meet at Shawnee Heights

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Two-time defending Class 2A state champion Rossville ended a brief two-game losing streak with a 56-6 District 3 romp past Pleasant Ridge Friday night at Rossville.

Rossville junior quarterback Camden Horak (3) rushed for four touchdowns and also passed for a TD in the Bulldawgs' 56-6 win over Pleasant Ridge Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

With the win Rossville improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the district and can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Maur Hill-Mt. Academy next Friday.

The Bulldawgs put Friday's game away with a 21-point first quarter, went to the locker room with a commanding 35-0 advantage and led 49-0 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Rossville junior quarterback Camden Horak had a big night against the Rams, running for four touchdowns and also passing for a TD.

Senior Braiden Hensley got Rossville on the board at the 9:20 mark of the opening quarter with a 4-yard run and Horak followed with 18 and 32-yard TD runs to put the Bulldawgs up 21-0 at the 2:01 mark of the first stanza. 

Horak added a 5-yard scoring run 50 seconds into the second quarter and he hit Hensley for a 66-yard touchdown pass to end Rossville's first-half scoring with 2:16 left before halftime.

C. Horak and sophomore Tayson Horak scored third-quarter touchdowns on 29 and 3-yard runs before Andre Johnson scored Rossville's final TD on a 15-yard run with 2:34 left to play.

Pleasant Ridge (2-5, 1-3) scored its only points of the night early in the fourth quarter.

Junior Cedric Leistenschneider went eight of eight on extra-point kicks for the Bulldawgs.

Washburn Rural junior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for three TDs and ran for a score in last Friday's 49-14 win over Emporia. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL 49, EMPORIA 14 --Washburn Rural improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Centennial League with Friday night's 49-14 league romp past Emporia at Bowen-Glaze Stadium, with the Junior Blues strengthening their position for the upcoming Class 6A West playoffs.

The Junior Blues put the Spartans (1-6, 0-3) away early, opening up a 37-0 first-quarter avantage.

Rural junior quarterback Branton DeWeese opened the scoring at the 8:13 mark with a 4-yard run and he also completed a pair of 18-yard TD passes to junior Titan Osburn before freshman TJ Minikwu and senior Ma'kenttis Adams added TD runs from 5 and 51 yards respectively to end the first-quarter onslaught.

Minikwu scored his second TD on a 1-yard run and DeWeese and Osburn hooked up for a 32-yard pass to give Rural a 49-0 halftime advantage.

A running clock was used throughout the second half, with Emporia scoring its two touchdowns on passes from Sheldon Stewart to Jaxon Dial and Parker Leeds.

Washburn Rural will wrap up the regular season at home next Friday against Topeka West while Emporia will host Junction City at Welch Stadium.

Highland Park senior star Tre Richardson scored six touchdowns in Friday night's 63-0 non-league romp at Kansas CityNortheast, Mo. as the Scots improved to 5-2. [File photo/TSN] 

HIGHLAND PARK 63, NORTHEAST 0 -- Highland Park ended its two-game losing streak in resounding fashion Friday night, rolling to a 63-0 road win over Kansas City-Northeast, Mo.

Highland Park senior Trey Richardson scored six touchdowns, two on punt returns, two pass receiving and two rushing. Richardson has now had a hand in 40 touchdowns on the season.

Senior A'Ydren Drew-Gregory picked off three passes, with two going for touchdowns.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-3, 3-2 UKC) at TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 1-5 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman (5) is 13 yards away from the 1,000-yard rushing mark entering Friday's game vs. Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Topeka West picked up its first win of the season last Friday at Kansas City-Turner, with the Chargers taking a 26-21 United Kansas Conference decision over the Bears. Shawnee Heights is coming off a 35-6 loss to undefeated Class 4A power Wamego. T-Bird junior Allen Baughman carried the ball 18 times for 84 yards against Wamego and enters Friday night with 987 yards and 10 touchdowns on 140 attempts.

Hayden sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier passed for 189 yards and four touchdowns in Friday night's 38-0 Class 3A district win over Royal Valley. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (6-0, 3-0 district) at HOLTON (5-1, 2-0 district)

Hayden remained unbeaten with a 38-0 home district romp past Royal Valley last Friday while Holton posted a 48-17 non-district win over Rossville. Hayden sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier completed 10 of 12 passes for 189 yards against Royal Valley, including four touchdowns to sophomore Jensen Schrickel, who had five catches for 147 yards. Wildcat junior Finn Dunshee carried the ball six times for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Seaman senior Bryson Vawter rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth last Friday. [File photo/TSN]

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (5-1, 4-1 UKC) at SEAMAN (4-1, 4-1 UKC)

Friday's game is an important one not only in the United Kansas Conference standings but also as far as seedings for the Class 5A East playoffs. Seaman is coming off a 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth while Basehor-Linwood took a 32-26 league win over Lansing. Viking sophomore quarterback Max Huston completed 18 of 26 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 68 yards and three TDs on nine attempts. Senior Bryson Vawter carried the ball 21 times for 149 yards and two TDs while senior Jaxson Thomas had 14 carries for 140 yards.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After being idle the previous week, Seaman returned to action Friday night with a 56-13 United Kansas Conference road romp at Leavenworth.

Now 4-1 overall and in the UKC, took command early against the Pioneers to remain in contention for a top-four seed for the Class 5A playoffs.

Seaman sophomore quarterback Max Huston passed for 287 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 68 yards and three TDs in the Vikings' 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman senior Bryson Vawter rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth last Friday. [File photo/TSN]

Sophomore quarterback Max Huston completed 18 of 26 pass attempts for 287 yards and three touchdowns against Leavenworth and carried the ball nine times for 68 yards and three TDs.

Senior running back Bryson Vawter rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries while senior Jaxson Thomas carried the ball 14 times for 140 yards.

Seaman will host Basehor-Linwood, 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the UKC, Friday night in a game with serious playoff implications.

Both the Vikings and Bobcats suffered their lone losses against Shawnee Heights, with Seaman dropping a 14-7 loss to the T-Birds and Basehor-Linwood falling to Heights, 27-0.

TOPEKA WEST 26, KANSAS CITY-TURNER 21 --Both teams entered last Friday night's United Kansas Conference contest looking for their first victory of the 2022 season and it was Topeka West that came out on top, posting a 26-21 road win.

With Friday's victory the Chargers (1-5 overall and in the UKC), gave coach Russell Norton his first win at West.

Topeka West will be at home Friday night to host city rival Shawnee Heights (3-3, 3-2) in a UKC game at Hummer Sports Park.

SILVER LAKE 41, PLEASANT RIDGE 6 --Silver Lake improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Class 2A district play with its 41-6 road win at Pleasant Ridge last Friday night.

Silver Lake jumped out to a 13-0 first-quarter advantage over Pleasant Ridge (2-4, 0-2) and added three second-quarter touchdowns to open up a 34-0 halftime advantage.

Silver Lake made the score 41-0 in the third quarer before Pleasant Ridge scored its lone points in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles will host Maur Hill-Mt. Academy (2-4, 0-2) Friday night in a district contest.

Highland Park senior star Tre Richardson ran for 290 yards and three TDs on 20 carries in last Friday's 70-56 loss at Atchison. [File photo/TSN]

 ATCHISON 70, HIGHLAND PARK 56 -- Highland Park fell to 4-2 last Friday night, falling in a 70-56 scorefest at Atchison in a Meadowlark Conference showdown.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Lenny Njoroge has posted some big wins in his high school cross country career and there definitely could still be more to come.

But Saturday's city boys championship at Washburn Rural was special not only for the Topeka West senior, but for his school as well.

Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge won his first city cross country title and the Chargers' first since 1993 in Saturday's city meet at Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Njoroge, who posted his fourth straight individual win, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 30 seconds en route to becoming the first Topeka West boys runner to win a city championship since former Charger great Winston Tidwell in 1993.

"City titles are nice, I'm telling you,'' Njoroge said. "They're fun and you're representing your school and especially because we haven't won one in a lot of years, it feels special.''

Njoroge won by 18 seconds over Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel (15:48.1), with T-Bird senior Kory Sutton third in 15:54.1.

For the second straight week, Esquibel pushed Njoroge early in the race, which the West star said was a benefit.

"It helps a lot so I don't have to run by myself the first mile,'' Njoroge said. "I like him pushing me.''

Washburn Rural runners nailed down the next three spots and placed all of their top five in the top 14 individually as the Junior Blues topped Shawnee Heights for the team championship by a 38-53 margin.

Washburn Rural boys cross country poses with the championship trophy after winning the city team title Saturday at Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The top 20 medalists in Saturday's city boys cross country championships at Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Senior Davin Johnson finished a team-high fourth (16:01.6) for the Junior Blues while senior Easton Dial was fifth (16:30.8) and senior Grayson Fink sixth (16:36.4).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After finishing third in last year's city meet as as a freshman, Washburn Rural's Payton Fink had her sights set on a title Saturday at Rural and delivered a wire-to-wire win, leading the Junior Blues to a successful defense of their team championship.

Fink jumped out in front early en route to a decisive 30-second victory in a five-kilometer personal-record time of 18 minutes, 10.9 seconds to lead five Junior Blues in the top seven as Rural took the team title by a 21-35 margin over Seaman.

Washburn Rural sophomore Payton Fink won her first city individual cross country title Saturday, leading the Junior Blues to the team crown. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural's girls cross country team poses with its team trophy after winning the city championship by a 21-35 margin over Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"I've been working for this for awhile and it just feels great to finally be here,'' Fink said. "Honestly, I just wanted to come out and see what I could do. I didn't really expect to PR today but obviously a PR is always great.''

Seaman got a runner-up  individual finish from freshman Ryin Miller (18:40.7) and a fifth from senior Bethany Druse (19:31.2), but Rural rode its depth to the championship, with sophomore Rylee Ismert finishing third (18:54.3), senior Madeline Carter fourth (18:55.4), freshman Vilde Tronstad sixth (19:44.9) and junior Sydney Laster seventh (19:54.9) to round out the Junior Blues' top five. 

"Our team is incredible,'' Fink said. "We have so many girls that are just up there strong, work hard every practice and we all do our workouts together. Everyone is in great shape for a good end of the season.''

"That's the kind of day we hoped for and they all just came out and did it,'' Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund said.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights senior Jackson Esquibel has put together an outstanding distance career for the T-Birds, winning a pair of state medals in cross country and posting a state title and a runnerup finish in track.

Shawnee Heights senior Jackson Esquibel won his first city individual cross country title Saturday at Kanza Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But Esquibel added something new in Saturday's city boys championship at Kanza Park, winning his first city individual title.

Washburn Rural's Brooks Kehoe (740), Max Gutierrez (763) and Hayden Keller (765) helped the Junior Blues win their 17th straight city cross country title Saturday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for Washburn Rural, which rolled to its 17th straight city boys team title by a 35-63 margin over Seaman.

Esquibel clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 16.7 seconds en route to winning by more than 33 seconds over Seaman sophomore standout Brody Anderson.

"It's my last time at Hummer and I've ran this course since freshman year so I just wanted to see what time I was capable of here and give it my all for myself and build confidence going into the big meets,'' Esquibel said.

"You have goals when you start the season and this is a big meet for me, running a 12-second (personal record), I believe it was. That really just kind of set the tone for the type of shape I'm in and the type of confidence that I have in myself.

:"My supporting cast is just great. They always push me to my limits.''