Cair Paravel Lions
by Rick Peterson
Top Sports News
JALEY BARKLEY, Cair Paravel Latin
A junior, Barkley scored 20 points, with 3 3-pointers and a 7 of 9 performance at the free throw line, as Cair Paravel took a 46-40 road win at Olathe Heritage Christian to improve to 3-2 on the season.
MARANDA BELL, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Bell won the 191-pound championship at Saturday's Blue Valley Southwest Invitational, recording four straight pins. Ranked No. 2 in Division I, Bell improved to improve to 12-0 this season with 12 pins.
by Rick Peterson
Top Sports News
ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West
A junior, Brooks returned from an injury to score 28 points, with 3 3-pointers, in 4-0 Topeka West's 78-60 home Centennial League victory over Hayden.
ZACH CLARK, Cair Paravel Latin
Clark, a junior, scored 25 points for Cair Paravel in an 83-75 road loss at Olathe Heritage Christian.
ISIAH ESQUIBEL, Topeka High
A senior, Esquibel scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Topeka High's 50-48 Centennial League loss at Seaman.
LUKE FAY, Cair Paravel Latin
Fay, a sophomore, canned 7 3-pointers and finished with 26 points in Cair Paravel's 83-75 road loss at Olathe Heritage Christian.
DANTE' HARRISON, Shawnee Heights
Harrison, a sophomore, scored a career-high 13 points, with 3 3-pointers, in Shawnee Heights' 64-51 United Kansas Conference loss at Lansing.
TY HENRY, Seaman
Henry, a junior, scored 11 points and came up with a huge blocked shot late in the game as Seaman improved to 3-3 with a 50-48 home Centennial League win over Topeka High.
MATEO HYMAN, Seaman
A junior, Hyman returned from an injury to score 18 points, including 16 in the second half, as Seaman took a 50-48 home Centennial League victory over Topeka High.
ZANDER PUTTHOFF, Topeka West
Putthoff, a junior, scored 23 points, including 7 3-pointers, as Topeka West improved to 4-0 on the season with a 78-60 home Centennial League win over Hayden.
VACARIO TRIPLETT, Hayden
A senior, Triplett scored 24 points for the Wildcats in a 78-60 Centennial League loss at undefeated Topeka West.
by Rick Peterson
Top Sports News
JALEY BARKLEY, Cair Paravel Latin
Barkley, a junior, scored a game-high 20 points, including 3 3-pointers and a 7 of 9 performance at the free throw line, as Cair Paravel improved to 3-2 on the season with a 46-40 road win at Olathe Heritage Christian.
RHEN CALHOON, Hayden
Calhoon, a senior, scored 12 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for Hayden in the Wildcats' 65-47 home Centennial League triumph over Topeka West.
NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High
A junior, Canady scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Topeka High, top-ranked in Class 6A, beat Centennial League rival Junction City 92-34 to improve to 4-0 on the season.
TAYLOR HAWKINS, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Hawkins paced 1-3 Shawnee Heights with 14 points in the T-Birds' 55-43 United Kansas Conference loss at Lansing.
KIKI SMITH, Topeka High
Smith, a sophomore, scored a game-high 27 points, including 23 in the first half, as top-ranked (Class 6A) Topeka High improved to 4-0 with a 92-34 Centennial League romp past Junction City.
MACY SMITH, Hayden
Smith, a junior, scored 16 points as the Wildcats improved to 4-2 on the season with a 65-47 home Centennial League victory over Topeka West.
CARLY STUKE, Hayden
The Wildcat junior scored 14 points in the first quarter on the way to a 23-point night as Hayden improved to 4-2 on the season with a 65-47 win over Topeka West. Stiuke hit 3 3-pointers and went 6 of 6 at the free throw line.
TALAYAH THOMAS, Topeka High
A junior, Thomas cracked double figures with a 14-point performance as top-ranked (Class 6A) Topeka High improved to 4-0 with a 92-34 home Centennial League victory over Junction City.
TopSports.news
Junior Jaley Barkley led the way with 20 points and three 3-pointers as Cair Paravel Latin’s girls basketball team improved to 3-2 on the season with a 46-40 road win at Olathe Heritage Christian Friday night.
Barkley, who went 7 of 9 at the free throw line, was joined in double figures by freshman Josie Barkley, who had 11 points.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Senior Isiah Esquibel knew his Topeka High boys basketball team was going to experience some growing pain searly this season after graduating several key players off last year's Trojan team that went 16-6 and shared the Centennial League championship.
That has been evident in the early going, with the Trojans 0-3 overall and in the league entering Friday's 7:30 p.m. league game at Seaman, which is 2-3.
Senior Isiah Esquibel (5) is looking to help Topeka High make a second-half climb after an 0-3 start. [Twitter]
Esquibel, a 6-foot-4 guard, said the key will be getting all of the Trojans, including a host of varsity newcomers, on the same page.
"We're just trying to get this thing all together, just trying to get some wins at this point,'' Esquibel said. "We've played well at times. It's just the experience of the other teams gets to us at times. With the guys we have now, they've stepped up, but we just need a little bit more.''
Topeka High squandered a late lead in a 47-46 loss to Emporia and the Trojans have went through other bad stretches that cost them in 13-point losses to USD 501 rivals Topeka West and Highland Park.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Trevion Alexander, Topeka West
A 6-foot-3 senior, Alexander was a first-team All-City selection last season, helping lead West to a 14-8 record and an eight-win improvement over the 2018-19 season. Alexander was a second-team All-Centennial League pick and averaged 12.9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals. Alexander is averaging 28.2 points this season for the 4-0 Chargers, with two 30-plus outings.
Joe Berry, Washburn Rural
Berry, a 6-3 senior, earned All-City top-five honors for the second straight season after averaging 17 points and 5 rebounds and leading the Junior Blues to a 16-5 record and a share of the Centennial League title. He was named Centennial League co-player of the year. Berry, who helped Rural post a runner-up state finish as a sophomore, is averaging 13 points this season for 3-1 Rural.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden graduate Desmond Purnell, a two-time All-City Top 11 selection and All-Class 3A first team as a senior, was honored Wednesday night as TopSports.news' Topeka Shawnee County Fall Male Athlete of the Year.
"Desmond Purnell is a natural athlete with a team-oriented attitude that makes everyone around him better,'' Hayden football coach Bill Arnold said. "He's not only an outstanding athlete, but an even better person with a good heart.''
Desmond Purnell
Purnell was a four-year varsity letterman in football for the Wildcats and also played basketball and baseball during his high school career.
Purnell was named the Wildcats' Most Valuable Player and played for the East in last week's Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Purnell will play his college football at Kansas State and has already reported to the Wildcats to begin preseason preparations.
Other fall male nominees:
Eliseo Barreno
ELISEO BARRENO | Highland Park
PARENTS: Ruben and Yohanna Barreno
SPORT: Soccer | GPA: 4.36
Barreno was a standout player for Highland Park's boys soccer team while also establishing himself as a team leader. "Eliseo has always been a hard worker, both on and off the soccer field,'' Highland Park soccer coach Colin Moriarty said. "He is one who leads by example. He seeks excellence in all that he does. He always wanted to know how he was doing and what he could improve on. From a coach's perspective, you couldn't ask for more from a true student-athlete.'' Barreno, who plans to attend Wichita State University, also played tennis for the Scots and was a Class 5A state qualifier in doubles.
Ethan Hensyel
ETHAN HENSYEL | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Brian and Sherri Hensyel
SPORT: Soccer | GPA: 4.31
Hensyel scored 23 goals as a senior last fall (second most in Washburn Rural history) and led the Junior Blues with 12 assists, earning first-team All-City, All-Centennial League and All-State (Class 6A) honors and being named the Centennial League player of the year as Rural posted a fourth-place state finish. "Ethan made more improvements as a player from his freshman year to his senior year than any player I've ever coached,'' Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. "He was a good player, but no one expected the leap he made his senior year.'' Hensyel will play collegiate soccer at Baker University.
Robbie Keys
ROBBIE KEYS | Cair Paravel Latin
PARENTS: Robert and Bev Keys
SPORT: Soccer | GPA: 3.98
Keys was the leading scorer for Cair Paravel in the Lions' first season as a full Kansas State High School Activities Associaiton member, earning All-City honorable mention. "Robbie is the type of leader that every coach desires to have on their team and lead their team,'' Cair Paravel soccer coach Doug Woolery said. "He not only was one of the hardest working players, but also led by example both on and off the field. I felt comfortable playing him in any position, knowing he would give his best effort no matter what. Keys was voted team captain as a junior and senior. He will attend John Brown University.
Mehrens Julien
JULIEN MEHRENS | Topeka West
PARENTS: Andre and Allison Mehrens
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.29
Mehrens was a standout wide receiver as a senior in West's abbreviated 2020 season, catching 18 passes for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns. "Julien has displayed the characteristics and work ethic that we strive for our student-athletes at Topeka West to show,'' Charger football coach Ryan Kelly said. "Julien is an incredible teammate, has a contagious personality and leads both vocally and by example. He is an excellent young man and a joy to be around.'' Mehrens was also a member of West's basketball team that finished second in the Class 5A state tournament. He will attend Washburn University.
Jeron Poteete
JERON POTEETE | Seaman
PARENTS: NA
SPORT: Soccer | GPA: NA
Poteete turned in an outstanding senior season for the Vikings, earning All-City, All-Centennial League and All-Class 5A recognition. "Jeron has been a three-year starter for our program,'' Seaman coach Jacob Kirmer said. "He has been our leading scorer in his junior and senior seasons. He has an incredible gift of speed and intelligence. He is a leader by example and works relentlessly to play the best he can. He creates not only for himself, but for his teammates.''
Bo Reeves
BO REEVES | Rossville
PARENTS: Todd and Karol Reeves
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.8
A four-year starter who played wide receiver and defensive back and kicked, Reeves helped lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 2A state championship last fall. Reeves was an All-2A selection and was also picked to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. "Bo had a tremendous presence on the football field as Rossville claimed its fourth state championship in the last seven years,'' Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. "In the hallways of Rossville High School, Bo is known for being polite, outgoing and respected by his peers and staff.'' Also a standout baseball player, Reeves will play his college football at Central Missouri.
Addison Sigg
ADDISON SIGG | Topeka High
PARENTS: Chad Sigg and Michelle Criqui
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 3.90
Sigg was a Class 6A state qualifier his senior cross country season and was a two-time All-City selection. "Addison trained religiously through the summer and the cross country season,'' Topeka High cross country coach Ken Bennett said. "He made the new people on the team feel like they were included. Addison worked hard to be the best in practice and in the meets. (He) was consistent in maintaining the No. 1 spot on the guys team for four years.'' Sigg also played for Topeka High's baseball team and plans to play college baseball at Highland Community College.
Hunter Wohler
HUNTER WOHLER | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Brian and Jami Wohler
SPORT: Football | GPA: NA
Wohler, a quarterback, was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection as a senior and finished his career with 2,875 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes and 1,322 rushing yards and 24 TDs. Wohler, who also played baseball for the T-Birds, finished his career in the top five at Shawnee Heights in seven rushing and passing categories. Wohler was a three-year starter at quarterback for the T-Birds and was named the city offensive newcomer of the year his sophomore season. Wohler plans to attend Northwestern College in Iowa, where he will play football and possibly double up in baseball.
