Cair Paravel Lions

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

 Topeka High senior Tae Thomas is coming off a 22-point game with five 3-pointers in a 61-38 win at Highland Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Brooklyn DeLeye leads a balanced offensive attack for No. 3-ranked Washburn Rural. [FIle photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (15-1, 11-1) at TOPEKA HIGH (15-0, 12-0)

Two of the top teams in the state, No. 2-ranked Topeka High and No. 3 Rural, will do battle for the second time this season. The Trojans took a 45-39 win over the Junior Blues in the first game back on Jan. 4 at Rural. Topeka High is coming off a 61-38 Centennial League win at Highland Park, with senior Tae Thomas scoring 22 points with five 3-pointers and junior Kiki Smith adding 16 points. Rural is already 2-0 on the week, beating Junction City on Monday and taking a 42-20 decision over No. 8-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman on Tuesday. Sophomore Jada Ingram scored 11 points and senior Emma Krueger added nine for Rural.

SEAMAN (10-5, 8-4) at HAYDEN (8-6, 6-5)

Seaman is coming off Tueday's 42-20 Centennial League loss to Washburn Rural, but the Viking have turned in a solid season with a very young team. Freshman Maegan Mills led the Vikings with six points against Rural while freshman Anna Becker scored a total of 48 points in two Seaman wins last week and sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer has been a team leader throughout the season. Hayden is coming off a 36-25 league win at Junction City, with seniors Sandy Anguiano and Macy Smith scoring eight points apiece for the Wildcats.

SILVER LAKE (15-1) at ROSSVILLE (9-7)

Rossville is coming off a 59-47 win over Osage City, with sophomore Kinsey Perine scoring 31 points and sophomore Emma Mitchell adding 14 points. The Bulldawgs face a tough challenge Friday against the No. 1-ranked (3A) Eagles. After a 75-36 win over Pleasant Ridge on Monday Silver Lake took a 44-32 decision over Silver Lake on Thursday.  

TOPEKA WEST (1-14, 1-10) at JUNCTION CITY (2-13, 2-10)

Topeka West dropped a 53-34 Centennial League decision to Manhattan on Tuesday and stepped outside the league to play Lawrence on Wednesday, dropping a 55-25 game to the Lions. Azaryah Duncan led the Chargers with 12 points in the loss to Manhattan. Junction City will be playing its third game of the week, losing to No. 3-ranked Washburn Rural on Monday and dropping a 35-26 Centennial League decission to Hayden on Tuesday.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (7-7, 2-3) at LANSING (13-2, 6-0)

Shawnee Heights dropped a 51-43 United Kansas Conference decision to Basehor-Linwood on Tuesday, with junior Emari Doby scoring 13 points and senior Abby Schulte 12 for the T-Birds. UKC leader Lansing rolled to a 74-4 league victory over Turner on Tuesday.

BISHOP SEABURY (0-8) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (9-6)

Cair Paravel continued its recent surge with a 34-26 victory over Olathe Heritage Christian on Tuesday, with senior Jaley Barkley leading the way for the Lions with a 21-point game, including three 3-pointers. Bishop Seabury is still looking for its first win of the season and is coming off a 48-19 loss to Ward.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Highland Park's boys basketball team maintained its share of the Centennial League lead with a 71-45 home romp past Topeka High Tuesday night.

The Scots, who improved to 14-2 overall and 11-1 in the league, steadily built their lead over the Trojans, including a 34-21 advantage at the half and a 48-32 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Highland Park singed the net at a 59 percent clip (30 of 51) and hit six of nine 3-point attempts while committing just seven turnovers.

Junior Jahmir Kingcannon had 21 points with five 3-pointers in Highland Park's 71-45 win over Topeka High Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Jahmir Kingcannon scored 21 points with five 3-pointers while junior Ketraleus Aldridge added 18 points with five dunks and senior Juan'Tario Roberts 10 points.

Sophomore BJ Canady led Topeka High (4-12, 3-8) with 15 points, 11 in the fourth quarter, while Germane Mays added 12 points.

Senior Tae Thomas (15) led Topeka High with a game-high 22 points and five 3-pointers in Tuesday's 61-38 road win at Highland Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 61, HIGHLAND PARK 38 --Undefeated and second-ranked Topeka High took control with a 21-5 first quarter and led 37-20 at the half and 47-28 after three quarters.

The Trojans (15-0, 12-0) rolled to the win despite shooting just 37 percent from the field and 44 percent from the tree throw line while hitting seven of 32 3-point attempts.

Senior Tae Thomas paced Topeka High with a game-high 22 points and five 3-pointers while junior Kiki Smith added 16 points (two 3-pointers) and junior Adisyn Caryl eight points. 

Freshman Amelia Ramsey led Highland Park (2-14, 0-12) with 15 points while Aisya Taylor added nine points and Atiya Gonzales eight.

Topeka High will host No. 3-ranked Washburn Rural in a Centennial League showdown Friday night.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Seven Shawnee County basketball teams earned spots in the latest Kansas Basketball Coaches Association state rankings, with Cair Paravel Latin's boys the latest county addition to the rankings.

Cair Paravel, 10-3 on the season entering Tuesday night's game, garnered the No. 8 position in the Class 1A Division I rankings, released Tuesday.

Silver Lake continues to hold down the No. 1 spot in the 3A girls rankings..

Topeka West, which has won 12 straight games to improve to 13-1, remained No. 2 in the 5A boys rankings while Highland Park (13-2) is No. 4.

Topeka High and Washburn Rural are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the 6A girls rankings and will face off on Friday at Topeka High.

Topeka High was 14-0 and Rural 14-1 entering Tuesday's games. 

Seaman (10-4) moved up to the No. 8 spot in the 5A girls rankings.

KANSAS BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION STATE RANKINGS

GIRLS

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

SEAMAN (7-7, 6-5) at WASHBURN RURAL (7-8, 6-5)

Washburn Rural celebrates Monday's 54-51 Centennial League win over Junction City. The Junior Blues host Seaman Tuesday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural will be playing for the second straight night after taking a 54-51 home Centennial League win over Junction City Monday night. Senior Quincey Kidd led the Junior Blues with 13 points, all in the second half, while sophomore Griffin Durst added 11 points and junior Jack Bachelor 10 points, all in the second half. Seaman is coming off a 73-65 league loss to Highland Park last Friday. Senior Mateo Hyman scored a game-high 23 points for the Vikings against the Scots, while senior Dreighton Griess added 14 points, junior Kaeden Bonner 13 and senior Ty Henry 12. 

Junior Ketraleus Aldridge (1) and Highland Park will put their 13-2 record on the line Tuesday night against USD 501 rival Topeka High. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (4-11, 4-7) at HIGHLAND PARK (13-2, 10-1)

Both the Trojans and Scots are coming off Centennial League victories last Friday, with Topeka High taking a 70-59 win over Emporia in the annual Dean Smith Game while Highland Park protected its share of the league lead with a 73-65 win at Seaman. Junior Mason Gomez led Topeka High with 24 points and seven 3-pointers against Emporia while sophomores BJ Canady and Bryson Thrasher added 12 and 11 points. Junior Ketraleus Aldridge scored 22 points and junior Tre Richardson added 17 points and Quentin Adams 10 for the No. 4-ranked Scots (Class 5A) against Seaman.

Senior Elijah Brooks and 13-1 Topeka West will host Manhattan in a Tuesday night Centennial League matchup. [File photo/TSN]

MANHATTAN (4-10, 3-7) at TOPEKA WEST (13-1, 9-1)

Manhattan is coming off its biggest win of the season, a 43-41 Centennial League decision over Junction City last Friday. Topeka West, No. 2-ranked in Class 5A by the KBCA, was off Friday after taking a 56-42 league win over Washburn Rural last Tuesday. Senior Elijah Brooks led the Chargers with 21 points while junior Xavier Alexander added 16. Topeka West has won 12 straight games and is tied in the loss column for the Centennial League lead with Highland Park.

HAYDEN (3-10, 2-8) at JUNCTION CITY (10-5, 7-4)

Junction City played a Monday night makeup game at Washburn Rural, with the Blue Jays dropping a 54-51 Centennial League decision to the Junior Blues. Senior Howard Johnson led Junction City with 20 points. Hayden is coming off a 54-42 league win at Rural last Friday, with senior Trent Duffey pacing the Wildcats with 18 points while juniors Joe Otting and Jake Muller added 15 and 14 points, respectively.

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (12-2, 4-0) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (10-3, 3-1)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a 53-36 United Kansas Conference loss to De Soto, while Basehor-Linwood, No. 7-ranked in Class 5A by the KBCA, is coming off a 73-42 win over Wamego. Senior Carter Olson scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Shawnee Heights against De Soto while sophomore Brennon Dodge added 12 points with a pair of 3-pointers.

OLATHE HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (10-5) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (11-3)

Cair Paravel Latin is coming off a 70-40 win over Marais des Cygnes Valley last Friday. Senior Zach Clark scored 21 points to lead the Lions while senior Noah Hastert had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocked shots. Heritage Christian is coming off a 62-47 win over Bishop Seabury.

ROSSVILLE (2-12) at OSAGE CITY (15-1)

Rossville played a close game against state-ranked Wabaunsee, No. 4 in 2A, last Friday, dropping a 56-48 decision. Bulldawg junior Kade Perine scored 25 points in Rossville's loss to Wabaunsee. Osage City, ranked No. 8 in 3A, rolled to a 75-37 win over West Franklin in its most recent game.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

SEAMAN (10-4, 8-3) at WASHBURN RURAL (14[1, 10-1)

Seaman freshman Anna Becker (23) scored 48 points in two Viking wins last week, including a game-high 22 points in last Friday's 67-35 win over Highland Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Sophomore Zoe Canfield scored 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers in Washburn Rural's 69-26 win over Junction City Monday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural played a Monday night Centennial League makeup game against Junction City, rolling to a 69-26 home win over the Blue Jays. Senior Katelynn Brogan came off the bench to score a game-high 15 points while Rural sophomores Zoe Canfield and Jada Ingram added 10 points apiece. Seaman is coming off a 67-35 league win over Highland Park last Friday, with freshman Anna Becker scoring 22 points and sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer adding 14 points, sophomore Brooklyn Gormley 11 and freshman Ava Esser 10 points.

Junior Kiki Smith (23) has helped lead Topeka High to a perfect 14-0 record entering Tuesday night's Centennial League game at Highland Park. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (14-0, 11-0) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-13, 0-11)

Topeka High, second-ranked in Class 6A, remained undefeated with a 65-36 Centennial League romp past No. 3-ranked (5A) Emporia last Friday. Junior Kiki Smith led the Trojans with 21 points while senior Tae Thomas added 15 points. Highland Park dropped a 67-35 decision at Seaman last Friday, with the Scots getting 12 points and 12 rebounds from freshman Amelia Ramsey.

MANHATTAN (5-9, 4-6) at TOPEKA WEST (1-12, 1-9)

Topeka West has been idle since 51-34 loss to Leavenworth in the Lady Firebirds Winter Classic on Jan. 28. Manhattan is coming off a 49-28 Centennial League win over Junction City last Friday.

HAYDEN (7-6, 5-5) at JUNCTION CITY (2-12, 2-9)

Junction City dropped a 69-26 Centennial League decision at Washburn Rural Monday night in a makeup game, with the Blue Jays getting 11 points from junior Sophia Holloway. Hayden is coming off a 46-32 loss at Washburn Rural last Friday. Senior Carly Stuke led the Wildcats with 10 points while sophomore Lauren Sandstrom added nine points and senior Macy Smith eight. 

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (8-6, 3-1) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (7-6, 2-2)

Both teams will be looking to bounce back from losses, with Shawnee Heights coming off a 56-48 United Kansas Conference defeat against De Soto while Basehor-Linwood dropped a 56-51 non-league decision to Wamego.

OLATHE HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (8-5) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (8-6)

Senior Jaley Barkley scored 18 points with three 3-pointers in Cair Paravel's 49-42 victory over Marais des Cygnes Valley last Friday. Heritage Christian is coming off a 43-27 win over Lutheran, Mo.

ROSSVILLE (8-7) at OSAGE CITY (7-9)

Rossville rolled to a 53-25 victory over Wabaunsee in its last game, getting 18 points from sophomore Emma Mitchell and 13 points from senior Caylee Douglas, who went seven of eight at the free throw line. Osage City is coming off a 41-31 win over West Franklin.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden's boys basketball team had been knocking on the door for awhile, including a two-point loss to Centennial League co-leader Highland Park and a four-point overtime defeat against Class 6A Topeka High in its previous two games.

Dwayne Paul's Wildcats knocked the door down Friday night, posting a 54-42 road win at Washburn Rural.

Hayden senior Trent Duffey tied for game-high scoring honors with 18 points in the Wildcats' 54-42 Centennial League road win at Washburn Rural Friday night. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Wildcats, who improved to 3-10 overall and 2-8 in the Centennial League, led all the way against Washburn Rural (6-8, 5-5), jumping out to a 14-6 first-quarter advantage and taking a 23-13 lead to the locker room at halftime.

Hayden increased its lead to 12 points (41-29) at the start of the fourth quarter and Washburn Rural got no closer than seven the rest of the way.

The Wildcats rode a 51-percent shooting night to Friday's victory, hitting five 3-pointers in the game.

Senior Trent Duffey led Hayden with 18 points while juniors Joe Otting and Jake Muller added 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Junior Jack Bachelor scored 18 points for Washburn Rural, including three 3-pointers, to tie Duffey for game-high honors while senior Quincey Kidd added 10 points. The Junior Blues shot 36 percent from the field.

Both Duffey and Muller canned two 3-pointers.

WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 46, HAYDEN 32 --Washburn Rural, third-ranked in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, took control early en route to improving to 13-1 overall and 9-1 in the Centennial League with Friday's 46-32 home win over Hayden.

Brooklyn DeLeye

Rural took a 12-3 first-quarter advantage and led 21-8 at the half and 32-17 starting the fourth quarter.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Junior Jack Bachelor scored 16 points to lead Washburn Rural in Tuesday's 56-42 loss to Topeka West. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (2-10, 1-8) at WASHBURN RURAL (6-7, 5-4)

Hayden was off Tuesday after dropping a 62-60 Centennial League decision to Highland Park last Friday while Washburn Rural is coming off a 56-42 loss to Topeka West Tuesday night. Junior Joe Otting led Hayden with 19 points against Hi Park while senior Trent Duffey added 16 points and Peyton Bartlett 11. Junior Jack Bachelor scored 16 points for Washburn Rural in the Junior Blues' loss to Topeka West.

Highland Park junior Ketraleus Aldridge scored 17 points to lead the Scots in Tuesday's 55-53 win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (12-2, 9-1) at SEAMAN (7-6, 6-4)

Highland Park, which is tied with Topeka West for the Centennial League lead, has posted back-to-back two-point league wins, including a 55-53 win over Emporia on Tuesday. Junior Ketraleus Aldridge led Highland Park with 17 points against Emporia while juniors Quentin Adams and Tre Richardson added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Highland Park is ranked No. 4 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Seaman is coming off a 66-64 overtime loss to state-ranked Junction City. Senior Dreighton Griess came off the bench to score 19 points for Seaman while seniors Mateo Hyman and Ty Henry added 16 and 12 points.  

EMPORIA (2-12, 1-9) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-11, 3-7)

Topeka High picked up its third win on Tuesday, 69-56 over Manhattan, equaling its win total for the 2020-2021 season. Sophomore Bryson Thrasher scored 23 points to lead Topeka High while senior Germane Mays added 16 points and sophomore Isaiah Lyons 14. Emporia dropped a 55-53 league decision to Highland Park on Tuesday, getting 16 points from Parker Leeds and 13 from River Peters. 

Sophomore Brennon Dodge scored 19 points and hit five 3-pointers in Shawnee Heights' 56-46 win over Tonganoxie on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

DE SOTO (11-2, 3-1) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (10-2, 3-0)

Shawnee Heights posted a 56-46 win at state-ranked Tonganoxie on Tuesday, with sophomore Brennon Dodge scoring 19 points and hitting five 3-pointers for the T-Birds. Senior point guard Jarin Sanders scored 10 points for Shawnee Heights while senior Carter Olson scored nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds. De Soto, ranked No. 8 in the KBCA, is coming off a 62-40 win over Spring Hill.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (10-3) at MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY (7-8)

Cair Paravel posted a 70-49 victory at Kansas City Christian on Tuesday. Senior Noah Hastert led the Lions with 22 points and 16 rebounds while senior Carter Brian added nine points and senior Ethan Everhart and sophomore Simon Everhart scored eight points apiece. Cair Paravel will be facing a Marais des Cygnes Valley team that is coming off a 52-50 victory over Cornerstone.

SILVER LAKE (5-8) at ST. MARYS (10-3)

Silver Lake is coming off a 76-59 loss to state-ranked Osage City on Tuesday while St. Marys took a 67-38 victory over Rossville. Senior Carson Johnson scored a career-high 18 points for Silver Lake against Osage City while junior Kamryn Kaniper added 11 points. The Eagles will be facing a St. Marys team that is ranked No. 2 in 2A by the KBCA. 

ROSSVILLE (2-12) at WABAUNSEE (10-3)

Rossville dropped a 67-38 decision to 2A power St. Marys on Tuesday while Wabaunsee dropped a 55-48 decision to Lyndon. Junior Kade Perine scored 18 points to lead Rossville against St. Marys while Francesco Patrizi added 10 points.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

 Washburn Rural senior Emma Krueger was named the most valuable player in last week's Lady Firebirds Winter Classic. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (7-5, 5-4) at WASHBURN RURAL (12-1, 8-1)

Hayden is coming off a 48-33 Centennial League loss to Emporia on Tuesday while Washburn Rural was off after winning last weeks Lady Firebirds Winter Classic at Lawrence. Freshman Brylee Meier led Hayden with 12 points against Emporia while senior Macy Smith added 11 points. Washburn Rural is ranked No. 3 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Junior Blue senior Emma Krueger was named the most valuable player in last week's tournament.

Seaman freshman Anna Becker is coming off a career-high 26-point game in Tuesday's 49-46 Centennial League win over Manhattan. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (2-12, 0-10) at SEAMAN (9-4, 7-3)

Seaman held off Manhattan for a 49-46 home Centennial League victory on Tuesday as freshman Anna Becker led the Vikings with a career-high 26 points. Highland Park is coming off a 1-2 performance in last week's Capital City Classic. The Scots dropped a 61-39 decision to Maize in the fifth-place game.

Junior Kiki Smith (right) averages 18.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.8 steals for Topeka High, which is 13-0 on the season. [File photo/TSN]

EMPORIA (11-3, 7-3) at TOPEKA HIGH (13-0, 10-0)

Topeka High beat Junction City 58-28 in a Centennial League road game Tuesday night while Emporia is coming off a 48-33 league win over Hayden. Topeka High is ranked No. 2 in 6A by the KBCA while Emporia is No. 3-ranked in 5A. The Trojans took a 38-36 win over the Spartans in the first meeting between the two schools. Junior Kiki Smith averages team-highs of 18.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.8 steals for Topeka High. Emporia senior Gracie Gilpin scored 19 points with five 3-pointes in the Spartans' win over Hayden on Tuesday.

DE SOTO (8-5, 1-3) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (7-5, 2-1)

Shawnee Heights has won two straight games, including a 55-53 overtime victory over Tonganoxie on Tuesday. The T-Birds have already posted two more wins than they did in a 5-14 2020-2021 season. Heights will be facing a De Soto team that is coming off a 61-51 win over Spring Hill.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (7-6) at MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY (3-12)

Cair Paravel Latin has won three straight games to climb above .500. The Lions are coming off a 31-21 win over Kansas City Christian on Tuesday night. Marais des Cygnes Valley snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 49-30 victory over Cornerstone.

SILVER LAKE (12-1) at ST. MARYS (6-7)

Silver Lake moved up to the No. 1 spot in the KBCA 3A state rankings this week. The Eagles are coming off a 61-23 win over Osage City. Sophomore McKinley Kruger paced the Eagles with 15 points against Olsage City while junior Taylor Ross and sophomore Kaibryn Kruger added 10 points apiece. Junior Mariah Farmer scored nine points for the Eagles while sophomore Makenzie McDaniel had eight points and nine rebounds. St. Marys pulled out a 58-57 overtime win over Rossville on Turesday.

ROSSVILLE (7-7) at WABAUNSEE (4-9)

Rossville is coming off a tough 58-57 overtime loss to St. Marys on Tuesday while Wabaunsee took a 44-34 victory over Lyndon. Sophomore Emma Mitchell led Rossville with 24 points against St. Marys while sophomore Kinsey Perine added 19 points.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Seaman standouts Camden Barta and Casen Stallbaumer and Rossville's Brody Lietz were part of Emporia State's 22-member signing class announced Wednesday by Hornet coach Garin Higgins.

Barta, Lietz and Stallbaumer were part of a big group of Shawnee County seniors who signed letters of intent on Wednesday, national signing day for football.

In addition to football, athletes in other sports have recently signed letters of intent or will sign in the near future.

If you have a student-athlete that plans to sign or has signed a letter of intent, email that information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they will be added to TopSports.news' list of signees.

Seaman senior quarterback/defensive back Camden Barta has signed a letter of intent with Emporia State after passing for 2,224 yards and registering 50 tackles. [File photo/TSN]

Barta, signed as an athlete, is a 6-foot-3, 190-pounder who played at quarterback and defensive back for the Vikings.

Barta completed 138 of 222 passes as a senior for 2,224 yards and 23 touchdowns while defensively he was in on 50 tackles with an interception, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors.

He is the son of Jeni Sloan and Jerry Barta and is undecided on a major.

Lietz, a 6-2, 250 offensive lineman, helped lead Rossville to back-to-back Class 2A state championships, with the Bulldawgs going undefeated both seasons.

Lietz earned numerous potseason awards, including All-State recognition in 2A as well as All-Shawnee County Top 22 and All-Mid-East League honors.

He is the son of Eric and Kelly Lietz and plans to major in accounting at ESU.

Stallbaumer, a 6-2, 200-pounder, was signed as an athletes after a standout two-way career for Seaman.

Stallbaumer earned first-team All-Centennial League and TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition and was selected to play in the 2022 Kansas Shrine Bowl.

He is the son of Todd and Tonya Stallbaumer and plans to major in business/sports medicine at ESU. Stallbaumer is a cousin of fellow ESU signee Camden Barta.

Torrey Horak, who helped lead Rossville to back-to-back Class 2A state championships, has signed a national letter of intent with Central Missouri. [File photo/TSN]

MULES SIGN BULLDAWGS' HORAK

Rossville star quarterback/defensive back Torrey Horak signed Wednesday with Central Missouri as a defensive back after helping lead the Bulldawgs to back-to-back undefeated 2A state championships.

Horak passed for 3,801 yards and 54 touchdowns in his Rossville career and rushed for 3,893 yards and 61 TDs. Defensively Horak registered 124 tackles with eight interceptions.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Sophomore Brennon Dodge scored 19 points and hit five 3-pointers as Shawnee Heights rode a big fourth quarter to a 56-46 non-league road victory Tuesday night over Tonganoxie, which is No. 10-ranked in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.

Tonganoxie (8-6) led 31-29 at the half and took a 42-38 advantage into the fourth quarter before Shawnee Heights, which improved to 10-2, took control with an 18-4 scoring edge over the final eight minutes.

 Shawnee Heights senior Brennon Dodge scored 19 points with five 3-pointers in the T-Birds' 56-46 win at Tonganoxie Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

Senior point guard Jarin Sanders added 10 points for Shawnee Heights and senior Carter Olson scored nine points and pulled down 11 rebounds while hitting all three of his free throw attempts.

Tonganoxie (8-6) had three double-figure scorers in the loss.

Shawnee Heights will host De Soto on Friday.

HIGHLAND PARK 55, EMPORIA 53 -- Highland Park, ranked No. 4 in 5A by the KBCA, survived its second straight two-point Centennial League decision Tuesday night, taking a 55-53 road victory at Emporia.

The Scots also had a two-point game last Friday, topping Hayden, 62-60.

Highland Park will travel to Seaman on Friday.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 76, KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN 53 -- Cair Paravel Latin improved to 10-3 on the season, posting a 76-53 victory over Kansas City Christian.

Senior Noah Hastert powered the Lions to the victory, scoring 20 points.

Cair Paravel will travel to Marais des Cynges Valley on Friday.

OSAGE CITY 76, SILVER LAKE 59 -- Osage City, which is No. 8-ranked in 3A by the KBCA, took control with a 26-10 first quarter Tuesday night and never looked back, improving to 14-1 on the season.

Silver Lake, which fell to 5-8, was much more competitive the rest of the way, with Osage holding just a 50-49 scoring edge over the final three quarters, but the early deficit was too much for the Eagles to overcome.

Senior Carson Johnson scored a career-high 18 points for Silver Lake while junior Kamryn Kaniper added 11 points.

Junior Landon Bass scored 30 points for Osage City.

Silver Lake will travel to St. Marys on Friday.

ST. MARYS 67, ROSSVILLE 38 -- St. Marys, ranked No. 2 in 2A by the KBCA, improved to 10-3 with Tuesday night's decisive victory over Rossville.

Rossville, which fell to 2-12 on the season, got 18 points from junior Kade Perine while Francesco Patrizi added 10 points.

The Bulldawgs will travel to Wabaunsee on Friday.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

MANHATTAN (4-8, 3-5) at SEAMAN (8-4, 6-3)

Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer was named to the Capital City Classic all-tournament team after helping lead Seaman to a third-place finish. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman is coming off a third-place finish in last week's Capital City Classic, taking sandwiching wins over Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission East around semifinal loss to Wichita Heights. The Vikings closed out their tournament appearance with a 61-32 win over SM East on Saturday. Viking sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer was named to the all-tournament team. Manhattan is coming off a 69-59 loss to Clearwater.

 EMPORIA (10-3, 6-3) at HAYDEN (7-4, 5-3)

Emporia won its Glacier's Edge Invitational title last week while Hayden finished second in the Top Gun Invitational at Wellsville. Emporia closed out its tournament championship with a 64-35 win over Great Bend on Saturday while Hayden dropped a 55-47 decision to state-ranked Spring Hill (5A) in the Top Gun final. Sophomore Lauren Sandstrom led Hayden with 14 points against Spring Hill while senior Carly Stuke added 13 points and senior Macy Smith 12 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (6-5) at TONGANOXIE (5-7)

Shawnee Heights finished 1-2 in last week's Glacier's Edge Invitational at Emporia, posting a 52-39 win over Wichita South on Saturday. Tonganoxie has won three straight games, including a 37-33 win over Piper on Friday. Shawnee Heights was ranked No. 9 in Class 5A in last week's Kansas Basketball Coaches Association state rankings.

Topeka High's girls are 12-0 on the season after winning last week's Capital City Classic with a 65-57 win over Wichita Heights. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (12-0, 9-0) at JUNCTION CITY (2-9, 2-6)

Topeka High won the Capital City Classic on its home floor Saturday, with the Trojans taking a 65-57 win over Wichita Heights in the tournament championship game. Topeka High junior Kiki Smith and senior Tae Thomas were both hamed to the all-tournament team. Smith scored 20 points and Thomas 19 in the championship game to cap the Trojans' 3-0 week.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (6-6) at KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN (2-10 )

Cair Paravel Latin has won four of its last five games, including two straight. The Lions are coming off a 36-27 road victory over Maranatha Academy on Friday. Senior Jaley Barkley scored 20 points to lead the Lions.

SILVER LAKE (11-1) at OSAGE CITY (6-8)

Silver Lake improved to 11-1 with a 51-13 road win at Sabetha while Osage City is coming off a 46-40 loss to Santa Fe Trail. Junior Taylor Ross led Silver Lake with 15 points against Sabetha while sophomore sophomore Makenzie McDaniel had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

ROSSVILLE (7-6)) at ST. MARYS (5-7)

Rossville won the tournament championship in the Jefferson County North Invitational, including a 57-41 win over the host team in the championship game. St. Marys is coming off a 53-51 overtime loss to Atchison County. Senior Caylee Douglas led the Bulldawgs with 14 points against Jefferson County North while sophomore Kinley Porter added 13 points with three 3-pointers and sophomore Kinsey Perine had 12 points with a pair of 3s. Sophomore Emma Mitchell scored eight points Saturday and was named to the all-tournament team along with Perine.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

TOPEKA WEST (12-1, 8-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (6-6, 5-3)

Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks has scored 30 or more points in five straight games and became West's career-leading scorer in last Friday's 74-58 win over Seaman. [File photo/TSN

Topeka West avenged its only loss of the season on Friday, taking a 74-58 win over Seaman, as the Chargers protected their share of the Centennial League lead with their 11th straight win. Senior Elijah Brooks scored 33 points, his fifth straight game of at least 30 points, and Brooks became West's career scoring leader. Washburn Rural played a rare Saturday night Centennial League game, evening its record with a 51-45 league win at Emporia. 

JUNCTION CITY (9-3, 6-2) at SEAMAN (7-5, 6-3)

Seaman will try to bounce back from Friday's 74-58 loss at Topeka West, but faces a tough test against the Blue Jays, who are coming off a 77-57 home Centennial League win over Topeka High. The Blue Jays took an 80-63 win over the Vikings in the season-opener. Senior Gavin Wilhelm paced Seaman with 14 points against Topeka West while senior Mateo Hyman and juniors Kaeden Bonner and Aron Davis added 10 points apiece.

MANHATTAN (3-9, 2-6) at TOPEKA HIGH (2-11, 2-7)

Topeka High picked up its second win earlier in the week (53-49 over Hayden in overtime) before falling 77-57 at Junction City Friday night in a Centennial League contest. Manhattan is coming off a 70-34 league loss to Seaman last Tuesday.

Highland Park senior Juan'Tario Roberts scored the game-winning basket in the Scots' 62-60 win at Hayden last Friday. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (11-2, 8-1) at EMPORIA (2-10, 1-8)

Juan'Tario Roberts scored the game-winning basket with five seconds remaining to take a 62-60 win at Hayden Friday night while Emporia is coming off a 51-45 league loss to Washburn Rural on Saturday. Junior Tre Richardson scored 19 points for Highland Park against Hayden while junior Ketraleus Aldridge scored 15 points, junior Jahmir Kingcannon 13 and Roberts 12. Parker Leeds scored 18 points and River Peters 16 for the Spartans in the loss to Washburn Rural.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (9-2) at TONGANOXIE (8-5)

Shawnee Heights has been off since dropping a 71-34 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest in the championship game of the Vikings Classic on Jan. 22. Tonganoxie  took a 63-60 win over Olathe Heritage Christian Academy last Tuesday. Senior Carter Olson led Shawnee Heights with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Shawnee Mission Northwest while senior Jarin Sanders also scored 10 points.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (9-3) at KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN (8-4)

Cair Paravel Latin is coming off a 74-63 road win over Maranatha Academy last Friday night. Senior Noah Hastert scored 26 points and grabbed 24 rebounds for the Lions against Maranatha while senior Zach Clark added 21 points and had 11 rebounds.

SILVER LAKE (5-7) at OSAGE CITY (13-1)

Silver Lake is coming off a 49-40 loss to Sabetha on Friday while Osage City took a 70-37 victory over Santa Fe Trail. Kamryn Kaniper scored 15 points and Troy Heiman for the Eagles in the loss to Sabetha.

ROSSVILLE (2-11) at ST. MARYS (9-3)

Rossville went 1-2 in the Oskaloosa tournament, ending the tournament with a 45-33 loss to Jefferson County North. St. Marys went 1-2 in the Topeka Invitational Tournament against Class 6A and 5A competition, posting a win over Topeka High before dropping games to tournament champion Topeka West and Highland Park.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior Juan'Tario Roberts scored with five seconds left to give Highland Park's boys a 62-60 Centennial League road win at Hayden Friday night.

Roberts' game-winning hoop capped a game that saw notable individual performances by players on both teams.

Juan'Tario Roberts

Junior Tre Richardson tied for game-high scoring honors with 19 points for Highland Park while junior Ketraleus Aldridge added 15 points, junior Jahmir Kingcannon 13 points with three 3-pointers and Roberts with 12 points.

Hayden had four players with at least nine points, led by junior Joe Otting, who tied Richardson for game-high honors with 19 points. Senior Trent Duffey scored 16 points with a pair of 3-pointers for the Wildcats while senior Peyton Bartlett added 11 points with three 3-pointers and junior Jake Muller nine points.

Highland Park doubled up Hayden 20-10 in the opening quarter and still led by a 37-29 margin at halftime but Hayden got within 46-45 at the end of the third quarter with a 16-9 third quarter and the game went down to the wire.

ROSSVILLE GIRLS 49, NEK SAINTS 34 -- Sophomores Kinsey Perine and Emma Mitchell combined for 29 points as Rossville took a 49-34 win over the NEK Saints Friday night in the Jefferson County North Invitational.

Kinsey Perine

Emma Mitchell

Perine paced the Bulldawgs with 17 points while Mitchell added 12 points as Rossville advanced to Saturday's 3 p.m. championship game to face Jefferson County North.

NEK built an 11-5 first-quarter lead over the Bulldawgs and led 24-23 at halftime before Rossville outscored the Saints 26-10 in the second half, including a 16-5 fourth quarter.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN BOYS 74, MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 63 -- Senior Noah Hastert scored 26 points and grabbed 24 rebounds and senior Zach Clark added 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Cair Paravel Latin boys posted a 74-63 road win over Maranatha Academy Friday night.

Noah Hastert

Zach Clark

Maranatha came out firing, scoring all 15 of their first-quarter points on five 3-pointers, and finished with 11 treys on the night.

 By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

Turnovers and foul trouble were the achilles heel for the Cair Paravel Latin boys in a 67-41 home loss to Bishop Ward on Tuesday night.

Lion standouts Carter Brian, Noah Hastert and Zach Clark all were in significant foul trouble early in the first quarter.

The three starters picked up two fouls each before the first quarter ended. Bishop Ward was able to draw four charges in the first quarter, which had an impact on the Lions’ foul troubles early in the contest.

Bishop Ward’s interior offense dominated in the first quarter along with the Cyclones' defense in the paint.

“We have got to get tough,'' Cair Paravel coach Mike Malloy said. "We were bullied with a lot of bodies on us.''

Bishop Ward had the hot hand all night long on Tuesday, with the Cyclones hitting seven 3-point shots against the Lions.

Lorenzo Hernandez, shooting a free throw, scored 17 points for Bishop Ward in the Cyclones' 67-41 win over Cair Paravel Tuesday night. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]

Three of those long-range shots were from Lorenzo Hernandez, who led the Cyclones with 17 points on the night.

Cair Paravel had a difficult night defending the Cyclones' key bench contributors as Bishop Ward had 36 points off of the bench. Hernandez, Chris Galloway, and TJ Maddox were the main catalysts from the Cyclone bench.

“You have to play through those kinds of things,'' Malloy said. "We have to play better defense. We have to suck it up. If you can’t do anything else, you better play defense.''

The second quarter was the worst chapter in Tuesday night’s book for Cair Paravel, with the Lions outscored 24-3 in the quarter. Seventy-five percent of the 24 points scored by the Cyclones were from the bench. Pressing defense by Bishop Ward created easy fastbreak opportunities that spread the floor out.

“We didn’t protect the paint,'' Malloy said. "That’s where (Bishop Ward) got a good amount of offense against us. We weren’t committing to the switches. People would holler switch, but the other guy wouldn’t. Next thing you know (the Cyclones) were getting layups instead of forcing things out of the paint.''

While the Cair Paravel defense struggled, some parts of the Lions’ offense thrived.

Clark led the Lions with 17 points and Ethan Everhart had 10 points.

The Lions want to completely erase Tuesday night’s contest out of their memory.

“We have to forget about the night. It’s done, so we have to forget about that. I’ve pretty much already forgotten about it,” said Malloy.

The (6-3) Lions will travel to (3-4) Maranatha Christian Academy to take on the Eagles on Friday night.

BiSHOP WARD BOYS 67, CAIR PARAVEL BOYS 41

Bishop Ward 19 24 16 8 – 67

Cair Paravel  14 3 10 14 – 41

Bishop Ward (7-2) – Hernandez 6 2-2 17, Campbell 4 1-2 9, Rector 3 1-2 9, Pickens 3 1-2 8, Galloway 3 0-1 6, Maddox 3 0-0 6, Brown 2 1-3 5, Jones 1 0-0 3, Holmes 1 0-0 2, Braden 0 2-2 2.

Cair Paravel (6-3) – Clark 6 5-6 17, E. Everhart 3 2-2 10, Hastert 3 0-2 6, Pavlik 1 1-1 3, Gossard 0 2-2 2, Will 0 2-2 2 S. Everhart 0 1-2 1.

 3-point goals -- Cair Paravel 2, Bishop Ward 7. Total fouls -- Cair Paravel 18, Bishop Ward 22.

WasRelated Stories and Videos

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin had to put in extra work, but the end result was the boys championship in the McLouth Invitational.

The Lions were forced to overtime in Saturday's championship game before taking a 73-71 victory over Pleasant Ridge.

Cair Paravel's boys basketball team posed for a team picture with the championship trophy after winning the McLouth Invitational with a 73-71 overtime win over Pleasant Ridge on Saturday. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

Cair Paravel, which improved to 8-2, rode the one-two punch of seniors Noah Hastert and Zach Clark combining for 50 points while Ethan Everhart also cracked double figures for the Lions, finishing with 11 points.

Saturday's game was tight throughout, with the Lions leading 15-14 at the end of the opening quarter before Pleasant Ridge knotted the game at halftime, 31-31.

Cair Paravel led 49-47 at the end of the third quarter before Pleasant Ridge forced overtime with a 17-15 fourth quarter.

The Lions outscored the Rams 9-7 in the extra session to pull out the win.

Pleasant Ridge got 15 points from senior Justin Johnston while seniors Braeden Howard and Devin Stutz added 14 points and senior Walker Adams 12.

McPHERSON BOYS 72, SEAMAN 68 --Seaman junior Kaeden Bonner scored 24 points on eight 3-pointers, but host McPherson held on for a 72-68 win in the third-place game of the McPherson Invitational.

Senior Ty Henry added 14 points and junior Aron Davis 12 for the Vikings, who fell to 6-4 on the season.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Sophomore Zoe Canfield hit six 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 20 points Friday night as No. 7-ranked Washburn Rural rolled to a decisive 58-32 Centennial League win at Emporia.

The Junior Blues, who improved to 9-1 overall and 8-1 in the league, capped a 3-0 week in impressive fashion, putting the No. 6-ranked (Class 5A) Spartans away by halftime on the way to their fourth straight victory.

Washburn Rural sophomore Zoe Canfield hit six 3-pointers and led all scorers with 20 points as Rural improved to 9-1 with a 58-32 win at Emporia Friday night. [FIle photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural bolted out to a 17-7 first-quarter advantage behind Canfield's four 3-pointers and the Junior Blues took a 32-15 lead to the locker room at halftime.

Rural's lead grew to 42-19 by the end of the third quarter and the Junior Blues outscored the Spartans 16-13 down the stretch.

Canfield was one of three Junior Blues in double figures, with junior Brooklyn DeLeye adding 14 points with a pair of 3-pointers and senior Emma Krueger finishing with 10 points.

Gracie Gilpin led Emporia (7-3, 6-3) with 13 points and three 3s while Rebecca Snyder added 10 points as the Spartans had their five-game winning streak snapped.

Friday's Rural win followed a win over 2021 Class 6A state champion Shawnee Mission Northwest on Wednesday and a win over Topeka West on Tuesday.

JUNCTION CITY BOYS 61, WASHBURN RURAL 57 (OT) -- The battle between the two Centennial League rivals went down to the wire, with Junction City outscoring Washburn Rural 9-5 in overtime to take the victory in Friday's semifinals of the Basehor-Linwood Invitational.

Junction City, ranked ninth in 6A, led 16-13 at the end of the opening quarter but Rural responded with a 20-12 second quarter to take a 33-28 halftime lead.

The Blue Jays outscored the Junior Blues 17-8 in the third quarter to take a 45-41 lead into the fourth but Rural came back to force overtime with an 11-7 fourth quarter.

Brock Howard led Washburn Rural (5-4) with 15 points while Griffin Durst added 11 points and Quincey Kidd nine. Rural had a three-game win streak snapped.

Howard Johnson paced Junction City (8-1) with 21 points, including three 3-pointers.

SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST BOYS 71, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 34 -- Shawnee Mission Northwest spoiled Shawnee Heights shot at the Viking Classic championship with a 30-4 first-quarter onslaught and never looked back, rolling to a 71-34 win in Friday's tournament championship game and improving to 9-2 on the season.

Senior Carter Olson led Shawnee Heights (9-2) with 10 points and 10 rebounds while senior Jarin Sanders also scored 10 points.

Northwest, ranked 10th in 6A, led 46-14 at halftime and 63-30 at the start of the fourth quarter. 

Friday's loss was Shawnee Heights' first of 2022 and snapped the T-Birds' six-game winning streak.

ST. JAMES ACADEMY BOYS 70, SEAMAN 63 -- St. James Academy took control early in Friday's McPherson Invitational semifinal and held off the Vikings the rest of the way.

The Thunder, who improved to 7-3, outscored the Vikings 22-10 in the first quarter and led 43-27 at the half, but Seaman used an 18-8 third quarter to get back in the game before St. James held off the Vikes down the stretch.

Senior Ty Henry led Seaman (6-3) with 16 points and three 3-pointers while junior Aron Davis scored 15 points and Kaeden Bonner 12. 

ROCK CREEK BOYS 54, SILVER LAKE 43 -- Troy Heiman and Kamryn Kaniper combined for 29 points for Silver Lake, but it wasn't enough for the Eagles to keep pace with the Mustangs in a consolation game of the Burlington Invitational on Friday.

Heiman scored 15 points and Kaniper added 14 but Rock Creek (3-8) jumped out to a 10-7 first-quarter lead and then outscored the Eagles 27-18 over the second and third quarters to take control.

Silver Lake, which fell to 4-5, played for seventh place on Saturday afternoon.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN GIRLS 46, MARANATHA ACADEMY 32 -- Senior Jaley Barkley led Cair Paravel with 15 points, including three 3-pointers, as the Lions posted a 46-32 victory in the McLouth Invitational.

Cair Paravel put itself in command with a 9-0 opening quarter and led 20-12 at the half before outscoring Maranatha 12-2 in the third quarter to take a 32-14 lead into the fourth stanza.

Freshman Gracie Babbitt backed Barkley with 10 points and sophomore Allison Schwarz added nine for the Lions, who improved to 4-5 with their second straight win.

 By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

After starting the season 0-4, Cair Paravel Latin's girls have have moved forward instead of backward, winning three out of their last four games, including a 38-27 home victory over Bishop Ward Tuesday night.

Cair Paravel has averaged 34 points per game on the season, but the Lions' play on defense has been a key to the Lions' climb to success.

Cair Paravel senior Jaley Barkley talks to Lions coach Brian Ewing during Tuesday's 38-27 win over Bishop Ward Tuesday night at Cair Paravel. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]

The Lions didn’t light up the scoreboard against Ward, but it got the job done.

The team’s leading scorer, Lauren Dunn, finished the night with 12 points, and guard Jaley Barkley added seven points.

Cair Paravel girls coach Brian Ewing is content with the way the Lady Lions have been playing lately.

“It helps being at practice more,'' Ewing said. "We have good unity right now. COVID has had everyone messed up, but with everyone now being at practice, things are looking better.''

In the first quarter, Cair Paravel got off to a hot start, stretching out an 8-2 run against the Lady Cyclones.

After a crucial timeout, Bishop Ward clawed back with a 9-0 run on their own to take the lead before the end of the first quarter.

That 9-0 run by the Lady Cyclones didn’t have much effect on Cair Paravel, with the Lions consistent the entire game after that.

Unselfishness from the Lady Lions would pay big dividends, with seven Cair Paravel players scoring before halftime.

While the Lady Lions were only able to put together six points in the third quarter, they didn’t allow Bishop Ward to collect one single point.

That scoreless third quarter by the Lady Cyclones built up some frustration and Cair Paravel took advantage of that.

Cair Paravel, which improved to 5-6, took care of business in the fourth quarter of the contest, closing out the win.

“Not every win is going to be pretty,'' Ewing said. "I thought (the game) was a little bit of an uglier one, but a win is still a win.''

“Friday we are playing a team we already beat once,'' Ewing said of Friday's road game at Maranatha Academy. "They will be hungry. We need to impose our will on them instead of them imposing their will on us. We want this win and I hope we can beat them again.''

CAIR PARAVEL GIRLS 38, BISHOP WARD 27

Bishop Ward     11 9 0 7 – 27

Cair Paravel  10 10 6 12 – 38

Bishop Ward (1-7) – Rosales 4 3-3 12, Oropeza 2 5-6 9, Mendez 1 1-2 3, Collins 1 0-0 3.

Cair Paravel (5-6) – Drum 6 0-2 12, Barkley 2 2-2 7, A. Schwarz 2 1-2 5, Kuder 2 0-2 4, Babbit 1 1-2 3, Chada 1 1-2 3, Ewing 1 0-0 2, Cleverdon 1 0-0 2.

 3-point goals -- Cair Paravel 1, Bishop Ward 2. Total fouls -- Cair Paravel 17, Bishop Ward 14.

WasRelated Stories and Videos

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin's girls basketball opened its tournament bid in the McLouth Invitational with a 40-31 win over Maur Hill-Mt. Academy on Monday.

Jaley Barkley

The Lions, who improved to 3-5 on the season, jumped out to a 16-7 first-quarter advantage, which was huge as the two teams scored 24 points apiece the rest of the way.

Cair Paravel led 22-18 at the half and took a 30-24 lead into the fourth quarter.

Senior Jaley Barkley led the Lions with 14 points, including three 3-pointers, while sophomore Allison Schwarz added 13 points.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

The first of two midseason tournament weeks for Shawnee County prep basketball teams is on tap this week, with 12 county boys and girls teams taking part in a total of seven tournaments across the state.

Following is a tournament by tournament look at this week's events involving county teams:

TOPEKA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

At Highland Park

Hayden, host Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West's boys teams will all take part in the long-running Topeka Invitational Tournament Thursday through Saturday, along with Lawrence, Shawnee Mission North, St. Marys and Wichita Northwest.

Senior Elijah Brooks (4), coming off a 26-point, 14-rebound performance against Highland Park, will lead Topeka West into this week's Topeka Invitational Tournament at Highland Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Highland Park senior Juan'Tario Roberts (right) scored a game-high 35 points last Friday against Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Topeka West (7-1) will open the tournament at 3:15 p.m. Thursday against Lawrence (7-2), followed by St. Marys (8-1) against Topeka High (1-7) at 5 o'clock, Highland Park (8-1) facing Shawnee Mission North (1-8) at 6:45 and Hayden (1-6) closing out the first round at 8:30 p.m. against Wichita Northwest (7-1).

The St. Marys-Topeka High and Topeka West-Lawrence winners will square off in Friday's first semifinal at 6:45 p.m. while the winners of the Highland Park-Shawnee Mission North and Hayden-Wichita Northwest first-round games will clash in the second semifinal at 8:30 p.m. Friday.

The place games will be played on Saturday, capped by the championship game at 2:15 p.m.

Topeka West is coming off a 79-67 win over previously-unbeaten Highland Park on Friday night while Hayden is coming off a 51-50 overtime loss to Emporia. Topeka High has not played since a 68-47 loss to Seaman on Jan. 7.

All five Topeka West starters cracked double figures in Friday's win over Hi Park, led by senior Elijah Brooks with 26 points and 14 rebounds and senior Zander Putthoff with 17 points and three 3-pointers. Senior Juan'Tario Roberts scored a career-high 35 points with seven 3-pointers for the Scots.

Junior Joe Otting had 19 points and senior Trent Duffey 14 points for Hayden against Emporia.

Lawrence is coming off a 69-51 win over Mill Valley on Friday while St. Marys rolled to a 73-33 win over Rossville on Friday as Keller Hurla scored 33 points for the Bears.

Shawnee Mission North, coached by former Topeka High coach Pat Denney, dropped a 61-59 nailbiter to Shawnee Mission West on Friday while Wichita Northwest has won six straight games, including an 81-61 win over Wichita West on Friday.

Senior Ty Henry (left) and the 5-2 Seaman boys will compete in this week's McPherson Invitational. [File photo/TSN]

 McPHERSON INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

At McPherson

Seaman's boys will put their 5-2 record and three-game winning streak on the line in Thursday's 4:45 p.m. first-round McPherson Invitational game against Blue Valley.

The Vikings have not played since a 68-47 Centennial League win over Topeka High on Jan. 7, with Seaman's game against Manhattan on Friday postponed.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights improved to 7-1 on the season with its fourth straight victory, rolling to an 82-58 United Kansas Conference road victory at Turner.

The T-Birds put the Bears away (0-8, 0-3) with a 26-11 first-quarter onslaught and led 41-25 at halftime and 56-37 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Brennon Dodge led Shawnee Heights with 17 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, in the T-Birds' 82-58 United Kansas Conference victory at Turner Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights senior Carter Olson had 14 points and 13 rebounds in the T-Birds' 82-58 UKC romp at Turner Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights capped its three-game week with a 65-3 United Kansas Conference romp at Turner Friday night.

Both teams were missing multiple players due to COVID protocols, but Shawnee Heights, 2-1 on the week with an overtime loss to Class 6A Blue Valley Northwest, still had plenty of firepower to improve to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the UKC.

Junior Hayden Hill scored a game-high 14 points for the T-Birds, with four 3-pointers.

Junior Emari Doby joined Hill in double figures for Shawnee Heights with 10 points while Taylor Rottinghaus scored nine points and Riley Showalter seven points.

ST. MARYS GIRLS 53, ROSSVILLE 43 --St. Marys used a 22-7 second quarter to take control and held off Rossville the rest of the way for a 53-43 win.

Rossville, which fell to 4-6, led 11-9 at the end of the opening quarter but the Bears rallied for a 31-18 halftime advantage.

The Bulldawgs outscored the Bears 8-3 in the third quarter to get within eight but couldn't mount a serious run over the final eight minutes.

Sophomores Kinsey Perine and Emma Mitchell scored 14 points apiece for Rossville while St. Marys (4-5) had three players with between 12 and 14 points.

Sophomore Brenna Smith paced the Bears with 14 points, followed by sophomore Catherine Moylan with 13 points and freshman Hayden Heim with 12.

OLATHE HERITAGE CHRISTIAN GIRLS 42, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 34 -- Cair Paravel Latin saw its two-game win streak come to an end in Friday's 42-34 loss to Olathe Heritage Christian Academy.

Heritage Christian improved to 4-3 while Cair Paravel fell to 2-5.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

EMPORIA (6-2, 5-2) at HAYDEN (4-2, 4-2)

Friday night's game between the Wildcats and Spartans has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Hayden has had two straight games postponed, with the Wildcats' Tuesday game against Topeka High also postponed.

MANHATTAN (3-5, 3-4) at SEAMAN (4-3, 4-3)

Friday night's game between the Vikings and Indians has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Seaman has not played since a tough 43-38 Centennial League loss to unbeaten Topeka High last Friday.

Topeka West junior Jazmyn Ford scored s team-high 10 points in the Chargers' 55-26 loss at Emporia on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (1-7, 0-7) at TOPEKA WEST (0-8, 0-7)

Highland Park is coming off a 43-41 Centennial League loss at Junction City on Tuesday while Topeka West dropped a 55-26 league decision at Emporia. Freshman Amelia Ramsey scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Highland Park against Junction City while sophomore Victoria Reed added 11 points and freshman Mariah Parker-Brown had 10 points with three 3-pointers. Junior Jazmyn Ford led Topeka West with 10 points and sophomore Zoe Clark added seven in the Chargers' loss to Emporia. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

MANHATTAN (2-6, 2-5) at SEAMAN (5-2, 5-2)

Friday night's game between the Vikings and Indians has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Seaman has not played since a 68-47 Centennial League win over Topeka High last Friday.

Senior Juan'Tario Roberts (23) scored a game-high 24 points as Highland Park improved to 8-0 with a 70-54 road romp past previously-unbeaten Junction City Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

Elijah Brooks is coming off a 21-point performance in Topeka West's 71-57 win at Emporia on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (8-0, 7-0) at TOPEKA WEST (6-1, 5-1)

Highland Park, No. 2-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, went on the road Tuesday night and handed Junction City its first loss of the season, 70-54, while No. 5-ranked Topeka West is coming off a 71-57 Centennial League road win at Emporia. Senior Juan'Tario led Highland Park with a game-high 24 points against Junction City while junior Ketraleus Aldridge added 18 points and junior Tre Richardson 10 points for the Scots. Senior Elijah Brooks scored a game-high 21 points for West against Emporia while junior Xavier Alexander added 18 points with five 3-pointers and senior Zander Putthoff added 17 points with three 3-pointers.

Hayden junior Joe Otting (33) had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds in last Friday's 70-54 loss to Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

EMPORIA (0-8, 0-7) at HAYDEN (1-5, 1-5)

After having Tuesday's game against Topeka High postponed, Hayden is scheduled to be back in action in Friday's boys-only Centennial League game against the Spartans. The junior varsity game will start at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity contest at approximately 6 p.m. Emporia is coming off a 71-57 league loss to Topeka West on Tuesday. Parker Leeds and River Peters both scored 20 points for the Spartans against Topeka West. Hayden's most recent game was a 70-54 loss to Topeka West last Friday, with senior Trent Duffey scoring 23 points and junior Joe Otting adding 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Seaman's girls basketball team gave undefeated and state-ranked Topeka High all it wanted Friday night, but the Trojans took control down the stretch for a 43-38 Centennial League win at High.

Friday's game was tight throughout, with the Trojans holding a slim 14-13 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 21-19 advantage at the half.

The game was tied 28-28 at at the start of the fourth quarter before Topeka High outscored the Vikings 15-10 down the stretch to improve to 7-0 overall and 7-0 in the league.

Junior Kiki Smith scored 12 points for Topeka High in Friday's 43-38 Centennial League win over Seaman. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High, which struggled to a 32-percent shooting night from the field, got 12 points apiece from senior Tae Thomas and junior Kiki Smith while junior Adisyn Caryl added seven points.

Smith left the game with an ankle injury with 3:25 left in the third quarter but returned to play in the fouth quarter.

Seaman, which fell to 4-3, 4-3, suffered through a 19-percent shooting night from the field although the Vikings did can five 3-pointers. Seaman also turned the ball over 24 times.

Anna Becker continued her outstanding freshman season with 18 points for the Vikings while sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer added seven points.

Seaman was just one of 13 from the field in the decisive fourth quarter, getting a 3-pointer from Stallbaumer.

HAYDEN GIRLS 65, TOPEKA WEST 46 --Hayden took control with an 18-6 opening quarter and was in command 36-21 at halfttime before cruising the rest of the way for a 65-46 Centennial League road win at Topeka West, improving to 4-2 overall and 4-2 in the Centennial League.

Sophomore Lauren Sandstrom led all scorers with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, while senior Carly Stuke added 16 points.

Topeka West, which fell to 0-7, 0-6, was led by sophomore Siana Sanchez with 15 points while Whitley Benson added nine points on three 3-pointers and sophomore Rebecca Bearman also scored nine points.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN GIRLS 32, KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN 16 --Cair Paravel rode a strong defensive effort throughout Friday's game to a 32-16 home win over Kansas City Christian, with the Lions not allowing more than seven points in a quarter and limiting the visitors to seven points in the second half.

Senior Jaley Barkley led Cair Paravel with a game-high 11 points while senior Lauren Drum added eight as the Lions improved to 2-4 on the season with their second straight victory.

Kansas City Christian did not have a player with more than five points. 

SILVER LAKE GIRLS 53, ROCK CREEK 49 -- Silver Lake remained undefeated on the season with a hard-earned 53-49 win over previously-unbeaten Rock Creek.

Silver Lake improved to 6-0 while Rock Creek fell to 6-1.

Sophomore Makenzie McDaniel paced Silver Lake with 22 points and 10 rebounds while sophomoe McKinley Kruger added 14 points.

RILEY COUNTY GIRLS 48, ROSSVILLE 40 -- Rossville dropped a close 48-40 decision to Riley County Friday night, falling to 4-3 on the season.

Sophomores Kinsey Perine and Emma Mitchell scored 13 points apiece to lead the Bulldawgs.

Riley County improved to 2-4 on the season.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Despite playing without senior standout Mateo Hyman, Seaman's boys basketball team rolled to a 68-47 Centennial League road win at Topeka High Friday night.

Seaman, now 5-2 overall and 5-2 in the league, built a 31-25 halftime advantage and then pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Trojans 37-22 to win going away.

Seaman shot just under 50 percent from the floor (24 of 49), connected on eight 3-pointers and hit all 11 free throw attempts.

Senior Ty Henry scored a game-high 29 points in Seaman's 68-47 Centennial League win at Topeka High Friday night. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Kaeden Bonner scored 20 points as Seaman improved to 5-2 with a 68-47 win over Topeka High Friday night. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Senior Ty Henry scored a game-high 29 points with four 3-pointers to lead Seaman while junior Kaeden Bonner added 20 points and senior Drayton Griess 11 points.

Topeka High was without several players, including leading scorer Matt Flenoy. The Trojans shot 32 percent from the field and hit seven 3-pointers.

Sophomore Bryson Thrasher and junior Mason Gomez scored 13 points each to lead Topeka High (1-7, 1-6) while sophomore BJ Canady added 11 points.

SILVER LAKE BOYS 52, ROCK CREEK 39 -- Junior Kamryn Kaniper and senior Carson Johnson combined for 30 points as Silver Lake improved to 4-2 on the season with a decisive 52-39 victory over Rock Creek.

Kaniper led the Eagles with 17 points while Johnson added 13 points.

Silver Lake jumped out in front 16-9 and used a 16-8 second quarter to open up a commanding 32-17 advantage.

Rock Creek (1-6) cut its deficit to 42-32 at the end of the third quarter, but Silver Lake closed out the win with a 10-7 scoring edge over the final eight minutes. 

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN BOYS 62, KANSAS CiTY CHRISTIAN 42 -- Cair Paravel Latin ran its win streak to five games with a 62-42 romp plast Kansas City Christian.

Senior Noah Hastert led Cair Paravel 16 points, 7 rebounds and nine assists to lead Cair Paravel while senior Zach Clark added 13 points and senior Ethan Everhart and Evan Will added 10 points.

Senior Carter Brian added eight rebounds as Cair Paravel improved to 5-1 on the season.

RILEY COUNTY BOYS 61, ROSSVILLE 52 -- Rossville put up a good fight, but couldn't get over the hump in Friday night's 61-52 loss to Riley County.

Rossville fell to 1-6 while Riley County improved to 2-4.

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

After opening the 2021-2022 season with a 53-45 loss to Burlingame High School, Cair Paravel's boys basketball team has responded in impressive fashion with four straight wins.

“We usually put some points on the board, but the first game was a bit more difficult for us,'' Cair Paravel coach Mike Malloy said. "Lately, we’ve done well and have beaten some good competition. We have a bunch of good solid individuals.

"These guys want to be good. They want to put in the effort. This year, so far, has been fun. Having fun is helping our guys this year.''

Senior Zach Clark (5) leads 4-1 Cair Paravel Latin with a 14.6 scoring average entering Friday's home game against Kansas City Christian. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Noah Hastert (4) is a top returning player for Cair Paravel Latin, which is 4-1 on the season with four straight victories. [File photo/TSN]

At this point in the 2020-2021 season, the Lions sat at 3-2. That wasn’t a bad place to be for the Lions. At the end of the season, Cair Paravel Latin School finished with a 10-8 record, falling in the playoffs against Burlingame. The trajectory for this year is much higher than it was last year.

One game sticks out more than the rest during the current four-game win streak, with Cair Paravel defeating Christ Prep Academy, 91-37. The Lions shot the ball 70 times and converted 42 of those shots. That was the most amount of points the Lions have scored since February 14th, 2020, when Cair Paravel put up 100 points against Whitefield Academy in a 100-30 victory.

The victories Cair Paravel has put together have been convincing. When the Lions win, they’ve outscored opponents, 275-163. Cair Paravel has shot at a 49-percent mark.

Cair Paravel’s success isn’t by luck or accident, with nearly half of the team comprised of seniors. Zach Clark, Noah Hastert, Carter Brian, Ethan Everhart and Levi Will have had a significant impact on the young season.

Clark is averaging a team-high 14.6 points and has been on the floor for 119 minutes this season. Clark scored a season-high in points of 22 against Christ Prep Academy back on December 7th.

Seniors Hastert, Brian, Everhart and Will are averaging a combined 32 points, 12.4 assists, and 23.2 rebounds per game.

“The best thing I can say about (the seniors) is that these guys help each other out and they are great teammates for each other and the underclassmen,'' Malloy said. "They work together, they play together well, and they are always there to help each other out. As far as this season, they have been great with their roles and it has given us some success.

“We have to keep up the hard work and be the best we can be every day.''

Cair Paravel will host Kansas City Christian School (2-3) on Friday, trying to extend its undefeated record at home.

WasRelated Stories and Videos

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

The best news about the 2021 high school sports year for Shawnee County high schools was that there was one.

COVID-19 wreaked havoc on 2020, resulting in an early end to state basketball tournaments, the cancellation of all spring sports and forcing wholesale delays and contingency plans through the fall of '20.

But by the time the calendar hit '21 there was a return to some sense of normalcy.

A decision by the USD 501 school board kept Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West wrestling teams off the mats through the entire '20-'21 campaign, but when practice started in November for '21-'22 the Scots, Trojans and Chargers were back in action.

Shawnee County prep teams took full advantage of their opportunities to compete in '21, with county schools winning five state boys and girls team championships and county athletes combining for 16 individual titles. 

Here's a look at TopSports.news' top 10 Shawnee County boys prep stories of 2021, with the girls top 10 coming up next::

Rossville's football team hoists the Class 2A state championship trophy last month after winning its second straight title and fifth since 2014. [File photo/TSN]

1. DAWG DAYS -- Derick Hammes’ Rossville Bulldawgs captured their second straight Class 2A state football championship and an amazing fifth title since 2014, capping a second straight 13-0 season with a 32-12 win over Beloit in the state final. The Bulldawgs overcame some adversity along the way, including an injury to star senior quarterback Torrey Horak which kept him out of multiple games, but star running back Corey Catron took over at QB and the Bulldawgs didn't miss a beat, outscoring its opposition 611-111 on the season.

Washburn Rural's wrestling team captured its first-ever Class 6A boys state team championship in 2021, also the first ever for a Topeka school. [File photo/TSN]

2. DATE WITH DESTINY -- After knocking on the door with a pair of Class 6A runner-up finishes, Washburn Rural's wrestling team knocked the door down, rolling to the first-ever team championship by a Topeka school by a commanding 159.5-112 margin over Olathe North. The Junior Blues clinched the title before the final round, putting a whopping five wrestlers in the finals and getting individual championships from Jonathan Morrison, Jacob Tangpricha and Bishop Murray (more on that below) and runner-up finishes from Austin Fager and David Huckstep.

Bishop Murray won his third Class 6A state individual title last season while helping lead Washburn Rural to the Class 6A state team title. [File photo/TSN]

3. THRICE AS NICE --Washburn Rural wrestling standout Bishop Murray captured the third Class 6A individual state championship of his carreer, joining former Highland Park star and multi-time Olympian Melvin Douglas as the only city wrestlers to win three state titles while helping lead the Junior Blues to their historic team championship. Murray won the 120-pound title to cap a 29-1 senior season while posting four top-three state finishes.

Shawnee Heights' Jeremiah Smith won three Class 5A state titles in the 2021 Class 5A state track meet. [File photo/TSN]

4. IMPRESSIVE FIRST IMPRESSION -- After having his freshman track and field season wiped out by COVID-19, Shawnee Heights' Jeremiah Smith established himself as one of the state's best early last spring when he broke T-Bird legend Marcel Carter's school-record in the 100-meter dash. Smith went on to capture three Class 5A individual state titles in the State Track and Field Championships, winning the 110-meter hurdles in 14.74 seconds, the 100 dash in 10.52 and the 200 dash in 21.92.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior Jaley Barkley scored 21 points to lead the way as Cair Paravel Latin's girls basketball team picked up its first victory of the 2021-2022 season, a 49-34 win over Maur Hill-Mt Scholastic Thursday night on the Lions' home court.

Jaley Barkley

Cair Paravel opened the season with four straight losses, including three straight single-digit defeats, before breaking through on Thursday.

Barkley scored 19 points in the first half, with three 3-pointers.

As a team Cair Paravel scored 33 points in the opening half, including 18 in the second quarter.

Barkley was the only double-figure scorer for the Lions, but eight players cracked the scoring column, with senior Lauren Drum scoring seven of her nine points in the second half. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Elijah Brooks has been a standout for Topeka West's boys basketball team from the time he stepped on campus, averaging more than 10 points as a freshman and averaging 14.8 points for his career while helping the Chargers post a 42-26 record, including a 36-11 mark (.766 percentage) over the past two-plus seasons.

But while the 6-foot-4 senior has been 'A' leader for West over the previous three seasons, he's taking on a new role this season as 'THE' leader for Rick Bloomquist's Chargers.

Brooks, who opened 2021-2022 season with a 32-point performance in a 69-57 win over Washburn Rural, has plenty of talented players around him, but he and Bloomquist both know that Brooks has to set the tone for West.

After learning from the seniors before him, including Shawnee County co-players of the year Trevion Alexander and Marque Wilkerson last season, Brooks is happy to take on the leadership mantle..

"I actually love that role,'' Brooks said. "Watching (last year's seniors) and especially Tre prepared me to take on this big role for my team,'' Brooks said. "Whatever I can do to help my team win, that's honestly what I'm going to do at the end of the day.''

Brooks and the Chargers got off to a impressive start in last Friday's win, with Brooks slamming home four first-half dunks as West opened up a commanding 24-8 lead and held off Rural, which played for the Class 6A title in 2019, the rest of the way.

Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks slams down one of his four first-half dunks on the way to a 32-point performance in Friday's 69-57 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

"I think it gets the whole crowd involved and it gets my team hyped,'' Brooks said of the dunks. "I think we were all ready for this (first) game,'' Brooks said. "In practice and stuff we were just anxious for the game and the coaches could tell.''

After going 21-3 a season ago and making it to the 5A boys title game for only the third time in school history, the goal this winter is an obvious one, to make another run at what would be the Chargers' first state crown.

"Everybody on our team, we're like hungry pitbulls because we want to get back to the state tournament and get the same type of feeling and everything,'' Brooks said. "I think we're all just dogs, to be honest.''

One thing Brooks doesn't have to worry about is resting on his laurels, not as long as Bloomquist is around.

"When you've got a kid like Elijah you've got to go through him, you want to use him and make the best of his abilities,''  said Bloomquist, who has posted more than 500 career wins and has taken Emporia and West to state championship games

"He's got to learn to play more without the ball. There's a lot he's got to learn, because he's a focal point for this basketball team and he's got to make everybody else better besides himself.''

Brooks understands and accept those expectations.

"(Bloomquist) looks at me to set the example and when I don't he really gets on me and makes an example of me to everybody,'' Brooks said. "I'll take it though. I love it.''

A look at Tuesday's Shawnee County games:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Two games, two lopsided victories for Topeka High's girls basketball team.

After opening the season with a 22-point victory over Manhattan last Friday night, the Trojans rolled to an 82-24 Centennial League decision over Junction City Tuesday night at High.

Kiki Smith

Junior Kiki Smith led an extremely balanced attack for Topeka High against the Blue Jays with a game-high 19 points.

Sophomores Ladaysha Baird and Ayana Leesman scored 17 and 13 points, respectively, off the bench for the Trojans while senior Talayah Thomas added 10 points.

The Trojans put the Blue Jays away early, opening up a 30-5 lead at the end of the first quarter and taking a 50-20 lead to the locker room at halftime.

JUNCTION CITY BOYS 80, TOPEKA HIGH 53 -- Junction City improved to 2-0 on the season in the Centennial League and overall, while Topeka High is still looking for its first victory after Tuesday's 80-53 loss.

The Trojans face a quick turnaround, hosting 1-0 Shawnee Heights in a 7:30 p.m. non-league game Wednesday night.

ROSSVILLE GIRLS 54, BISHOP WARD 24 -- Sophomore Kinsey Perine scored 16 points to pace three Bulldawgs in double figures as Rossville's girls basketball team opened its season with a 54-24 victory over Bishop Ward Tuesday night.

Kinsey Perine

Joining Perine in double figures for the Bulldawgs were senior Caylee Douglas and freshman Shyanne Haehn with 10 points apiece.

Rossville opened up an 11-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and then put the game away with a 22-5 second quarter, taking a commanding 33-11 advantage.

Rossville outscored the Cyclones 21-13 in the second half.

BISHOP WARD BOYS 74, ROSSVILLE 44 -- Bishop Ward had four players crack double figures as the Cyclones rolled to a 74-44 win over Rossville.

Rossville was within six points (25-19) at halftime, but the Cyclones erupted for 33 points in the third quarter to open up a commanding 58-35 advantage.

Junior Kade Perine and freshman Brock Bush both scored 11 points for the Bulldawgs, with Perine connecting on nine of 11 free throw attempts and Bush canning a pair of 3-pointers.

SILVER LAKE GIRLS 60, COUNCIL GROVE 42 -- Silver Lake improved to 60-42 with a decisive 60-42 win over Council Grove, with multiple players filling up the stat sheet for the Eagles.

Taylor Ross

Mariah Farmer

Junior Taylor Ross scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds while junior Mariah Famer also scored 16 points.

Sophomore MaKenzie McDaniel scored 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while sophomore McKinley Kruger had 4 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists and sophomore Kaylee Deiter had 3 points and 9 rebounds.

COUNCIL GROVE BOYS 63, SILVER LAKE 46 -- Four players scored between 17 and 13 points for Council Grove as the Braves recorded a 63-46 win over Silver Lake.

Silver Lake was within five points after the first quarter (15-10) and trailed 28-18 at the half. The Eagles were still within 11 (41-30) at the start of the fourth quarter were unable to make a run as the Braves helped a 22-16 scoring edge the rest of the way.

Junior Kamryn Kaniper paced Silver Lake with 13 points while senior Luke Womack added 10 points and junior Troy Heiman nine.

Kellen Marshall led Council Grove with 17 points while Koen Hula added 16, Hunter Brintle 15 and Gavin Mills 13 for the Braves.

CAIR PARAVEL BOYS 91, CHRIST PREP 37 -- Cair Paravel's boys improved to 3-1 on the season with a 91-37 road romp at Christ Prep Tuesday night.

CHRIST PREP GIRLS 44, CAIR PARAVEL 40 -- Senior Jaley Barkley scored 18 points and Allison Schwartz added 10 for Cair Paravel Latin, but it wasn't quite enough for the Lions to get over the top, with Christ Prep taking the 44-40 decision.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

A whopping seven Shawnee County basketball teams earned spots in the latest Kansas Basketball Coaches Association state rankings, released Tuesday.

Washburn Rural, Topeka High, Hayden and Silver Lake are all ranked on the girls side while Highland Park, Hayden and Cair Paravel earned spots in the boys rankings.

Washburn Rural's girls basketball team remains No. 2-ranked in Class 6A by the KBCA. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Washburn Rural remains No. 2 in the latest Class 6A girls state rankings while Topeka High girls moved up to sixth. Both the Junior Blues and Trojans are 3-0 on the season entering Tuesday night's games.

Hayden, 1-1 on the season, is ranked No. 10 in the 4A girls rankings while Silver Lake is No. 8 in 3A.

Highland Park, 3-0 entering Tuesday night's game, earned its way into the 5A boys rankings at No. 6 while 1-1 Hayden is ranked eighth in 4A and Cair Paravel Latin No. 9 in 1A Division I.

KANSAS BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION STATE RANKINGS

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Undefeated Class 2A state champion Rossville and Centennial League tri-champion Washburn Rural combined for nine Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' inaugural All-Shawnee County football team while sweeping the individual awards.

Rossville, which wrapped up a second straight 2A state championship with Saturday's 35-12 win over Beloit, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Corey Catron, Torrey Horak and Brody Lietz and junior Jacob Carver, with Catron and Horak being named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year.

Rossville senior stars Torrey Horak (left) and Corey Catron have been named TopSports.news' Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a second straight undefeated Class 2A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Derick Hammes has been named the TSN Shawnee County coach of the year after coaching the Bulldawgs to a second straight Class 2A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Derick Hammes, who has coached Rossville to a 96-15 record (.865 percent) and five state titles over the past eight seasons, including 26 straight wins over the past two years, was named the Shawnee County coach of the year.

Washburn Rural, which posted a breakout 8-2 season, put seniors Robby Bolin, Connor Conklin and Giles Frederickson, junior Ty Weber and sophomore Branton DeWeese on the All-Shawnee County Top 22, with Weber being named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year.

Ty Weber

The Junior Blues swept the newcomer of the year awards, with DeWeese earning the offensive honor and sophomore Packson Bettis tapped for the defensive award.

Cair Paravel Latin, which posted an 11-0 record and captured the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship, put senior stars Carter Brian and Noah Hastert on the Top 22, while 6-4 Seaman is represented by seniors Camden Barta, Brody Gormley and Casen Stallbaumer.

Silver Lake, which advanced to the 2A state semifinals, is represented on the All-County Top 22 by seniors Daigan Kruger and Triston VandeVelde, while Shawnee Heights seniors Matthew Etzel and Jarin Sanders both earned Top 22 honors after helping lead the T-Birds to a 5-5 record.

Topeka High seniors Tylan Alejos and Danny Saili, Hayden junior Joe Otting and Highland Park junior Tre Richardson round out the Top 22 selections.

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

All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

By RICK PETERSON             

TopSports.news 

Sincere Austin

Sincere Austin, Topeka West

A 6-foot-2 junior, Austin was inserted into Topeka West's starting lineup at midseason and played a major role as the Chargers advanced to the Class 5A state championship game, finishing second and posting a 21-3 record on the season. Austin hit 16 3-pointers on the season and earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention.

Jack Bachelor

Jack Bachelor, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-0 junior, earned All-Centennial League and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a sophomore for the 14-7 Junior Blues, averaging 7.2 points and 2.0 assists while connecting on 20 3-pointers.

Kaeden Bonner

Kaeden Bonner, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-2 junior, received All-Centennial League and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 13-9 Vikings, averaging 11.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 59 percent on 2-point field goal attempts and hitting 24 3-pointers.

Elijah Brooks

Elijah Brooks, Topeka West

A 6-3 senior, Brooks was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County selection as a junior after helping lead the Chargers to a 21-3 record and a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. A first-team All-Centennial League pick, Brooks averaged 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals a year ago.

BJ Canady

BJ Canady, Topeka High

Canady, 6-6, was a starter for the Trojans last season as a freshman, leading the team in rebounding with seven boards a game. Although just a sophomore, Canady will be counted on to be a leader for a Trojan team which is looking to improve on last year's 3-17 record.

Zachary Clark

Zachary Clark, Cair Paravel Latin

Clark, a 6-3 senior, received third-team recognition on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season, averaging 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals to help lead Cair Parvel to a 10-8 record on the season.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which posted a runner-up finish in the Class 6A state tournament, put a city-high four players on the 2021 All-City boys soccer team, selected by city coaches.

Rural is represented by seniors Wyatt Arnold (goalkeeper), Mason Grogan (defense), Joe Morse (midfield) and Porter Schafersman (forward), while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the city coach of the year.

Wyatt Arnold

Mason Grogan

Joe Morse

Porter Schafersman

Hayden, a quarterfinalist in 4A-1A, put junior Jake Muller (forward) and senior Nick Padilla (midfield) on the All-City team while Seaman is represented by seniors Kyson Evans (midfield/defense) and Gavin Wilhelm (midfield/defense) and Shawnee Heights by senior David Skinner (defense) and junior Isaac Wilson (midfield).

Jake Muller

Kyson Evans

David Skinner

Senior Ethan Everhart (forward/midfield) earned first-team honors for Cair Paravel Latin while Highland Park is represented by junior Vellamy Diaz (forward), Topeka High by senior Sergio Ramirez (midfield) and Topeka West by junior Jack Snyder (defense). 

Sergio Ramirez

Arnold and Padilla are both All-City first-team repeat picks while Everhart, Muller, Evans, Skinner, Ramirez and Schafersman moved up to the first team after earning honorable mention a year ago.

Hensyel was selected as the city coach of the year after leading the Junior Blues to a 19-1 record, including a 27th straight Centennial League championship (outright or shared).

ALL-CITY SOCCER

 Washburn Rural junior Brooklyn DeLeye has been named the TSN All-Shawnee County volleyball player of the year for the 2021 season. [File photo/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Player of the year Brooklyn DeLeye, a Washburn Rural junior, headlines the inaugural TopSports.news All-Shawnee County volleyball team while state placers Rural and Seaman combined to earn seven of 12 first-team berths.

DeLeye, who has orally committed to Kentucky, is joined on the all-county team by teammates Katelynn Brogan, a senior, junior Taylor Russell and sophomore Jada Ingram after the Junior Blues posted a 41-2 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament.

Veteran Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick was named the county coach of the year after leading Rural to 41 straight wins to start the season and Centennial League and sub-state championships.

Seaman which finished fourth in 5A with a 27-13 record on the year, is represented on the All-County team by senior Drew Baxter, junior Laynee Brown and sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer while Viking freshman Maegan Mills was named the county newcomer of the year.

Shawnee Heights put senior Kali Henry and junior Emily Loy on the All-County team while Topeka West is represented by junior Makinsey Jones, Silver Lake by senior Camilla Ossola and Rossville by sophomore Kinsey Perine. 

All-County first team capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin football coach Doug Bonura said he never set a goal for his Lions to post a perfect 2021 season.

He didn't have to because the Lions did it for him.

"I didn't set that as a goal but these guys actually did,'' Bonura said earlier in the week. "Last spring they said, 'Hey, we're going to go undefeated.'

"That has been something that's been in their mind that that's what they wanted to do.''

Cair Paravel achieved that lofty objective Saturday afternoon at Highland Park, capping an 11-0 campaign with a 64-16 win over St. Mary's Academy in the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship game.

Registering their second win of the season over 7-2 St. Mary's, a perennial KCAA power, Cair Paravel jumped out in front 16-0 in the first quarter and led by a 30-8 margin at halftime.

The Lions scored 22 third-quarter points to take a 52-8 advantage over the Crusaders and Cair Paravel outscored St. Mary's 12-8 in the early stages of the fourth quarter to end the game by way of the 45-point spread rule.

Cair Paravel seniors Noah Hastert (left), Carter Brian and Max Colombo hoist the KCAA championship trophy after Saturday's 64-16 win over St. Mary's Academy. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Star senior quarterback Carter Brian completed 30 of 45 pass attempts for 336 yards and three touchdowns and he had a hand in six touchdowns overall, carrying the ball 15 times for 31 yards and three touchdowns.

Sophomore Jesiah Bonura scored three Lion touchdowns on the day, carrying the ball six times for 34 yards and two scores and catching six passes for 57 yards and a TD.

Cair Paravel Latin junior Jachin Bonura caught 13 passes for 176 yards and a TD and had six tackles and an interception in Saturday's 64-16 over St. Mary's Academy. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Jachin Bonura had a huge day for Cair Paravel, including 13 pass receptions for 176 yards and a touchdown. He also was in on a team-high six tackles for the Lions and had one of Cair Paravel's five interceptions.

Senior Noah Hastert caught five passes for 51 yards and a TD and also intercepted a pass.

Sophomore Evan Will had five tackles and a pass interception while Simon Everhart picked off a pair of passes.

Brian finished the season with 2,515 passing yards and 51 touchdown passes while Hastert caught 46 passes for 921 yards and 22 TDs.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 64, ST. MARY'S ACADEMY 16

St. Mary's Academy (7-2) 0 8 0 8 -- 16

Cair Paravel Latin (11-0) 16 14 22 12 -- 64

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's hard to comprehend some of the numbers that senior quarterback Carter Brian and the Cair Paravel Latin football team have put up this season.

Cair Paravel has outscored its opposition by a 560-78 margin and not had a game closer than 42 points en route to a perfect 10-0 season, while Brian has ranked among the nation's best Eight-Man passers, throwing for 2,179 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Cair Paravel Latin senior quarterback Carter Brian has thrown for 2,179 yards and 48 touchdowns this season for the 10-0 Lions. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

But while the Lions' incredible season might be a surprise to those outside the Cair Paravel program, Brian said it's not a big shock to his team.

"We worked hard all summer,'' Brian said. "We played 7 on 7, we were lifting and doing all the things we needed to do and we knew that it was possible for us to be undefeated and when it came to game time, we just executed.''

Now the goal is to cap off the dream season with a win in Saturday's 1 p.m. Kansas Christian Athletic Association title game against perennial KCAA power St. Mary's Academy at Highland Park.

The Lions handed the Crusaders their only loss of the season in a 54-8 home regular-season victory in Week 5, a win that Brian said was a big momentum-builder.

"That was definitely a big statement game,'' Brian said. "I think it proved to us we were better than we thought we were and that we could hang with any team.''

But Brian said the Lions also know things will be tougher the second time around.

Cair Paravel senior Noah Hastert (left) forces a fumble earlier this season against St. Mary's Academy. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Noah Hastert knows that players who play football at small high schools, especially at the Eight-Man level, often face an uphill battle to get noticed by college recruiters.

But the Cair Paravel Latin star felt like if he just continued to work hard and showed what he could do, colleges would take notice.

In the midst of an outstanding senior season for the 10-0 Lions, that has proved to be the case, with multiple schools showing interest in the 6-foot-6, 225-pound receiver/defensive end.

"I think it does hurt (playing Eight-Man) in some ways, but if you just go out there and show what you can do, they will find you eventually and they'll see what you can do,'' said Hastert, who will close out his high school career in Saturday's 1 p.m. Kansas Christian Athletic Association championship game against St. Mary's Academy at Highland Park.

Noah Hastert

 Hastert did what he could do to speed up that process, attending several football camps leading into this season, and recruiting interest has continued to ramp up.

"Over the summer I went to like five, six football camps to get my name out there a little bit,'' Hastert said. "It's mainly been MIAA -- Washburn, Pitt State, Emporia State, Central Missouri -- teams like that.''

Hastert has the size that colleges like in a receiver and has the stats to go with that size, catching  41 passes for 870 yards and an amazing 21 touchdowns.

"I think it's really fun,'' Hastert said of the Eight-Man game. "It's fast-paced and there's a lot of big plays.''

Defensively, Hastert has been in on 34 tackles (25 solo) with 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while causing two fumbles and recovering four fumbles.

As a team Cair Paravel has outscored its opposition by a 560-78 margin while not having a game closer than 42 points.

"We knew we had the pieces,'' said Hastert, also a basketball standout for the Lions. "We have a lot of athletes and I think we just came out and worked as a team and practiced hard and worked hard throughout the summer and got reps and I thought we could for sure do this.''

Now Hastert and Cair Paravel are aiming to put a storybook ending on a storybook season. 

"It would be amazing and that's the goal,'' Hastert said. "My sixth grade year, the first year to start off, we went defeated for the season. To end it undefeated would be awesome.

"My first year here we never won a game, so it would be nice to come out here and win it. That's obviously our dream and we haven't won (the KCAA title) in a while, too, so that would be great.''

All-Shawnee County girls cross country team: Front, from left -- Payton Fink, Washburn Rural; Sydney Laster, Washburn Rural; Joslynn Grace, Seaman; Stella Appelhanz, Seaman; Bethany Druse, Seaman. Back, from left -- Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural; Madeline Carter, Washburn Rural; Anna Becker, Seaman; Emma Schultz, Seaman; Coach Rick Brading, Seaman. Not pictured: Khloi Bird, Washburn Rural. [Picture by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural junior Madeline Carter and Seaman junior Bethany Druse, who have posted back-to-back top-10 state finishes, headline the 2021 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team.

Carter finished seventh in the Class 6A state meet after winning city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional titles while Druse finished a city-best sixth in the 5A state meet. Carter finished eighth and Druse ninth at state in 2020.

Carter and Druse are three-time All-City/All-County picks along with Rural senior Khloi Bird, while Seaman senior Emma Schultz and Washburn Rural sophomore Sydney Laster are repeat selections. Bird placed 14th at state.

Washburn Rural's Payton Fink, who placed 19th in her first state meet, is one of five freshmen who earned All-Shawnee County recognition, along with teammate Rylee Ismert and Seaman's Stella Appelhanz, Anna Becker and Joslynn Grace.

Veteran Seaman coach Rick Brading was named the Shawnee County girls coach of the year after his Vikings captured a 5A regional team title and placed fourth in the 5A state meet.

All-county cross country capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news
 

 Carter Brian

CARTER BRIAN, Cair Paravel Latin

Brian, a senior quarterback, completed 19 of 31 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns as Cair Paravel improved to 10-0 with Friday's 66-20 win over Wichita Home School in a KCAA playoff semifinal. Brian has completed 117 of 170 pass attempts on the season for 2,179 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Grant Bruner

GRANT BRUNER, Washburn University

A junior linebacker, Bruner registered 20 tackles (10 solo) in Washburn University's 28-26 MIAA win Saturday at Pittsburg State, helping the Ichabods improve to 8-2 on the season with their fifth straight victory. Bruner, who missed five games with an injury, now has 39 tackles (20 solo) on the year.

Corey Catron

COREY CATRON, Rossville

A senior, Catron rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns and completed 11 of 19 passes for 149 yards and a TD in Rossville's 32-12 second-round Class 2A playoff win over Nemaha Central. Catron has passed for 453 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 893 yards and 18 touchdowns on 135 carries.

Noah Hastert

NOAH HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior receiver, Hastert caught six passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in Cair Paravel's 66-20 win over Wichita Home School in a KCAA playoff game last Friday. Hastert has now caught 41 passes on the year for 870 yards and 21 touchdowns for the 10-0 Lions.

Brogan Renfro

BROGAN RENFRO, Silver Lake

Renfro, a senior, scored five touchdowns in Friday's 51-36 second-round Class 2A playoff victory over St. Marys Friday night. Renfro ran for four touchdowns and also caught a 22-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Daigan Kruger as Silver Lake improved to 8-2.

Jace Williams

JACE WILLIAMS, Washburn University

A senior receiver, Williams turned in the play of the game in Saturday's 28-26 Ichabod win at Pittsburg State, blocking a 33-yard Gorillas field goal attempt with 30 seconds remaining to clinch the 8-2 Ichabods' fifth straight win. Williams has caught 29 passes for 457 yards and five touchdowns.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Rossville improved to 10-0 while pushing its winning streak to 23 games with a 32-12 win over Nemaha Central in a second-round Class 2A playoff game Friday night at Rossville.

The Bulldawgs trailed the Thunder 6-3 at the end of the opening quarter, but took a 9-6 halftime lead before outscoring Central 23-6 the rest of the way.

Corey Catron

Senior Corey Catron had another big night for the Bulldawgs, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for another TD in the Rossville win.

Catron, who has moved from running back to quarterback after an injury to Torrey Horak, scored on runs of 5, 8 and 2 yards and also completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Brown.

Pedro Arantes kicked 24 and 28-yard field goals for the Bulldawgs and also kicked a pair of extra points.

Rossville will be back at home next Friday night to face Riverton (8-2) in a 2A quarterfinal.

Riverton advanced with a 28-22 overtime win over Osage City.

SILVER LAKE 51, ST. MARYS 36 -- After edging St. Marys by a point early in the 2021 season the Eagles and Bears hooked up in a scorefest Friday night, with Silver Lake taking the 51-36 road win in a second-round 2A playoff contest.

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

Seven Shawnee County high school football teams will continue their 2021 seasons on Friday with playoff contests.

Washburn Rural will host Free State in Class 6A, while Seaman will host Blue Valley Southwest and Shawnee Heights will travel to Mill Valley in 5A

Hayden will host Rock Creek in a 3A contest while Rossville will host Nemaha Central and Silver Lake will travel to St. Marys in 2A.

Cair Paravel will host Wichita Home School in a KCAA playoff game.

Here's a look at all seven games involving county schools:

Sophomore quarterback Branton DeWeese has helped lead Washburn Rural to an 8-1 record this fall. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 6A

FREE STATE (7-2) at WASHBURN RURAL (8-1)

FREE STATE -- This Free State offense has been a stellar unit under the leadership of coach Kevin Steward. The Firebirds have averaged 33.4 points a game this season. The Firebirds most notably defeated Mill Valley, 41-20, handing the Jaguars their only loss of the year. The last meeting between the Junior Blues and Firebirds was in 2016, with Free State taking a 17-14 victory.

WASHBURN RURAL -- The Junior Blues have one of the most complete teams in the area. The defense has allowed 20 or more points only once this season (Seaman). The offense is led by sophomore Branton DeWeese, who has excelled in his first season as the Junior Blues' quarterback. Sophomore JC Heim has been impressive at running back while senior Robby Bolin is a top-notch receiver for Rural, which earned a share of the Centennial League championship.

Senior quarterback Camden Barta and Seaman will host Blue Valley Southwest Friday night in a Class 5A playoff game. [Photo by Shelly Prengel/Special to TSN]

CLASS 5A

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Six Washburn University players have earned recognition on the All-MIAA women's soccer team, including second-team picks Emily Michaelis and Tera Lynch, while former Cair Paravel Latin standout Hannah Woolery earned first-team honors for Emporia State.

Woolery, a sophomore midfielder, moved up to the All-MIAA first team after earning honorable mention last season.

Woolery is tied for second in the MIAA with seven assists, fourth in points scored with 23 and sixth with eight goals scored this year.

Emporia State sophomore Hannah Woolery, a Cair Paravel product, has been named to the All-MIAA soccer first-team. [Photo courtesy of ESU Photography]

She was the MIAA offensive player of the week on September 21 following her two-goal effort against Washburn.

 Tera Lynch

Emily Michaelis

Second-teamers Lynch, a senior midfielder, and Michaelis, a sophomore defender, lead Washburn's all-conference contingent while sophomore goalkeeper Raegan Wells and freshman forward Khloe Schuckman earned third-team honors and defender Mattie Miano and midfielder Charlie Taylor received honorable mention.

Central Missouri’s Kassie Newsom was selected as the MIAA’s offensive player of the year for the 2021 season. Newsom led the league with 43 points to help UCM win its second consecutive MIAA regular-season championship.

Her 13 assists led the MIAA while her 15 goals ranked second. Four of Newsom’s 15 goals were game-winning scores. The Jennies junior also ranked second in the league with 69 shots and 36 shots on goal. Newsom’s 13 assists are currently tied for first in Division II while her 43 total points rank second in the nation. This is Newsom’s second consecutive season earning All-MIAA honors.
 
Central Oklahoma’s Taryn Kedzior was tabbed the 2021 MIAA defensive player of the Year. Kedzior anchored the Bronchos' backline that finished regular-season competition with a league-high 10 shutouts.

Kedzior and the UCO defense allowed just 75 shots on goal and 17 goals, the second-fewest in the league. The Broncho junior accounted for a team-high 1,507 minutes on the field with 18 starts. This is Kedzior’s third consecutive All-MIAA honor
 
Voting for the MIAA goalkeeper of the year award ended in a tie between UCM’s Lindsey Johnson and UCO’s Kaitlyn Asher.
 
Asher started all 18 games in the net for the Bronchos for a total of 1,4030 minutes played. She ranked second in the league with just 15 goals allowed for a .944 goals against average. The Bronchos senior also ranked second in the MIAA with six shoutouts while her .805 save percentage ranked fourth. This is Asher’s second All-MIAA recognition.
 
Senior keeper Johnson helped the Jennies to their second consecutive regular-season championship with a total of 74 saves in 16 games for a .779 save percentage. In 1,458 minutes of action, Johnson allowed 21 goals and secured four shutouts. This is Johnson’s second consecutive season tabbing the association’ goalkeeper of the year honor.
 
The 2021 MIAA freshman of the year award went to Central Missouri’s Caroline Cole. Cole has started 17 games and totaled 1,324 minutes of play. She ranks third on the UCM squad with 15 points, six goals and three assists. She’s taken 49 shots this season with 23 falling on goal. Cole shares the team-high game-winning goals with Newsom at four.
 
Central Missouri's Lewis Theobald and Northwest Missouri’s Marc Gordon were selected as the MIAA’s co-coaches of the year by conference coaches.

The 2021 regular-season championship is the 12th of Theobald’s career as the Jennies have claimed 12 of the last 15 regular-season titles. This is Gordon’s first coach of the year honor since taking over the Northwest program in 2018. After being voted seventh in the MIAA preseason coaches poll, Gordon led the Bearcats to a third-place finish in the MIAA and set a program record with 12 wins on the season.
 
The MIAA tournament begins Sunday at campus sites with the semifinal and championship rounds to be played at the highest remaining seed after the quarterfinals.

ALL-MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Camden Barta 

CAMDEN BARTA, Seaman

Barta, a senior quarterback, scored the game's first touchdown on a 77-yard run and went on to a huge night in Seaman's 57-6 Class 5A home playoff win over Emporia Friday night. Barta finished the game with 318 passing yards and four touchdown passes on an 18 of 22 performance and added 87 rushing yards on just four carries as Seaman improved to 6-3 on the season.

 Carter Brian

CARTER BRIAN, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior quarterback, Brian completed 16 of 24 passes for 235 yards and six touchdowns as Cair Paravel moved to 9-0 on the season with Friday's 50-0 win over the Manhattan Eagles. Brian has now passed for 1,758 yards and 42 touchdowns on the season while completing 98 of 139 attempts without an interception.

Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter completed an outstanding junior season with a seventh-place individual finish in Saturday's Class 6A state cross country meet in a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 35.2 seconds. A two-time state medalist, Carter led the Junior Blues to a fourth-place team finish.

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A two-time Class 5A state medalist, Druse completed her junior season with a sixth-place finish in the Class 5A state cross country meet in a time of 19:10.4. Druse, who led Seaman to a fourth-place team finish on Saturday, finished ninth at state as a sophomore.

Giles Frederickson

GILES FREDERICKSON, Washburn Rural

A senior place-kicker, Frederickson went 7 of 7 on extra-point kicks in Rural's 52-7 Class 6A playoff victory over Wichita West Friday night. After suffering a bite from a copperhead snake four weeks ago, Frederickson has returned to kick 13 of 13 PATs the past two weeks and is 89 of 91 in his career.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

Newkirk, a senior, earned his fourth Class 4A state medal with his third top-three finish in Saturday's state cross country meet, taking third place individually in 16:24.3. Newkirk, who captured city, Centennial League and regional titles this fall, previously posted state finishes of 12th as a freshman, second as a sophomore and first as a junior.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Rossville's football team officially began defense of its Class 2A state championship Friday night, rolling to a 56-0 home first-round playoff win over Rebpublic County.

The Bulldawgs put the game away with a 24-point first quarter and were in command 35-0 at the half before adding 14 points in the third quarter and 7 in the fourth.

Corey Catron

Kaden Brown had three touchdowns for the 9-0 Bulldawgs, scoring on runs of 9, 1 and 6 yards, while senior quarterback Corey Catron threw a pair of touchdown passes, 16 yards to Trenton Barker and 9 yards to Tagen Kippes.

Rossville, which has now won 22 straight games, also got a TD on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Raphael Cooney and a 1-yard touchdown run from Camden Horak.

Bulldawg standout place-kicker Pedro Arantes scored 12 points on the night, kicking 25 and 24-yard field goals and six extra points.

Rossville will be back at home Friday (7 p.m. kickoff) for a second-round playoff matchup with 7-2 Nemaha Central.

Central is coming off a 48-14 win over Pleasant Ridge last Friday.

HAYDEN 49, HIAWATHA 0 -- Hayden improved to 8-1 with its seventh straight victory, opening the 3A playoffs with a 49-0 home romp past Hiawatha.

The Wildcats scored the only points they would need at the 9:35 mark of the first quarter, with JC Cummings scoring on a 3-yard run and TL Thompson running for a 2-point conversion to put Hayden up, 8-0.

The score remained 8-0 at the end of the first quarter, with Hiawatha missing a field goal attempt, before the Wildcats scored a pair of second-quarter TDs to open up a 23-0 halftime advantage.

Ethan Florence scored on a 6-yard run with 6:12 left in the first half and Kaelin Rice passed to Jensen Schrickel for the 2-point conversion.

With just 46.9 seconds left in the half Cummings scored his second touchdown of the night on a 7-yard run and Schrickel kicked the extra point.

Hayden put the game out of reach with a 13-play scoring drive that took 7:16 off the clock, capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Arnold to Thompson (Schrickel kick).

Thompson scored his third touchdown of the night later in the quarter on an 11-yard run (Schrickel kick) as Hayden took a 37-0 lead into the fourth.

Jameson Kennedy and Dominik Ridley added touchdowns in the fourth, with Kennedy scoring on a 3-yard run and Ridley on a 17-yard run.

Hayden's defense held Hiawatha to 137 yards of offense while the Wildcats finished the night with 387 yards (334 rushing, 53 passing).

Hayden will be back at home Friday (7 p.m. kickoff) for a second-round 3A playoff game against 6-3 Rock Creek, 34-17 winner over Bishop Ward on Friday.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 52, MANHATTAN EAGLES 0 -- Cair Paravel Latin senior quarterback Carter Brian passed for 235 yards and six touchdowns as the Lions improved to 9-0 with a 52-0 rout over the Manhattan Eagles Friday night.

Carter Brian

Brian completed 16 of 24 passes and hit five different receivers for touchdowns while Cair Paravel scored all 52 points in the first half (30 in the first quarter).

Sophomore Simon Everhart caught four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns while senior Noah Hastert had three catches for 62 yards and a TD, junior Jachin Bonura two receptions for 57 yards and a score, sophomore Evan Will four catches for 34 yards and a TD and senior Max Colombo two catches for 23 yards and a TD.

Brian has now completed 98 of 139 pass attempts on the season for 1,758 yards and 42 touchdowns, while Hastert has 35 catches for 667 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Cair Paravel has outscored its opponents by a 494-58 margin this fall.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 34, SUMNER ACADEMY 0 -- Senior Jarin Sanders carried the ball 21 times for 134 yards and scored three touchdowns as Shawnee Heights climbed above the .500 mark for the first time this season, improving to 5-4 with a 34-0 romp past Sumner Academy in the first round of the 5A playoffs.

Jarin Sanders

Jacob Malcom had 36 yards and a touchdown on three rushing attempts and Ayden McDaniel carried the ball four times for 16 yards and a TD.

Quarterback Callan Carver completed 12 of 15 passes for 102 yards.

Sanders went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark against Sumner and now has 1,079 yards and 12 touchdowns on 190 attempts while Carver has completed 100 of 167 pass attempts for 1,031 yards and 11 TDs.

Malcom has a team-high 29 catches for 289 yards and four touchdowns while Sanders has 27 catches for 225 yards and four TDs.

Shawnee Heights will travel to Mill Valley (8-1) for a second-round playoff game next Friday night.

SILVER LAKE 62, ATCHISON COUNTY 20 -- Silver Lake advanced in the 2A playoffs with a decisive 62-20 win over Atchison County, improving to 7-2 on the season.

The Eagles took a 14-0 first-quarter lead and then put the game away with a 28-point second quarter, opening up a huge 42-6 halftime cushion.

Silver Lake outscored the Tigers 20-14 in the second half to close out the win.

Silver Lake advanced to a Friday night game at St. Marys against the 5-3 Bears, who are coming off a 52-0 win over Mission Valley.

DE SOTO 50, TOPEKA WEST 26 -- Topeka West ended its season with a 3-6 record, dropping a 50-26 road decision to De Soto.

De Soto advanced (5-3) advanced to a second-round playoff contest at 6-3 PIttsburg next Friday.

LAWRENCE 37, TOPEKA HIGH 7 -- Topeka High completed a 2-7 season with a 37-7 road loss to Lawrence in the first round of the 6A playoffs.

Lawrence, now 2-7, will travel to 8-1 Junction City next Friday.

MILL VALLEY 38, HIGHLAND PARK 0 -- Highland Park finished its season with a 38-0 loss at 5A power Mill Valley, completing an 0-9 season.

The Scots will open the 2022 season with a 65-game losing streak dating back to 2014.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee County teams didn't necessarily get the day they were looking for in Saturday's state cross country meets, but 10 county runners earned state medals and a pair of teams narrowly missed top-three finishes.

Here's a look at Shawnee County's state highlights.

Tanner Newkirk finished third in the Class 4A state cross country meet, earning his fourth state medal. [File photo/TSN]

-- Hayden senior Tanner Newkirk came up short in his bid for a second straight Class 4A boys state title, but Newkirk posted a county best third-place finish in a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 24.3 seconds at Wamego Country Club.

Newkirk earned his fourth straight 4A state medal and posted his third top-three finish, previously finishing second as a sophomore and first as a junior

Newkirk led Hayden to a sixth-place team finish.

-- Washburn Rural placed fourth as a team in Saturday's 6A girls race at the 4-Mile Creek Resort, with three Junior Blues earning state medals.

Junior Madeline Carter placed seventh individually in 18:35.2, while senior Khloi Bird was 14th (10:15.5) and freshman Payton Fink 19th (19:35.4).

Carter earned an eighth-place state medal as a sophomore.

Washburn Rural's Madeline Carter (left), Khloi Bird and Payton Fink all earned medals in the 6A state meet, led by Madeline Carter (left), who placed seventh. [File photo/TSN]

 Rural senior boys standout Alex Holmes placed 13th in the 6A boys race (16:13.3), leading the Junior Blues to an eighth-place team finish.

Seaman junior Bethany Druse finished sixth in the 5A state girls meet, leading the VIkings to a fourth-place team finish. [File photo /TSN]

-- Seaman junior Bethany Druse posted a sixth-place individual finish in 19:10.4 as the Vikings finished fourth as a team in the 5A girls meet at 4-Mile Creek Resort.

Druse posted a second straight top-10 state finish, taking ninth as a sophomore.

-- Cair Paravel's girls earned a pair of state medals en route to a fifth-place team finish in the 1A state meet at Victoria.

Freshman Zahra Lewis earned a ninth-place finish in 21:29.0 while sophomore Katherine Keys placed 19th in 21:48.0.

The Cair Paravel boys also advanced to state as a team, finishing seventh.

-- Shawnee Heights sophomore Jackson Esquibel and junior Kory Sutton both posted top-20 state finishes in Saturday's 5A boys meet.

Esquibel finished 13th in 16:27.4 while Sutton was 20th in 16:38.9 as Heights finished seventh as a team.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural's girls have put together a banner 2021 cross country season, and an even more impressive October.

On Saturday at the 4 Mile Creek Resort in Augusta, the Junior Blues will be aiming to end the year with a bang in the Class 6A state meet.

Rural's girls have been on a roll, including a sweep of city, Centennial League and regional team titles and four straight 1-2-3 individual finishes from junior Madeline Carter, senior Khloi Bird and freshman Payton Fink.

But Rural faces an even bigger challege on Saturday in the 12 p.m. 6A girls race, but coach Matt Swedlund believes his Junior Blues are up to the task and can challege for a top-three team finish.

"Olathe West is a very good team,'' Swedlund said. "On paper it is hard to find a way to beat them. Of course, the race isn't run on paper; we always approach races knowing everyone is beatable. Olathe North, Blue Valley Northwest and Manhattan are all good teams. We believe we will be competitive with these schools in the battle for a podium spot.

"There are several very good teams in 6A and we are one of them. Our girls have had a lot of success over the past five weeks but the competition at the state meet is obviously “next level.” We are prepared and ready to run our best race. I believe if we do that, we’ll give ourselves a great chance to be on the podium.''

Washburn Rural's Madeline Carter (left), Khloi Bird and Payton Fink have posted a 1-2-3 individual finish in four straight meets entering Saturday's state meet. [File photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Carter also ranks as a top contender individually after putting together a string of individual wins this fall and earning an eighth- place finish in the 2020 state meet.

"Madeline has really been running strong this season, which is giving her a ton of confidence going into the state meet,'' Swedlund said. "She is going to go out and put herself and her team in the best possible position to be successful.''

Washburn Rural also qualified as a team for the 10:40 a.m. 6A boys race, finishing third in last week's 6A regional meet at Milford State Park as senior Alex Holmes finished third individually and sophomore John Hayden Keller sixth to pace the Junior Bljues.

Topeka High junior Michael Christopher earned a state berth as an individual with a 21st-place finish.

NEWKIRK LOOKING TO REPEAT IN 4A

Hayden senior star Tanner Newkirk will be looking for a fouth straight state medal and a second straight title in Saturday's 11:20 a.m. 4A boys race at Wamego Country Club.

Newkirk is coming off a dominating win in last week's 4A regional meet at the Kanza Park Course, winning by 54 seconds in a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 16.67 seconds to lead Hayden to a second-place team finish and a state team berth.

Hayden senior Tanner Newkirk posted a 54-second win in last Saturday's Class 4A regional cross country meet and will be looking to win a second straight state title on Saturday. [File photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"I think I'm in my best shape of the season and the work has obviously paid off,'' Newkirk said after his regional win. "(Saturday) I felt really good and I was able to come out here and do really well.''

Now Newkirk will be looking for another big day in his final state meet.

"I'm really excited, I'm ecstatic,'' he said. "I'm looking to maybe set the course record and just run a really fast last cross country race.''

Sophomore Aiden Amis added an eighth-place individual finish for the Wildcats at regionals while senior Ryan Rochford narrowly missed a top-10 finish, taking 12th.

Hayden also qualified its girls team for state with a third-place regional finish, led by freshman Elliot Wrench's runner-up individual finish.

The Wildcats also got a 10th-place finish from sophomore Elaina Wolff. 

The 4A girls race is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

Hayden is one of the most successful cross country programs in 4A history, with the Wildcat girls winning seven state team titles and the Hayden boys winning five state championships. Hayden's boys also won a 3A title.

SEAMAN GIRLS, T-BIRD DUO CHASING TOP 5A FINISHES

Coming off strong regional performances last week at the Kanza Park course, Seaman's girls team and Shawnee Heights boys standouts Kory Sutton and Jackson Esquibel lead the city contingent into Saturday's state meet at 4 Mile Creek Resort.

Rick Brading's Seaman girls have been strong all season and are coming off a perfect team score at regionals en route to a 15-77 win over Leavenworth.

Junior Bethany Druse, ninth at state as a sophomore, led the way for the Vikings with a runner-up individual finish while freshmen Joslynn Grace and Stella Appelhanz finished third and fourth followed by senior Emma Schultz in fifth and freshman Anna Becker in sixth to round ouf Seaman's top five.

Now the Vikings will be shooting for a top-three finish at state.

"We think we've got a shot at a trophy,'' Brading said. "That's where we feel like we're at. I think you've got Mill Valley and Aquinas and St. James and us and St. James are very similar. It will be exciting.''

Seaman junior Bethany Druse finished second individually as the Vikings posted a perfect team score in last Saturday's Class 5A regional meet. [File photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Shawnee Heights junior Kory Sutton (right) and T-Bird sophomore Jackson Esquibel are coming off a 1-2 Class 5A regional finish entering Saturday's state meet. [File photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Shawnee Heights' Sutton, a junior, and Esquibel, a sophomore, appear to be strong contenders for high state finishes in the boys race after going 1-2 at regionals to lead the T-Birds to a second-place team finish.

Heights also got an 11th-place finish from junior Andrew Emerson.

Seaman's boys earned the final team berth for state with a third-place finish.

Senior standout Jace Moore led the Vikings, finishing fourth individually, while Seaman used a pack finish of 13-14-15-16 to earn its team berth.

Topeka West had a pair of individual state qualifiers, with senior Anna Phelps placing 10th in the girls race while senior Louis Wilson finished eighth in the boys race.

The 5A girls race is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, with the boys race set for 11:20 a.m.

LIONS SENDING BOYS, GIRLS TEAMS TO 1A STATE

Cair Paravel Latin will be represented by both its boys and girls teams in Saturday's 1A state meet at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria.

The Lion boys qualified for state with a third-place regional finish at Centrailia, just six points out of first, while Cair Paravel's girls also finished third at regionals.

Junior Jonah Eckert and senior Blake Reynolds placed 10th and 11th for the Cair Paravel boys at regionals while senior Zach Clark finished 16th.

Freshman Zahra Lewis finished 10th to lead the Cair Paravel girls while sophomore Katherine Keys placed 14th and senior Jaley Barkley 19th.

The 1A boys race is set for a 10:40 a.m. start, with the girls to follow at noon.

FOSTER, TENEYCK EARN 3A STATE BERTHS

Rossville junior Amelia Foster and Silver Lake senior Cameron TenEyck earned individual state berths for Saturday's 3A state meet at Wamego Country Club out of the highly-competitive Sabetha regional.

TenEyck, who placed sixth at state a year ago, posted a third-place individual finist at regionals while Foster punched her ticket to the state meet with an eighth-place finish regional finish.

The 3A boys is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. Saturday, with the girls race to follow at noon.

 SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE XC QUALIFIERS

Class 6A

Topeka High -- Boys: Michael Christopher, jr.

Washburn Rural -- Girls: Khloi Bird, sr.; Madeline Carter, jr.;Payton Fink, fr.; Christine Gutierrez, jr.; Rylee Ismert, fr.; Sydney Laster, so.; Brooklyn Nolte, fr. Boys: Easton Dial, jr.; Grayson Fink, jr.; Spencer Haddock, sr.; Alex Holmes, sr.; Davin Johnson, jr.; John Hayden Keller, so.; Ishaan Patel, sr. 

Class 5A

Seaman -- Girls: Stella Appelhanz, fr.; Anna Becker, fr.; Bethany Druse, jr.; Joslynn Grace, fr.; Brooke Polter, so.; Emma Schultz, sr.; Leah Spurlock, so. Boys: Anson Appelhanz, sr.; Ryan Buckley, sr.; Zach Jowers, jr.; Jace Moore, sr.; Alexander Newell, fr.; Landon Stuke, jr.; Adrian Swaim, so.

Shawnee Heights -- Boys: Stephen Carter, fr.; Mason Deitcher, so.; Andrew Emerson, jr.; Jackson Esquibel, so.; Alex Lehmann, sr.; Landon Staniec, so.; Kory Sutton, jr.

Topeka West -- Girls: Anna Phelps, sr. Boys: Louis Wilson, sr.

Class 4A

Hayden -- Girls: Catherine Doyle, jr.; Hayden Haas, jr.; Ryann Newkirk, fr.; Riley Schmidtlein, sr.; Elaina Wolff, so.; Elliot Wrench, fr. Boys: Aiden Amis, so.; Nick Lloyd, jr.; Zach Moore, so.; Jake Muller, jr.; Tanner Newkirk, sr.; Nick Padilla, sr.; Ryan Rochford, sr.

Class 3A

Rossville -- Girls: Amelia Foster, jr.

Silver Lake -- Boys: Cameron TenEyck, sr.

Class 1A

Cair Paravel Latin -- Girls: Jaley Barkley, sr.; Amelia Bowling, so.; Katherine Keys, so.; Zahra Lewis, fr.; Cecilia Richards, fr. Boys: Jacob Bowling, sr.; Zach Clark, sr.; Jonah Eckert, jr.; James Keys, sr.; Bryson Leon, fr.; Blake Reynolds, sr.; Nathan Walker, sr.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's always a challenge to make the jump from high school to college athletics, and making the leap from a Class 1A school to the NCAA Division II ranks can be an even more formidable task.

But it's one that former Cair Paravel Latin standout Hannah Woolery has seemingly handled with ease, becoming a key player for Emporia State's women's soccer team from the time she stepped on campus in 2019 and helping lead the Lady Hornets to a 14-1-1 record and No. 11 national ranking this fall.

"I think any transition is going to be difficult, especially the physicality of it and just the speed of play, but I had played for Bryan (Sailer, ESU coach) before so I kind of knew what I was getting into and just the team atmosphere, you catch on pretty quick,'' Woolery said.

Emporia State soccer standout Hannah Woolery (10), a Cair Paravel Latin graduate, has helped the Hornets post a 14-1-1 record this fall while earning a No. 11 national ranking. [Photo courtesy of ESU Photography]

A midfielder, Woolery started all 17 games for the Hornets as a true freshman, scoring four goals and dishing out six assists en route to earning All-MIAA honorable mention.

After having the 2020 fall season wiped out by COVID-19, Woolery and ESU turned in a strong abbreviated spring season and picked up right where they left off this fall, with Woolery contributing eight goals and six assists this season, including a goal and two assists in Sunday's 4-3 double-overtime win over Central Missouri.

"I think last year was definitely the most mentally difficult year we've had because we still prepared like we were going to have a season and then we came in and there was no season,'' Woolery said. "It just kept getting postponed so we were practicing, we were doing all the conditioning and the fitness tests, but we didn't have the reward of actually playing a game.

"That made it very difficult but thankfully in the spring we got kind of a shortened season and that was just a small glimpse of what it was going to turn into in the fall, so I was very grateful for that.''

Former Cair Paravel Latin soccer standout Hannah Woolery has scored eight goals and contributed six assists for Emporia State's 14-1-1 soccer team this fall. [Photo courtesy of ESU Photography]

Woolery, who also played basketball and volleyball for Cair Paravel as well as club soccer for Sporting Kaw Valley, said that the uncertainty of '20-'21 served as motivation for her and her teammates.

"It just kind of made us thirsty for more and the fact that we were going to have a full season we just wanted to keep growing and keep pushing and see how far we really could go, especially since we had everybody coming back,'' she said.

"I would say that we are growing as a team and there is still room for improvement but I think as a team we're really happy with where we are right now.''

Emporia State will take on Washburn at Yager Stadium Friday (6 p.m.) before closing out the regular season Sunday at Nebraska-Kearney and Woolery said the goal for the Hornets now is to close out the season with a bang.

"We have made it the furthest in ESU history and we're still capable of a lot but I don't want to overstep anything by saying how we're going to finish,'' Woolery said.

"I just think we need to keep working hard and keep pushing and just challenge ourselves to grow and finish the season strong.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

When Monday's Class 4A-1A regional opener between Hayden and Cair Paravel Latin went to penalty kicks after 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, Hayden standout senior goalkeeper Gabe Rankey knew he was going to end the day either feeling really good or really, really bad.

As it turned out Rankey was wearing a big smile after the Wildcats outscored the Lions 4-1 in PKs to escape with a 1-0 victory at Hayden.

"It was pretty fun that we won,'' Rankey said. "If we lost it would have been probably the worst experience of my life.'' 

With the victory Hayden, now 12-5-0 on the season, advanced to Thursday's regional final to host the winner of Tuesday's game between Independence and Berean Academy while Cair Paravel ended its season 4-10-1.

Hayden's Camden Schrickel (right) and Cair Paravel's Joe Havens get tangled up while trying to control the ball in Monday's Class 4A-1A soccer regional at Hayden. The Wildcats won 1-0 in penalty kicks. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden had numerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest, but Cair Paravel goalkeeper Jacob Hershberger turned in an oustanding performance to give his team a chance, keeping the Wildcats off the scoreboard through 80 minutes of regulation, plus two 10-minute overtime periods and two five-minute OT sessions to send the game to PKs.

TopSports.news

 Rossville's football team wrapped up a perfect 2021 regular season and extended its winning streak to 21 straight games dating back to 2019 with a 51-6 romp past Mission Valley Friday night.

The 8-0 Bulldawgs opened up a 14-0 first-quarter advantage and went on to build an insurmountable 38-0 lead at the half before taking a 45-0 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Corey Catron

Bulldawg senior Corey Catron scored on 8 and 54-yard runs and also threw for a pair of touchdowns -- 5 yards to Kaden Brown and 21 yards to Kade Perine.

Rossville also got 1 and 4-yard TD runs from Trenton Barker and a 40-yard score from Tayson Horak.

Pedro Arantes kicked a 29-yard field goal and six extra points.

Rossville will begin defense of its Class 2A state title with a Friday night home game against Republic County (3-4).

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 56, WICHITA LIFE PREP 6 -- Cair Paravel Latin improved to 8-0 with a 56-6 road romp past Life Prep, putting the game away with 56 points in the first half.

Cair Paravel senior quarterback Carter Brian completed all five of his pass attempts for 186 yards and four touchdowns.

Carter Brian

Junior Jachin Bonura caught three passes for 112 yards and two TDs while senior Noah Hastert caught two passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

Cair Paravel will host Manhattan Christian at Highland Park Friday night.

HAYDEN 31, BISHOP WARD 28 -- Hayden wrapped up the Class 3A District 3 title with its sixth straight victory, improving to 7-1 overall with a 31-28 win over Bishop Ward.

The Wildcats played without injured senior standout Jack Chisham, but got key contributions from JC Cummings, TL Thompson and quarterback Gavin Arnold in the win.

Hayden led 19-7 at the half and went up 25-7 and 31-14 before the Cyclones mounted a late comeback.

Cummings scored three touchdowns on the night while Thompson also had a TD.

Hayden will open the 3A playoffs at home Friday against Hiawatha (4-4).