Cair Paravel Lions
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's boys rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 52-46 Mid-East League road win at Rock Creek Friday night.
The Eagles trailed 30-22 at the half but outscored the Mustangs 17-6 in the third quarter to take a 39-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
Silver Lake outscored Rock Creek 13-10 in the fourth stanza to hold on for the win, avenging a 51-38 home loss to the Mustangs on Jan. 5.
Junior Brody Deiter led Silver Lake with 19 points, going 5 of 6 at the free throw line.
Elijah Lopez added 14 for the Eagles, who improved to 11-7 overall and 5-4 in the Mid-East.
Silver Lake will travel to Royal Valley on Tuesday before hosting Wabaunsee on Thursday.
Senior Makenzie McDaniel scored 28 points for Silver Lake in the Eagles' 66-33 win over Rock Creek Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
McDaniel's 28 points leads Silver Lake girls to 66-33 romp past Rock Creek
Emporia State signee Makenzie McDaniel scored 28 points to lead the way as undefeated and top-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Lake rolled to a 66-33 Mid-East League win at Rock Creek Friday night.
Silver Lake, which improved to 18-0 overall and 9-0 in the Mid-East League, took control with a 27-8 first quarter and led 48-14 at the half and 64-25 at the start of the fourth quarter, forcing a running clock over the final eight minutes.
Senior McKinley Kruger added 16 points for Silver Lake while senior Kaylee Deiter finished with 11.
NOTE: Midseason statistics for city boys basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the second of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Robinson, Highland Park 10 211 21.1
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) leads the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double on the season. [File photo/TSN]
J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 10 182 18.2
Anderson, Highland Park 8 132 16.5
Bonner, Seaman 10 161 16.1
Dodge, Shawnee Heights 12 184 15.3
Williams, Highland Park 10 153 15.3
Everhart, Cair Paravel 12 183 15.3
Ballard, Washburn Rural -- --- 12.8
Finley, Seaman 10 124 12.4
Hales, Topeka High 12 148 12.3
Durst, Washburn Rural -- --- 12.3
Foy, Topeka West 11 135 12.3
Pavlik, Cair Paravel 12 140 11.7
Colboch, Hayden 11 117 10.6
Lyons, Topeka High 9 93 10.3
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Robinson, Highland Park 10 140 14.0
J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 10 83 8.3
NOTE: Mideason statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. Topeka High did not report midseason stats. The following stats are the second of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Carter, Highland Park 9 144 16.0
Highland Park freshman Pearmella Carter is leading the city in scoring and rebounding. [Highland Park basketball]
Ramsey, Hayden 9 140 15.6
Canfield, Washburn Rural 8 124 15.5
Vickery, Washburn Rural 11 166 15.1
Becker, Seaman 13 194 14.9
Meier, Hayden 13 183 14.1
Gowan-Britt, Highland Park 6 80 13.3
I. McGlory, Topeka West 15 198 13.2
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 12 147 12.3
Gragg, Seaman 13 152 12.3
T. Stallbaumer, Seaman 13 151 11.6
Sandstrom, Hayden 13 149 11.5
Broils, Highland Park 9 87 9.7
Clark, Topeka West 15 138 9.2
Vega, Shawnee Heights 12 107 8.9
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Carter, Highland Park 9 94 10.4
Ramsey, Hayden 9 88 9.8
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Freshman Pearmella Carter turned in a huge 38-point, 18-rebound performance Friday night as Highland Park's girls basketball team bounced back from a loss to perennial Class 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas with a 66-30 Meadowlark Conference road win over Kansas City-Wyandotte.
Freshman Pearmella Carter scored 38 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in Highland Park's 66-30 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Wyandotte Friday night. [Highland Park basketball]
Carter hit 18 of 27 shots from the floor and went two of three from the free throw line in the Highland Park win while also recording six steals.
Angelique Gowan-Britt scored 15 points with 9 assists and 6 steals in Highland Park's 66-30 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Wyandotte. [Highland Park basketball]
Tahtionna Broils scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Highland Park's 66-30 win over KC-Wyandotte. [Highland Park basketball]
Carter was backed by Angelique Gowan-Britt with 15 points, 9 assists and 6 steals while Tahtionna Broils scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Highland Park led 15-7 at the end of the opening quarter and 28-17 at the half before outscoring the Bulldogs 38-13 in the second half.
Now 7-4 on the season and undefeated in conference play, Highland Park will travel to Atchison on Monday for a Meadowlark Conference contest.
Topeka West sophomore Imani McGlory led all scorers with 15 points in the Chargers' 58-21 UKC win over Turner. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
West girls take 58-21 runaway UKC decision over KC-Turner
Having lost four of its last five games at the start of the night, Topeka West's girls got back on track in a big way Friday night, taking a 58-21 home United Kansas Conference victory over Kansas City-Turner.
The Chargers started somewhat slowly, scoring seven of their 11 first-quarter points from the free throw line, but West still led 11-5 and then put the game out of reach with an 18-4 second quarter that gave West 29-9 halftime advantage.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Junior Jalen Foy turned in a huge performance Tuesday night as Topeka West rolled to a 68-51 United Kansas Conference road win over Lansing, the Chargers' fifth straight victory.
Topeka West junior Jalen Foy scored a career-high 31 points as the Chargers won their fifth straight game Tuesday, 68-51 over Lansing. [File photo/TSN]
Foy scored 31 points with four 3-pointers and a 5 of 5 performance at the free throw line while also contributing 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals.
Sophomore Keimani Paul scored 11 points with 5 assists and 3 steals while senior Caleb Noonoo had 8 points and 4 steals for the Chargers.
Topeka West, 9-4 overall and 7-2 in the UKC, led 20-14 at the end of the opening quarter and led 37-26 at the half before outscoring the Lions 31-25 in the second half.
Topeka West will travel to Piper on Thursday before hosting Kansas City-Turner on Friday.
Lady Scots rebound from back-to-back losses with 63-34 Meadowlark romp
Highland Park's girls basketball team bounced back from two straight losses with a 63-34 Meadowlark Conference road rout over Kansas City-Washington.
The Scots, who had dropped three of their previous four games, improved to 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the conference.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Highland Park's boys basketball team has only played one home game this entire season and that's not likely to change any time in the immediate future due to recent flooding in the Hi Park gym.
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Highland Park's 93-53 win over KC-East Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Mikey Williams scored 18 points in Highland Park's 93-53 win over KC-East on Friday. [File photo/TSN]
But the Scots continue to roll up victories, with No. 3-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park bouncing back from its lone loss of the season to post three regular-season wins in four days last week, capped by Friday night's 93-53 non-league road victory over Kansas City, Mo.-East.
Highland Park opened the week with a 66-46 non-league win at Eudora, followed by a 58-19 Meadowlark Conference win at KC-Schlagle on Thursday and the Friday night win over KC-East.
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against East, followed by junior Mikey Williams with 18 points.
Also cracking double figures for the Scots were senior Amari Taylor with 14 points and freshman Jojo Kingcannon with 11 points.
Junior guard Jamon Wilson dished out 11 assists Friday night.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
A furious comeback by Cair Paravel Latin fell short Tuesday night in a Kaw Valley Conference battle against Bishop Seabury, with the Lions falling at home, 69-62.
Cair Paravel Latin senior Simon Everhart (1) led the Lions with 21 points in Tuesday's 69-62 loss to Bishop Seabury. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
A cold second quarter found the Lions trailing 34-21 at the half and the Seahawks stretched their lead to 55-38 to start the fourth period.
The Lions, led by junior Jace Pavlik, came roaring back. Pavlik fired in 14 points in the fourth period as the Lions ramped up fullcourt pressure and rattled the visiting Seahawks.
The Lions shaved the deficit to 65-59 and nearly made it a one-possession game when a 3-point attempt by Cair Paravel senior Simon Everhart rattled out with just under two minutes remaining.
Bishop Seabury made just enough of its free throws to hold off the home team down the stretch.
“We had a lid on the cup for a little bit,” Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer said. “There were some things that we could have done to help ourselves out. But all in all, that’s basketball. It’s a game of runs. So, you’ve got to be able to take ‘em on the chin and punch back.”
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Rossville's boys basketball team completed its run to the Oskaloosa Invitational championship with a decisive 57-37 victory over Perry-Lecompton in Saturday's title game.
Rossville's boys basketball team poses for a team picture on Saturday after winning the tournament championship in the Oskaloosa Invitational. [Rossville Athletics]
Imroving to 7-4 on the season, sophomore Jack Donovan had a monster 28-point performance for the Bulldawgs, scoring 28 points with four 3-pointers and a 6 of 6 performance at the free throw line.
Rossville also got 16 points from junior Kameron Bonura.
Rossville led by just a point (14-13) at the end of the opening quarter but used a 16-6 second quarter to take control, leading 30-19 at the half.
The Bulldawgs boosted their lead to 45-30 at the start of the fourth quarter and cruised the rest of the way.
Sophomore Jack Donovan (3) and Tayson Horak (12) were named to the Oskaloosa Invitational All-Tournament Team. [Rossville Athletics]
Donovan and junior Tayson Horak were named to the all-tournament team for the Bulldawgs.
Silver Lake's girls basketball team poses for a team picture after winning the tournament championship in the Burlington Invitational. [Silver Lake basketball]
Top-ranked Silver Lake girls top Ottawa for Burlington championship
Silver Lake's girls, top-ranked in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, claimed the tournament championship in the Burlington Invitational with a 64-46 romp past Ottawa.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Sophomore Imani McGlory scored a game-high 29 points with seven 3-pointers to lead the way as Topeka West's girls rolled to a 55-36 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth.
Sophomore Imani McGlory scored a career-high 29 points with seven 3-pointers in Topeka West's 55-36 UKC win over Leavenworth Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
McGlory, who also canned three 3s in limited time in the junior varsity game was joined in double figures by senior Rebecca Bearman, who had 14 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter as Topeka West improved to 4-5 overall and 3-5 in the UKC.
Topeka West will compete next Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Capital City Classic at Seaman.
ROSSVILLE BOYS ADVANCE TO TITLE GAME
Rossville's boys will play for the championship in the Oskaloosa Invitational at 4:30 p.m. Saturday after a 57-38 semifinal win over Jefferson County North Friday night.
Rossville and Jefferson North were tied at 10-10 at the end of the first quarter but the Bulldawgs outscored North 47-28 the rest of the way to take the 19-point win.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights junior standout Jaret Sanchez scored 32 points to lead the way as the T-Bird boys basketball team ran its winning streak to seven games with an 80-51 romp past Ozark, Mo. in the second round of the Shawnee Mission West Invitational Thursday.
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez (23) scored 32 points Thursday as the T-Birds rolled to an 80-51 win over Ozark, Mo. [File photo/TSN]
Sanchez's big night came after he missed the T-Birds' previous game, a win over tournament host SM West, with a slight ankle injury.
Senior Brennon Dodge added 15 points for the 7-2 T-Birds while junior Deacon Pomeroy and sophomore Ontarius Emmot added 10 points apiece for Shawnee Heights.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: There are likely to be changes to tournament schedules early in the week due to inclement weather. TopSports.news will attempt to update the schedules as changes are announced.
BOYS
Monday
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN vs. McLOUTH
At McLouth Invitational
Cair Paravel Latin (4-3) was scheduled to play a 5 p.m. first-round game against tournament host McLouth on Monday, weather permitting The Lions have been idle since a 68-52 win over Maranatha Academy. The Cair Paravel-McLouth winner will advance to a 5 p.m. semifinal on Thursday to face the winner of the first-round game between Horton and Riverside. The first-round losers will play consolation games on Thursday. All place games will be played on Saturday, beginning with the seventh-place game at 10 a.m. and ending with the championship game at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday
SILVER LAKE vs. OTTAWA
At Burlington Invitational
Silver Lake (5-2) is scheduled to open its bid in the Burlington Invitational with an 8:15 p.m. first-round game against Ottawa. The Eagles are coming off a 53-38 win over Riley County. The Silver Lake-Ottawa winner will advance to a Friday semifinal (time to be announced) to take on the first-round winner between Sabetha and Labette County. Consolation games will be played on Friday (times to be announced). All place games will be played on Saturday, starting with the seventh-place game at 1:35 p.m. and culminating in the championship game at 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS vs. SHAWNEE MISSION WEST
At Shawnee Mission West Invitational
Shawnee Heights (5-2) will put its five-game winning streak on the line in a 7 p.m. first-round game against tournament host Shawnee
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez has helped the T-Birds post five straight wins, including a 54-51 UKC win at Seaman on Friday. [File photo/TSN]
Mission West (0-6) in the Shawnee Mission West Invitational. The T-Birds are coming off a 54-51 United Kansas Conference road win at Seaman last Friday. Junior Jaret Sanchez scored 15 points and senior Brennon Dodge 14 in Heights' win over Seaman. Shawnee Heights will play a second-round game against Ozark, Mo. at 7 p.m. on Thursday and will play a place game on Saturday (times to be announced).
Rossville sophomore Jack Donovan scored 20 points last Thursday night as the Bulldawgs rolled to a 75-43 win over Valley Heights. [File photo/TSN]
ROSSVILLE vs. OSKALOOSA
At Oskaloosa Invitational
The 4-4 Bulldawgs will face off against tournment host Oskaloosa in a 7:45 p.m. first-round game that was postponed from Tuesday. The Rossville-Oskaloosa winner will move on to a 6 p.m. semifinal game on Friday to face the winner of the first-round game between Jefferson County North and St. Mary's Academy. Consolation games between the first-round losers will also be played on Friday. The tournament championship game is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, following the other place games, which will start at 12 p.m.
Thursday
HIGHLAND PARK vs. LAWRENCE
At Topeka Invitational Tournament at Hayden
As it worked out, the 2024 Topeka Invitational Tournament will begin with the same matchup that ended the '23 event, matching last year's tournament champion Highland Park against runnerup Lawrence in Thursday's 2 p.m. first-round game. Highland Park, No. 3-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, is 4-0 on the season after an 111-43 Meadowlark Conference win
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson slams down a dunk in Thursday's 111-43 Meadowlark Conference rout over KC-Sumner. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
over Kansas City-Turner while Lawrence is 1-7. Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 31 points with 12 rebounds and six dunks for the Scots against Sumner. With a win Thursday Highland Park will advance to Friday's 5:30 p.m. semifinal to face the winner of the first-round game between Shawnee Mission North and Topeka West. The consolation games will also be played on Friday. The Topeka Invitational championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:45 p.m., following the other place games.
SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH vs. TOPEKA WEST
At Topeka Invitational Tournament at Hayden
Topeka West, 4-3 on the season, will square off against Shawnee Mission North (2-6) in a 3:45 p.m. first-round game on Thursday. The Chargers will be looking to advance to a 5:30 p.m. semifinal game on Friday to meet the winner of the Highland Park-Lawrence tournament opener. Topeka West has been off since a 76-30 loss to De Soto on Jan. 5. Topeka West fell in the semifinals to Lawrence in the 2023 Topeka Invitational while Highland Park claimed the tournament title. The consolation games will also be played on Friday. The Topeka Invitational championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:45 p.m., following the other place games.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 35-second shot clock was approved on a trial basis for the 2024-25 basketball season by the KSHSAA Executive Board at their board meeting Wednesday.
All KSHSAA member schools will have the option to utilize the shot clock for all home boys and girls basketball games at the varsity level.
The trial will only be during the regular season.
If a school chooses to participate in the trial they must do so for all boys and girls varsity games they host.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) approved the use of the shot clock for state adoption in 2022.
The KSHSAA has surveyed school administrators and coaches for their opinions on adopting the shot clock since before allowance by the NFHS.
Most recently, at the October Regional Administrator meetings, the question was favored for adoption by classes 6A and 5A (Yes 47 N0 22). However, the total vote for all classes did not favor implementation (Yes 116 N 279).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville's boys basketball team rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 60-57 Mid-East League win over Riley County Friday night.
Rossville sophomore Jack Donovan scored 13 points Friday night as the Bulldawgs rallied for a 60-57 Mid-East League win over Riley County. [File photo/TSN]
Brandon McDonnell's Rossville boys basketball team improved to 3-4 Friday night with a 60-57 win over Riley County. [File photo/TSN]
Riley County led 21-14 at the end of the opening quarter and took a 35-27 advantage to the locker room at halftime before the Bulldawgs outscored the Falcons 33-22 in the second half.
Rossville still trailed 46-41 at the start of the fourth quarter but outscored the Falcons 19-11 over the final eight minutes to improve to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the league.
Sophomore Jack Donovan and junior Mason Jones scored 13 points apiece to lead the Bulldawgs while junior Tayson Horak added 11 points with a pair of 3-pointers and sophomore Cameron Miller and junior Kameron Badura scored 10 points apiece.
ROSSVILLE GIRLS 40, RILEY COUNTY 33
Rossville and Riley County were deadlocked 20-20 at halftime before the Bulldawgs outscored the Falcons 20-13 in the second half to pull out the Mid-East League victory.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Here's a glance at all of Friday night's games involving Shawnee County boys teams:
FRIDAY
WASHBURN RURAL BOYS (0-6 overall, 0-1 Centennial) at HAYDEN (4-2 overall, 0-1 Centennial)
Washburn Rural and Hayden will be playing their second Centennial League game on the week after opening Centennial League play on Tuesday. Rural dropped a hard-fought 51-48 decision at undefeated Junction City on Tuesday and while Hayden dropped a 58-42 home contest to Emporia. Junior Kaden Ballard scored 15 points for the Junior Blues against Junction City while sophomore Kade Mitchell led the Wildcats with 10 points against Emporia.
Highland Park senior Tamir Anderson leads the city in scoring and 3-point field goals. [File photo/TSN]
POSTPONED: ATCHISON BOYS (6-0 overall, 2-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (3-0 overall, 1-0 Meadowlark)
Friday's Atchison-Highland Park games have been postponed due to weather concerns and will be made up at a later date. Highland Park is ranked No. 3 in Class 5A by the KBCA while Atchison is ranked No. 3 in 4A. Highland Park closed out 2023 with a 77-30 win over Kansas City-Wyandotte in its Meadowlark Conference opener while Atchison rolled to a 91-41 conference win over
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A game-by-game glance at all of Friday night's Shawnee County girls basketball games:
FRIDAY
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS (5-1 overall, 1-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (5-1 overall, 0-1 Centennial)
Washburn Rural and Hayden will both be playing their second Centennial League games of the week after the Junior Blues and Wildcats were the first Shawnee County teams to open 2024 with Tuesday night games. Washburn Rural rolled to a 58-31 win at Junction City while Hayden dropped a 54-40 home decision to Emporia. Senior Zoe Canfield and freshman Maddie Vickery scored 17 points apiece in just a half against Junction City while junior Brylee Meier led Hayden with 14 points and senior Avery Grunert added 12 points against Emporia.
Highland Park junior Amelia Ramsey is the city leader in scoring and rebounding, averaging 22 points and 15 rebounds. [File photo/TSN]
POSTPONED: ATCHISON GIRLS (3-3 overall, 2-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (3-0 overall, 1-0 Meadowlark)
Friday's Atchison at Highland Park games have been postponed due to weather concerns and will be made up at a later date. Highland Park opened Meadowlark Conference play with an 87-17 win over Kansas City-Wyandotte in its final game before the holiday break while Atchison improved to 2-0 in the conference with a 47-36 win over Wyandotte in its 2023 finale. Highand Park
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024 portion of the Shawnee County high school basketball season cranks up in a hurry, with all 10 county schools in action this week, beginning with a pair of Centennial League games on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Here's a glance at all of this week's games involving county boys teams:
TUESDAY
Senior Cooper Colboch is averaging 16.2 points to lead 4-1 Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
EMPORIA BOYS (4-2 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (4-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
Both Hayden and Emporia will open Centennial League play Tuesday while meeting for the second time this season. Emporia handed the Wildcats their lone loss, a 50-44 decision, in the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia in early Dec. Hayden, ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, closed out 2023 with a 69-56 win over Class 6A school Shawnee Mission West while Emporia dropped a 45-42 decision to Great Bend in its '23 finale. Senior Cooper Colboch leads Hayden with a 16.2 scoring average while seniors Dom Ridley and Carter Charvat average 10.2 and 10.0 points. Charvat also leads the Wildcats with a 7.2 rebounding average.
Junior Kaden Ballard (2) is averaging a team-high 11.6 points for Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL BOYS (0-5 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at JUNCTION CITY (6-0 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
Washburn Rural and Junction City will both open their Centennial League schedules on Tuesday. Washburn Rural closed out its pre-holiday slate with a 67-45 loss to undefeated Kapaun Mt. Carmel while Junction City, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, took a 55-51 overtime win over Bishop Carroll in its 2023 finale. Junior Kaden Ballard leads Washburn Rural with an 11.6 scoring average while
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024 portion of the Shawnee County high school basketball season cranks up in a hurry, with all 10 county schools in action this week, beginning with a pair of Centennial League games on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Here's a glance at all of this week's girls games involving county teams:
TUESDAY
Junior Brylee Meier is averaging team-highs of 16 points and 7.6 rebounds for 5-0 Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
EMPORIA GIRLS (5-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (5-0 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
The Spartans and Wildcats open Centennial League play Tuesday night while meeting for the second time this season. Hayden took a 50-45 win over in the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia in early Dec., handing the Spartans their lone loss in a 5-1 start. Emporia wrapped up the 2023 portion of its schedule with a 43-29 win over Great Bend while Hayden rolled to a 61-7 non-league decision over Kansas City-Ward in its '23 finale. Junior Brylee Meier is averaging a team-high 16 points and 7.6 rebounds for Hayden while Kaliya Fulton averages 10.6 points, Norma Greco 9.2 and Lauren Sandstrom 8.4 points. Fulton averages 3.8 assists. Hayden is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association while Emporia is No. 6 in 5A.
Freshman Maddie Vickery (right) is averaging 15 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS (4-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at JUNCTION CITY (0-6 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
Washburn Rural, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, will put a three-game win streak on the line in its Centennial League opener while Junction City is still looking for its first win as it opens league play. Freshman Maddie Vickery leads the Junior Blues with a 15-point scoring average, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Senior Zoe Canfield is averaging 14.5 points and 2.5 assists while junior Kate Hinck is averaging 4.0 steals. Washburn Rural wrapped up 2023 with a 52-26 win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel while Junction City dropped a 58-10 decision to Bishop Carroll in its final game before the holdays.
THURSDAY
Freshman Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton leads Topeka High with a 13.2 scoring average. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS (2-4 overall) at BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (3-1 overall)
Topeka High closed out its pre-holday slate with a 40-33 non-league win over Bonner Springs while Northwest took a 46-45 win over Lee's Summit North, Mo. in its final game of 2023. Freshman Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton averages a team-high 13.2 points for Topeka High
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee County high schools captured a pair of boys state team titles in 2023 while county athletes combined to earn a whopping 13 individual championships, led by six athletes who captured multiple gold medals.
Topeka West is No. 1 on TopSports.news' list of the Top 10 boys high school sports stories of 2023 after two-time state doubles champs Ian and Miles Cusick led the Chargers to the Class 5A state tennis title while Washburn Rural bowling is right behind West after turning in one of the top performances in state tournament history en route to the 6A boys team championship.
Individually, Shawnee Heights distance ace Jackson Esquibel won state titles in two sports in 2023 while former Highland Park star Tre Richardson and Hayden's Jake Muller, Finn Dunshee, Jensen Schrickel and Liam Stegman all captured multiple state championships.
Here's a look at TopSports.news' Top 10 Shawnee County boys prep stories of 2023:
Topeka West twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick exchange a hug after winning their second straight Class 5A doubles title in 2023. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West's tennis poses for a team picture after winning the school's first Class 5A boys state tennis team title in May. [Submitted photo]
1. TWIN TITLES -- After leading Topeka West tennis to a second-place team finish with their first Class 5A state doubles championship in 2022 twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick and Kurt Davids' Chargers completed their title quests in 2023. The Cusicks capped their bid for a repeat with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arkansas City's Oakley and Dawson O'Donnell in the state final while all six West players earned state medals as the Chargers won the school's first boys state team crown by a 34-28 margin over Blue Valley Southwest. West senior Carter Cool added a seventh-place state singles finish while then-juniors Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew finished ninth in doubles and then-junor James Maag placed 11th in singles.
Washburn Rural's boys bowling team won the 2023 Class 6A state championship by 135 pins. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
2. STRIKING GOLD -- A year after failing to qualify for state as a team in 2022, Jo Ricard's Junior Blues turned in a performance for the ages in the 2023 state meet, winning the Class 6A state team championship by a whopping 135 pins over Olathe Northwest (3,711-3,576). Senior Josh Hammons paced Rural with a fourth-place individual finish (725) while then-sophomore Logan Glinka finished seventh (696) and senior Walker Thompson 11th (671).
As a senior Highland Park's Tre Richardson posted four top-four finishes with a pair of Class 5A state titles in the state track meet, scoring 33 total points. [File photo/TSN]
3. TRE-RIFIC --After helping Highland Park's football team snap an eight-year losing skid with a breakout 6-3 season to end 2022, Scot star Tre Richardson helped lead the Scots to a 24-1 record and a third-place Class 5A state finish in basketball. But Richardson saved his best for last, winning a pair of gold medals in the long jump and 100-meter dash and posting four top-four finishes in the 5A state track meet. Richardson scored 33 points to outscore 32 other 5A schools by himself.
NOTE: Statistics for city boys basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Highland Park senior Tamir Anderson leads the city in scoring and 3-point field goals. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Anderson, Highland Park 3 74 24.7
Robinson, Highland Park 3 60 20.0
Bonner, Seaman 4 79 19.8
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 5 91 18.2
Colboch, Hayden 5 81 16.2
Hales, Topeka High 6 91 15.2
Williams, Highland Park 3 41 13.7
B. Finley, Seaman 4 54 13.5
Dodge, Shawnee Heights 5 66 13.2
Foy, Topeka West 6 76 12.7
Everhart, Cair Paravel 6 75 12.5
Chambers, Topeka West 6 74 12.3
Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 58 11.6
Villegas, Topeka High 6 67 11.2
Taylor, Highland Park 3 33 11.0
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez leads the city in rebounding with a 9.8 average. [File photo/TSN]
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 5 49 9.8
NOTE: Statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Highland Park junior Amelia Ramsey is the city leader in scoring and rebounding entering 2024. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Ramsey, Highland Park 3 66 22.0
Meier, Hayden 5 80 16.0
Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 75 15.0
Canfield, Washburn Rural 2 29 14.5
McGlory, Topeka West 6 86 14.3
Becker, Seaman 5 68 13.6
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 5 67 13.4
Rayton, Topeka High 5 66 13.2
Broils, Highland Park 3 38 12.7
T. Stallbaumer, Seaman 5 62 12.4
Carter, Highland Park 3 33 11.0
Gragg, Seaman 5 53 10.6
Fulton, Hayden 5 53 10.6
Greco, Hayden 5 46 9.2
Vega, Shawnee Heights 5 44 8.8
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Ramsey, Highland Park 3 45 15.0
