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A look at this week's midseason prep basketball tournaments involving Shawnee County teams

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Topeka High will host the 64th annual Topeka Invitational Tournament Thursday through Saturday, with Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West's boys teams taking part in the event.

Ja'Corey Robinson and the undefeated Highland Park boys are the team to beat in this week's Topeka Invitational Tournament at Topeka High. [File photo/TSN]

Undefeated Highland Park, top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, will open the tournament at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, with the 8-0 Scots facing Shawnee Mission North.

Lawrence and Wichita Southeast are on the same side of the bracket with Highland Park and SM North and will play a first-round game at 5 p.m.

The Hi Park-North winner will face the Lawrence-Wichita Southeast winner in a 6:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

Topeka West, 5-2 entering a regular-season game Tuesday at Basehor-Linwood, will open its tournament bid at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against its United Kansas Conference rival Lansing.

Host Topeka High (0-8) will close out the first round at 8 p.m. against Olathe East, with the High-East winner advancing to an 8 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

The tournament will conclude on Saturday, starting with the seventh-place game at 10 a.m., followed by the fifth-place and third-place games and the championship contest at 2:30 p.m.

TOPEKA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

At Topeka High

Thursday

3:30 p.m. -- Highland Park vs. Shawnee Mission North.

5 -- Lawrence vs. Wichita Southeast.

6:30 -- Topeka West vs. Lansing.

8 -- Topeka High vs. Olathe East.

Friday

3:30 p.m. -- Highland Park-SM North loser vs. Lawrence-Wichita State loser.

5 -- Topeka West-Lansing loser vs. Topeka High-Olathe East loser.

6:30 -- Highland Park-SM North winner vs. Lawrence-Wichita Southeast winner.

8 -- Topeka West-Lansing winner vs. Topeka High-Olathe East winner, 8 p.m.

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Seventh place.

11:30 -- Fifth place.

1 p.m. -- Third place.

2:30 -- Championship.

Hayden boys set to compete at Baldwin

Hayden will compete in the six-school Baldwin Invitational this week, opening its tournament bid at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday against Wellsville.

Hayden will take a 4-4 record into the tournament after a tight 46-43 Centennial League loss to Class 6A Manhattan.

The Wildcats will play Augusta at 5:30 Friday and will wrap things up on Saturday in the place games.

The fifth-place game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the third-place game at 2:30 and the championship game at 4 o'clock.

BALDWIN INVITATIONAL

Tuesday

5:30 p.m. -- Wellsville vs. Augusta, 5:30 p.m.

7 -- Bishop Seabury vs. Baldwin.

Wednesday

5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Wellsville.

7 -- Christ Prep vs. Bishop Seabury

Friday

5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Augusta.

7 -- Christ Prep vs. Baldwin.

Saturday

1 p.m. -- Fifth place.

2:30 p.m. -- Third place.

4 p.m. -- Championship.

Junior Simon Rowley (facing) and Washburn Rural will compete in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]

Rural boys headed to Pittsburg

Washburn Rural, 6-2 on the season after a Centennial League win over Emporia, will compete this week in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg.

The Junior Blues will play an 8:30 p.m. first-round game on Thursday against Joplin, Mo.

Also on Rural's side of the tournament bracket are Webster Groves, Mo. and Branson, Mo., who will play at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The Rural-Joplin winner will play the Webster Groves-Branson winner in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

The place games will be played on Saturday, capped by the championship game at 2:30 p.m.

BILL HANSON MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

At Pittsburg

Thursday

7 p.m. -- Willard, Mo. vs. Pittsburg (main gym); Webster Groves, Mo. vs. Branson, Mo. (Mallatt gym).

8:30 -- Owasso, Okla. vs. Wichita West (main gym); Washburn Rural vs. Joplin, Mo. (Mallatt gym).

Friday

6 p.m. -- Owasso-Wichita West winner vs. Willard-Pittsburg winner (main gym); Owasso-Wichita West loser vs. Willard-Pittsburg loser (Mallatt gym).

7:30 -- Webster Groves-Branson winner vs. Washburn Rural-Joplin winner (main gym); Webster Groves-Branson loser vs. Washburn Rural-Joplin loser (Mallatt gym).

Saturday

11:30 a.m. -- Third place (main gym); seventh place (Mallatt gym).

2:30 p.m. -- Championship game (main gym); fifth-place game (Mallatt gym).

Senior Jaret Sanchez (3) leads Shawnee Heights into this week's Shawnee Mission West Viking Classic. [File photo/TSN]

T-Bird boys to compete in Viking Classic

Shawnee Heights will open competition in the Shawnee Mission West Viking Classic with a 6 p.m. Thursday quarterfinal against the host team.

The T-Birds, ranked No. 4 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association rankings, are 5-2 on the season while SM West is 1-4.

The Shawnee Heights-West winner will advance to a 7:30 semifinal on Friday to take on the first-round winner between Ozark, Mo. and Louisburg.

The place games will be played on Saturday, with the title game set for 3 p.m.

Cair Paravel boys hold on for 71-67 Flint Hills League win over West Franklin

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin boys withstood a furious fourth quarter rally by West Franklin Friday to hold off the Falcons to win on the Lions’ home floor, 71-67.

Senior Jase Pavlik scored 18 points to lead the way as Cair Paravel topped West Franklin 71-67 Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer and the Lions' bench react to a big play in Friday's 71-67 win over West Franklin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Lions led by 17 with five minutes remaining, but had to hit free throws in the final couple of minutes to stave off the comeback.

The Lions improved to 4-5 on the season, 2-3 in the Flint Hills League. Cair Paravel had to replace eight players from last year’s squad and coach Chip Kueffer said the learning process is ongoing.

“It helped tonight that we were at home, for sure,” Kueffer said. “The way the game played out says a lot about our youth, because we were playing a lot of young guys, and it says a lot about our leadership. So, we were able to hold onto it. Ideally, you’d like to win that game by 20. But I think we learned more from it because we were able to win a close one.”

Providing leadership, as well as 18 points, Friday was senior guard Jase Pavlik. Juniors Caleb Cleverdon and Lucas Marichal added 12 and 10 points respectively.

Coming off the bench to combine for 20 points were freshmen Chase Hastert with 13 and Blaine Durbin with seven.

“These new guys, they’ve been in the system and they’re very skilled,” Pavlik said. “The thing I like about our team is we’re smart. But we’ve got to learn to play in pressure situations. Coach said we had four turnovers at half, and I think we ended up with like 18. After the game we discussed that we haven’t been in that scenario yet.”

“To lose eight guys at a small school, that’s tough,” the Lions’ second-year coach said. “It kind of feels like my first year again because of the new league, the new schedule, playing a lot of the teams for the first time.

“The kids love each other and that makes it easier, but we’re not playing well yet. Once we get it figured out, I think we can be good.”

Cair Paravel's girls bid comes up short in 36-33 Flint Hills loss to West Franklin

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin girls battled to the wire in search of their second win of the season, coming up just short at home against West Franklin 36-33 Friday.

Karsyn Hastert led Cair Paravel with 10 points in Friday's 36-33 Flint Hills League loss to West Franklin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

First-year coach Jaley Barkley praised the Lions' effort and sees improvement from the eight players suited up.

“We’ve played some tough teams but we’ve learned so much these past couple of games,” Barkley said. “This was one of our first games that was close to the end, so just learning to finish those last couple of minutes in the fourth quarter is huge, being able to push with our small team, just being able to figure out how to finish strong.”

The Lions are navigating the Flint Hills League for the first time, with a small roster and limited experience. Barkley had to juggle the lineup in the final minutes after two players fouled out. But she is happy with the chemistry of the group.

“The girls have grown so much and they are great together,” Barkley said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a struggle (to have just eight players). It’s more of a joy just being able to figure out how to work with these eight girls.”

Freshman London Backman (12) scored seven points Friday in Cair Paravel's 36-33 home loss to West Franklin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Lions were led Friday by 10 points from junior Karsyn Hastert. Freshman London Backman added seven.

A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County girls high school basketball games

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

EMPORIA (0-6, 0-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (4-2, 0-1 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural, ranked No. 4 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, was off Tuesday after a tough 46-44 Centennial League loss at Hayden last Friday. Sophomore Maddie Vickery led Rural with 15 points against Hayden while senior Kate Hinck added 11 points. Both of Rural's losses have been two-point road losses. Emporia is still looking for its first win after dropping a 66-12 decision to Hays on Tuesday. Game time: 6 p.m.

JUNCTION CITY (1-4, 0-1 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-3, 0-1 Centennial League)

Topeka High is coming off a 56-41 Centennial League loss to undefeated Hayden on Tuesday while Junction City dropped a 93-25 league game to Manhattan. Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton and freshman Hailey Caryl led the Trojans with 11 points apiece against Hayden. Game time: 6 p.m.

KC-TURNER (0-5, 0-4 United Kansas Conference) at TOPEKA WEST (0-6, 0-6 United Kansas Conference)

Topeka West will be looking for its first win of the season Friday against the winless Bears after dropping a 71-29 UKC decision at undefeated and top-ranked Seaman Tuesday night. Turner is coming off a 70-11 loss to Basehor-Linwood Wednesday night. Game time: 5:45 p.m.

WEST FRANKLIN (2-6, 2-3 Flint Hills League) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-7, 0-4 Flint Hills League)

Cair Paravel is coming off a 69-10 Flint Hills loss to Osage City on Tuesday while West Franklin is coming off a 47-37 league win over Mission Valley. Game time: 6 p.m.

A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County boys high school basketball games

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

EMPORIA (4-2, 0-0 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 1-0 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural is coming off a 52-46 home non-league loss to Blue Valley West on Tuesday while Emporia is coming off a 41-36 non-league victory over Hays. Senior Kaden Ballard scored 15 points and hit three 3-pointers for Washburn Rural against Blue Valley West while junior Simon Rowley added 13 points. Game time: 7:30 p.m.

JUNCTION CITY (6-0, 1-0 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (0-7, 0-1 Centennial League)

Topeka High is coming off a 65-50 Centennial League loss to Hayden on Tuesday while Junction City took a 66-62 league win over Manhattan. Junior Jalen Aldridge led Topeka High with 17 points and hit three 3-pointers against Hayden. Game time: 7:30 p.m.

KC-TURNER (1-6, 0-5 United Kansas Conference) at TOPEKA WEST (4-2, 4-2 United Kansas Conference)

Topeka West will be looking for its third win of the week Friday, with the Chargers coming off a 59-57 come-from-behind United Kansas Conference win over Seaman Tuesday night. West is ranked No. 8 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association while Seaman is No. 7. Junior Keimani Paul scord 17 points and junior Malakyah Duncan 14 points against Seaman, with Duncan hitting the game-winning free throws. Turner is coming off a 77-27 UKC loss to Basehor-Linwood Wednesday night. Game time: 7:15 p.m.

WEST FRANKLIN (3-5, 2-4 Flint Hills League) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (3-5, 1-3 Flint Hills League)

Cair Paravel is coming off a 61-37 Flint Hills loss to Osage City on Tuesday while West Franklin is coming off a 53-42 league league loss to Mission Valley. Lucas Marichal scored 12 points to lead Cair Paravel in the Lions' loss to Osage City. Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday prep BB roundup: Rossville boys bounce back from loss with 65-42 romp past Riley County

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Rossville boys basketball bounced back from a Big East League loss against Hiawatha with a 65-42 home league romp past Riley County Tuesday night.

The Bulldawgs, ranked No. 6 in Class 2A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the league with Tuesday's victory.

Brandon McDonnell's Rossville boys basketball team improved to 5-2 Tuesday night with a 65-42 romp past Riley County. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Kameron Badura paced three Rossville players in double figures with 18 points.

Junior Jack Donovan added 16 points and junior Cameron Miller 13 for the Bulldawgs.

Rossville's girls fell to 3-4 overall and 0-4 in the Big East with a 55-33 loss to the Falcons.

Senior Mikey Williams scored 20 points in Highland Park's 86-42 win over KC-Sumner Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

Top-ranked Hi Park boys keep rolling with 86-42 win

Highland Park's boys, No. 1-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the Meadowlark Conference with an 86-42 road romp past Kansas City-Sumner Tuesday night.

The Hi Park win was its second in as many nights and the Scots will play their third game of the week at KC-Harmon on Friday.

Senior Mikey Williams led Highland Park with 20 points against Sumner while senior Ja'Corey Robinson added 19 points and senior Elijah Thomas 17.

Highland Park sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Scots' 54-42 win over KC-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]

Carter posts huge double-double in Hi Park girls win

Sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds as Highland Park improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Meadowlark Conference with a 54-42 win at Kansas City-Sumner Tuesday night.

Carter grabbed 13 of her 20 rebounds on the offensive end and also had 3 assists and 3 steals for the Scots.

Senior Tahtionna Broils added 8 points for the Scots.

Piper earns home UKC sweep over Shawnee Heights

The No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Piper boys rolled to a 67-50 United Kansas Conference victory over No. 4 Shawnee Heights while the Pirate girls, No. 5 in 5A, took a 73-49 win over the T-Birds.

Piper's boys improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the UKC while Shawnee Heights fell to 5-2, 4-2.

The Piper girls improved to 6-1, 5-1 while Heights dropped to 4-4, 4-3.

A game-by-game look at Tuesday's Shawnee County boys prep basketball games

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior James Kuta scored 12 points in Hayden's 67-54 Centennial League loss to Washburn Rural last Friday. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (3-4, 0-1 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (0-6, 0-0 Centennial League)

Hayden is coming off a 67-54 loss to Washburn Rural last Friday night in the Wildcats' Centennial League opener while Topeka High's scheduled league game at Manhattan was postponed due to inclement weather. The Trojans have been off since an 81-42 loss to undefeated Highland Park on Jan. 3. Senior James Kuta and junior Kade Mitchell scored 12 points apiece for Hayden in Friday's loss to Rural. Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Junior Kae Von Bonner led Seaman with 25 points in Friday's 57-43 UKC road win at Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA WEST (3-2, 3-2 United Kansas Conference) at SEAMAN (5-1, 5-1 United Kansas Conference)

Topeka West made its 2025 debut Monday night in a 71-38 United Kansas Conference romp past Leavenworth while Seaman is coming off a 57-43 UKC road win at Lansing last Friday. Pending today's rankings Seaman is ranked No. 7 and Topeka West No. 9 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Sophomore Prince Lassiterled the way for West in Monday's win over Leavenworth as seven Chargers scored 7 or more points while junior KaeVon Bonner scored 25 points in Seaman's win over Lansing, backed by senior Bryer Finley with 11 points. Game time: 7:15 p.m.

Junior Simon Rowley led Washburn Rural with 18 points in Friday's 67-54 win over Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

BLUE VALLEY WEST (3-5) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-1)

Washburn Rural takes a break from Centennial League action to host Blue Valley West in a non-league contest. The Junior Blues are coming off a 67-54 league win at Hayden last Friday night as junior Simon Rowley led four double-figure scorers with a game-high 18 points. Senior Amare Jones added 15 points, junior John Hoytal 11 and Kaden Ballard 10 points for Rural. Blue Valley West is coming off a 55-41 victory over Lee's Summit West, Mo. Game time: 7:30 p.m.

RILEY COUNTY (2-4, 1-2 Big East League) at ROSSVILLE (4-2, 2-1 Big East League)

Riley County is coming off a 63-55 Big East League road win at Jefferson West last Friday while Rossville dropped a 57-55 road decision to league foe Hiawatha. Junior Jack Donovan paced Rossville with 18 points against Hiawatha while Kameron Badura added 11 points and Andre Johnson 10 points for the Bulldawgs. Rossville was ranked No. 5 in Class 2A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association in last week's state rankings. Game time: 7:30 p.m.

JEFFERSON WEST (3-3, 1-2 Big East League) at SILVER LAKE (4-1, 3-1 Big East League)

Silver Lake had games against St. Marys and Holton postponed last week due to inclement weather, with the Eagles now idle since a 70-57 Big East win over Hiawatha on Dec. 20. Jefferson West dropped a 63-55 league decision to Riley County last Friday. Game time: 7:30 p.m.

A game-by-game look at Tuesday's Shawnee County girls prep basketball games

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior Millie Ramsey scored a game-high 17 points in Hayden's 46-44 Centennial League win over Washburn Rural last Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

HAYDEN (7-0, 1-0 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-2, 0-0 Centennial League)

Hayden, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, stayed unbeated with a 46-44 home Centennial League win over Washburn Rural on Friday, with senior Millie Ramsey pacing the Wildcats with 17 points and senior Brylee Meier adding 12 points. Topeka High has been off since earning a 48-42 win over Wichita Life Prep on Jan. 3. Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton scored 25 points, including 19 in the second half, in the win over Life Prep and is averaging 21.6 points on the season. Game time: 6 p.m.

TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-5 United Kansas Conference) at SEAMAN (6-0, 6-0 United Kansas Conference)

Seaman, top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, made its 2025 debut on Friday with a 72-9 United Kansas Conference road win at Lansing. The Vikings got 21, 8 assists and 4 steals from senior Anna Becker while senior Kinley Wilhelm had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals against the Lions. Topeka West returned to action Monday night, dropping a 62-50 UKC decision to Leavenworth in the Chargers' 2025 debut. Junior Imani McGlory led the Chargers with a 16.5 scoring average and had connected on 14 3-pointers going into the holiday break. Game time: 5:45 p.m.

Sophomore Nora Burdiek (22) scored a career-high 31 points in Friday's 70-62 Rossville loss to Hiawatha. [File photo/TSN]

RILEY COUNTY (4-2, 3-0 Big East League) at ROSSVILLE (3-3, 0-3 Big East League)

Rossville will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak, all in Big East League play, and faces another tough league test against a Riley County team that is unbeaten in the league. Rossville is coming off a 70-62 road loss to Hiawatha Friday night despite a career-high 31 points from sophomore Nora Burdiek and 25 points from junior Rylee Dick. Riley County is coming off a 52-21 league win over Jefferson West. Game time: 6 p.m.

JEFFERSON WEST (3-3, 1-2 Big East League) at SILVER LAKE (4-1, 4-0 Big East League)

Silver Lake, ranked No 5 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, has been idle since a 60-27 Big East League win over Hiawatha on Dec. 20, with the Eagles' game at Holton last Friday postponed by inclement weather. Jefferson West is coming off a 52-21 loss to Riley County on Friday. Game time: 6 p.m.

Monday prep BB roundup: Robinson reaches 1,000-point milestone in 80-29 Hi Park rout

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Highland Park senior star Ja'Corey Robinson surpassed the 1,000-point milestone for his career Monday night with a 32-point game as the Scots rolled to an 80-29 Meadowlark Conference win at Kansas City-Schlagle.

Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) scored 32 points Monday night at KC-Schlagle, surpassing the 1,000-point milestone for his career. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Mikey Williams scored 22 points Monday in top-ranked Highland Park's 80-29 romp past KC-Schlagle. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Mikey Williams backed Robinson with a 22-point night as Highland Park, top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

The Scots will be right back in action Tuesday night, traveling to KC-Sumner for a Meadowlark Conference contest.

Sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 28 points in Highland Park's 70-22 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Schlagle Monday night. [File photo/TSN]

Carter leads Hi Park girls with 28 points in 70-22 rout over Stallions

Highland Park posted a 70-22 Meadowlark Conference win Monday night at KC-Schlagle as sophomore Pearmella Carter led the Scots with 28 points.

Senior Tahtionna Broils added 16 points and had 6 rebounds while senior De'Asia Sanders was credited with 14 assists and sophomore Majesty Grace had 7 steals as the Scots improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

Highland Park will be back in action Tuesday night, traveling to KC-Sumner for a conference game.

Senior Javian Chambers (21) scored 8 points Monday night in Topeka West's 71-38 UKC win over Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]

No. 9-ranked Charger boys roll to 71-38 UKC win

Topeka West boys basketball ended its long layoff with a 71-38 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth Monday night in the Chargers' 2025 debut.

The Chargers, ranked No. 9 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, showed exceptional balance in the win, with seven players scoring 7 or more points as West improved to 3-2 overall and in the UKC.

Sophomore Prince Lassiter led Topeka West with a game-high 11 points while junior Gad Munganga and senior Javian Chambers added 8 points piece and senior Kamoni Ford, junior Malakyah Duncan, sophomore Damon Webb and senior Jalen Foy all scored 7 points.

First 2024-25 city high school girls basketball statistics

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 2024-2025 season, capped by the season-ending stats.

Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery leads the city of Topeka in scoring with a 22.6 average. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

SCORING

Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg

Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 113 22.6

Carter, Highland Park 3 64 21.3

Rayton, Topeka High 4 83 20.8

Emmot, Shawnee Heights 4 82 20.5

Becker, Seaman 5 93 18.6

I. McGlory, Topeka West 4 66 16.5

Ramsey, Hayden 4 55 13.8

Gragg, Seaman 5 66 13.2

Meier, Hayden 4 52 13.0

Schmidtlein, Hayden 4 51 12.8

Torrez, Shawnee Heights 4 50 12.5

Esser, Seaman 5 60 12.0

Marshall, Topeka High 4 45 11.3

Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 52 10.4

Broils, Highland Park 3 31 10.3

Highland Park sophomore Pearmella Carter is the city leader in rebounding with a 10.7 average. [File photo/TSN]

REBOUNDING

Name, school Gms. Total Avg.

Carter, Highland Park 3 32 10.7

Benning, Topeka High 4 39 9.8

Ramsey, Hayden 4 37 9.3

Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 46 9.2

Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 44 8.8

Torrez, Shawnee Heights 4 35 8.8

Broils, Highland Park 3 25 8.3

Esser, Seaman 5 39 7.8

Caryl, Topeka High 4 29 7.3

Hall, Topeka West 4 29 7.3

Vega, Shawnee Heights 4 28 7.0

Becker, Seaman 5 31 6.2

Wilhelm, Seaman 5 31 6.2

Keeling, Topeka West 4 23 5.8

Meier, Hayden 4 23 5.8

Seaman senior Anna Becker leads the city of Topeka with a 6.4 assist average. [File photo/TSN]

ASSISTS

Name, school Gms. Total Avg.

Becker, Seaman 5 32 6.4

Brees, Shawnee Heights 4 14 3.5

Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 17 3.4

Sanders, Highland Park 3 10 3.3

Marshall, Topeka High 4 12 3.0

Wilhelm, Seaman 4 14 2.8

Vega, Shawnee Heights 4 11 2.8

Beaton, Seaman 5 13 2.6

Gragg, Seaman 5 13 2.6

Emmot, Shawnee Heights 4 10 2.5

Meier, Hayden 4 10 2.5

Greco, Hayden 4 10 2.5

Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 12 2.4

Schmidtlein, Hayden 4 9 2.3

Hirschi, Washburn Rural 5 11 2.2

Highland Park senior Tahtionna Broils is the city steals leader with 4.7 per game. [File photo/TSN]

STEALS

Name, school Gms. Total Avg.

Broils, Highland Park 3 14 4.7

Hartz, Highland Park 3 14 4.7

Greco, Hayden 4 18 4.5

Schmidtlein, Hayden 4 18 4.5

Sanders, Highland Park 3 13 4.3

Marshall, Topeka High 4 17 4.3

Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 19 3.8

Jones, Highland Park 3 10 3.3

Becker, Seaman 5 14 2.8

Torrez, Shawnee Heights 4 11 2.8

Brees, Shawnee Heights 4 11 2.8

Rayton, Topeka High 4 11 2.8

Vega, Shawnee Heights 4 10 2.5

I. McGlory, Topeka West 4 10 2.5

Miller, Seaman 4 9 2.3

Keeling, Topeka West 4 9 2.3

First 2024-2025 city high school boys basketball statistics

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 2024-2025 season, capped by the season-ending stats.

Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson leads the city in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots. [File photo/TSN]

SCORING

Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg

Robinson, Highland Park 4 90 22.5

Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 4 71 17.8

Bonner, Seaman 5 82 16.4

Finley, Seaman 5 78 15.6

Williams, Highland Park 4 58 14.5

Rowley, Washburn Rural 5 72 14.4

Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 70 14.0

Paul, Topeka West 4 55 13.8

Guest, Topeka High 5 66 13.2

Pavlik, Cair Paravel 6 77 12.8

Aldridge, Topeka High 5 59 11.8

Kelley, Highland Park 4 45 11.3

Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights 4 44 11.0

Wiltz, Seaman 5 53 10.6

Hales, Highland Park 4 41 10.3

REBOUNDING

Name, school Gms. Total Avg.

Robinson, Highland Park 4 44 11.0

Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights 4 38 9.5

Kelley, Highland Park 4 34 8.5

Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 4 30 7.5

Ford, Topeka West 4 27 6.8

Finley, Seaman 5 28 5.6

Roeder, Cair Paravel 6 33 5.5

Lee, Shawnee Heights 4 22 5.5

Paul, Topeka West 4 22 5.5

Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 27 5.4

Rowley, Washburn Rural 5 27 5.4

Kuta, Hayden 5 26 5.2

Smith, Seaman 5 26 5.2

Hanika, Hayden 5 25 5.0

Hoytal, Washburn Rural 5 25 5.0

Highland Park junior Jamon Wilson (3) leads the city in assists with a 7.8 average. [File photo/TSN]

ASSISTS

Name, school Gms. Total Avg.

Wilson, Highland Park 4 31 7.8

Robinson, Highland Park 4 25 6.3

Pavlik, Cair Paravel 6 35 5.8

Hales, Highland Park 4 19 4.8

Leonard, Washburn Rural 5 20 4.0

Williams, Highland Park 4 16 4.0

Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 4 14 3.5

Bonner, Seaman 5 17 3.4

Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 16 3.2

Finley, Seaman 5 15 3.0

Hoytal, Washburn Rural 5 13 2.6

Rowley, Washburn Rural 5 13 2.6

McFadden, Topeka High 5 12 2.4

Zuniga, Seaman 5 11 2.2

Guest, Topeka High 5 11 2.2

Hastert, Cair Paravel 6 13 2.2

Multiple team, individual state champs top TSN list of Top 10 girls prep stories of 2024

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Shawnee County girls high school sports teams and individuals enjoyed another banner year in 2024, with county schools capturing six state team championships in four different sports in five different classifications and posted seven runnerup team finishes, including a pair of local teams that came within a tiebreaker of state crowns

Individually, local athletes combined for five individual/relay titles.

That across-the-board success made it nearly impossible to narrow down TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County girls sports stories to just 10, and even harder to decide which accomplishments deserve to be at the top of the list.

In fact, if you polled five different people you could have five different No. 1s. But having said that, here's one person's opinion.

Rossville wrestling star Kendra Hurla capped her prep career with a fourth straight individual title while helping lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 4A-1A team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

1. FOUR FOR FOUR, PLUS TWO MORE -- Rossville 120-pound girls wrestling star Kendra Hurla capped one of the most dominant high school careers in state history with her fourth straight Class 4A-1A state championship in the 2024 state meet at Hays. But Hurla's four-peat wasn't the only thing the Bulldawgs had to celebrate, with fellow senior Hailey Horton adding the 155-pound championship and as the Bulldawgs won thir first-ever state team crown by a half point, 82.5-82.0 over Oakley.

Molly Spader (with trophy) celebrates with her teammates after helping Washburn Rural win its fourth straight girls wrestling state title in five seasons. [File photo/TSN]

2. UNPARALLELED DOMINANCE --Damon Parker's Washburn Rural Junior Blues continued to set the standard for all Kansas high school girls wrestling programs in 2024, with Rural winning its fourth team title in the five seasons that girls wrestling has been an official sport in Kansas. After the Junior Blues had their two-year title reign snapped in 2022, finishing second to Dodge City, Rural has bounced back to win the last two Class 6A-5A championships, including a win by a 118-96 margin over Garden City in 2024. Then-junior state runnerup Molly Spader (105 pounds) led the way as six Junior Blues earned state medals.

Silver Lake girls basketball posted a perfect 26-0 record in the 2023-2024 season, winning the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]

3. WIRE TO WIRE -- Traditional state girls basketball power Silver Lake added to its legacy with a dominating 2023-2024 campaign, capping a perfect 26-0 season with a 66-61 win over Hesston in the Class 3A state championship game. Makenzie McDaniel, now a freshman at Emporia State, was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County co-player of the year while fellow 2024 senior McKinley Kruger and then-sophomore Kailyn Hanni joined McDaniel on the all-county Top 10 and five Eagles earned all-county recognition.

Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta won her third Class 4A state singles title this past fall, helping the Wildcats win the 4A team championship for the second time in three seasons. [File photo/TSN]

4. PICKING UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF -- After dominating Class 4A singles as a freshman and sophomore Hayden tennis star Ainzley Zulueta sat out her junior high school season after attending an out-of-state tennis academy. But Zulueta was back on the court this past fall, capturing her third state championship in as many tries while leading Hayden to its second team title in three seasons by a 40-28 margin over McPherson. Zulueta capped an 24-0 undefeated season without dropping a single game in either regional or state competition, posting eight straight 6-0, 6-0 victories. All six members of Hayden's team earned state medals, including a runnerup doubles finish from senior two-time state champ Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman.

Weekend prep BB roundup: Hayden knocks off reigning Class 6A state champ, Ramsey reaches 1,000 points

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Playing their second game in about 19 hours, Hayden's girls rolled to a 56-37 win over defending Class 6A state champion Shawnee Mission South, with the Wildcats improving to a perfect 5-0 on the season while senior Millie Ramsey reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career.

Hayden senior Millie Ramsey scored 13 points in Saturday's 56-37 win over Shawnee Mission South, reaching the 1,000-point milestone for her career. [Hayden girls basketball]

Hayden and SM South (3-3) faced off in the Varsity 810 Showcase Saturday morning at Shawnee Mission Northwest.

Hayden, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, was led by senior Brylee Meier, who scored 18 points and connected on four 3-pointers while Ramsey added 13 points and freshman Hailey Schmidtlein 12.

Hayden played SM South on Saturday after rolling to a 61-13 home win over Wichita Independent on Friday.

Hayden's boys improved to 3-2 on Friday with a 91-21 rout over Wichita Independent.

Sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Friday's Highland Park 57-39 road win over KC-Wyandotte. [File photo/TSN]

Hi Park girls open conference play with 18-point win

Defending Meadowlark Conference champion Highland Park opened its title defense with a 57-39 road win over Kansas City-Wyandotte Friday night.

Now 3-0 overall after wins on back-to-back nights, Highland Park was led by sophomore Pearmella Carter, who scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Sophomore Zayah Kincade added 12 points for the Scots while senior Tationna Broils scored 7 points with 10 rebounds and 5 steals.

Freshman Ciara Hartz added 8 points and 6 steals.

Senior Kaden Ballard scored 22 points with six 3-pointers in Friday's 71-55 home win over Barstow. [File photo/TSN]

Ballard, Jones power Rural to 71-55 win in home-opener

Seniors Kaden Ballard and Amare Jones combined for 41 points Friday night as Washburn Rural improved to 4-1 with a 71-55 non-league win over Barstow in the Junior Blues' home-opener.

Ballard hit 6 of 9 3-pointers to finish with a career-high 22 points and also grabbed seven rebounds while Jones added 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting from the field and grabbed five rebounds.

Junior John Hoytal scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Junior Dayne Johnson (2) scored 17 points Friday night in Silver Lake's 70-57 win over Hiawatha. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake boys take 70-57 win over Hiawatha

Junior Dayne Johnson led three-double scorers for Silver Lake in the Eagles' 70-57 home win over Hiawatha Friday night.

Johnson led Silver Lake with 17 points while senior Aemon Coffman added 15 points and senior Jared Johnson 13 for the Eagles.

Silver Lake jumped out to a 20-7 first-quarter advantage and used a 21-10 second quarter to open up a 41-17 halftime lead.

Hiawatha outscored Silver Lake 40-29 in the second half but it wasn't enough to make a serious charge at the Eagles.

Hayden, Seaman headline 2024 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County football team

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season, and 5A quarterfinalist and United Kansas Conference champion Seaman combined for 10 Top 22 spots to lead the TopSports.news' 2024 All-Shawnee County football team.

Hayden, which posted a 11-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by senior three-time honoree Jensen Schrickel along with seniors Broderick Desch, Treyton Tetuan and Jett Wahlmeier and juniors Jude Krentz and Kade while Seaman, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Briar Finley, Max Huston and Kaden Jordan and junior Cameron Brian on the Top 22.

Seaman quarterback Huston and wide receiver Finley were named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year while Jordan, a nose tackle, was named the county defensive player of the year and Brian was selected as the defensive newcomer of the year.

Hayden's Schrickel was selected as the Shawnee County all-purpose athlete of the year while Wildcat coach Bill Arnold, now 222-68 as a head coach, was named the county coach of the year.

Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott was a Top 22 pick and selected as the county offensive newcomer of the year after throwing for more than 3,100 yards.

Washburn Rural senior safety Kingston Leonard joins Schrickel and Huston as All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selections while the Junior Blues are also represented on the Top 22 by senior linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks.

Shawnee Heights also put junior Tyren Parker on the all-county Top 22, while 1A semifinalist Rossville is represented by senior Tayson Horak and junior Conner Bush, Silver Lake by senior Braden Strausbaugh and junior Dayne Johnson, Highland Park by seniors Ricky Crawford and Jamon Wilson and Topeka High by senior Jayden Norman.

All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams won at least six games this fall, with four winning at least one playoff contest.

TopSports.news selected the 2024 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.

All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

TopSports.news' 20 boys basketball players to watch in 2024-2025

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Kaden Ballard, Washburn Rural

KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural

Ballard, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, received Top Sports News All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Centennial League second-team recognition last season. A Washburn University signee, Ballard averaged 12.0 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while hitting 44 of 127 3-point attempts and 56 of 76 free throws for a 73.7-percent average.

Mason Becker, Hayden

MASON BECKER, Hayden

A sophomore, Becker was named the TSN All-Shawnee County newcomer of the year and received Second 10 all-county recognition last season as a freshman after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Becker averaged 5.7 points, hit 17 3-pointers, shot 75.5 percent from the free throw line and registered 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-foot-1 junior, moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County first team last season after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. A first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection, Bonner averaged 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals this past season for the 9-12 Vikings while hitting 32 3-pointers and shooting 76 percent from the free throw line.

Jack Donovan, Rossville

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A 5-foot-11 junior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the first time last season after being named the co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Donovan averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the 15-7 Bulldawgs while setting a school record with 59 3-point baskets. He was a first-team All-Mid-East League pick. Donovan is also a standout in football and golf for the Bulldawgs, earning All-Shawnee County first-team golf honors.

Ontarius Emmot, Shawnee Heights

ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a junior, received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention recognition last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament. Emmot shot 49.2 percent from 3-point range last season, draining 31 treys on the season. Emmot also shot 79.7 percent from the free throw line and blocked 15 shots.

Bryer Finley, Seaman

BRYER FINLEY, Seaman

Finley, a 6-foot-5 senior, played in just four games for the Vikings a year ago before missing the remainder of the season with an injury. Before being sidelined Finley averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Finley is coming off an oustanding football season as a wide receiver, being named the United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year after helping Seaman reach the Class 5A quarterfinals.

Kamoni Ford, Topeka West

KAMONI FORD, Topeka West

A 6-foot-7 senior, Ford averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds for the 14-8 Chargers last season. Ford shot 57.5 percent on 2-point field goal attempts, hit 20 3-pointers and shot 70 percent from the free throw line. Ford received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a junior.

Jalen Foy, Topeka West

JALEN FOY, Topeka West

Foy, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, turned in a breakout junior season for the Chargers, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season for 14-8 West. Foy averaged 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.4 blocked shots while hitting 31 3-pointers.

Connor Hanika, Hayden

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Hanika averaged 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 2023-2024 while shooting 52.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Hanika is also a football standout for Hayden, helping the Wildcats post back-to-back runnerup finishes in 3A.

TopSports.news’ 20 girls basketball players to watch in 2024-2025

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Anna Becker, Seaman

ANNA BECKER, Seaman

A 5-foot-11 senior, Becker was named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County co-player of the year after helping lead Seaman to the Class 5A state championship last season. Becker scored 15 points with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South in the state final as Seaman capped a 23-2 season. A Drake signee, Becker is a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and has been named the United Kansas Conference player of the year the past two seasons. Becker averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting 61.3 percent from 2-point range as a junior.

Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park

TAHTIONNA BROILS, Highland Park

A senior, Broils earned second-team All-Meadowlark Conference honors and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 14-6 Scots. Broils averaged 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior to go with 2.6 steals, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocked shots for the Scots, who won the Meadowlark Conference championship.

Tenly Bunck, Washburn Rural

TENLY BUNCK, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-5 senior guard, Bunck helped Washburn Rural reach the Class 6A state championship game for the third straight season. Bunck helped the Junior Blues post a 17-8 record on the season while averaging 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds and shooting 66.7 percent from the free throw line. Bunck received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a junior.

Nora Burdiek, Rossville

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward, had a breakout season for Rossville as a freshman, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East League second-team recognition. Burdiek averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals per game last season as Rossville posted an 18-4 record. Burdiek earned all-county first-team honors in volleyball this fall.

Pearmella Carter, Highland Park

PEARMELLA CARTER, Highland Park

The 5-foot-10 Carter burst on the city and Meadowlark Conference scene last season as a freshman, leading the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.1 and 10.2 rebounds while also averaging 3.9 steals and shooting 61.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Carter was named the Meadowlark Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year and also received Second 10 All-Shawnee County recognition.

Rylee Dick, Rossville

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

A junior, Dick had a big sophomore season for the Bulldawgs, helping Rossville post an 18-4 record. Dick, a 5-foot-6 guard, received TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East second-team honors last season after averaging 15 points, 3 assists and 3 steals and shooting 36 percent from 3-point range.

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

A 5-foot-7 sophomore, Emmot made an immediate impact for Shawnee Heights last season, averaging 13.5 points while connecting on 35 3-point goals and shooting 75 percent from the free throw line. Emmot earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last winter while also being named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10.

Ava Esser, Seaman

AVA ESSER, Seaman

Esser, a 6-foot senior, earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition last season after helping Seaman win the Class 5A state championship and post a 23-2 record. Esser, who received All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention as a junior, averaged 5.6 points and grabbed 7.3 rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.

Maddie Gragg, Seaman

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-foot-10 junior, Gragg was an TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for the second straight season after helping lead Seaman post a 23-2 record and win the Class 5A state title. Gragg registered a double-double in the Class 5A state final, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South. Gragg averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season while shooting 51.6 percent on 2-point field goals, 44.4 percent on 3-point attempts with 28 3s and 77.0 percent from the free throw line.

Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a 5-foot-7 junior, had a breakout season for Silver Lake, helping the Eagles cap a perfect 26-0 season with a 66-61 win over Hesston in the Class 3A state championship game. Hanni, an All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-Mid-East League pick, scored 26 points for Silver Lake in the title game while connecting on 14 of 15 free throw attempts, with many of her charities coming in crunch time. Hanni scored a total of 50 points at state, with three double-figure games.

Karsyn Hastert, Cair Paravel

KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

A junior, Hastert earned TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 6-16 Lions. Hastert averaged 7.3 points as a sophomore and ranked fifth in the city of Topeka with an 8.2 rebounding average and fourth with 1.4 blocked shots. Hastert is also a volleyball standout for Cair Paravel, earning All-Shawnee County second-team recognition this fall.

Washburn Rural tops 2024 All-City boys soccer team with four first-team picks

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which captured its 30th straight Centennial League boys championship (outright or shared) and finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, leads the 2024 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with four first-team picks.

Ryder Nikkel, Washburn Rural

Brandon Hamiton (14), Washburn Rural

LiamMorrison2024Maize 2 Liam Morrison (4), Washburn Rural

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by senior Ryder Nikkel (defense) and juniors Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (midfield).

Valentin Del Real (3), Topeka West

Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West

Jafet Rodriguez, Topeka West

Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by freshman Valentin Del Real (midfield), sophomore Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Jafet Rodriguez (defense) while Charger coach Josh Kutter was named the 2024 city coach of the year after being named co-coach of the year in 2023.

Jaime Alvarado, Topeka High

Antonio Aguirre, Topeka High

Billy Lutz, Topeka High

Topeka High also put three players on the All-City team, with first-team repeat pick Jaime Alvarado (forward) joined by senior Antonio Aguirre (midfield) and junior Billy Lutz (goalkeeper).

Camden Granado (6), Shawnee Heights

Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights

Dalton Smith, Seaman

Logan Townsend, Seaman

Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by junior Camden Granado (forward) and sophomore Mason Haas (midfield) while Seaman is represented by senior Dalton Smith (defense) and senior Logan Townsend (midfield).

Cooper Grace (18), Hayden

Hayden senior Cooper Grace (defense) earned All-City first-team honors for the second straight season while Highland Park junior Neri Diaz (midfield) rounds out the first team.

Aguirre, Granado, Lutz, Rodriguez, Nikkel and Willingham all moved up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2023.

Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall while Rural's Hamilton, Morrison and Nikkel and High's Alvarado, Aguirre and Lutz and Hayden's Grace were also first-team picks.

Seaman's Smith and Townsend, Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Rodriguez and Shawnee Heights' Granado and Haas were all named All-United Kansas Conference first team and Highland Park's Diaz made the All-Meadowlark Conference first team.

2024 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER

First-teamer Willingham leads 14 city KHSSCA All-State honorees

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Fourteen soccer standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, led by All-Class 6A first-team pick Dylan Willingham of Washburn Rural.

Willingham, a junior midfielder, was earlier named the Centennial League player of the year and received first-team All-City recognition after helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place finish in the 6A state tournament.

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

Rural juniors Brandon Hamilton, Liam Morrison and Miles Cook were all named to the All-6A second team while senior Ryder Nikkel and junior Draden Chooncharoen received honorable mention.

Six city players earned All-5A honorable mention, with Shawnee Heights represented by juniors Camden Granado and Juan Garcia and sophomore Mason Haas and Seaman by seniors Blake Toyne, Logan Townsend and Kaelin Loy.

Cair Paravel Latin junior Nathan Keys received second-team honors in All-4A-1A while Lion sophomore Judah Congdon received honorable mention.

Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State

Eight Cair Paravel standouts earn All-Flint Hills League recognition

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin senior Ben Roeder received All-Flint Hills League first-team football honors, one of eight Lions to receive all-league recognition.

Ben Roeder

Jase Pavlik

Roeder was named to the All-Flint Hills first-team offense as a utility player and also received all-league honorable mention at linebacker.

CPLS senior Jase Pavlik was a second-team selection at quarterback and defensive back while Billy Lanich was a second-team pick as both an offensive and defensive lineman while Tobias Bonura was a second-team selection at running back and James Osborne at receiver.

Bonura also received special teams honorable mention while Caleb Clevenger received honorable mention as an offensive lineman and Cole Haubold and Cole Stafford received honorable mention at linebacker.

Story Links

Two-time player of the year Mills, state qualifiers top All-Shawnee County volleyball

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

State tournament teams Seaman, Washburn Rural and Hayden combined to put 10 players on the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team, led by Seaman two-time player of the year Maegan Mills.

Seaman senior Maegan Mills (23) has been named the TSN Shawnee County volleyball player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Seaman's Tatiana Dowling has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman, which finished second in Class 5A this fall after winning the state title in 2023, put a county-high four players on the all-county first team, with Mills joined by fellow Viking seniors Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser and Kinley Wilhelm while Viking coach Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year for the second straight season after leading her team to a county-best 41-3 record and a county-best state tournament finish.

Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden freshman Blakely Walter has been named the Shawnee County volleyball co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, which placed third in the 4A state tournament, is represented on the first team by senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter, who were named co-Shawnee County newcomers of the year. McGivern is a first-team all-county repeat pick after earning first-team honors at Seaman as a junior.

Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Layla Collins and Kate Hinck and junior Karsyn Horyna after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.

Collins is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick after being a second-team pick as a sophomore.

Shawnee Heights put seniors Kaydence Torrez and Taylor Brees on the first team while Silver Lake is represented by senior Ella Bolan, Rossville by sophomore Nora Burdiek and Topeka High by senior Jo'Mhara Benning.

Torrez and Bolan are first-team repeat picks while Burdiek was named the county newcomer of the year as a freshman.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

Cair Paravel, Kansas State product Peyton Williams heads to China for fifth pro basketball season

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topekan Peyton Williams is headed overseas for her fifth season of professional basketball, this time to China.

The product of Cair Paravel Latin and Kansas State University is now a veteran of four professional seasons. She played in Russia upon graduation, then spent a season in France and two in Hungary.

Former Cair Paravel and Kansas State star Peyton Williams is getting ready for her fifth professional basketball season and her first in China. [Submitted photo]

Williams will play this season for the Wuhan Shengfan Basketball Club.

“My agent and I talked about Spain, Turkey and China, all of which have really good leagues. Because China is a little bit farther away, he wanted to make sure I was actually interested in that. I said, ‘Let’s give it a try,’ '' Williams said. "He was able to connect with some people and help me find a team.”

An anthropology major at K-State, Williams is looking forward to the opportunity to experience a different part of the world.

“I have really enjoyed playing in the Europe circuit. But I’ve never been to China and have been really interested in the culture, as well as to see what basketball is like there.” Williams said. “I know that they have a really competitive league. So, it’s a chance to push myself as a professional and also to experience a different culture.”

Williams said the Chinese league, made up of 21 teams, covers such a large geographic area that the league is split into divisions. She said unlike Europe, where most of the travel was done in vans or on commuter trains, the team in China will travel primarily by airplane or on the country’s “bullet trains.”

“It will be somewhat similar to what we did in Russia,” Williams said. “There, almost all our travel was by plane, and sometimes those flights were across four or five time zones.”

Williams said the level of play she has experienced thus far in her career would be a step up from what she saw in the Big 12. She noted that a lot of the best players from the Big 12 have been among her opponents in Europe. She expects the Chinese league to be as challenging as anywhere she’s played, if not more so.

“I think every league that I’ve played in has had a lot of talent, but I’ve heard the Chinese league is really good because it attracts a lot of really good players from the U.S.,” Williams said.

A game-by-game look at Thursday and Friday's Shawnee County prep football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

THURSDAY'S GAME

Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson has compiled 1,449 all-purpose yards this fall for the 5-2 Scots. [File photo/TSN]

KC-WASHINGTON (6-1, 4-1 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark)

At Hummer Sports Park

Highland Park snapped a two-game losing streak with a 70-0 non-league rout over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Thursday at Hummer Sports Park while Kansas City-Washington is coming off a 20-6 Meadowlark Conference victory over KC-Schlagle. Thursday's game could have serious implications on seeding for the Class 5A playoffs, with Washington tied for the No. 2 East seed and Highland Park tied for the No. 7 East seed. The top eight seeds will host games in the first round of the playoffs next week. Scot senior Jamon Wilson has accumulated 1,449 all-purpose yards, including 510 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 45 carries, 16 receptions for 349 yards and three TDs and 565 kick/punt return yards. Sophomore quarterback G'Honi Montgomery has carried the ball 67 times for 590 yards and six TDs while junior Dontrail Fox has completed 48 of 100 passes for 899 yards and 10 TDs.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Seaman senior Max Huston has passed for 1,650 yards and 18 TDs and rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs for the 6-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

DE SOTO (6-1, 5-1 UKC) at SEAMAN (6-1, 6-0 UKC)

Seaman clinched a share of the United Kansas Conference title with a 28-14 win over previously-unbeaten Basehor-Linwood last Friday and can clinch the outright championship with a win over De Soto. The Vikings are currently tied for the No. 2 West Class 5A seed. De Soto rolled to a 67-28 non-league win over Blue Valley Southwest last Friday and the Wildcats are tied for the No. 2 East 5A seed. Seaman senior Max Huston has completed 96 of 151 passes for 1,650 yards and 18 touchdowns and has rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs on 70 attempts. Senior Bryer Finley has 53 receptions for 1,069 yards and 14 TDs while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 94 times for 598 yards and 10 TDs. Junior Carter Brian leads the Vikings with 75 tackles (42 solo) with seven tackles for loss.

PIPER (2-5, 2-4 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-6, 1-6 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka West dropped a 57-0 United Kansas Conference decision to Leavenworth last week while Piper took a 51-16 UKC win over Kansas City-Turner. West enters the final game of the regular season tied for the No. 12 seed in Class 5A West.

COUNCIL GROVE (5-2, 1-2 Class 2A District 3) at SILVER LAKE (5-2, 2-1 Class 2A District 3)

Both Silver Lake and Council Grove will be looking to bounce back from losses, with the Eagles dropping a 35-21 Class 2A District 3 decision to undefeated Osage City while Council Grove lost a 22-6 district game to St. Marys. Silver Lake had a four-game win streak snapped by Osage City, which pulled away late in a game that was tied 14-14 at halftime.

Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 1,175 yards and 14 TDs for the 6-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

HAYDEN (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at JEFFERSON WEST (1-6, 0-3 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden clinched the Class 3A District 4 championship last Friday with a 50-16 district win over Perry-Lecompton while Jefferson West posted its first win of the season, taking a 29-6 non-district win over Atchison County. Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 78 of 114 passes for 1,175 yards and 14 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 60 times for 546 yards, caught 21 passes for 374 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 22 passes for 356 yards and scored nine total TDs. Junior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 68 total tackles (38 solo) while sophomore Mason Becker is 38 of 38 on extra-point attempts.

Sub-State Volleyball: Silver Lake, Rossville advance to sub-state with regional championships

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake in Class 3A and Rossville in 2A opened volleyball postseason in impressive fashion on Monday, with both the Eagles and Bulldawgs going 3-0 to capture regional tournament titles and advance to sub-state competition on Saturday.

Silver Lake went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 3A volleyball tournament at Silver Lake. [Silver Lake volleyball]

Rossville went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 2A volleyball tournament at Atchison. [Rossville volleyball]

Silver Lake posted three straight-set wins to win the 3A regional it hosted while Rossville duplicated that feat in the 2A event at Atchison.

The 27-9 Eagles advanced to a Saturday 3A sub-state at Royal Valley while the 20-14 Bulldawgs will compete in a 2A sub-state at Maranatha Academy in Shawnee.

Silver Lake opened its regional bid with a 25-15, 25-15 win over Sabetha, followeed by a 25-10, 25-13 victory over Riley County and a 25-13, 25-18 win over Perry-Lecompton.

The Eagles are the No. 2 seed for Saturday's Royal Valley sub-state and will play the second match against No. 3 Santa Fe Trail (28-8).

The Silver Lake-Santa Fe Trail winner will take on the winner of the first match between No. 1 Royal Valley (29-7) and No. 4 Marysville (13-19) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 3A state tournament at Hutchinson Nov. 1-2.

Rossville took a 25-8, 25-17 win over Cair Paravel Latin in its first regional match before taking a 25-2, 25-11 win over Valley Falls and a 25-21, 25-21 win over Maur Hill Mt. Academy.

Cair Paravel went 1-2 on the day, posting a 25-15, 25-16 win over Valley Falls. The Lions dropped a three-set decision to Maur Hill-Mt. Academy, which took a 25-22, 15-25, 25-20 win.

Rossville is the No. 2 seed for the Maranatha Academy sub-state on Saturday and will play the second match of the day aganst No. 3 Pleasant Ridge (21-13).

The winner of that match will play for the sub-state title against the winner of the match between top seed Maranatha Academy (34-6) and No. 4 Jefferson North (16-20).

The sub-state champ will advance to the state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Dodge City.

Other Saturday sub-states involving local schools:

Class 6A at Washburn Rural

Washburn Rural (28-6) is the No. 1 6A West seed and will host a four-school sub-state Saturday.

The Junior Blues will face No. 16 West seed Liberal (4-29) in the 1 p.m. match, followed by a match between No. 8 seed Topeka High (16-18) and No. 9 Free State (13-17).

The two winners will face off at approximately 3 p.m. for the sub-state title, with the winner moving on to the 6A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 5A at Seaman

Defending 5A champion Seaman will host a 5A sub-state Saturday, with the 35-2 Vikings the No. 1 West seed.

Seaman will play No. 16 Topeka West (13-21) in the first match of the tournament followed by the other semifinal between No. 8 Emporia (23-12) and No. 9 Maize South (23-13).

The two winners will advance to the sub-state final, with the tournament champion advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 5A at Blue Valley Southwest

Shawnee Heights (17-18) is the No. 8 East seed and will face No. 9 Basehor-Linwood (17-18) in the second match of the day.

The winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 1 seed Blue Valley Southwest (29-5) and No. 16 Kansas City-Turner (9-21).

The sub-state champ will move on to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 5A at St. Thomas Aquinas

Highland Park is the No. 10 East seed (11-12) and will face No. 7 Spring Hill (19-17) in a sub-state semifinal.

The winner of that match will face the semifinal winner between No. 2 Aquinas (27-5) and No. 15 Leavenworth (11-20) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 4A at Hayden

Hayden, the No. 3 East seed at 27-10, will host a 4A sub-state on Saturday (2 p.m. start).

The Wildcats will face No. 14 Baldwin (10-22) in a semifinal match while No. 6 Paola (21-12) will take on No. 11 Parsons (15-18) in the other semifinal.

The winner of those two matches will play for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 4A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Hutchinson.

Prep FB roundup: Rossville takes charge in district race with 28-0 win over Olpe

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville posted its fourth straight Class 1A District 2 win on Friday while improving to 4-3 overall with a 28-0-home win over Olpe.

The Bulldawgs were in control throughout the game, scoring the only touchdown they would need on a 28-yard run by senior quarterback Tayson Horak at the 7:23 mark of the opening quarter (Vincent Daniel kick).

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak threw for a touchdown and ran for a TD in the Bulldawgs' 28-0 district win over Olpe Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Horak added a 10-yard passing touchdown to Kameron Badura (Daniel kick) with 3:26 left in the second quarter to give Rossville a 14-0 halftime advantage.

Seth Catron scored on a 15-yard run with 1:21 left in the third quarter (Daniel kick) to put the Bulldawgs in front 21-0 and Mahki Jackson added a 5-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter (Daniel kick) to give Rossville its final margin.

Rossville goes on the road to face district foe Wabaunsee (3-4, 2-2) on Friday.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 74, MARANATHA ACADEMY 6 -- Cair Paravel Latin snapped its five-game losing streak in resounding fashion Friday night at Yager Stadium, rolling to a Class 1A District 2 victory over Maranatha Academy.

The Lions improved to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the district.

CPLS will close out its regular season Friday night at Olpe (5-2, 3-1).

Washburn Rural's Jordy Heim and the Rural defense come up with a touchdown-saving stop to end the first half Friday night against Junction City. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

JUNCTION CITY 17, WASHBURN RURAL 0 -- Junction City entered the game giving up 35 points a game before blanking the Junior Blues 17-0 in a Centennial League game at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

The Blue Jays took advantage of a Rural turnover to go up 7-0 in the first quarter on a 2-yard run by junior Justice Fonoti.

The Blue Jays added a 31-yard field goal from senior Ethan Hileman to take a 10-0 halftime advantage, forcing two Rural turnovers and three punts in the opening half.

Junction City used a nine-play, 80-yard drive to get its final score of the night on a 6-yard TD run by junior Jamarcus Tyson.

Junction City improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the Centennial League while Rural fell to 3-4 and 2-1.

The Junior Blues will close out the regular season at undefeated Manhattan Friday night.

Hayden's Zulueta, Sheetz and Wichman and Seaman's Sweeney advance to state tennis semifinals

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden girls tennis stars Ainzley Zulueta and Emily Sheetz kept their bids for a third Class 4A state championships on Friday at Kossover Tennis Cente while Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney also advanced to the state semifinals in the 5A state tournament.

Zulueta, the two-time state singles champ and the No. 1 seed this weekend, went 2-0 on Friday without dropping a game and will face the No. 5 seed in a 9 a.m. semifinal while Sheetz, who won back-to-back doubles championships in 2022 and 2023 with '24 Hayden graduate Lauren Sandstrom and will try for a third crown on Saturday with freshman Sophia Wichman.

Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta will be shooting for her third Class 4A state tennis championship Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden freshman Sophia Wichman (left) and senior Emily Sheetz are the No. 2 doubles seed in the Class 4A state tournament and advanced to Saturday's semifinals with two straight wins on Friday. [File photo/TSN]

Sheetz and Wichman, who are coming off a regional championship and are the No. 2 seed for state and went 2-0 Friday to advance to a 9 a.m. semifinal doubles showdown with No. 6 seed Circle.

Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney, a state medalist as a freshman, advanced to Saturday's Class 5A singles semifinals. [File photo/TSN]

Sweeney, a state singles medalist as a freshman, went 2-0 in the 5A state tournament on Friday to advance to a 9 a.m. semifinal to face the No. 1 tournament seed.

Seaman junior Molly Gorman, a two-time state medalist in doubles, went 3-1 on Friday in her first state tournament in singles and can still finish as high as fifth place on Saturday.

Seaman's doubles team of senior Sidney Chinn and junior Peyton Henry also went 3-1 on Friday and can still finish as high as fifth in 5A.

Hayden junior Grace Funk in singles and the junior doubles team of Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray both went 2-1 in their first three matches on Friday.

Topeka High junior singles player Madeline Deters won her first two 6A singles matches on Friday before losing in the quarterfinals to the No. 2 seed.

Washburn Rural seniors Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard fell in the 6A doubles quarterfinals.

Both Deters and Catlin and Haggard can still finish as high as fifth place.

Related Stories and Videos

Hayden's Zulueta, Sheetz take aim on third Class 4A state championships

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden girls tennis stars Ainzley Zulueta and Emily Sheetz will be in familiar territory when they take the court Friday and Saturday at Topeka's Kossover Tennis Center to make their bids for their third Class 4A state championships.

Zulueta is a two-time state singles champ and back in the 4A field this weekend after not competing as a junior after attending a tennis academy in Texas while Sheetz won back-to-back doubles championships in 2022 and 2023 with '24 Hayden graduate Lauren Sandstrom and will try for a third crown with freshman Sophia Wichman.

Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta will be shooting for her third Class 4A state tennis championship Friday and Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden freshman Sophia Wichman (left) and senior Emily Sheetz are the No. 2 doubles seed for the Class 4A state tournament, with Sheetz trying to become a three-time state champ. [File photo/TSN]

Zulueta has been installed as the No. 1 seed for this weekend's state meet and is a perfect 20-0 on the season after winning city, Centennial League and regional titles. Zulueta went 4-0 at regionals with four straight 6-0, 6-0 victories.

Zulueta, who played over the summer in California, said she is enjoying her final go-around in the high school ranks.

"I'm having fun, I'm enjoying it,'' Zulueta said. "I've enjoyed what we've done so far (including a state team title in '22) and I'm glad we're hosting it for my final year. I think it will be exciting.''

Zulueta, who plans to play collegiately at Ferris State (Mich.), said she is confident entering her final high school tournament.

"I don't really know the No. 2 seed (29-3 Buhler freshman Sophia Spies) but I think if I can just play my game I think I'll be fine, as long as I get over my nerves and don't think too much about the people watching me,'' she said.

Zulueta knows that playing in her home town is likely to mean bigger crowds, especially from the Hayden community, but she said she is happy to be playing on courts that she knows like the back of her hands.

"I love playing on the Kossover courts, so I think I like that,'' Zulueta said. "I think it helped that regionals was here. With some people watching I think that kind of helped me get over nerves and the expectation I think some people might have when watching me.

"I know they're will be a lot more people this time around, but I'm excited and I think I'll be ready.''

Sheetz played with Sandstrom her first three high school seasons before compiling a 12-2 record in her partial season with Wichman.

Sheetz and Wichman are coming off a regional championship and have been installed as the No. 2 seed for state.

"For state we're going in open-minded and we're ready,'' Sheetz said. "I feel like we know how to play the game, so whatever happens happens and I'm just trying to go out with a bang my senior year.

"There is no pressure. I know we know how to play and we'll finish strong.''

Hayden qualified its entire team for state while capturing last Saturday regional team title at Kossover.

The Wildcats also qualified junior Grace Funk in singles and the junior doubles team of Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray.

Funk (8-3) is a year ago and placed second in the regional tournament while Sexton (12-18) qualified for state with a sixth-place regional finish.

Funk is the No. 10 singles seed for state and Sexton the No. 24 seed.

Glotzbach and O'Bray (15-15) finished fourth at regionals and are the No. 15 seed in the state doubles field.

The first round of state competition will get under way at 10 a.m. Friday.

CITY STATE TENNIS QUALIFIERS

Rural wins 18th straight city boys XC championship, Vikes' Anderson wins first individual title

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Saturday was business as usual for Washburn Rural's boys cross country team, which rolled to its 18th straight city boys team title at Kanza Park.

Seaman junior Brody Anderson captured his first city boys individual cross country championship Saturday at Kanza Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But there was also some new in the city championships, with Seaman junior standout Brody Anderson winning his first city individual crown after finishing second in 2023 while freshman Henry Laubach made an immediate impact in his first city meet with a third-place finish to pace the perennial-champion Junior Blues.

Matt Swedlund's Washburn Rural team used its pack mentality to produce a decisive 30-79 margin over Topeka West in the team race, with Laubach leading the way as Junior Blues put three runners in the top five and all of their top five in the top 10 places.

Anderson clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 36.7 seconds in his second city meet, winning by a 21-second-plus margin over Topeka West senior standout Adrian Lehman (15:58.3).

"It was good,'' Anderson said. "I went out pretty fast. I knew the course changed beforehand (approximately 80 meters longer) and I went out and walked it. It was good to see something a little extra on Kanza and I still ran a great time.

"It's championship season and I've been looking forward to it all season. I came out guns a blazing I feel like and it's paid off and I keep seeing some great times.''

Freshman Henry Laubach finished a team-high third in Saturday's city meet as Washburn Rural won its 18th straight boys team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Laubach continued his outstanding rookie campaign for the Junior Blues with a third-place time of 16:17.0.

"He's so natural,'' Swedlund said. "He's just a natural talent and having the middle school right there and being ablt to watch him compete and seeing him in the summers and stuff, he's where we thought he'd be.''

Junior Brooks Kehoe finished fourth (16:38.0) for the Junior Blues while senior Bodie King was fifth (16:42.8), senior Connor Olsen eighth (16:59.0) and freshman Duke Graf 10th (17:17.2) to complete Rural's top five.

"I was happy,'' Swedlund said. "Our two through four, five, that's right where we wanted them to be so I was happy with that.''

Hayden, Seaman qualify entire teams for state tennis

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The Hayden and Seaman girls tennis teams will be out in full force next Friday and Saturday for state tournaments after qualifying their entire teams and capturing regional team championships on Saturday.

Two-time Class 4A state singles champion Ainzley Zulueta won a regional title Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden senior Emily Sheetz, a two-time state champion, won a Class 4A regional doubles championship Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta captured the regional singles title in the Class 4A regional at Kossover Tennis Center while senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman won the doubles championship as the Wildcats topped Bishop Miege for the team title.

Zulueta and Sheetz earned their shot at their third state titles with Saturday's regional championships.

Zulueta, undefeated on the season, rolled through her four regional matches will dropping a game, posting four straight 6-0, 6-0 victories, including a 6-0, 6-0 win over Bishop Miege sophomore Ella Daniel in the championship match.

Sheetz and Wichman won the doubles title with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Chapman juniors Avery Baer and Meredith Kuntz.

Hayden also got a third-place singles finish from junior Grace Funk and a fifth-place doubles showing from senior Avery O'Bray and junior Izzy Glotzbach.

Funk's lone regional loss came in the semifinals to teammate Zulueta.

Hayden will be back at Kossover for the 4A state meet next Friday and Saturday.

Seaman pulled off the rare feat of compiling a perfect team score for the second straight tournament Saturday at Bonner Springs.

The Vikings, who were perfect in last Monday's United Kansas Conference tournamet, repeated that performance at regionals, with sophomore Emma Sweeney and junior Molly Gorman going one-two in singles and senior Sidney Chinn and junior Peyton Henry winning the doubles championship in an all-Seaman final against sophomores Kaylyn Hiebsch and Camryn Lux.

Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney captured the singles championship in Saturday's Class 5A regional tennis tournament at Bonner Springs. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman senior Sidney Chinn (right) and junior Peyton Henry won the doubles title in Saturday's Class 5A regional tennis meet at Bonner Springs. [File photo/TSN]

Sweeney, now 27-3 on the season, took a 6-1, 6-1 win over Gorman (26-4) in the singles final while Chinn and Henry (24-5) took a 6-4, 6-0 win over Hiebsch and Lux (6-4, 6-0) as Seaman won the regional team title by a 26-14 win over Piper.

Seaman will compete in the 5A state tournament next Friday and Saturday at the Andover District Tennis Complex.

Lions' Poole qualifies for 3A-1A state meet

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Madilyn Poole finished as the singles runnerup in the Class 3A-1A regional tournament at Marysville on Saturday, becoming the Lions' first-ever girls state qualifier.

Sophomore Madilyn Poole finished second in Saturday's Class 3A-1A regional at Marysville to qualify for state. [File photo/TSN]

Poole, 19-6 on the season, dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision to Kansas City Christian senior Lauren Seitz (24-4) in the regional championship match.

Poole scored all six of Cair Paravel's team points as the Lions finished fifth.

Sophomore Madilyn Poole became Cair Paravel's first girls tennis state qualifier Saturday in Marysville. [File photo/TSN]

Poole will compete in the 3A-1A state tournament next Friday and Saturday at Wichita's Riverside Tennis Complex.

Prep FB roundup: Bulldawgs remain undefeated in district with 71-24 romp past Cair Paravel

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville posted its third straight Class 1A District 2 win while evening its record at 3-3 with a 71-24 home romp past Cair Paravel Latin Friday night.

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak had a hand in five touchdowns in the Bulldawgs' 71-24 district win over Cair Paravel. [File photo/TSN]

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak had a hand in five touchdowns for the Bulldawgs, including kickoff and punt returns for TDs.

Horak opened the game with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help Rossville open up a commanding 21-0 first-quarter advantage.

The Bulldawgs also got a 9-yard TD run from Conner Bush and a 1-yard TD from Andre Johnson in the opening quarter and opened up a 49-6 advantage at the half.

Rossville's four second-quarter touchdowns came on a 50-yard Bush run, a 30-yard pass from Horak to Mahki Jackson, a 42-yard Horak run and a 47-yard Horak punt return to end the first half.

Horak added a 47-yard third-quarter touchdown pass to Jack Donovan in the third quarter before Canann Mitchell scored on 10 and 24-yard TD runs in the fourth quarter to wrap up Rossville's scoring.

Vincent Daniel kicked seven extra points while Seth Catron and Remi Droegemeier converted 2-point conversions.

Cair Paravel (1-5, 0-3 district) struck for three long touchdowns in the game -- 38 and 50-yard passes and a 63-yard run.

Cair Paravel is scheduled to be at Yager Stadium next Friday to host Maranatha Christian Academy in a district game while Rossville will be at home to host Olpe.

Washburn Rural sophomore Cade Danielson tackles an Emporia ball-carrier for a safety in Friday's 53-8 Rural win over the Spartans. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural junior Kellan Roth is congratulated by junior teammate Sammy Brumley (58) after scoring his second TD in Friday's 53-8 win over Emporia. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL 53, EMPORIA 8 --Washburn Rural picked up its second straight Centennial League victory while evening its overall mark at 3-3 with a 53-8 romp past winless Emporia Friday night at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

The Junior Blues' defense turned in a dominating performance, including a pair of safeties while junior John Hoytal hooked up with junior Kellan Roth for a pair of touchdown passes and junior TD Minikwu ran for a pair of TDs.

Washburn Rural opened up a 14-0 first-quarter lead and led 32-0 at halftime.

Emporia fell to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the Centennial League.

Washburn Rural will be back at home next Friday for a league game against Junction City.

JUNCTION CITY 50, TOPEKA HIGH 21 -- Junction City snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up its first Centennial League victory Friday night with a 50-21 home win over Topeka High.

Junction City improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the league while handing Topeka High its second straight loss.

The Trojans are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the league entering Friday night's home Centennial League matchup with Manhattan.

A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County prep football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Seaman senior Bryer Finley had three touchdown receptions in last Friday's 43-22 UKC win over Lansing. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

SEAMAN (4-1, 4-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-4, 1-3 UKC)

Seaman is coming off a 43-22 United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing last Friday while Shawnee Heights dropped a 69-57 UKC scorefest to De Soto. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 62 of 104 passes for 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns while senior receiver Bryer Finley has 33 receptions for 680 yards and 11 TDs. Viking junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 64 times for 357 yards and scored eight TDs. Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 110 of 188 passes for 1,752 yards and 16 TDs. Junior AJ Gallegos has 35 catches for 520 yards and six touchdowns while junior Tyren Parker has 28 catches for 513 yards and five TDs. T-Bird junior David Wakes has 452 rushing yards on 91 attempts with three TDs.

Junior TJ Minikwu rushed for 149 yards and scored three touchdowns in Washburn Rural's 49-21 Centennial League win over Topeka High last Friday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

EMPORIA (0-5, 0-2 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (2-3, 1-0 Centennial)

Washburn Rural snapped a three-game non-league losing streak with a 49-21 win over Topeka High last Friday in the Junior Blues' Centennial League opener. Junior TD Minikwu carried the ball 24 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns against Topeka High while sophomore Jadyn Baum added 70 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts. Emporia is still looking for its first win of the season after taking a 59-0 league loss to Manhattan last week. The Spartans have been outscored 249-67 on the season.

KC-TURNER (0-5, 0-4 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-5 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Either the Chargers or the visiting Bears will pick up a much-needed victory in Friday's United Kansas Conference matchup. Topeka West is coming off a 59-6 UKC loss to undefeated Basehor-Linwood last week while Turner remained winless with a 34-6 loss to KIPP Legacy. Topeka West's lone win the past two seasons has come against Turner. The Chargers scored their lone touchdown against Basehor-Linwood last week on a 79-yard pass play from Jacob Brewster to Alesecio Batson.

Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 684 yards and eight TDs for the 4-1 Wildcats. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (4-1, 1-0 Class 3A District 4) at HOLTON (3-2, 2-0 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden will be on the road to face Holton in a battle between teams who are unbeaten in Class 3A District 4. Hayden is coming off a 49-0 district win over Hiawatha while Holton took a 48-9 win over Jefferson West. Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 41 times for 432 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns while senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 47 of 66 passes for 684 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has 13 catches for 220 yards and has scored five TDs. Holton senior Kyler Jackson has 406 yards and five touchdowns on 76 carries while senior Bodie Dillon has carried the ball 32 times for 253 yards and five TDs and junior Korban Wilson has 255 yards and five TDs on 47 attempts.

Prep FB roundup: Bulldawgs roll to 43-0 Class 1A district win over Mission Valley

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After picking up a forfeit victory a week earlier, Rossville posted its second straight Class 1A District 2 win, and first on-field triumph, on Friday night, with the Bulldawgs rolling to a 43-0 decision over Mission Valley.

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 43-0 district win over Mission Valley Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

The Bulldawgs scored the only points they would need on a 1-yard Andre Johnson run (Vincent Daniel kick) at the 6:48 mark of the opening quarter and Rossville made it a 14-0 game with 2:10 left in the quarter on a 4-yard pass from Tayson Horak to Conner Bush (Daniel kick).

Rossville doubled up its lead with a pair of second-quarter TDs -- a 19-yard pass from Horak to Kameron Badura (Bush 2-point conversion run) 25 seconds into the quarter and a 1-yard Horak run (Daniel kick) with 8:35 left before halftime.

The Bulldawgs scored their final two touchowns of the night in the third quarter -- a 74-yard Bush run (Daniel kick) at the 10:36 mark and a 30-yard interception return from Bush with 8:30 left in the quarter (Daniel kick).

Rossville will be at home next Friday night to face Cair Paravel Latin in a district matchup.

Senior quarterback Dysen Schooler and the Silver Lake Eagles improved to 4-1 with Friday's 50-0 win over Baldwin. [File photo/TSN]

SILVER LAKE 50, BALDWIN 0 --Silver Lake posted its third straight win to improve to 4-1 on the season, rolling to a 50-0 non-league win over winless Baldwin.

The Eagles will return to Class 2A District 2 play next Friday, hosting Riley County.

A game-by-game look at Thursday and Friday's Shawnee County high school football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT'S GAME

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (4-0, 4-0 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-4, 0-4 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Still looking for its first win of the 2024 season, Topeka West faces another tough United Kansas Conference test Thursday night, with league-leading Basehor-Linwood visiting Hummer Sports Park to face the Chargers. Topeka West is coming off a 63-0 UKC loss to Lansing while Basehor-Linwood took a 21-7 league win over De Soto. Bobcat junior quarterback Carson Dixon has completed 37 of 74 passes for 496 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Nick Doering has carried the ball 76 times for 425 yards and seven TDs.

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards in last Friday's 47-14 Centennial League win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (1-3, 0-0 Centennial) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (4-0, 1-0 Centennial)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High will be looking to extend its winning streak to five games while Washburn Rural, a Class 6A semifinalist last season, will be aiming to snap a three-game non-league losing streak to teams that are a combined 12-1 on the season. Washburn Rural, coming off a 49-23 loss to undefeated Blue Valley Northwest, will be playing its Centennial League opener Friday night while Topeka High opened league play last week with a 47-14 road win over Emporia. Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards on 13 attempts while junior Zane Smith completed five of eight passes for 191 yards and Savon Carter caught two passes for 144 yards. Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal completed 23 of 32 throws for 235 yards against Northwest while junior receiver Kellan Roth hauled in 11 of Hoytal’s throws for 99 yards and a score. Sophomore Jadyn Baum exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run and junior TJ Minikwu blasted in from 10 yards out for another score.

Hayden junior Kade Mitchell (25) has rushed for 296 yards and scored six touchdowns this fall. [File photo/TSN]

HIAWATHA (1-3, 0-1 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (3-1, 0-0 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden, the Class 3A runnerup a year ago, is coming off a 31-28 non-league loss at Wamego last Friday while Hiawatha opened Class 3A District 4 play with a 21-0 win over Jefferson West. Hayden will open district competition Friday night. Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 41 of 57 pass attempts for 619 yards and seven touchdowns while junior running back Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 33 times for 296 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 13 passes for 220 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns this fall for the 3-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

LANSING (3-1, 3-0 UKC) at SEAMAN (3-1, 3-0 UKC)

Friday's game will match up United Kansas Conference co-leaders Lansing and Seaman, who are both a perfect 3-0 in league play. Seaman is coming off a 49-0 win over Kansas City-Turner while Lansing rolled to a 62-0 win over Topeka West. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 47 of 85 passes for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 40 times for 235 yards and five TDs while senior Bryer Finley has caught 21 passes for 382 yards and eight TDs. Lansing senior Reid Oakley has completed 46 of 93 passes for 798 yards while sophomore Jaxon Pollard has carried the ball 61 times for 379 yards and five TDs.

WABAUNSEE (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2)

At Yager Stadium

Cair Paravel will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak after opening Class 1A District 2 play last Friday with a 46-22 loss to Mission Valley. Wabaunsee is also 1-3 and 0-1 in the district after a 14-7 loss to Olpe last week. Cair Paravel will be playing its second home game of the season at Washburn University's Yager Stadium. Top players for the Lions include senior quarterback Jase Pavlik and senior running back Ben Roeder.

Prep FB roundup: Topeka High improves to 4-0 with 47-14 Centennial League road romp past Spartans

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High improved to a perfect 4-0 on the season Friday night, riding a 27-point second quarter to a 47-14 road victory at Emporia's Welch Stadium in the Trojans' Centennial League opener.

Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith had a big game Friday night as the Trojans improved to 4-0 with a 47-14 Centennial League road win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

After a scoreless first quarter, Topeka High got on the scoreboard just 43 seconds into the second period on a 25-yard run from Courtney Sanders (Jayden Norman kick).

The Trojans added to their advantage just over two minutes later when Zane Smith connected with Saron Carter for a 78-yard touchdown strike and Smith scored on a 9-yard run midway through the quarter (Norman kick) to put High in front 20-0 and Norman ended the second-quarter onslaugt with a 24-yard TD strike from Smith just 1:08 before halftime (Norman kick).

Carter scored on a 29-yard run early in the second half and Robert Dingle tacked on an 11-yard TD run midway through the third quarter (Norman kick) before Tevante Ewing ended the Trojans' scoring midway through the final stanza (Norman kick).

Emporia scored both of its touchdowns in the final quarter, including the Spartans' final TD with just 1:20 remaining.

Ewing rushed for 169 yards on 13 attempts while Smith completed five of eight passes for 191 yards and Carter caught two passes for 144 yards.

Topeka High will host city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural next Friday at Hummer Sports Park.

TOPEKA HIGH 47, EMPORIA 14

Topeka High (4-0, 1-0) 0 27 13 7 -- 47

Emporia (0-4, 0-1) 0 0 0 14 -- 14

Topeka High -- Sanders 25 run (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Carter 78 pass from Smith (conversion failed)

Topeka High -- Smith 9 run (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Norman 24 pass from Smith (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Carter 29 run (conversion failed)

Topeka High -- Dingle 11 run (Norman kick)

Emporia -- Crowell 1 run (B’Hymer kick)

Topeka High -- Ewing 1 run (Norman kick)

Emporia -- Crowell 1 run (B’Hymer kick)

Individual statistics

Rushing -- Topeka High: Ewing 13-169, Smith 2-22, Sanders 2-23, Carter 1-29, Dingle 1-11. Emporia -- Crowell 20-61, Gray 8-13, Telfer 5-15, LeBlanc 1-(minus)-3).

Passing -- Topeka High: Smith 5-8-1, 191 yards. Emporia: Gray 7-14-0, 69; Seidl 2-3-0, 40.

Receiving -- Topeka High: Carter 2-144, Ewing 2-23, Norman 1-24. Emporia -- Crowell 1-4, Arndt 3-32, Seidl 1-9, Kirk 2-2, Gardner 1-48, Franklin 1-14.

WAMEGO 31, HAYDEN 28 -- Brody Graber kicked a game-winning 27-yard field goal to cap Wamego's comeback in a 31-28 win over Hayden in a non-league game at Wamego.

Hayden, which fell to 3-1, led 7-0 after a 16-yard pass from Jett Wahlmeier to Jensen Schrickel (Mason Becker kick) and the Wildcats led 14-7 after Conner Hanika found Schrickel for a 50-yard score on a double pass (Becker kick).

Hayden led 14-7 at the half but Wamego (3-1) opened the second half with a 99-yard kickoff return from Jackson Supps.

Hayden broke the tie on a 7-yard TD run from Jackson McGivern (Becker kick) and after a Wildcat interception, Wahlmeier found Kade Mitchell for a 40-yard TD (Becker kick) to put Hayden in front by a 28-14 margin.

The fourth quarter started with Hayden still in front 28-14 but Wamego got a big spark on a 3rd and long play when sophomore quarterback Logan Fulton picked up an errant snap in the end zone and found Tate Warren down the sideline for a 21-yard first down.

Wamego then marched down the field for a 7-yard Warren TD to get within seven points and then the Red Raiders tied the game at 28 on a 12-yard Warren TD with 4:59 remaining after Wamego recovered a Hayden fumble.

After getting the ball back Wamego took the lead on Graber's field goal. Hayden completed two passes on its final drive before running out of time.

Unofficially, Wahlmeier passed for 156 yards and a touchdown while Mitchell rushed for 53 yards on 10 attempts and Schrickel caught four passes for 93 yards and two TDs.

Wamego's Warren carried the ball 28 times for 148 yards and Fulton passed for 232 yards.

Hayden will host Hiawatha next Friday.

A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County high school football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal and the Junior Blues will try to snap a two-game losing streak in Friday's non-league home game against Blue Valley Northwest. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (3-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (1-2)

Washburn Rural, which has dropped two straight road games, faces another tough non-league test Friday night against undefeated Blye Valley Northwest. The Junior Blues are coming off a 49-20 loss at Platte County, Mo. while the Huskies took a 27-24 decision over St. James Academy. Northwest senior quarterbacks Ford Bevins and Nathan Baxter have combined to go 25 of 38 passing for 428 yards and six touchdowns while junior L.J. Bowen has carried the ball 53 times for 329 yards and two TDs. Senior Trevor Garlington has 11 pass receptions for 257 yards and two TDs. Washburn Rural got defensive touchdowns from juniors Jordy Heim and Elijah Gaines against Platte County and a 76-yard TD pass from junior John Hoytal to senior Blake Recinos, but the Junior Blues couldn't keep pace with the undefeated Pirates.

Senior Jamon Wilson has helped lead Highland Park to a perfect 3-0 record to open the 2024 season. [File photo/TSN]

KC-HARMON (1-2, 0-2 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (3-0, 3-0 Meadowlark)

At Hummer Sports Park

Two streaks will be on the line for Highland Park in Friday's Meadowlark Conference game against Harmon. The Scots will be looking for their fourth straight win while also trying to extend their shutout streak after outscoring their first three conference opponents by a 126-0 margin. Highland Park is coming off a 32-0 win over KC-Schlagle while Harmon dropped a 45-0 decision to KC-Washington last Friday. Harmon senior quarterback Mikey Hammer has completed 13 of 39 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown while sophomore Adrian Fernandez has carred the ball 25 times for 167 yards and two TDs. Highland Park junior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 17 of 38 passes for 276 yards and five TDs while senior Jamon Wilson has carried the ball 22 times for 275 yards and compiled 605 all-purpose yards and scored seven total TDs. Sophomore G'Honi Montgomery has 247 rushing yards and a TD on 35 attempts.

Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith has helped the Trojans get off to a 3-0 start this fall. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (3-0, 0-0 Centennial) at EMPORIA (0-3, 0-0 Centennial)

At Welch Stadium

Topeka High and Emporia will open Centennial League play Friday night. Topeka High improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season in last Friday's weather-shortened 26-0 non-league road win over Wichita Southeast, the Trojans' third straight win over members of the Wichita City League. Topeka High led 13-0 when the game was delayed for approximately an hour due to lightning and added to its advantage with a 45-yard TD pass from junior Zane Smith to senior Saron Carter and led 26-0 at the half when the game was called due to the inclement weather. Carter led the Trojans' attack with three TDs on the night. Emporia is coming off a 30-20 non-league loss to Coffeyville and the Spartans have been outscored 126-45 on the year. Topeka High has outscored its first three foes by a 105-33 margin.

Shawnee Heights junior David Wakes has rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns this fall. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

LEAVENWORTH (1-2, 1-2 UKC) at Shawnee Heights (1-2, 1-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a tough 42-35 home United Kansas Conference loss to Basehor-Linwood last Friday while Leavenworth picked up its first win of the season, a 51-6 UKC romp past KC-Turner. Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 61 of 105 passes for 918 yards and eight touchdowns while junior AJ Gallegos has caught 20 passes for 249 yards and three TDs and Tyren Parker has 15 catches for 265 yards and three TDs. Junior David Wakes has 275 rushing yards and two TDs on 52 carries while junior Royce Daniels leads the Shawnee Heights defense with 36 tackles, including 17 solo stops.

Hayden returns to Class 4A, Rossville drops to 2A in latest KSHSAA classifications

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden moves back to Class 4A for the 2024-2025 school year in all sports except football in the latest classifications released by the Kansas State High school Activities Association on Thursday while Rossville will move down to 2A.

Hayden is back in its accustomed spot in 4A after a brief stint in 3A while longtime 3A school Rossville moves down to 2A in all sports except football. Hayden is a 3A school in football while Rossville is in its first season in 1A on the gridiron.

Hayden, with 333 students is the third smallest 4A school in the state while Rossville is the fourth largest 2A school with 170 students.

The other eight Shawnee County high schools remained in the same classifications -- Washburn Rural and Topeka High in 6A, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Topeka West and Highland Park in 5A, Silver Lake in 3A and Cair Paravel Latin in 2A.

KSHSAA 2024-2025 CLASSIFICATIONS

Final-match comeback clinches city team championship for Hayden girls tennis

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden girls tennis coach Christy Sheetz had very little doubt that Thursday's race for the city championship would go down to the wire.

Hayden poses for a picture after winning the city girls team tennis championship Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

And that's exactly what happened, with the come-from-behind win from the Wildcats' No. 2 doubles team of Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray in the final match of the night clinching Hayden's second city team title in three seasons by a 32-29 margin over Seaman. Washburn Rural finished third with 26 points.

"It always that way,'' Sheetz said of the close battle. "It's the way the scoring is, so you have to anticipate that it's going to be really, really tight and especially with Seaman and Washburn Rural. We're the little guy coming in.''

Hayden took a one-point margin into the No. 2 doubles final, but the Wildcats needed a win by Glotzbach and O'Bray to hold off the Vikings and got down early before rallying for an 8-4 win over Seaman's Kaylyn Hiebsch and Camryn Lux.

Hayden also got a city title from senior star Ainzley Zulueta in No. 1 singles while senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman posted a second-place finish in No. 1 doubles and junior Grace Funk finished second in No. 2 singles.

"I feel really good about where the girls are right now,'' Christy Sheetz said. "We have three dual-sport athletes on our top six. We've got a volleyball player (Wichman), we've got a golfer in Izzy Glotzbach and Grace Funk also does debate so it's kind of a chess match sometimes putting partners together and figuring out where things are.

"Having Ainzley Zulueta back (after missing her junior season) is a huge part of it, Emily Sheetz coming on with a new partner who's a freshman, that was really, really important and Grace Funk doing what she did in the No. 2 singles spot but this last match (the No. 2 doubles final) was pretty amazing.''

Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta won the city title in No. 1 singles on Thursday, helping the Wildcats capture the team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Zulueta, a two-time Class 4A state singles champion, took an 8-0 win over Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney in the No. 1 singles final, capping a dominating day.

Zulueta had to sit out her junior high school season due to an eligibility issue after attending an out-of-state tennis academy but returned to win the third city title of her career.

"I'm glad to be back,'' Zulueta said. "It's nice to be with the team again, traveling and all of that. I kind of missed it. That was the thing I missed most.''

Washburn Rural seniors Izzy Haggard (right) and Emerie Catlin won the city No. 1 doubles title Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center after winning the No. 2 crown in 2023. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural seniors Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard, who won the city No. 2 doubles title in 2023, won the No. 1 doubles championship on Thursday with an 8-6 win over E. Sheetz and Wichman.

Catlin and Haggard trailed 3-0 at the start of the match before rallying to claim the championship.

"We just weren't being aggressive at the net and then we clicked and started being aggressive,' Catlin said.

"We got down a little bit and she (Catlin) helped pick us up,'' Haggard said.

Haggard and Catlin have been doubles partners throughout their high school careers and Haggard said it felt good to win the No. 1 title in the duo's final city meet.

"It's a good feeling,'' she said. "I think it's the best we've ever played together.''

Seaman junior Molly Gorman won the city title in No. 2 singles Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Junior Molly Gorman won the No. 2 singles title for Seaman, taking an 8-4 win over Funk, while the Vikings also got a third-place finish in No. 1 doubles from Sidney Chinn and Peyton Henry.

CITY GIRLS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Cair Paravel falls 46-0 to Class 2A stalwart Council Grove in Lions' home opener at Yager Stadium

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Lions endured a test of their character Friday night, matched in just their third game of 11-man football with the ninth-ranked team in Class 2A.

Cair Paravel senior quarterback Jase Pavlik attempts a pass in Friday's 46-0 loss to Council Grove. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel senior Ben Roeder (5) carries the ball in Friday's 46-0 loss to Council Grove. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Lions survived a similar test a week earlier, hanging with even higher-ranked Osage City. But Friday’s battle with Council Grove – Cair Paravel’s first home game as an 11-man team – ended in a 46-0 defeat at Washburn University’s Yager Stadium.

The Braves suited up 46 players Friday to just 18 for Cair Paravel. Facing a difference in size at essentially every position across the field, the Lions looked for positives to take away following the defeat.

“(Opponents like this) definitely show your weaknesses,” said Cair Paravel coach Doug Bonura. “I told the guys I’m proud of them. We didn’t quite play the game that we wanted to play. I don’t know if that’s because of (Council Grove) or because of us yet. That’s what film tells us. But I’m proud of the way they played.”

“But we’ve got to figure some things out, because it’s not going to be easy this year. Nothing’s easy.”

The Braves came out firing to start the contest. But after surrendering two quick touchdowns, the Lions’ defense stiffened. The highlight of the first half for the home team was holding Council Grove out of the end zone on three consecutive series.

When it appeared the Lions might make it to halftime trailing just 13-0, a long Braves’ pass put them in scoring position with less than two minutes remaining. Ace Monihen blasted in for a 2-yard touchdown.

After two plays on the ensuing drive, Monihen scooped up an errant pitch in the Lion backfield and dashed 29 yards for the Braves’ fourth touchdown of the half to lead 27-0.

With a few key players hobbled in the first half, the Lions scrambled to hold things together after halftime. A running clock brought on a speedy end to the 46-0 defeat.

A game-by-game look at this week's Shawnee County prep football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 261 yards and three touchdowns this fall for the 1-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA WEST (0-2, 0-2) at SEAMAN (1-1, 1-0)

Topeka West is coming off a 53-8 home United Kansas Conference loss to Shawnee Heights while Seaman dropped a 35-7 non-league decision to Shawnee Mission East last Friday. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 23 of 48 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns while senior Bryer Finley has caught 10 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown and junior Kaden McKinney has caught five passes for 115 yards and a TD. McKinney leads the Vikings with 122 rushing yards and two TDs on 27 attemps. Topeka West senior Alesecio Batson scored the Chargers' lone touchdown against Shawnee Heights on a 20-yard reception from freshman Josiah Wilke while senior Treyvion Barr added a 2-point conversion.

Cair Paravel senior quarterback Jase Pavlik passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday's 54-20 loss to Osage City. [File photo/TSN]

COUNCIL GROVE (2-0, 2-0) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-1, 1-1)

At Yager Stadium

Cair Paravel will play its first home game at Washburn University's Yager Stadium, with the Lions facing Council Grove in a Flint Hills League contest. Cair Paravel is coming off a 54-20 league loss to Osage City while Council Grove improved to 2-0 with a 50-13 league win over Mission Valley. Lion senior quarterback Jase Pavlik passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns last Friday while senior Ben Roeder had 13 catches for 165 yards and two TDs and junior Tobias Bonura carried the ball 13 times for 74 yards and caught six passes for 55 yards. Council Grove sophomore quarterback Luke Stewart has completed 28 of 38 passes for 419 yards and three TDs while senior Ace Monihen has rushed or 208 yards and seven TDs and senior Landon Dody has nine catches for 236 yards and a TD.

Hayden junior Kade Mitchell rushed for more than 100 yards and also scored on a 90-yard kickoff return in last Friday's 42-14 win over St. Michael The Archangel. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

KC-WARD (0-2) at HAYDEN (2-0)

After finishing second in Class 3A last season, Bill Arnold's Wildcats are off and running again this fall, improving to 2-0 with a 42-14 win over St. Michael The Archangel (Lee's Summit, Mo.) last Friday. Junior Kade Mitchell rushed for more than 100 yards in the Hayden while also returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for three touchdowns against the Guardians.

Shawnee Heights junior Tyren Parker has caught 11 passes for 185 yards and two TDs for the 1-1 T-Birds. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (2-0, 2-0) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-1, 1-0)

Shawnee Heights opened United Kansas Conference play with a 53-8 road win over Topeka West last Friday while Basehor-Linwood improved to 2-0 with a 48-14 win over Piper. T-Bird junior quarterback Aiden Scott completed 16 of 26 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns against West and has passed for 655 yards and five TDs on a 40 of 66 performance in two games. Junior David Wakes has carried the ball 32 times for 176 yards and two TDs while junior Tyren Parker has caught 11 passes for 185 yards and two TDs. Basehor-Linwood junior quarterback Carson Dixon has completed 23 of 41 passes for 215 yards and three TDs while senior Nick Doering has 183 rushing yards and five TDs on 29 carries and junior Noah Morrison has 10 receptions for 94 yards and two TDs.

Jamon Wilson has helped lead Highland Park to a 2-0 start this all, with the Scots outscoring their two opponents by a 94-0 margin. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (2-0, 2-0) at KC-SCHLAGLE (1-1, 1-0)

Highland Park has outscored its two Meadowlark Conference opponents by a 94-0 margin, including a 42-0 win over Kansas City-Sumner Academy last Friday. KC-Schlaglee picked up its first win in a 48-0 win over KC-Wyandotte. Scot junior quarterback Dontrail Fox went 9 of 16 in the passing game for 112 yards and three touchdowns while Highland Park rushed for 231 yards on 37 attempts as sophomore G'honi Montgomery picked up 78 yards on 15 attemps and senior Jamon Wilson gaining 75 yards on nine carries. Wilson caught seven passes for 76 yards and also returned a punt return for a 59-yard touchdown, one of three punt-return TDs for the Scots. Highland Park also got an 80-yard punt return from senior CJ Brown and a 23-yard score from junior Genesis Cooper. Senior Ricky Crawford led the Highland Park with nine tackles, including five solo stops.

Prep FB roundup: Highland Park improves to 2-0 with 42-0 Meadowlark romp past KC-Sumner

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Highland Park improved to 2-0 overall and in the Meadowlark Conference with a 42-0 road rout over Kansas City-Sumner Friday night.

Scot junior quarterback Dontrail Fox went 9 of 16 in the passing game for 112 yards and three touchdowns while Highland Park rushed for 231 yards on 37 attempts as sophomore G'honi Montgomery picked up 78 yards on 15 attemps and senior Jamon Wilson gaining 75 yards on nine carries.

Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson had 151 rushing and receiving yards and returned a punt 59 yards for a TD in the Scots' 42-0 win over KC-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]

Wilson caught seven passes for 76 yards and also returned a punt return for a 59-yard touchdown, one of three punt-return TDs for the Scots.

Highland Park also got an 80-yard punt return from senior CJ Brown and a 23-yard score from junior Genesis Cooper.

Senior Ricky Crawford led the Highland Park with nine tackles, including five solo stops.

Highland Park will be back on the road next Friday against Meadowlark Conference foe KC-Schlagle.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 35, SEAMAN 7 --Seaman (1-1) and Shawnee Mission East (1-1) were tied at 7-7 before the Lancers took control of the non-league contest with the final 28 points of the night.

Seaman scored its lone touchdown on a touchdown pass from quarterback Max Huston to Kaden McKinney.

The Vikings will play their home opener next Friday, hosting Topeka West in a United Kansas Conference contest.

A1 Lock & Key Performers Sept. 9, 2024

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Brody Anderson

BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman

A junior cross country star, Anderson opened his 2024 season with the boys individual championship in Saturday's Manhattan Invitational at Warner Park. Anderson, a returning Class 5A state qualifier, posted a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 35.77 seconds, taking the victory by 28 seconds.

Tevante Ewing

TEVANTE EWING, Topeka High

Ewing, a senior running back, scored three touchdwns in Topeka High's 52-19 season-opening non-league road victory over Wichita West on Friday. Ewing scored the Trojans' first touchdown on a 70-yard pass from Zane Smith and also scored on a pair of runs as Topeka High rolled to a win in Jason Filbeck's debut as High's coach.

John Hoytal

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A junior quarterback, Hoytal made his first career start in Friday's 42-21 non-league home win over Shawnee Heights. Hoytal completed 14 of 21 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 47 yards on 10 carries. Hoytal completed TDs of 2, 42 and 7 yards to Kellan Roth and16 yards to Brody Schwinn.

Prep FB roundup: Cair Paravel, High's Filbeck notch firsts with season-opening wins

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin and Topeka High head football coach Jason Filbeck both made a little bit of history with season-opening road victories Friday night.

Cair Paravel notched its first-ever 11-man victory in a 44-0 win at West Franklin while Filbeck posted his first victory at Topeka High in his debut with the Trojans as High rolled to a 52-19 win over Wichita West at Friends University.

CPLS dominated its 11-man debut from start to finish, using a 21-point second quarter to open up a 28-0 halftime advantage and adding its final two TDs in the fourth quarter.

Ben Roeder

The Lions scored the only points they would need midway through the opening quarter when senior Ben Roeder scored on a 4-yard run and CPLS standout senior quarterback Jase Pavlik ran for the 2-point conversion to give his team an 8-0 lead.

Roeder returned a punt return 73 yards for a TD to give Cair Paravel a 14-0 lead with eight minutes left in the first half and Chase Hastert added interception returns of 46 and 50 yards to put the Lions in control at the half.

Tobias Bonura added an 85-yard interception return and Pavlik hit Roeder for a 2-point conversion early in the fourth quarter before Roeder scored his third TD on a 3-yard rush (Pavlik run) to complete the Lions' scoring with six minutes left.

Topeka High rolled to a 52-19 road win over Wichita West Friday, giving Jason Filbeck a victory in his debut as the Trojans' head coach. [File photo/TSN]

The Trojans made sure Friday was a happy night Filbeck, who accepted the Topeka High job in the offseason after 10 years at Augusta, with High scoring the first 20 points and never looking back.

Topeka High never trailed after Zane Smith and Tevonte Ewing connected with a 7-yard TD pass with 7:33 left in the first quarter.

Smith threw his second touchdown pass with 4:31 left in the opening quarter and Ewing scored again to put the Trojans in front 20-0 early in the second quarter.

Later in the first half Ewing scored for the third time to give the Trojans a 26-6 lead and Smith hit Jayden Norman for a 90-yard TD to put High up 32-6 at the half.

Detrick Johnson put Topeka High up 46-6 at the 7:46 mark of the third quarter and the Trojans cruised the rest of the way.

A game-by-game look at Friday night's Shawnee County prep football openers

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

Rossville senior Tayson Horak (12) earned All-Shawnee County Second 22 and All-Mid-East League first-team honors last fall. [File photo/TSN]

Former Silver Lake football star Logan Pegram is starting his third season as the Eagles' head coach, leading Lake to a 14-5 record over the past two years. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

ROSSVILLE at SILVER LAKE

The Bulldawgs and Eagles open the 2024 season with one of the state's most storied rivalries. Rossville is coming off a 5-4 record a year ago while Silver Lake went 8-2. Rossville is playing its first season in the Class 1A ranks while the Bulldawgs and Silver Lake are both entering their first year in the new Big East League. Rossville senior Tayson Horak earned All-Mid-East League first-team recognition on offense and was a TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Second 22 pick last season while seniors Kameron Badura and Brock Bush and junior Jack Donovan received all-county honorable mention. Silver Lake senior Braden Strausbaugh, an offensive tackle and defensive end, earned All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last fall while seniors Logan Cathcart and Trent Rollenhagen and junior Dayne Johnson received all-county honorable mention.

Seniors King Leonard (1) is a top returner for Washburn Rural, intercepting nine passes last fall for the 11-1 Junior Blues. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights junior receiver/defensive back Tyren Parker has received Division I offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State. [File photo/TSN]

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS at WASHBURN RURAL

City rivals Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights combined for 19 wins last season, with the 11-1 Junior Blues advancing to the Class 6A semifinals and the 8-3 T-Birds making it to the 5A quarterfinals. Rural senior safety King Leonard was among the state leaders with nine interceptions, including one pick six, and was also in on 75 tackles (47 solo) en route to earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors last fall. Senior cornerback Wilson Miller was named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year and earned All-Centennial League defensive honors and All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last season. Shawnee Heights only returns defensive starters Parker Busenitz, a senior safety, and junior cornerback Tyren Parker from last year's team along with junior kicker Camden Granado. Parker has D-I offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State.

Senior Jamon Wilson racked up 1,185 all-purpose yards and scored 63 points last fall for the 7-3 Scots. [File photo/TSN]

KC-WYANDOTTE at HIGHLAND PARK

At Hummer Sports Park

After snapping an eight-year losing streak early in 2022, Jermaine Monroe's Scots have posted back-to-back winning seasons, including a 7-3 mark last season when Highland Park won its first playoff game since 1991. Senior linebacker Ricky Crawford earned All-Meadowlark Conference first-team and Second 22 All-Shawnee County honors last season, leading Highland Park with 78 tackles, including 54 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, five sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. Junior defensive back TremaineSavage was a first-team All-Meadowlark Conference selection last season, recording 29 tackles, registering 15 pass breakups and forcing two fumbles, while senior wide receiver/defensive back Jamon Wilson racked up 1,185 all-purpose yards last season while scoring 63 total points and receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Wyandotte is coming off a 1-8 season in 2023.

Hayden senior receiver/defensive back Jensen Schrickel is a two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN at EUDORA

Hayden went 12-1 and finished second in Class 3A last fall while Eudora is coming off a 5-5 season, losing to Atchison 50-27 in the second round of the 4A playoffs. Wildcat senior wide receiver/defensive back Jensen Schrickel is a two-time TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection, catching 40 passes for 683 yards, carrying the ball 18 times for 268 yards and scoring 10 total touchdowns and three 2-point conversions. Junior running back Kade Mitchell was named the co-offensive newcomer of the year in Shawnee County last season after rushing for 764 yards on 79 carries, catching 13 passes for 209 yards and scored 14 touchdowns and 92 total points. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier completed 61 of 113 passing attempts for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall.

Technology quickly changing the game of high school football

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

High school football players who come off the field have traditionally made a trip to the water cooler, congregated near the coaches to watch the action on the field, or perhaps snuck a peak at their friends and family in the stands.

But increasingly, local players are gathering around large screen televisions on the sidelines or peering at hand-held devices on the bench.

The high school game is becoming more high-tech by the season. It’s not uncommon to see a drone buzzing just outside the field of play, filming the action and relaying those images to coaches as the game is going on.

For an old school football fan familiar with Vince Lombardi’s diagrams on a chalk board, it can all seem mind boggling. But to teenagers immersed in a high-tech world, it’s the best way to learn the game.

Highland Park football coach Jermaine Monroe said that ever-changing technology can provide big advantages for high school teams. [File photo/TSN]

“This is the way to communicate to students today,” said Highland Park coach Jermaine Monroe. “I think to be able to connect to students in the classroom and on the field, we need to stay up with the times. We have to be able to change and adapt. Technology in the game is not going anywhere, and it’s only going to get better and better.”

Monroe is one of several veteran coaches in the area who are working hard to adapt to the new technology. He said he no longer prints playbooks for his players to study. It’s all done on video.

“I’m 100% enjoying it,” Monroe said. “I was kind of stuck in the old school way of doing things, but when I learned how user-friendly these things are, it’s making things easier and I’m getting information to the boys faster, which is the most important thing.”

Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift said that the T-Bird coaching staff uses technology in a variety of ways to communicate with Heights' players. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said the T-Birds typically use a camera in or on top of the press box to send video instantly to a TV on the sideline.

“That enables us to, in between series, have a unit look at the video on the monitor which allows the coaches to teach what’s going on based on the past series,” Swift said. “It’s instant feedback.

“A lot of our kids play both ways and don’t come off the field long enough to look at film. But seven or eight might.”

Like many teams, Shawnee Heights uses a drone and mounts a camera on a tripod in one end zone to provide different angles of the action. While the T-Birds utilize footage strictly from the press box during the game, Swift said the other video footage is invaluable for teaching in practice.

“I love it,” Swift said. “It’s more time management on downloading film and getting it ready to show to kids. If you’re looking at a sideline view of a play and an end zone view of the play, you have to cut it up so that they match. It’s a little bit more time consuming, but the benefit of using it as a teaching tool outweighs the time.”

Prep parade: Cair Paravel's focus on steady improvement in first season in 11-man ranks

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Editor's note: TopSports.news has finished its tour of preseason football practice at all 10 Shawnee County high schools and will post preview stories over the coming days leading into the opening games of the 2024 season on Sept. 6.

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Coming off its best season as a full member of the Kansas State High School Athletics Association, Cair Paravel Latin finds itself starting over in many ways this fall.

Doug Bonura's Cair Paravel football team will make the jump to 11-man this fall, competing in Class 1A. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Doug Bonura's Lions posted a 9-3 record and advanced to the Eight-Man Division I state semifinals a year ago, but CPLS graduated nine seniors and has only four returning lettermen and 19 total players as it begins its transition into the 11-man ranks this fall.

Cair Paravel's enrollment was two students above the limit for Eight-Man Football, prompting the move to Class 1A.

And although Bonura knows the Lions will face numerous challenges this fall, he said the focus will be on making steady improvement each and every day out.

"If you do everything right and grow and get better and you do the best that you can and you still lose, that's still successful,'' Bonura said. "If there's 100 guys on the other sideline and you've got 19 you still play your heart out and we may be able to win, we play to win. David can beat Goliath but the reality of it is if they're bigger and they're better and they're stronger we just say, 'You know what, hats off to you, you guys are better than us.' ''

TopSports.news' 2024 Shawnee County football players to watch

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Kameron Badura

KAMERON BADURA, Rossville

A senior, Badura received TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Mid-East League honorable mention recognition last fall for the 5-4 Bulldawgs. Badura is a returning starter for Rossville and is expected to play a key role as a skill player on offense and in the defensive secondary.

Alesecio Batson

ALESECIO BATSON, Topeka West

A senior, Batson is best known for his exploits in track and field, winning the Class 5A state triple jump championship at 48 feet, 4.25 inches as a sophomore in 2023. West football coach Trey Parker will try to take advantage of Batson's superb athleticism in a variety of roles this fall, including safety on defense.

Elijah Berg

ELIJAH BERG, Topeka West

Berg, a senior, will be counted on to provide talent and leadership for a Topeka West program that is looking to improve on back-to-back 1-8 seasons. Berg could see action in a variety of roles for the Chargers, including wide receiver, where he is West's top returner.

Tobias Bonura

TOBIAS BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin

As one of only four returning lettermen from last season's 9-3 Cair Paravel team, Bonura, a junior, will be counted on to be a team leader as the Lions make the jump to the 11-man ranks (Class 1A) for the first time in school history. With only 19 players on the roster, Bonura and the other Cair Paravel veterans will rarely leave the field.

Andrew Broughton

ANDREW BROUGHTON, Seaman

A 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior center, Broughton will anchor the offensive line for the Vikings after earning All-United Kansas Conference second-team honors and TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season. Broughton helped the Vikings post a 6-5 record and advance to the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

Parker Busenitz

PARKER BUSENITZ, Shawnee Heights

Busenitz, a senior, is a returning starter at safety, one of only two returning defensive starters for Shawnee Heights, which is coming off an 8-3 season last fall. Busenitz received All-Shawnee County honorable mention in 2023 after recording 40 tackles with three pass interceptions and is also expected to be an impact player at wide receiver for the T-Birds.

Brock Bush

BROCK BUSH, Rossville

A senior linebacker, Bush received All-Mid-East League and All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall for the 5-4 Bulldawgs after receiving second-team all-league recognition and all-county honorable mention as a sophomore. The three-year starter will be counted on for leadership as Rossville begins its first season in the Big East League and looks to be a Class 1A contender.

Conner Bush

CONNER BUSH, Rossville

A junior, Bush is a top defensive returner for Rossville, which is coming off a 5-4 season, and has also logged multiple offensive starts for the Bulldawgs. Bush, one of 18 returning lettermen, will be a key player as Rossville makes the transition to Class 1A and to the Big East League.

Logan Cathcart

LOGAN CATHCART, Silver Lake

A senior, Cathcart is a returning starter for the Eagles, 8-2 last season, at both wide receiver and safety and will be counted on to provide leadership as Silver Lake makes the transition to the Big East League. Cathcart is also a baseball standout for the Eagles, receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention last spring.

Seth Catron

SETH CATRON, Rossville

The Bulldawgs, coming off a 5-4 record a year ago, will be looking for Catron, a senior, to be one of Rossville's biggest weapons on offense as the team makes the transition to the Big East League and the Class 1A ranks this season. Catron, who has made multiple starts for the Bulldawgs, is one of 18 returning lettermen.

Ricky Crawford

RICKY CRAWFORD, Highland Park

Crawford, a 6-0, 180 senior linebacker, earned All-Meadowlark Conference first-team and Second 22 All-Shawnee County honors last season after helping lead the Scots to a 7-3 record and their first playoff win since 1991. Crawford led Highland Park with 78 tackles, including 54 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, five sacks and 13 quarterback hurries.

Hayden Cummings

HAYDEN CUMMINGS, Seaman

A 5-10, 205 senior linebacker, Cummings earned second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition and All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings post a 6-5 record and advance to the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Cummings was credited with 103 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles for the Vikings.

Broderick Desch

BRODERICK DESCH, Hayden

Desch, a 5-10, 205 senior fullback, earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after playing a key role on offense as the Wildcats posted a 12-1 record and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game. Desch rushed for 511 yards on 102 carries and scored 10 touchdowns in 2023.

Jack Donovan

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A junior wide receiver/defensive back, Donovan earned All-Mid-East first-team recognition on defense last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Donovan is also a standout for the Bulldawgs in both golf and basketball, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in both sports.

Caden Estrada

CADEN ESTRADA, Washburn Rural

A 6-2, 270 senior offensive tackle, Estrada has earned first-team All-Centennial League recognition the past two seasons and was a Second 22 All-Shawnee County selection last fall after helping Washburn Rural post an 11-1 record and advance to the Class 6A semifinals.

TopSports.news' 2024 Shawnee County volleyball players to watch

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High senior Jo'Mhara Benning received second-team All-Shawnee County recognition the past two seasons. [File photo/TSN]

JO'MHARA BENNING, Topeka High

Benning, a senior, has received second-team All-Shawnee County recognition the past two seasons and was also a second-team All-Centennial League pick. Benning is also a softball standout for the Trojans, earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors.

ELLA BOLAN, Silver Lake

Bolan, a senior middle hitter/outside hitter, earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors and Kansas Volleyball Association All-Class 3A honorable mention last fall after helping Silver Lake post a third-place finish in the 3A state tournament, with the Eagles posting a 32-12 record on the year. An All-3A state tournament pick and second-team All-Mid-East League honoree, Bolan registered 317 kills with 62 blocks and 38 service aces.

TAYLOR BREES, Shawnee Heights

A senior, Brees was a second-team All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference selection last season for the T-Birds. Brees also earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in softball this past spring.

Silver Lake senior Alana Brewster, spiking the ball, earned second-team All-Shawnee County honors last season. [File photo/TSN]

ALANA BREWSTER, Silver Lake

Brewster, a senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after helping Silver Lake post a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament.

Topeka High's Slaymaker, Seaman's Collins among 12 new Shawnee County head coaches for 2024-2025

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Kansas basketball legend Ron Slaymaker and veteran soccer coach Tim Collins are part of a group of 12 new varsity head coaches who have been announced by Shawnee County high schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

Former Emporia State coaching legend Ron Slaymaker will take over as the new girls basketball coach at Topeka High in the 2024-2025 season. [File photo/TSN]

Slaymaker, the former longtime Emporia State men's basketball coach who most recently coached girls basketball at Olpe after a seven-year stint with the Chase County girls, takes over as the girls coach at Topeka High.

Former Augusta coach Jason Filbeck takes over as Topeka High's football coach this fall. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High has also added former Augusta head coach Jason Filbeck as the Trojans' new football coach.

Collins, who coached a state championship team at Topeka West and also coached the women's team at Washburn University, will coach the Seaman boys soccer team this fall.

Collins is one of three new coaches for the Vikings, with Madison Lamond taking over as Seaman's new girls swimming coach and former softball assistant Daniel Ruda moving up to the head coaching position to replace Jay Monhollon, who retired at the end of the 2024 season.