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  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll April 20

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Peyton Holmes, Seaman                             11.03

    Evan Scheid, Silver Lake                              11.13

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                           11.17

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 11.26

    Alberto Gallegos, Shawnee Heights           11.36

    200 METERS

    Bryce Cochran, Seaman                              22.57

    Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake                    22.90

    Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural              22.91

    Liam Stegman, Hayden                               23.16

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                      23.45

    IsaiahTerry2025 1Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural

    400 METERS

    Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural                    48.41

    Jensen Schrickel, Hayden                          48.68

    Bryce Cochran, Seaman                            49.58

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                          50.10

    Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights                    51.50

    BrodyAnderson2025 7Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:56.22

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                       1:58.62

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural               2:00.38

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                  2:02.10

    Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural                 2:02.47

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                         4:18.55

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                   4:24.40

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                         4:26.19

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:26.34

    Jonah Stewart, Hayden                              4:38.90

    AdrianLehman2025 Adrian Lehman, Topeka West

    3,200 METERS

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                    9:19.16

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:44.76

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:54.82

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   10:03.37

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                         10:12.39

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  15.17

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.65

    Desean Lunkins, Topeka High                       15.80

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                    16.11 

    Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights                       16.50

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    40.25

    Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights                        41.44

    Michael Hurla, Seaman                                  41.64

    Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural                   42.10

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                     42.25

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Silver Lake                                                       43.28

    Seaman                                                           43.77

    Washburn Rural                                              43.93

    Topeka High                                                    44.02

    Hayden                                                            44.86

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                       3:21.58

    Seaman                                                    3:27.17

    Topeka High                                             3:29.39

    Hayden                                                     3:32.11

    Shawnee Heights                                      3:32.78

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                         8:01.63

    Shawnee Heights                                       8:46.63

    Seaman                                                      8:51.18

    Topeka High                                               8:53.23

    Silver Lake                                                  9:02.38

    HIGH JUMP

    Blake Toyne, Seaman                                   6-2

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                           6-0

    Jack Esser, Seaman                                      6-0

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                      6-0

    Rondell Harris, Hayden                                6-0

    TylerWedl2025 4Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights

    POLE VAULT

    Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights                   11-6

    Luke Deering, Washburn Rural                 10-0 

    Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural           9-6

    Kaden Soden, Washburn Rural                   9-0

    Quinton White, Seaman                             9-0

    JensenSchrickelSTATE 1Jensen Schrickel, Hayden

    LONG JUMP

    Jensen Schrickel, Hayden                            21-11

    Peyton Holmes, Seaman                             21-5.5

    Te'Vante Ewing, Topeka High                      21-5

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                  20-11

    Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural                      20-11

    TRIPLE JUMP

    Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman                       42-0

    Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural                    40-7.50

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High                     40-7

    Anthony Jones, Topeka High                     40-6.5

    Javion Akins, Topeka High                          39-9

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                    39-9

    SHOT PUT

    Brogen Brown, Seaman                              50-11

    Clayton Johnson, Seaman                           44-5

    Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights                      43-9

    Ethan Fisher, Shawnee Heights                  42-6

    Doian Rhoten, Topeka West                       42-5

    Treyton Tetuan, Hayden                             41-9.75

    DISCUS

    Myles Fisher, Silver Lake                          140-3

    Dorian Rhoten, Topeka West                   132-7

    Ethan Fisher, Shawnee Heights                129-10

    Samuel Scott, Washburn Rural                 128-11

    Treyton Tetuan, Hayden                           125-9

    JAVELIN 

    Oliver Perez, Washburn Rural                   155-2

    Jackson Haas, Hayden                             150-8

    Andre Johnson, Rossville                         149-6

    Taylor Gabriel, Washburn Rural                142-7

    Miles Barnes, Topeka High                       141-9

     

  • TSN Shawnee County high school girls track honor roll April 20

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High          12.44

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights  12.80

    Ally Steiner, Seaman                            12.98

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                  13.04

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                       13.08

    KeimaraMarshall2025 2Keimara Marshall, Topeka High

    200 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High          26.09

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58

    Molly Worley, Washburn Rural           26.93

    Ally Steiner, Seaman                           27.30

    Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural           27.39

    400 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                           57.65

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High         61.57

    Madison Blanco, Washburn Rural      61.65

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                        63.61

    Shayla Rezac, Rossville                       63.81

    RyinMillerCityTrack 1Ryan Miller, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         2:11.87     

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural          2:23.09

    Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural     2:28.61

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                       2:31.14

    Taylie Heston, Seaman                     2:36.22

    1,600 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                        4:46.03

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural         5:17.92

    Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural     5:25.99

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                  5:36.25

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                      5:41.39

  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll April 13

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Peyton Holmes, Seaman                             11.03

    Evan Scheid, Silver Lake                              11.13

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                           11.17

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 11.26

    Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural             11.38

    200 METERS

    Bryce Cochran, Seaman                            22.57

    Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake                 22.90

    Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural           22.91

    Liam Stegman, Hayden                            23.16

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                   23.45

    400 METERS

    Jensen Schrickel, Hayden                          48.68

    Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural                    48.68

    Bryce Cochran, Seaman                            49.58

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                          50.96

    Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights                    51.50

    BrodyAnderson2025 7Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:56.22

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                       1:58.62

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural               2:00.38

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                  2:02.10

    Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural                 2:02.47

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                        4:18.55

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                   4:24.40

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                         4:26.19

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:26.34

    Jonah Stewart, Hayden                              4:38.90

    AdrianLehman2025 Adrian Lehman, Topeka West

    3,200 METERS

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                    9:31.43

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:44.76

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:54.82

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   10:03.37

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                         10:12.39

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  15.17

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.65

    Desean Lunkins, Topeka High                       15.96

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                    16.11 

    Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights                       16.52

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    40.25

    Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights                        41.44

    Michael Hurla, Seaman                                  41.64

    Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural                   42.10

    Christian Labrador, Shawnee Heights            44.08

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Silver Lake                                                 43.64

    Washburn Rural                                        43.93

    Topeka High                                              44.02

    Hayden                                                       44.86

    Seaman                                                     45.72

    IsaiahTerry2025 1Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                       3:21.58

    Seaman                                                    3:27.17

    Topeka High                                             3:29.39

    Hayden                                                     3:32.11

    Shawnee Heights                                      3:32.78

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                         8:01.63

    Seaman                                                      8:51.18

    Silver Lake                                                  9:03.03

    Shawnee Heights                                       9:04.94

    Hayden                                                       9:06.62

    HIGH JUMP

    Blake Toyne, Seaman                                   6-2

    Jack Esser, Seaman                                      6-0

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                      6-0

    Rondell Harris, Hayden                                6-0

    Jared Johnson, Silver Lake                           5-10

    Tad McGee, Seaman                                    5-10

    Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake                      5-10

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                            5-10

    POLE VAULT

    Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights                   11-6

    Quinton White, Seaman                             9-0

    JensenSchrickelSTATE 1Jensen Schrickel, Hayden

    LONG JUMP

    Jensen Schrickel, Hayden                          21-11

    Te'Vante Ewing, Topeka High                     21-5

    Peyton Holmes, Seaman                             21-2.5

    Elijah Berg, Topeka West                            20-2

    Nasir Helton, Topeka West                         19-7.75

    TRIPLE JUMP

    Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman                      42-0

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High                    40-7

    Anthony Jones, Topeka High                     40-6.5

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                    39-9

    Javion Akins, Topeka High                         39-4

    SHOT PUT

    Brogan Brown, Seaman                              48-8.5

    Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights                      43-3

    Ethan Fisher, Shawnee Heights                  42-6

    Royce Daniels, Shawnee Heights               41-11

    Treyton Tetuan, Hayden                             41-9.75

    DISCUS

    Myles Fisher, Silver Lake                          133-1

    Treyton Tetuan, Hayden                           125-9

    Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural          125-7

    Dorian Rhoten, Topeka West                   124-0

    Eden Thompson, Rossville                        120-4

    JAVELIN 

    Jackson Haas, Hayden                             150-8

    Andre Johnson, Rossville                         149-6

    Miles Barnes, Topeka High                       141-9

    Oliver Perez, Washburn Rural                   141-7

    Treyton Tetuan, Hayden                            138-5

  • TSN Shawnee County high school girls track honor roll April 13

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High          12.44

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights  12.80

    Ally Steiner, Seaman                            12.98

    Ciara Hartz, Highland Park                   13.14

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                       13.08

    KeimaraMarshall2025 2Keimara Marshall, Topeka High

    200 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High          26.09

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58

    Molly Worley, Washburn Rural           26.93

    Ally Steiner, Seaman                           27.30

    Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural           27.39

    400 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                           57.65

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High         61.57

    Madison Blanco, Washburn Rural      61.65

    Shayla Rezac, Rossville                       63.81

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                        65.07

    RyinMillerCityTrack 1Ryan Miller, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         2:11.87     

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural          2:23.09

    Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural     2:28.61

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                       2:31.14

    Taylie Heston, Seaman                     2:36.22

    1,600 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                        4:51.22

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural         5:17.92

    Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural     5:25.99

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                  5:36.25

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                      5:41.39

  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Evan Scheid, Silver Lake                              11.13

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                           11.25

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 11.31

    Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural             11.38

    Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake                    11.41

    200 METERS

    Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake                22.90

     Liam Stegman, Hayden                           23.16

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                              23.55

    Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights               23.58

    Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights                   23.80 

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                        23.80

    400 METERS

    Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural                    48.68

    Bryce Cochran, Seaman                            49.86

    Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights                    51.91

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                          51.91

    Stuart Campbell, Topeka High                   53.25

    BrodyAnderson2025 7Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:58.48

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                       2:00.36

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural               2:00.38

    Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural                 2:02.47

    Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:05.80

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                        4:18.55

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                   4:25.65

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                4:26.34

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                         4:30.56

    Evan Carter, Shawnee Heights                  4:46.02

  • TSN Shawnee County high school girls track honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High          12.45

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights  12.80

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                       13.08

    Ally Steiner, Seaman                            13.13

    Ciara Hartz, Highland Park                   13.14

    KeimaraMarshall2025 2Keimara Marshall, Topeka High

    200 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High          26.20

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58

    Molly Worley, Washburn Rural           27.65

    Mi'Luv Cosey, Highland Park              27.80

    Ella Bolan, Silver Lake                       27.87

    400 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                           57.65

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High         61.57

    Shayla Rezac, Rossville                       63.81

    Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Highland Park       65.38

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                   66.61

    RyinMillerCityTrack 1Ryan Miller, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         2:17.80        

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural          2:23.09

    Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural     2:29.08

    Taylie Heston, Seaman                     2:36.22

    Arantza Urbina-Archundia, S. Hts.   2:41.47

    1,600 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                        4:59.08

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural         5:17.92

    Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural     5:25.99

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                  5:36.25

    Tessa Gerber, Silver Lake                 5:51.65

  • Vikings' Miller, Junior Blues' Ismert pace city contingent in Beardslee Invitational  

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    It's very rare to see a track athlete double up in the 400-meter dash and the 3,200-meter run. 

    RyinMiller2025 4Seaman junior track star Ryin Miller won a sprint, a distance race and a relay in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    But it's also rare to see an athlete like Seaman junior star Ryin Miller, who pulled off the improbable feat in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational at Washburn Rural before ending her day with a come-from-behind anchor leg to give the Vikings a win in the 4x400 relay.

    Miller regularly runs the 4x4 for the Vikings, but decided that she wanted to try the open 400 for the first time in Thursday's meet with an eye on the school record

    "I have a lot of fun in the 4x4, I just really enjoy that race,'' Miller said. "In the open 4 our school record is 56.6 and in our relay I have a split of 56.3, so I kind of just wanted to try for it just for fun and see what I could do with (starting) blocks.''

    Miller came up just short in her record bid, but still won by right at two seconds in a time of 57.65 seconds.

    "It was pretty good,'' Miller said. "I think I'll get (the record) at some point in the season but it was just kind of for fun.''

    Later in the meet Miller switched back to distance mode to post a 53-second win in the 3,200 in 10 minutes, 26.65 seconds before going back to sprint mindset to team with senior teammates Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner to win the 4x400 relay in 4:08.24.

    "I've just got to remember to switch my brain as far as the speed goes,'' Miller said about her diverse schedule. "Just running the 400 and then I've got to lock in for 3,200 obviously it's way different. But I kind of like mixing it up. It kind of keeps things interesting I guess.''

    JaidaStallbaumer2025 4 Seaman senior Jaida Stallbaumer won the 3oo hurdles and ran on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    GraceJowers2025 7Seaman senior Grace Jowers cleared 10-6 to win the pole vault in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Seaman's girls also got wins from Stallbaumer in the 300 hurdles (48.6 hand-timed) and senior Grace Jowers in the pole vault (10 feet, 6 inches) while the foursome of Heston, Stella Appelhanz, Kinley Robinson and Hannah Wempe won the 4x800 relay (10:44.06).

    BrodyAnderson2025 5Seaman junior Brody Anderson won the 800 meters in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    The Viking boys got a win from junior Brody Anderson in the 800 (1:58.48) while senior Blake Toyne won the high jump (6-foot-4) and junior Brogen Brown won the shot put (49 feet, 6 inches).

    RyleeIsmert2025 1Washburn Rural senior Rylee Ismert won the 1,600 and 800 in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson//TSN] 

    Ismert opens '25 with pair of wins

    After ending last fall's cross country season with the most successful stretch of her high school career, Washburn Rural senior Rylee Ismert couldn't wait to get back in action.

    Ismert, who won Centennial League and regional titles in cross country and finished third in Class 6A, finally got that opportunity in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational, posting victories in the 1,600 (5:17.72) and the 800 (2:23.09).

    "I kind of had that feeling of like, 'I just want to get back out there and race again,' but I just kept doing what I was doing and working really hard and training with my teammates over the offseason,'' Ismert said.

    "I was very excited to be out there.''

    Washburn Rural's girls also got wins from junior Kelcie Schneider in the 100 hurdles (18.31), sophomore Kailyn Petersen in the shot put (34-9) and junior Morgan Ray in the javelin (124-1).

    IsaiahTerry2025 1Washburn Rural senior Isaiah Terry won the 400 dash and ran on Rural's 4x400 relay in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson//TSN]

    Terry paces Rural boys

    Washburn Rural senior Isaiah Terry was a double gold medalist in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational, winning the 400-meter dash and running on the Junior Blues' winning 4x400 relay.

    Terry sped to a win in the 400 in 48.68 seconds and teamed with Matt Houser, Jackson Svaty and Liam Morrison to win the 4x400 relay in 3:25.46.

    The Junior Blues also got a win from freshman Henry Laubach in the 3,200 (9:55.41).

    Scots' Pollard wins long jump

    Highland Park junior Rayshon Pollard won the long jump in Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational with a winning jump of 20 feet, 9 inches.

    JERRY BEARDSLEINVITATIONAL

  • Player of year repeat pick Robinson headlines 2025 TSN All-Shawnee County boys basketball

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Two-time senior player of the year Ja'Corey Robinson headlines the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.

    Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball player of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball player of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN] 

    Robinson was a repeat pick as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, the Scots' third straight top-three state finish.

    Robinson and senior teammate Mikey Williams are two of the five All-Shawnee County Top 10 repeat picks along with Shawnee Heights senior Jaret Sanchez, Seaman junior KaeVon Bonner and Rossville junior Jack Donovan.

    Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy, Washburn Rural senior Amare Jones and Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson all moved up to Top 10 after being named to the Second 10 in 2024 while Hayden senior James Kuta and Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley round out the all-county team.

     SimonRowley2025Hay 3Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

    Rowley was also named the county newcomer of the year after helping 18-5 Washburn Rural win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament.

    MikeWilliamsState 2Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year for the third straight season after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a runnerup state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

    Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the third straight season, leading the Scots to a 71-4 record over the past three years.

    All-Shawnee County capsules:

  • Repeat player of the year Becker tops TopSports.news All-Shawnee County girls basketball

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman senior Anna Becker has been tapped as the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County girls basketball player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to back-to-back championship games in Class 5A.

    AnnaBecker2025AndoverState 2
    Seaman senior Anna Becker, a four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to a second-place Class 5A state finish. [File photo/TSN]

    A four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and three-time United Kansas Conference player of the year, Becker helped Seaman post a 24-1 record and a second-place finish behind St. Thomas Aquinas as a senior after the Vikings won the Class 5A state title in 2024.

    Becker is one of five repeat picks on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 along with Hayden senior Millie Ramsey, Seaman junior Maddie Gragg, Silver Lake junior Kailyn Hanni and Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery.

    Ramsey and Gragg are three-time all-county Top 10 selections.

    Also earning All-Shawnee County Top 10 spots are Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck, Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Trojan sophomore Ahsyierhuajh Rayton, Shawnee Heights sophomore KK Emmot and Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein.

    Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein drives down the court against Bishop Miege in the Class 4A State Semifinals game in Salina on Friday, March 14, 2025.Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball newcomer of the year while also earning Top 10 honors. [File photo/TSN]

    Schmeidtlein, who helped Hayden post a third-place state finish in Class 4A, was also named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year, while Topeka High coach Ron Slaymaker was named the county coach of the year.

    RonSlaymaker2025WR 1Topeka High's Ron Slaymaker has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball coach of the year after leading the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in his first season. [File photo/TSN]

    The 88-year-old Slaymaker, a Kansas coaching legend and High's third coach in four seasons, led the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in the 2024-2025 campaign, with Topeka High posting a 14-8 record. 

    All-Shawnee County capsules:

  • City athletes combine for 10 wins in Topeka West Invitational

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    City schools combined to win 10 events in Friday's season-opening Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sport Park, with Seaman's girls leading the way with five wins en route to a runnerup team finish behind Manhattan.

    RyinMiller2025 2Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold events in Friday's Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Seaman junior Ryin Miller, the reigning Gatorade Kansas Track and Field Athlete of the Year, was a double individual winner in the girls 1,600-meter run (4 minutes, 59.08) and the 800 (2:17.80) while also running on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay (4:15.33).

    Seaman also got wins in the girls 4x100 relay (51.94) and from senior Grace Jowers in the pole vault (10 feet, 6 inches) while sophomore Brynn Spencer posted runnerup individual finishes in the 1,600 (5:39.41) and the 3,200 (12:25.66).

    KeimaraMarshall2025 2Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall won the 400-meter dash in Friday's Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall won the girls 400-meter dash (62.21) and finished second in the 100 (12.45) helped the Trojans finish second in the 4x100 relay (52.51), while sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton was second in the long jump (18-0.25) and the triple jump (38-2.25) and also ran on the 4x100 relay.

    BrodyAnderson2025 1Seaman junior Brody Anderson (middle) and Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman (right) finished one-two in the boys 1,600 in Friday's Topeka West Invitational and Lehman won the 3,200. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    On the boys side, Seaman junior Brody Anderson led a one-two-three city finish in the 1,600 meters, winning in 4:29.71 while Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman was second (4:31.81) and Charger senior Mark Wilkie third (4:32.21).

    Lehman and Wilkie came back later in the meet to go one-two in the 3,200, with Lehman finishing first in 10:09.76 and Wilkie taking second in 10:12.39.

    BenRoeder2025 2Topeka High senior Ben Roeder won the boys 400-meter dash in Friday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Topeka High senior Ben Roeder won the 400 dash in 51.91 while Seaman sophomore Quinton White won the pole vault with a clearance of 9 feet. 

    TOPEKA WEST INVITATIONAL

  • TopSports.news' 2025 Shawnee County girls soccer players to watch

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    AnnaBecker2025 1Seaman senior Anna Becker (9) was a first-team All-City and All-UKC soccer honoree last season. [File photo/TSN]

    ANNA BECKER, Seaman

    A Division I basketball signee with Drake, Becker also received All-City and All-United Kansas Conference first-team soccer honors last spring after helping the Vikings advance to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. 

    CarsynBroxterman2025 1Hayden junior Carsyn Broxterman (4) was a first-team All-City and All-Centennial League soccer honoree last season. [File photo/TSN]

    CARSYN BROXTERMAN, Hayden

    Broxterman, a junior forward, is a returning first-team All-City and All-Centennial League honoree for the Wildcats. Broxterman also received second-team All-4A-1A All-State recognition last spring from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association.

    KellyAnnChada2025 1Cair Paravel junior Kelly Ann Chada was a first-team All-Class 4A-1A soccer honoree last season. [File photo/TSN]

    KELLY ANN CHADA, Cair Paravel Latin 

    Chada, a junior forward, helped lead Cair Paravel to a runnerup finish in the Class 4A-1A state tournament last spring, earning All-City first-team recognition as well as first-team All-4A-1A All-State honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association. 

    ZAHRA FRIESS, Washburn Rural

    A forward, Friess will play her senior season at Washburn Rural after helping Cair Paravel Latin finish second in Class 4A-1A last season. Friess earned All-4A-1A first-team honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association in 2023 and 2024 and was a former two-time All-City pick for the Lions. 

  • Scots' Carter repeats as Meadowlark girls player of the year

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Highland Park sophomore standout Pearmella Carter has been named the Meadowlark Conference girls player of the year for the second straight season after leading the Scots to the conference championship.

    PearmellaCarterHarmon 2Highland Park sophomore Pearmella Carter has been named the Meadowlark Conference player of the year after leading the Scots to the conference championship. [File photo/TSN]

    Carter was also a first-team repeat selection while senior teammate Tahtionna Broils was named to the All-Meadowlark second team.

    Highland Park's DeAsia Sanders received honorable mention.

    ALL-MEADOWLARK CONFERENCE GIRLS BASKETBALL

  • All-Shawnee County boys wrestling: Three-time state champ Broxterman headlines 2025 team

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural three-time Class 6A state champion and four-time finalist Easton Broxterman headlines the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County boys wrestling team.

    EastonBroxterman2025Statechamp 1Shawnee County wrestler of the year Easton Broxterman ended his high school career with three Class 6A state titles and four straight trips to the 6A championship match. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

    County wrestler of the year Broxterman, who won the 144-pound championship to wrap up a 37-2 season, is joined on the All-Shawnee County team by two-time Washburn Rural state champions Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz as the Junior Blues finished third as a team.

    KristjanMarshall2025Statechamp 1Washburn Rural senior Kristjan Marshall won his second straight Class 6A state title in 2025. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

    LandenKocher Munoz2025Statechamp 1Washburn Rural junior Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second Class 6A state title in his third straight state final in 2025. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered] 

    Marshall, a senior, won the 157-pound championship to cap a 33-5 season with his second straight title while junior L. Kocher-Munoz won his second state title in his third straight trip to the finals, winning the 138-pound crown with a 30-3 record.   

    JoshHoganStatefinal 1Washburn Rural wrestling coach Josh Hogan has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year after three Rural wrestlers won state titles and Rural finished third as a team. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

    Washburn Rural, which finished third in the 6A team standings, put a county-high nine wrestlers on the all-county first team, while Rural's Josh Hogan was named the county coach of the year and freshman 215-pounder Kaiden Marshall was selected as newcomer of the year.

    The TopSports.news all-county team is based in part on selections made by the seven Topeka head coaches as well as at large selections for county schools Rossville and Silver Lake.

    Also earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors for Rural in addition to the three state champions were 120-junior Ryder Harrison (27-15), senior 126-pounder Walker Doyal (28-14), junior 132-pounder Cooper Stivers (26-8), sophomore 150-pounder Brodye Kocher-Munoz (16-7), sophomore 190-pounder Jadyn Baum (28-6) and K. Marshall (17-11).

    Topeka High and Hayden both put two wrestlers on the all-county first team.

    Topeka High is represented by 106-pound sophomore Jose Gomez (24-13) and 165-pound senior Nick Davis (40-7) while Hayden is represented by 175-pound junior Jude Krentz (42-2) and 285-pound senior Hunter Diederich (24-10). 

    Shawnee Heights is represented on the first team by 113-pound sophomore Jacob Reyes (15-14).

    ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS WRESTLING

  • Two-time player of the year Ja'Corey Robinson headlines All-Meadowlark Conference boys team

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson was named the Meadowlark Conference boys basketball player of the year for the second straight season after helping lead the 24-1 Scots to the conference championship and a runnerup finish in the Class 5A state tournament.

    JaCoreyRobinson2025State 1Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the Meadowlark Conference player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

    Robinson and fellow Highland Park senior Mikey Williams were repeat All-Meadowlark first-team picks while Scot senior Jamon Wilson was named the defensive player of the year and Hi Park coach Mike Williams was a repeat pick for coach of the year after leading the Scots to a third straight top-three state finish.

    MikeyWilliams2025State 1Highland Park senior Mikey Williams has been named to the All-Meadowlark Conference first team for the second straight season. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

    JamonWilson2025State 1Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson has been named the Meadowlark Conference defensive player of the year. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN].

    MikeWilliamsState 2Highland Park coach Mike Williams was a repeat pick as Meadowlark Conference Coach of the Year. [File photo/TSN]

    Highland Park senior DaMykel Hales was named to the all-conference second team while Wilson and senior Isaiah Kelley received honorable mention.

    ALL-MEADOWLARK CONFERENCE BOYS BASKETBALL

  • All-Shawnee County girls wrestling: Hi Park state champ Makayla Cadet headlines 2025 team

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Class 5A state champion Makayla Cadet of Highland Park headines the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County girls wrestling team while third-place teams Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights combined for 13 spots on the first team.

    TopSports.news picked the All-Shawnee County team based in part on city coaches' picks for the All-City team while also adding at-large selections.

    MakaylaCadet2025State 1Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet has been named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after winning the Class 5A 190-pound state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

    County wrestler of the year Cadet, a junior, won the Class 5A state championship at 190 pounds, becoming Highland Park's first-ever girls state champion while posting a 23-4 record on the season.   

    MollySpaderStatefinal 2Washburn Rural senior Molly Spader posted a runnerup Class 6A state finish for the second straight season, leading Rural to a third-place team finish. [File photo/TSN]

    Washburn Rural put seven wrestlers on the TSN All-Shawnee County first team, led by senior Molly Spader (37-6), who posted a runnerup Class 6A state finish for the second straight season to lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in 6A after winning back-to-back state titles. 

    In addition to Spader, Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county team by senior 115-pounder Maddy Blow (35-11), junior 120-pounder Lacey Middleton (37-9), junior 135-pounder Madison Blanco (30-8), junior 140-pounder Emme Blanco (35-10), junior 170-pounder Elia Smith (36-8) and sophomore 235-pounder Justice McBurney (15-7).

    Smith placed third in 6A while Blow, Middleton, M. Blanco and E. Blanco all placed fourth at state and McBurney posted a sixth-place finish.

    Spader and Blow are three-time first-team all-county selections while M. Blanco and Smith are first-team repeat picks and Middleton and E. Blanco moved up from the second team.

    IsabelReyes2025State 1Shawnee Heights senior Isabel Reyes posted a second-place Class 5A state finish at 130 pounds, helping the T-Birds finish third as a team. [File photo/TSN]

    Shawnee Heights, which earned the third-place team trophy in 5A, is represented on the all-county first team by senior Isabel Reyes (37-3), the 5A runnerup at 130 pounds, along with freshman 100-pounder Ava Gutierrez (19-13), senior 125-pounder Reece Taylor (37-4), senior 140-pounder Madison Freeland (32-7), junior 145-pounder Olivia Stevens (35-10) and junior 155-pounder Cianna Graves (39-3).

    Taylor, Freeland and Graves finished third in 5A while Stevens finished fourth.    

    Shawnee Heights' Chad Parks was named the county coach of the year after the T-Birds posted a program-best third as a team.

    TaylieHeston2025State 1Seaman senior Taylie Heston was the 120-pound runnerup in Class 5A. [File photo/TSN]

    KotiBest2025State 1Seaman senior Koti Best was the 125-pound runnerup in Class 5A. [File photo/TSN]

    Seaman put senior state 120-pound runnerup Taylie Heston (32-8) and senior 130-pound runnerup Koti Best (20-3) on the All-Shawnee County first team, along with 110-pound senior Natalie Smith (28-11).

    Best was a two-time state finalist will Heston is an all-county first-team repeat pick.

    Rounding out the all-county first team are Silver Lake senior 110-pounder Karley Holmes (40-12) and Rossville 145-pounder Madelyn Wonnell (34-11).

    Holmes posted a third-place finish in 4A while Wonnell finished fifth in 3A-1A after helping the Bulldawgs win the 3A-1A state team championship in 2024.  

    ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY GIRLS WRESTLING

  • Class 5A state boys: Kapaun outlasts Scots 58-55 in OT for second straight title

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    EMPORIA -- Highland Park was within a shot here or a missed free throw there to a perfect end to a perfect season Saturday in White Auditorium.

    JaCoreyRobinson2025StateKMC 1Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Saturday's 58-55 OT loss to Kapaun Mt. Carmel in the Class 5A state final. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

    But for the second straight season, Kapaun Mt. Carmel came up with just enough plays down the stretch to end the Scots' Class 5A championship hopes, with the Crusaders rallying from a nine-point halftime deficit to outlast Highland Park 58-55 in overtime to claim their second straight state title.

    "We had some chances and heart was never a question for our guys,'' Highland Park coach Mike Williams said. "I think they showed that time and time again and I think they showed that again tonight. All you really ask for a chance to win that thing late and I think we had a chance at the end of regulation and had a really good chance at the end of the overtime and that's a testament to the kids.

    "They fought, they scrapped. We got down eight late in the fourth and they did not give up. Obviously we would have liked that it came out a little bit differently, but I will not knock our guys' fight and how they approached the game and how they played buzzer to buzzer all night long.''

    Kapaun, which finished off a 22-3 season with its 17th straight win, had topped Hi Park 67-64 in OT in a classic 2024 semifinal en route to the championship before another thriller in Saturday's title tilt.

    "My teams have played Topeka Highland Park three times -- once at Wichita South and twice here -- and every game went to overtime,'' Kapaun coach Steve Eck said. "The guys don't give up. We're down by nine at halftime and they just didn't give up. We beat a really good team.

    "Highland Park is really talented and if you told me we'd be down nine at halftime and come back and win it I would have thought you were crazy, but at one time (early in the season) we were 5-3.''

  • Class 5A state boys: Scots get past semifinal hurdle, advance to final with 60-55 win over Piper

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    EMPORIA -- The undefeated Highland Park boys basketball team exorcised the demons of semifinals past Friday in White Auditorium, holding off Piper to advance to Saturday's Class 5A state championship game with a 60-55 win over Piper.

    MikeWilliams2025StatePiper 2Highland Park coach Mike Williams celebrates Friday's 60-55 Class 5A state semifinal win over Piper in White Auditorium. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

    Highland Park, which will playing in a state championship game for the first time since 2014, will face defending state champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel, a 55-43 semifinal winner over Andover, in Saturday's 6:15 p.m. title game after getting past last year's runnerup, Piper, in the semis.

    "I cried on the sidelines,'' Highland Park coach Mike Williams said. "We had just been here so often and felt pain. I'm just happy for the kids. We put so much work in and I'm hard on the guys, but I just want them to win. And we aint done yet. We've still got more to do.

    "We set out to win a state championship. That's what we've been focused on from Day 1. Despite the noise, despite the league talk, who we play, who we don't play, are our guys good enough? We hear it all year long and we were focused on getting to this game and getting over the hump and bringing a state championship back to not just Highland Park, but bring a state championship back to Topeka.''

    Highland Park, now 24-0, had dropped semifinal heartbreakers to the eventual state champs the past two seasons -- 55-54 to Andover in 2023 and 67-64 to Kapaun in overtime last season -- before getting over that hump Saturday.

    "I felt like we played great,'' said Scot senior star Ja'Corey Robinson, who scored 26 points with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocked shots and 3 steals. "I feel like we played good defensively, rebounded well and didn't allow them to get too many offensive rebounds.

    "I also felt like we've got to make more free throws down the stretch. Other than that we played great.'' 

    And now the Scots will be trying to cap their amazing 2024-2025 campaign with Highland Park's first state title since 2009 while becoming only the third team in city history to post a perfect season.

    "It's our last high school game, so we've got to lay everything out there,'' Robinson said.

    Piper (20-4) led 1-0, 3-2 and 5-4 early on, but senior Mikey Williams hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Highland Park in front 10-5 at the 3:09 mark of the opening quarter and the Scots never trailed again.

  • Class 5A state boys: Williams' career-high 33 points powers Scots to semifinal

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    EMPORIA -- Top seed and undefeated Highland Park got everything it wanted from No. 8 Andover Central in Thursday's Class 5A boys state tournament opener at White Auditorium, but senior Mikey Williams made sure that the Scots lived to see another day.

    MikeyWilliams2025StateAC 7Senior Mikey Williams scored a game-high 33 points in Thursday's 65-56 Class 5A state tournament win over Andover Central. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Williams scored a career-high 33 points, including an amazing 7 of 7 performance from 3-point range as Highland Park advanced to Friday's 4 p.m. semifinal with a 65-56 win over Central.

    "I just knew going into it I had to step up,'' Williams said. "We know we rely on Ja'Corey (Robinson) and Jamon (Wilson) and all our other guys to step up, but I know in every game I can't just rely on another guy I know I've got to step up and do it for myself and do it for my team and do whatever it takes to get us to the next round and that's what I had to do.''

    The Jaguars trailed by just a 24-22 margin at the end of the first quarter and led 35-33 at halftime before the Scots rallied in the third stanza for a 61-56 advantage.

    Hi Park went up by 10 (56-46) on a Williams hoop with 6:19 remaining, but the Jaguars cut their deficit to two (58-56) at the 3:20 mark before the Scots ended the game with a 7-0 run.

    The Scots also got 14 points (7 of 9 shooting) and a game-high eight rebounds from senior Isaiah Kelley.

    Andover Central, which stayed in the hunt with a 10 of 21 performance from 3-point range, was led by Jayden Brown with 17 points (4 of 8 3s) while Jace Jefferson added 12 points on four treys and Jason Adler also had 12 points.

    Highland Park advanced to the state semifinals for the third straight season to face last year's runnerup, Piper, a 70-52 winner over Shawnee Heights.    

    HIGHLAND PARK  BOYS 65, ANDOVER CENTRAL 56

    Andover Central 22 13 11 10 -- 56

    Highland Park     24 9 18 14 -- 65

    Andover Central (14-9) -- Brown 5-13 3-6 17, Degarmo 1-5 0-0 3, Jefferson 4-7 0-0 12, Meschke 1-2 1-2, Adler 5-10 2-4 12, Neal 0-0 0-0 0, Archibald 0-0 0-0 0, Balke 1-5 0-0 2, Stupka 3-7 0-0 7, Inslee 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-49 6-12 56.

    Highland Park (23-0) -- Wilson 0-4 1-2 1, Hales 0-2 0-0 0, Kelley 7-9 0-1 14, Williams 12-14 2-6 33, Robinson 1-5 5-6 7, Brown 0-0 2-2 2, Jones 1-2 0-1 2, Kingcannon 3-4 0-0 6, Montgomery 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-40 10-18 65.

    3-point shots -- Andover Central 10-21 (Brown 4-8, Jefferson 4-6, Degarmo 1-1, Stupka 1-3, Balke 0-3), Highland Park 7-10 (Williams 7-7, Robinson 0-2, Hales 0-1). Total fouls -- Andover Central 21, Highland Park 17. Fouled out -- Degarmo, Adler. Technical fouls -- Robinson.

    JaretSanchez2025StatePiper 2Shawnee Heights senior Jaret Sanchez led the T-Birds with 16 points in Thursday's 70-52 Class 5A state tournament loss to Piper. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    PIPER BOYS 70, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 52 --After spotting Piper a 13-point halftime advantage, Shawnee Heights gave itself a chance to win Thursday's first-round game before a disasterous start to the fourth quarter ended the T-Birds' hopes.

    No. 5 seed Piper, now 20-3, opened up a 21-12 first-quarter advantage and boosted its lead to 39-26 at the halftime break.

    But Shawnee Heights (19-4) came to life in the third quarter, outscoring the Pirates 22-11 to get within two points (50-48) at the beginning of the fourth period.

    The T-Birds then had an opportunity to take the lead, but missed back-to-back 3-pointers and turned the ball over on its next possession as the Pirates scored the first 15 points of the quarter to put Shawnee Heights away.

    "We went out and we fought and 'O' (Ontarius Emmot) was shooting a wide open three to go ahead and misses it and gets a rebound and shoots it again and gets it blocked and they go down and hit a three, so instead of being up one, we're down five,'' Heights coach Ken Darting said. "And when you've played that hard to get back in it... we just got emotionally drained and tired, physically tired.

    "But you can't spot a good team that much and come back.''

    Heights went scoreless over the first five minutes of the quarter and was outscored 22-4 over the final eight minutes as Piper took its third straight win over the T-Birds this season and fourth straight dating back to last year's first-round state game.

    Phillip Moore led Piper with 18 points while Isaiah Sayles added 16 points and Derrick Jackson 10 as the Pirates shot 60.9 percent from the field, including a nine of 15 performance from 3-point range.

  • Shawnee County state BB preview: Scots out to finish quest for 5A title after near-misses

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Highland Park's boys basketball team has put together an amazing run of success over the past three seasons, advancing to the Class 5A state tournament all three years while posting a 65-8 overall record, including a 47-3 mark over the past two campaigns.

    HighlandParkboys2025substate 1Highland Park boys basketball celebrates its Class 5A sub-state championship after Saturday's 53-35 win over Bashor-Linwood. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    But there's a feeling of emptiness that remains for those closest to the Scot program after back-to-back heartbreaking semifinal losses to the eventual state champions the past two years.

    Two years ago Highland Park led virtually the entire game against Andover before the Trojans pulled out a 55-54 win with a late 7-0 run. The drama continued last season when Kapaun Mt. Carmel outlasted the Scots in overtime, 67-64.

    Highland Park bounced back both seasons for dominating wins in the third-place game, but that provided little consolation to the Scots.

    And now the Scots' main focus -- really their only focus -- is on doing everything they can to wipe that bad taste out of their mouths with a state title run this week in Emporia's White Auditorium.

    "I feel like the last three or so years we get down there and I'm not saying we were playing bad but I feel like we could have played a little better,'' Highland Park coach Mike Williams said. "So we are really, really focused on wanting to get to state and kind of show a little bit of the essence that we saw tonight.

    "I like our prep, I like what we're doing going into it and we're looking forward to next week.''

    Scot senior standout Ja'Corey Robinson agreed.

    "We've got some fire under us,'' Robinson said. "We're trying to go out with a win. We're tired of getting third place. We're trying to finish it all out and win a state championship.''

    Highland Park, which has had only three single-digit games all season, enters this year's state tournament as the top seed with a perfect 22-0 record and will face off with No. 8 Andover Central (14-8) at 2 p.m. Thursday in the opening game of the 5A boys event.

    Highland Park made it back to the state tournament with a 53-35 romp past Basehor-Linwood in Saturday's sub-state final at Hi Park.

    Senior Mikey Williams led the Scots with a game-high 18 points, including three 3-pointers, against the Bobcats, while Robinson added 15 points.

    The Highland Park-Andover Central winner will advance to a 4 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face the first-round winner between No. 4 seed Shawnee Heights (19-3) and No. 5 Piper (19-3).

    "We're just making it a point to come out every day in the state tournament with the same fire and the same juice and the same fire that we've had throughout this whole season so we can end up hoisting the state championship trophy,'' Mikey Williams said. "

    The Shawnee Heights-Piper first-round contest at 4 p.m. Thursday is a rematch of last year's first-round game that saw Piper close with a 14-1 run to pull out a 72-71 win on the way to a runnerup state finish.

    Heights and Piper will be playing for the third time this season, with the Pirates winning the first two games. 

    Shawnee Heights earned its second straight state berth under Ken Darting with a 49-42 sub-state win over St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday.

    On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 seed and defending champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel (19-3) will play a 6 p.m. first-round game against No. 7 Topeka West (14-8) and No. 3 Andover (19-3) will face No. 6 Bonner Springs (18-4) at 8 o'clock, with the winners playing an 8 p.m. Friday semifinal.

    Topeka West is making its first state tournament appearance under coach Christian Ulsaker after making it to state with an 81-54 home win over Valley Center in Saturday's sub-state final. 

    Here's a team-by-team glance at the other first-round games involving Shawnee County teams:

  • Breaking down the 14 state HS basketball tournaments, with title picks, contenders

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON 

    TopSports.news

    It's been an outstanding 2024-2025 high school basketball season for Shawnee County teams, with 10 of 20 making it to state tournaments in five different classifications.

    Now we wait to see how many of those teams can achieve the ultimate goal of a state championship on Saturday.

    For what it's worth -- and it's not much -- here's my take on what we could see in all 14 of this week's state  tournaments across the state.

    If I didn't pick your team don't fret because it could bode well for you.

    If I did pick the team/teams you root for, good luck.

    By Saturday night we'll know, and win or lose, it promises to be a fun week. Enjoy!

    CLASS 6A BOYS

    Finalists -- Shawnee Mission Northwest (4: 19-3) vs. Wichita Heights (3: 20-2).

    Champion -- Wichita Heights. I give Heights, the 6A runnerup the past two seasons, a very slight edge in what could be a repeat of the 2024 title game, won by Northwest to cap a 25-0 season.

    Other contenders -- Shawnee Mission South is the top seed at 21-1, with its lone loss coming against SM Northwest, while Derby is also 21-1 and the No. 2 seed. Washburn Rural (6: 18-4) is certainly capable of knocking off Wichita Heights while Derby could get a big test from No. 7 Olathe North (16-6). 

    CLASS 6A GIRLS

    Finalists -- Blue Valley North (3: 18-4) vs. Olathe South (4: 18-4). 

    Champion -- Blue Valley North. It's worth noting that although North has lost four times, but none of those four losses came against Kansas teams. The Mustangs finished third last season after winning the championship in 2023.

    Other contenders -- It's been an up and down season for Washburn Rural (6: 16-6) but never count out a Kevin Bordewick team in postseason. The Hall of Fame coach has led Washburn Rural to three straight 6A championship games (title in 2022, runnerup in 2023 and 2024) and the Junior Blues have won a pair of championships since 2019. Derby is the top seed at 19-3 and the pre-tournament team to beat.

    JaCoreyRobinson2025BL 5Highland Park standout Ja'Corey Robinson and the 22-0 Scots will be looking for a Class 5A state title this week after back-to-back third-place finishes. [File photo/TSN]

    CLASS 5A BOYS

    Finalists -- Highland Park (1: 22-0) vs. Kapaun Mt. Carmel (2: 19-3).

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