By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Topeka High boys basketball team erupted for 76 points – 70 in the first three periods – to run away from Bonner Springs 76-48 at Topeka High Friday.
The victory sent the 3-3 Trojans into the holiday break on a high note.
Senior Miguel Villegas scored 25 points to lead Topeka High to a 76-48 win over Bonner Springs Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Da'Mykel Hales scored 20 points in Topeka High's 76-48 win over Bonner Springs Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
“This is a great win. We talked about how important this game was to set us up for the rest of the season,” Topeka High coach Geo Lyons said. “As we go into break and get healthy and pick up some momentum, this was a must win for everything we want to accomplish down the line.”
Lyons admitted that, while he had a feeling his team stood a good chance to get the victory, he had no idea it would be by a 28-point margin.
“We’ve been on the other side of that twice this season,” Lyons said. “So, for that to happen, for it to be a home game for us, with the great fan support behind us, it was just tremendous.
“The energy – I really believe today everybody played for one another and for the name on the front of the jersey. This one gives you goose bumps.”
The hot hand of senior Miguel Villegas sparked a stunning 20-0 run in the second quarter that turned a deficit into a lopsided 17-point halftime lead for the Trojans.
Villegas torched the Braves for 10 points in the first period and 10 more in the second period. He finished the game with 25.
“Today I just felt good,” Villegas said. “Before the game, all my teammates and coaches just told me that they believed in me. I always like to thank my teammates. They’re the ones who found me in (open spots) and gave me the ball when I was feeling it.”
“It was memorable,” Lyons said of Villegas’ performance. “I’m sure he feels great about it. We have not been shooting the ball well so far this year, but we know we are a good shooting team. Miguel got to see the ball go in the hole early, and then once he did that, it was like shooting the ball into the ocean. He just couldn’t miss.
“Miguel is quiet and mild-mannered, but he is a hard worker. He brings his hard hat and lunch pail every day. So, I’m real happy that he started to see some fruits of his labor tonight.”
With a couple of regulars out due to injury, Lyons was forced to go deep into his bench. He used 10 players to get the job done, getting 14 points from his reserves.
“We always tell them that they have to be ready,” Villegas said of the non-starters. “And today they really stepped up to the challenge. They came off the bench ready to play.”
Da’Mykel Hales contributed 20 points for the Trojans. Jayden Norman, who scored 10 points in the second half to help close out the win, finished with 11.
“Now we get a chance to get some people healthy, to get behind closed doors where it’s just us,” said Lyons.” I think everybody is excited to get back to work.”
TOPEKA HIGH BOYS 76, BONNER SPRINGS 48
Bonner Springs 15 12 13 8 -- 48
Topeka High 14 30 26 6 -- 76
Bonner Springs (3-2) – Streit 3-7 2-2 9, Price 2-6 2-4 7, Wilson 0-2 0-0 0, Jones 5-8 2-2 13, Rolfe 4-6 1-3 9, Nez 2-7 2-4 6, Wendt 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor 1-2 0-0 2, Doss 0-1 0-0 0, Donnell 1-1 0-1 2 . Totals: 18-40 9-16 48.
Topeka High (3-3) – Freeman 1-5 2-2 4, Hales 6-12 8-10 20, Groves 1-1 0-0 2, Villegas 9-15 2-2 25, Norman 4-8 2-3 11, Fletcher 3-7 0-1 7, Woods 1-1 0-0 2, McFadden 1-2 0-0 2, Lutz 0-0 0-0 0, Aldridge 1-2 0-0 3. Totals: 27-53 14-18 76.
3-point goals – Bonner Springs 3 (Streit 1, Price 1, Jones 1), Topeka High 8 (Villegas 5, Norman 1, Fletcher 1, Aldridge 1). Total fouls – Bonner Springs 20, Topeka High 18. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – Norman, Hales, Streit.
