By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Topeka High shot the lights out for three quarters, then held on desperately to upset Emporia, ranked seventh in Class 5A, 73-69 Friday.
Senior Bryson McComas led a balanced Topeka High attack with 19 points in Friday's 73-69 Centennial League win over Emporia. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High scorched the nets for 16 three-pointers in the first three periods to build a 60-46 lead. The Spartans mounted a furious rally, outscoring the Trojans 23-13 in the final period, but couldn’t overcome the Trojans’ sharpshooting.
“This was a very, very big win for us,” said Topeka High coach Robbie Sanders. “We were on a four-game losing streak, and just needed to win desperately. So, I’m just happy for the guys.
“We’ve got to clean up our late-game execution. I dang near had a heart attack over there. But, like I told the guys, I don’t complain about winning.”
Sanders admitted the Emporia rally might have done in previous iterations of the Topeka High team.
“I see a lot of growth,” Sanders said. “Emporia is a tough bunch of kids. They’re strong, they’re physical and they’re well-coached. We knew they would make a run. I was just glad we were able to make enough plays to hold on.
“I just want our guys to believe that we can beat anybody. We’ve got a competitive bunch of guys that can play ball, and we can play with some of the best teams in the state.”
Senior Jalen Aldridge scored 16 points with four 3-pointers in Friday's 73-69 Centennial League win over Emporia. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Senior Ajalon Ross scored 14 points with four 3-pointers in Friday's 73-69 Topeka High win over Emporia. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Trojans took turns displaying the hot hand. Seniors Jalen Aldridge and Ajalon Ross hit crucial 3-pointers in the first half. Bryson McComas tossed in 12 points in the first half.
Senior Octavian McFadden scored 18 points with four 3-pointers in Topeka High's 73-69 Centennial League win over Emporia Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Then, after intermission, Octavian McFadden – crowned Homecoming King prior to the game – caught fire. The senior hit six shots in a row, four of them 3-pointers, to tally 16 points in the third period.
“Every shot I took was catch-and-shoot, so all credit goes to my teammates who were finding me open,” McFadden said. “Every day at practice, every game, I’m ready for that opportunity.”
Topeka High hit 27-47 field goal attempts to gain their 11th victory, their fourth in the Centennial League. Sanders said his team can, and must, shoot well from the perimeter to attain success.
“That’s always our game,” Sanders said. “We don’t have a traditional post player, so we don’t get many points at the rim other than driving the basketball. So, we have to shoot the ball well. We have to use our skills and space the floor well and try to pull their bigs out of the lane and make them guard the perimeter.”
TOPEKA HIGH BOYS 73, EMPORIA 69
Emporia 10 18 18 23 -- 69
Topeka High 20 19 21 13 -- 73
Emporia (15-6, 4-4) – Trelc 9-19 1-1 22, Seidl 4-6 0-0 11, Bloomquist 0-2 2-2 2, Crowell 6-15 0-1 13, Franklin 4-10 4-5 12, Harrington 1-1 0-2 2, Shivley 3-5 1-2 7, Gray 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-59 8-13 69.
Topeka High (11-10, 4-5) – Aldridge 5-11 2-4 16, Guest 1-7 0-2 3, McComas 8-9 1-3 19, Ross 5-7 0-2 14, McFadden 7-9 0-0 18, Redmond 0-3 0-0 0, Campbell 0-0 0-0 0, Luarks 0-0 0-0 0, Carter 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 27-47 3-11 73.
3-point goals – Emporia 7 (Trelc 3, Seidl 3, Crowell), Topeka High 16 (Aldridge 4, Ross 4, McFadden 4, McComas 2, Guest, Carter). Total fouls – Emporia 9, Topeka High 16. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls – none.
