By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Highland Park's boys basketball team, third in Class 5A the past two seasons, opened its 2024-2025 campaign with a 77-44 romp past Kansas City-Pembroke, Mo. in Tuesday's opening round of the Championship Showdown at Shawnee Mission East.
Mike Williams' Highland Park Scots opened their 2024-2025 season with a 31-point win in the Shawnee Mission East tournament. [File photo/TSN]
The Scots jumped out to a 16-11 first-quarter advantage and then turned the game into a rout with a 49-27 scoring advantage over the middle two quarters.
Isaiah Kelley, a 6-foot-6 senior, paced Highland Park with 20 points, one of four double-figure scorers for the Scots.
Senior Ja'Corey Robinson was right behind Kelley with 19 points while seniors Mikey Williams and Jamon Wilson added 12 apiece.
Highland Park advanced to Thursday's semifinal to face Class 6A power Blue Valley North.
Kansas coaching legend Ron Slaymaker picked up his first victory as Topeka High's girls basketball coach on Tuesday, a 49-34 win over Olathe Northwest. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Trojans give Slaymaker first win at Topeka High coach
Kansas coaching legend Ron Slaymaker picked up his first victory as Topeka High's girls basketball coach on Tueday in the first round of the De Soto Hardwood Classic, with the Trojans taking a 49-34 win over Olathe Northwest.
Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton scored 21 points and junior Keimara Marshall had 18 as Topeka High improved to 1-1 on the season.
With the win Topeka High advances to a 6:30 p.m. semifinal on Thursday to face city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural.
Freshman Hailey Caryl led High with 13 rebounds and also scored four points and had four assists while senior Jo'Mhara Benning grabbed 10 boards.
Marshall added seven rebounds and three steals for the Trojans.
Rural girls improve to 2-0 with 45-42 win over Liberty
Washburn Rural's girls improved to 2-0 Tuesday with a 45-42 win over Liberty, Mo. in the opening round of the De Soto Hardwood Classic.
The Junior Blues' 3-point win over Liberty came after a one-point decision over Blue Valley Northwest last Friday in Rural's season-opener.
Tuesday's game was tight throughout, with the game tied at 10-10 after the first quarter and 21-all at halftime.
Washburn Rural took a 34-31 lead at the end of the third stanza and was able to hold on for the win.
Sophomore Maddie Vickery paced the Junior Blues with 17 points while junior Ella Hirschi scored nine points on three 3-pointers and senior Madison Lemke also scored nine points.
Washburn Rural will play a 6:30 p.m. tournament semifinal on Thursday to face Topeka High before closing out tournament play on Saturday.
Rural boys advance to Championship Showdown semis
Washburn Rural improved to 2-0 on the season Tuesday with a 52-44 win over Raytown South, Mo. in the first round of the Championship Showdown at Shawnee Mission East.
Junior Simon Rowley led Washburn Rural with 14 points and also grabbed six rebounds while senior Kaden Ballard had 12 points and senior Amare Jones contributed 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals.
With the win Rural moved on to an 8 p.m. semifinal on Thursday against St. James Academy.
Rossville boys basketball coach Brandon McDonnell talks to his team during Tuesday's 77-69 win over KC-Ward. [Rossville boys basketball]
Bulldawg boys ride Donovan's 35-point night to win over KC-Ward
Junior Jack Donovan scored a career-high 35 points Tuesday as Rossville opened its season with a 77-69 home victory over Kansas City-Bishop Ward in the first round of the Chapman Irish Classic.
Jakoby McDaniel added 17 points for the Bulldawgs, who are coming off a 15-7 season.
The tournament now switches to Chapman for games on Friday and Saturday.
Dick, Burdiek combine for 52 points in 89-9 Rossville girls romp
Junior Rylee Dick and sophomore Nora Burdiek scored 26 points apiece as Rossville's girls basketball team opened its season with an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward at Rossville in the first round of the Chapman Irish Classic .
Dick hit four 3-pointers for the Bulldawgs, who are coming off an 18-4 season in 2023-2024.
Rossville will play games on Friday and Saturday in Chapman.
Hanni's 24 points power Silver Lake girls past Holton
Junior Kailyn Hanni scored 24 points to lead the way as Silver Lake improved to 2-0 with a 65-33 Tuesday night win over Holton.
Silver Lake took a 21-13 first-quarter lead and took control with a 19-4 second quarter, taking a 40-17 lead at the halftime break.
Holton outscored the Eagles 15-12 in a tight third quarter before Silver Lake outscored the Wildcats 13-1 over the final eight minutes.
Senior Ella Bolan and freshman Karys Deiter added 10 points each for Silver Lake.
Silver Lake boys roll behind Johnson's 29-point outing
Junior Dayne Johnson scored 29 points Tuesday night to power Silver Lake to a 67-50 win over Holton.
Johnson went 11 of 14 at the free throw line as Silver Lake improved to 2-0 on the season. Senior Brody Deiter added 21 points for the Eagles.
Silver Lake led 18-12 after the opening quarter before using an 18-6 second quarter to take control.
The Eagles led 56-32 at the start of the fourth quarter before Holton held an 18-11 advantage over the final eight minutes.
