By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman's girls, the top-ranked team in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, dug themselves a hole Friday night against De Soto before fighting back to take a 43-35 United Kansas Conference road victory.
The Vikings, who improved to 13-1 overall and 9-1 in the UKC, trailed 13-4 at the end of the opening quarter and Seaman still trailed by nine at the half, 23-14.
Seaman rallied to take a 30-28 lead by the end of the third quarter and the Vikings outscored the Wildcats (9-6, 7-5) by a 13-7 margin over the final eight minutes to take their seventh straight win.
Seaman will return to action on Tuesday, hosting Kansas City-Turner in a UKC contest.
DE SOTO BOYS 68, SEAMAN 39 -- Eighth-ranked (Class 5A) De Soto jumped on short-handed Seaman early Friday night and cruised to a 68-39 home United Kansas Conference decision.
Seaman, which fell to 7-7 overall and 4-6 in the league, played without standout seniors Kaeden Bonner and Aron Davis due to injuries.
De Soto (13-2, 11-1) led 17-9 at the end of the first quarter and 31-15 at the half before using a 23-8 third quarter to force a running clock over the final eight minutes.
Seaman will be at home Tuesday to host Kansas City-Turner in a UKC game.
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 62, JUNCTION CITY 25 -- Topeka High, fifth-ranked in Class 6A, ran its winning streak to five games with a 62-25 Centennial League romp at Junction City.
The Trojan, who improved to 12-3 overall and 3-2 in the league, were never seriously threatened by the Blue Jays, opening up a 16-11 first-quarter advantage and using a 19-6 second quarter to take command at halftime, 35-17.
High outscored Junction City (3-12, 1-5) in the third quarter by a 14-5 margin to take a 49-22 lead and the Trojans forced a running clock down the stretch.
Trojan senior Kiki Smith scored a game-high 22 points while junior Ladaysha Baird continued her hot streak, adding 14 points.
Topeka High will be at home Tuesday to face Manhattan.
JUNCTION CITY BOYS 52, TOPEKA HIGH 46 -- Topeka High put up a good fight on the road against Junction City, but the Blue Jays prevailed in the Centennial League game, 52-46.
Junction City improved to 10-5 overall and 4-1 in the league while Topeka High fell to 3-12, 0-5.
The Trojans will be at home Tuesday to host Centennial League rival Manhattan.
TOPEKA WEST GIRLS 58, KANSAS CITY-TURNER 28 -- Topeka West continued its recent turnaround, posting a 58-28 United Kansas Conference road victory at Kansas City-Turner Friday night.
The win was the Chargers' second straight and their fourth victory over the past six games.
Topeka West took control with a 16-7 first quarter and led 36-13 at the half and 53-21 at the end of the third quarter to force a running clock throughout the fourth period.
Topeka West will return to UKC action on Tuesday, traveling to Shawnee Heights to face the ninth-ranked (Class 5A) T-Birds.
TOPEKA WEST BOYS 85, KANSAS CITY-TURNER 56 -- Topeka West, No. 9-ranked in Class 5A, was still in a battle at halftime Friday night at Kansas City-Turner, but the Chargers took control in the second half on the way to an 85-56 United Kansas Conference tilt.
Topeka West led by just a 23-20 margin at the end of the opening quarter and held a seven-point advantage at the half (43-36) but the Chargers used a 24-7 third quarter to put the Bears away.
Senior Malachi Berg had 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Chargers while senior Xavier Alexander had 24 points with three 3-pointers and five assists.
Senior Sincere Austin and sophomore Mason Jones both contributed 11 points while Austin also had six assists.
Topeka West improved to 12-3 overall and 9-2 in the UKC while Turner fell to 1-12, 0-9.
West will go on the road Tuesday to face Shawnee Heights.
HIGHLAND PARK GIRLS 66, KANSAS CITY-WYANDOTTE 37 -- HIghland Park remained unbeaten in the Meadowlark Conference with a 66-37 league romp past Kansas City-Wyandotte.
The Scots improved to 11-3 overall and 7-0 in the conference and have now won six straight games.
Highland Park is scheduled to play at Kansas City-Schlagle on Tuesday but the Stallions forfeited last week's game with the Scots as well as a recent tournament at Shawnee Heights so Tuesday's contest could be in jeopardy.
HIGHLAND PARK BOYS vs. KC-WYANDOTTE -- Friday's game was postponed by Kansas City-Wyandotte. It is expected that the game will be made up.
Highland Park is scheduled to play at Kansas City-Schlagle on Tuesday.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN BOYS 65, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY 22 -- Cair Paravel Latin improved to 7-8 on the season with a 65-22 romp past Marais des Cygnes Valley Friday night.
Junior Evan Will led the Lions with a game-high 26 points and also grabbed five rebounds.
Ty Gossard added eight points and Simon Everhart seven points for Cair Paravel.
The Lions will be on the road Tuesday at Heritage Christian Academy.
MARAIS DES CYGNES GIRLS 54, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 12 -- Marais des Cygnes Valley rolled to a 54-12 win over Cair Paravel Latin Friday night, improving to 10-6 on the season.
Cair Paravel fell to 4-11.
The Lions will travel to Heritage Christian Academy on Tuesday.
SILVER LAKE GIRLS 65, ST. MARYS 60 -- Silver Lake, ranked No. 6 in Class 3A, improved to 15-1 overall and 6-1 in the Mid-East League with Friday's 65-60 league win over St. Marys.
Friday's win was the Eagles' third win on the week and their eighth straight overall.
Silver Lake will play at Rossville next Friday.
ST. MARYS BOYS 74, SILVER LAKE 67 -- Silver Lake dropped a 74-67 road Mid-East League decision at St. Marys Friday night, the Eagles' second straight single-digit loss and fourth straight overall.
Silver Lake fell to 4-12 overall and 3-4 in the league.
Silver Lake will play at Rossville next Friday.
ROSSVILLE GIRLS 74, WABAUNSEE 47 -- Rossville had four players crack double-digits Friday night en route to a 74-47 Mid-East League victory over Wabaunsee.
Junior Emma Mitchell led the Bulldawgs with 18 points while Kinsey Perine added 15 points, Kinley Porter 14 and Rylee Dick 13 points.
Rossville will host Osage City in a non-league contest on Tuesday.
WABAUNSEE BOYS 47, ROSSVILLE 33 -- Rossville dropped a 47-33 Mid-East League decision to Wabaunsee Friday night.
The Bulldawgs fell to 6-9 on the season and 2-4 in the Mid-East League.
Rossville will be at home Tuesday to play Osage City.