By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural
A 6-foot-2 senior Bachelor scored a total of 36 points and went 18 of 19 at the free throw line on the week as Washburn Rural opened 2023 with a pair of Centennial League victories. Bachelor scored 21 points and hit 10 of 11 free throws in a 64-58 win over Junction City on Tuesday and scored 15 points and went eight of eight at the free throw line in the fourth quarter on Friday in a 46-36 victory at Hayden.
MALACHI BERG, Topeka West
Berg, a 6-3 senior, scored 18 points, including the game-winning free throw with 1.6 seconds remaining, as No. 7-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West rallied for a 51-50 United Kansas Conference road victory over No. 6-ranked De Soto. Berg also had seven rebounds, three assists and four steals as 6-1 Topeka West moved into a tie for the UKC lead with its sixth straight victory.
KOTI BEST, Seaman
A sophomore 130-pound wrestler, Best was named the outstanding wrestler in last Friday's Lady Vikes Dual Tournament at Seaman. Best went 5-0 in the tournament, posting four wins by fall, including three first-period pins before picking up a win by forfeit in her final match of the day. Best helped lead Seaman to a third-place team finish with wins over Lawrence, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Lansing.
KAEDEN BONNER, Seaman
Bonner, a 6-3 senior, scored 25 points and went five of five from the free throw line last Thursday night as Seaman returned from the holiday break with a 60-45 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth. Bonner helped Seaman, the defending Class 5A state champion, snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 2-3 on the season.
MAKENZIE McDANIEL, Silver Lake
McDaniel, a 6-1 junior, scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds last Tuesday as No. 2-ranked (Class 3A) handed No. 9-ranked Rossville its first loss of the season in the Eagles' 63-50 Mid-East League road victory. Silver Lake added a 59-30 league win over Rock Creek on Friday to improve to 6-0 on the season as McDaniel contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.
SAINT MILDREN, Rossville
A 6-4 sophomore, Mildren scored a game-high 17 points last Tuesday as Rossville topped rival Silver Lake 50-43 in a home Mid-East League victory. Mildren helped the Bulldawgs push their winning streak to three straight games with a 52-33 league win over Riley County Friday night as Rossville improved to 3-4 on the season.