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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn Ichabods will be looking for their third straight men's basketball win as they open the new year hosting No. 12-ranked Central Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Lee Arena.
Washburn, 7-4 overall, 3-2 in the MIAA, crushed Northeastern State 84-48 in its last game on Dec. 19 and returned to practice on Dec. 28 after having time off for the holidays.
Sophomore Sam Ungashick is averaging a team-high 16.2 points for 7-4 Washburn entering Thursday's game against Central Oklahoma. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Andrew Orr (24) scored 14 points in Washburn's 84-48 MIAA win over Northeastern State and is shooting 91.1 percent from the free throw line. [File photo/TSN]
"Practice has been tremendous,'' Washburn coach Brett Ballard said. "Great energy. The guys came back ready to go, so I feel really good about what we got done coming out of break.''
The Bronchos are 12-2, 4-2 after topping Nebraska-Kearney on Dec. 29 in a 99-61 win before falling on New Year's Eve at Fort Hays State, 67-60.
The Ichabods received votes in the latest NABC Top 25 Coaches Poll.
"I think this team has learned from some of those close losses we've had and then built some positive momentum right before break,'' Ballard said. "I kind of wish we could have just kept playing but I think our guys are a confident group.
"We're playing a really good team so it will be a tough challenge, but I think our guys feel like we can play with anybody.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's basketball kicks off 2024 at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in Lee Arena, hosting Central Oklahoma in an MIAA contest.
Washburn wrapped up 2023 with a 75-56 home MIAA victory over Northeastern State on Dec. 19, improving to 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA.
Sophomore Yibari Nwidadah is averaging 14 points and 9.9 rebounds for 8-3 Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Aubree Dewey is averaging 13.9 points and 6.1 assists for 8-3 Washburn women's basketball. [File photo/TSN]
"Everybody got to go home and had a nice break and everyone did a great job of kind of staying active enough that we were able to hit the ground running when we got back (on Dec. 28th),'' Washburn coach Lora Westling said.
The Ichabods are off to their best overall start since the 2017-2018 season and Westling said WU's start has helped fuel the team's attitude going into the second half of the season.
"It's definitely a lot more fun having that enthusiam going into break and coming back I've been really pleased with our team's effort and attention to detail,'' Westling said. "I think they really want to get better individually and that's showing up as we improve as a team.''
The Bronchos are off to a 2-10 start and are 1-5 in the MIAA after an 84-66 loss to No. 21-ranked Fort Hays State at home on Dec. 19.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Levi Braun feels like a recent health scare was a sign that it was time to begin the next stage in his athletic caeer.
So when Washburn University men's basketball tips off 2024 against Central Oklahoma Thursday night in Lee Arena, the former Hayden star won't be in uniform for the Ichabods but will be still be on the WU bench, beginning his transition to coaching as a volunteer assistant on Brett Ballard's coaching staff.
Former Hayden star Levi Braun will join the Washburn University staff as a volunteer assistant coach after graduating from WU in December and ending his playing career. [File photo/TSN]
Braun, who earned his degree from Washburn in December, said the timing is right to step away from playing while still remaining involved in the sport he loves.
"I was already kind of struggling a little bit this year, kind of felt my body breaking down a little bit and just kind of mentally thinking about where I was with my role on the team,'' Braun said. "I think part of that stress honestly might have helped cause some of the stuff that came about with my heart.
"I prayed a lot and then I did get diagnosed with some heart stuff, which was kind of scary at first, but I'm feeling a lot better now. I think God was telling me it was time to stop playing competitively, but I think I have a calling to coach and to teach this game so I'm very thankful for coach to kind of let me serve out the rest of this season as a volunteer assistant and continue to be around the guys. It's honestly a blessing and I'm excited about this role and just what this team can accomplish for the rest of the season.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's girls opened defense of their Centennial League championship with a 58-31 road win over Junction City Tuesday night.
Washburn Rural senior Zoe Canfield (15) tied for game-high scoring honors with 17 points in Tuesday's 58-31 win at Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
Freshman Maddie Vickery (right) scored 17 points in Tuesday's 58-31 Centennial League win over Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
The Junior Blues put the game away in the first half, with Rural's starters taking a seat in the second half as coach Kevin Bordewick emptied his bench.
Senior Zoe Canfield and freshman Maddie Vickery scored 17 points apiece to lead the Junior Blues, who improved to 5-1 on the season.
Kate Hinck added nine points and Ella Hirschi seven for the Junior Blues, who are ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.
Washburn Rural will travel to Hayden Friday night for a Centennial League game.
The Wildcats suffered their first loss Tuesday night, dropping a 54-40 decision to Emporia.
JUNCTION CITY BOYS 51, WASHBURN RURAL 48
Washburn Rural, which is still looking for its first win of the season, took undefeated Junction City down to the wire Tuesday night before the Blue Jays held on for a 51-48 home Centennial League victory.
Junction City, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, led by just two points with 4.8 seconds remaining before the Blue Jays hit a late free throw to account for the final margin.
Junior Kaden Ballard led the Junior Blues with 15 points.
Junction City improved to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the league while Washburn Rural fell to 0-6, 0-1.
Washburn Rural will be on the road again Friday night, traveling to Hayden for a Centennial League matchup.
The Wildcats are coming off a 58-42 league loss to Emporia Tuesday night.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After dropping a five-point decision to Hayden earlier in the season, Emporia took the fight to the Wildcats throughout Tuesday's rematch, taking a 54-40 win at Hayden in the Centennial League opener for both teams.
Junior Brylee Meier scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Hayden's 54-40 Centennial League loss to Emporia Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
No. 2-ranked Hayden (Class 3A) led only once on the night, at 2-0, while No. 6-ranked Emporia (5A) led by as many as 20 points midway through the fourth quarter en route to improving to 6-1 overall.
"That was an emphasis for us, we talked about that,'' Emporia coach Carolyn Dorsey said of the Spartans' aggressiveness. "I thought when they were at our place, we were bad. We were on our heels and they punched us and they punched us hard and it took us the entire game to recover.
"I thought tonight the focus was swing first and attack first and don't you stop and I thought that's what we were able to do tonight.''
