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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's boys basketball team had taken its lumps while playing 15 straight Class 6A and 5A opponents to open the 2021-2022 season.
But on Monday night the 4A Wildcats finally got the opportunity to play a school their own size, rolling to a 58-35 non-league win over 4A Tonganoxie at Hayden.
"That's a very good (Tonganoxie) team and we were clicking tonight,'' Hayden coach Dwayne Paul said. "It was a good measuring stick for us.''
Hayden, which improved to 4-12 on the season, is trying to nail down one of the 16 spots in the eastern half of the state for the 4A postseason playoffs and took a step in that direction with Monday's win.
"I've just told our guys, right now nothing else matters but getting in (the playoffs),'' Paul said. "We've got to be one of those 16.
"Once we're in then we'll worry about the opponent from there, but it's just about getting in.''
Senior Trent Duffey was one of three double-figure scorers for Hayden in Monday's 58-35 non-league win over Tonganoxie, scoring a game-high 19 points. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Senior Trent Duffey led the Wildcats with a game-high 19 points while junior Jake Muller turned in a big second half to finish with 16 points and junior Joe Otting added 11.
Tonganoxie (10-7), which has been in and out of the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 4A rankings, stayed with Hayden for most of the first half in a game that included seven lead changes and a pair of ties, but Peyton Bartlett and Patrick Gorman drained back-to-back 3-pointers and Duffey hit a pair of free throws to put the Wildcats up by eight points at the break, 25-17.
Tonganoxie got no closer than seven in the second half and Duffey ended the third quarter with a 3-pointer as Hayden started the fourth quarter with a 36-25 cushion.
The final eight minutes belonged to the Wildcats, who finished with a 22-10 scoring edge to turn the game into a rout.
Five Wildcats combined to connect on nine 3-pointers, with Muller and Duffey both finishing with three treys.
Senior Andrew Wilson led Tonganoxie with 13 points, the lone Chieftain in double figures.
Hayden will be back in action Tuesday night, facing No. 2-ranked Topeka West (15-1) at West. The varsity game will start at approximately 6:30 p.m.
HAYDEN BOYS 58, TONGANOXIE 35
Tonganoxie 8 9 8 10 -- 35
Hayden 12 13 11 22 -- 58
Tonganoxie (10-7) -- Kietzman 1-3 0-0 2, A. Wilson 3-12 6-7 13, Clark 1-3 1-2 3, Conroy 1-7 0-1 3, Novotney 3-4 1-1 8, Langord 1-2 1-2 3, Crowley 1-6 0-0 3, Holthaus 0-0 0-0 0, Glover 0-0 0-1 0, B. Wilson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 11-37 9-14 35.
Hayden (4-12) -- Bartlett 1-2 0-0 3, Muller 4-12 5-6 16, Duffey 6-15 4-6 19, Ham 0-1 0-0 0, Otting 5-8 1-3 11, Scott 0-0 0-0 0, Foster 1-2 0-0 3, Alfonsi 1-2 1-2 3, Gorman 1-1 0-0 3, Rice 0-1 0-0 0, Charvat 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-44 11-17 58.
3-point goals -- Tonganoxie 4 (Wilson, Conroy, Novotney, Crowley), Hayden 9 (Muller 3, Duffey 3, Bartlett, Foster, Gorman). Total fouls -- Tonganoxie 16, Hayden 17. Fouled out – Clark, Foster
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's Lauren Sandstrom wasn't in tip-top shape physically Monday night, nursing an ankle sprain the 5-foot-10 sophomore suffered in Friday night's loss to Seaman.
But you might have a hard time convincing Tonganoxie of that after Sandstrom recorded a double-double with a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Wildcats' 42-27 non-league victory at Hayden.
"All my teammates made really good passes,'' Sandstrom said. "They just found me. Altogether we had a really good offense. We were moving the ball really well and I just took my chances when I had them.''
Hayden sophomore Lauren Sandstrom had a double-double Monday night with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Wildcats' 42-27 win over Tonganoxie. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sandstrom got her night off to a good start with four points in the first quarter and six in the half before starting a 13-point second half with a 3-pointer.
Sandstrom said that getting off to a good start was a big plus.
"If I would have missed the first couple it would have been hard for me to get back into it and keep shooting,'' she said. "It did help that I was hitting them early.''
Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said that Sandstrom continues to make strides for the Wildcats.
"When we get her involved we're a much better team for sure,'' Reynoldson said.
Hayden, which improved to 9-7 on the season, led 12-8 after one quarter, 21-13 at the half and 31-23 at the start of the fourth quarter before putting the Chieftains away with an 11-4 scoring edge over the final eight minutes.
As a team Hayden was struggling offensively in the opening half, but the Wildcats were playing good enough defense that it didn't really matter, with Hayden going wire to wire for the victory.
"One thing I feared was energy because we played Friday and then had the (winter formal) on Saturday,'' Reynoldson said. "Monday's are rare games, so I was really pleased with the defensive effort.
"I thought we ran good offense, we just missed so many layups in the first half it was unbelievable.''
Sandstrom was the only player in double figures for the Wildcats, but seniors Macy Smith and Carly Stuke both added eight points.
Senior Raegan Seba scored 13 points for Tonganoxie (6-11), but was the only Chieftain with more than seven points.
Hayden will be right back in action Tuesday, hosting Topeka West in a Centennial League contest. The Chargers are coming off a 54-22 league win at Junction City last Friday.
Tuesday's junior varsity contest will start at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at approximately 6:30.
HAYDEN GIRLS 42, TONGANOXIE 27
Tonganoxie 8 5 10 4 -- 27
Hayden 12 9 10 11 -- 42
Tonganoxie (6-11) -- Baldock 2-8 3-4 7, Sunderland 0-3 1-2 1, Seba 6-15 0-0 13, Long 1-4 1-2 3, Aaron 1-6 0-0 3, Isaacs 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 10-36 5-8 27.
Hayden (9-7) -- Lenherr 0-1 0-0 0, Sandstrom 9-16 0-0 19, Smith 3-11 1-2 8, Stuke 2-7 3-4 8, Meier 1-4 0-0 2, Grunert 0-3 1-2 1, Anguiano 0-2 0-0 0, Huscher 0--0 0-0 0, Schmidtlein 0-0 0-0 0, Greco 1-4 2-2 4. Totals 16-48 7-10 42.
3-point goals -- Tonganoxie 2 (Seba, Aaron), Hayden 3 (Sandstrom, Smith, Stuke). Total fouls -- Tonganoxie 10, Hayden 12. Fouled out – none.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks and the Chargers take a one-game lead in the Centennial League race into Friday's home game against Emporia. [File photo/TSN]
EMPORIA (3-14, 2-11) at TOPEKA WEST (16-1, 12-1)
Emporia is coming off a 74-62 Centennial League victory over Junction City on Tuesday while No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West took a 51-48 overtime decision over Hayden. Senior Elijah Brooks scored 25 points for West, including the game-winning 3-pointer. West has now won 15 straight games and holds a one-game lead in the Centennial League race.
JUNCTION CITY (11-7, 8-6) at HIGHLAND PARK (14-3, 11-2)
No. 4-ranked (5A) Highland Park now trails Topeka West by a game in the Centennial League race after dropping a 52-50 overtime decision at Manhattan on Tuesday. Highland Park will host Topeka West next Tuesday. Junction City is also coming off a loss, dropping a 74-62 league game to Emporia.
Hayden junior Joe Otting (33) scored 20 points on 10 of 13 shooting in the Wildcats' 51-48 overtime loss at Topeka West Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH (4-14, 4-10) at HAYDEN (4-13 2-11)
Hayden will be playing its third game of the week, beating Tonganoxie on Monday before dropping a 51-48 overtime heartbreaker at Topeka West on Tuesday. Junior Joe Otting led the Wildcats with 20 points against Topeka West. Topeka High is coming off a 79-44 Centennial League loss at Seaman. The Trojans played without sophomore standout BJ Canady, out with an injury. Senior Matt Flenoy led High with 13 points.
MANHATTAN (6-11, 5-8) at WASHBURN RURAL (8-9, 7-6)
Manhattan is coming off a big 52-50 overtime Centennial League victory over Highland Park Tuesday night. Washburn Rural was off Tuesday night after taking a 60-35 Centennial League win at Topeka High last Friday. Senior Quincey Kidd led Washburn Rural with 14 points while Jack Bachelor added 12 points and Wyatt Conklin 11 for the Junior Blues.
LANSING (8-9) at SEAMAN (10-7)
Seaman has won its last two games, over Hayden and Topeka High, by an average of 32.5 points. The Vikings are coming off a 79-44 Centennial League win over the Trojans on Tuesday night, with junior Kaeden Bonner leading the way with a game-high 26 points and six 3-pointers. Mateo Hyman and Ty Henry added 12 points each for Seaman.
TURNER (0-12, 0-6) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (11-5, 4-3)
Shawnee Heights snapped a four-game losing streak with a 71-63 United Kansas Conference road victory at Leavenworth Tuesday night. Sophomore Brennon Dodge led the T-Birds with 18 points, including three 3-pointers, while Jayden Moore and Jaret Sanchez added 12 points apiece and Deacon Pomeroy 10. Heights took an 82-58 win over the Bears in the first meeting between the two schools.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (13-4) vs. BISHOP WARD (13-4)
At Kansas City Kansas Community College
Cair Paravel, ranked No. 8 in 1A Division I by the KBCA, will be out to avenge a 67-41 loss to the Cyclones earlier in the season. The Lions are coming off a 72-57 win over Maranatha Academy on Tuesday while Ward is coming off a 69-33 victory over Cristo Rey. Senior Zach Clark scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Cair Paravel against Maranatha while senior Noah Hastert had 19 points and 17 rebounds and blocked six shots.
RILEY COUNTY (4-13) at ROSSVILLE (3-15)
Rossville is coming off a 58-49 loss to state-ranked Wabaunsee while Riley County dropped a 58-53 decision to Council Grove. Freshman Tayson Horak scored 15 points for Rossville on five 3-pointers against Wabaunsee while junior Kade Perine added 13 points.
SILVER LAKE (6-11) at ROCK CREEK (7-11)
Silver Lake was off Tuesday after dropping a 46-43 decision to rival Rossville last Friday. Rock Creek is coming off a 54-45 win over Chapman.Luke Womack scored nine points and Troy Heiman seven for the Eagles in the loss to Rossville.
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By RICK PETERSON 
TopSports.news
Rossville sophomore girls wrestler Kendra Hurla and Washburn Rural senior swimmer Nathen Trachta have been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Athletes of the Week honorees.
Hurla remained undefeated with a dominating performance in last weekend's Class 4A-1A regional tournament at Baldwin while Trachta won four gold medals and helped lead Rural to its third straight Centennial League team title last Thursday.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Hurla and Trachta last week:
Rossville sophomore Kendra Hurla is the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Girls Athlete of the Week after a dominating performance in last weekend's Class 4A-1A girls wrestling regional at Baldwin. [Submitted]
KENDRA HURLA, Rossville
A returning state champion, the Bulldawgs' star 120-pound wrestler improved to a perfect 35-0 record on the 2021-2022 season en route to an individual championship in last Saturday's Class 4A-1A girls regional tournament at Baldwin.
After a first-round bye, Hurla recorded three straight wins by pin -- in 1 minute, 51 seconds, 31 seconds and 1:28 over Holton's Macey Gross in the championship match to punch her ticket to the state tournament at Salina.
Hurla is currently ranked No. 1 at 120 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.
Washburn Rural senior swimmer Nathen Trachta is the Dan Key Farmers Agency Athlete of the Week after winning four gold medals in the Centennial League meet for the team-champion Junior Blues. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
NATHEN TRACHTA, Washburn Rural
Trachta won four gold medals in last Thursday's boys Centennial League swimming and diving championships as the Junior Blues won their third straight league team title by a 413-396 margin over Seaman.
Trachta won the 100-yard butterfly in 54.19 seconds and the 100 backstroke in 57.18 and also swam on Washburn Rural's winning 200 free (1:33.25) and 400 free relays (3:23.92).
Trachta, who won three golds in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues, will compete in the Class 6A state tournament Friday and Saturday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Sincere Austin
SINCERE AUSTIN, Topeka West
The Chargers' junior point guard scored a total of 46 points in two Centennial League boys basketball wins as West improved to 15-1 overall and extended its winning streak to 14 games. Austin scored a career-high 25 points with five 3-pointers in Topeka West's 77-48 win over Manhattan on Tuesday and led the Chargers with 21 points in Friday's 65-62 road victory at Junction City. West enters the week tied for the Centennial League lead with Highland Park.
Hunter Bentley
HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University
A 5-9 senior guard, Bentley scored 60 points on the week as Washburn's women's basketball team won two of three games to top the .500 mark for the first time on the season at 12-11. Bentley, who became WU's career leader for game's played (now 137), scored 28 points with six 3-pointers in a 55-54 loss at Rogers State, had 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 67-55 win over Lincoln and had 19 points with four 3-pointers and five assists in Saturday's 72-71 home win over Central Missouri.
Kendra Hurla
KENDRA HURLA, Rossville
A returning state champion, the Bulldawgs' star sophomore 120-pound wrestler, improved to a perfect 35-0 record on the 2021-2022 season en route to an individual championship in last Saturday's Class 4A-1A girls regional tournament at Baldwin. After a first-round bye, Hurla recorded three straight wins by pin -- in 1 minute, 51 seconds, 31 seconds and 1:28 over Holton's Macey Gross in the championship match to punch her ticket to the state tournament at Salina.
Jack Miranda
JACK MIRANDA, Washburn Rural
Miranda won four gold medals in last Thursday's boys Centennial League swimming and diving championships, helping lead the Junior Blues to their third straight team title by a 413-396 margin over Seaman. Miranda, who also won four golds in the city meet, won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:49.41 and the 500 free in 4:54.93 and swam on Washburn Rural's winning 200 free (1:33.25) and 400 free relays (3:23.92).
Tae Thomas
TAE THOMAS, Topeka High
A senior guard, Thomas scored 33 points in two Topeka High Centennial League victories on the week as the Trojans improved to 16-0 overall and a 13-0 in the Centennial League. Thomas scored 22 points with five 3-pointers in the Trojans' 61-38 win over Highland Park on Tuesday night and then fought through a shoulder injury to score 11 points Friday, including seven in the final 2:56, as No. 2-ranked Topeka High rallied late to take a 46-42 win over No. 3 Washburn Rural on Friday.
Nathen Trachta
NATHEN TRACHTA, Washburn Rural
A senior, Trachta won four gold medals in last Thursday's boys Centennial League swimming and diving championships, as the Junior Blues won their third straight league team title by a 413-396 margin over Seaman. Trachta won the 100-yard butterfly in 54.19 and the 100 backstroke in 57.18 and also swam on Washburn Rural's winning 200 free (1:33.25) and 400 free relays (3:23.92).
