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By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
Topeka High's girl’s basketball team, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A, was aiming to protect its undefeated record Friday night against the visiting Emporia Spartans, ranked No. 3 in the latest 5A Kansas Basketball Coaches Association rankings.
After a slow start, the Trojans outscored Emporia by 26 points over the final three quarters to do just that, taking a 65-36 Centennial League win.
“We didn’t play our best against Junction when we went down there,” Topeka High coach Hannah Alexander said. “We know we got to turn it on. It’s the prime time of the season and we can’t be relaxed, we can’t be satisfied.”
Kiki Smith
Tae Thomas
The win moved Topeka High to 14-0 on the year and 11-0 in league play as the Trojans were once again led by junior Kiki Smith and senior Tae Thomas, who combined for 36 points.
“Those two just feed off of each other, they both do a good job of looking for one another” Alexander said. “It’s easy for a defense to hone in on one, but when you’ve got two and some very good role players that know their job and do their job very well, it’s really hard (to defend).”
Defenses for both teams dominated early on, slowing each offense down and limiting possessions.
Most of the scoring for each side came from its stars, with Smith for the Trojans and senior Gracie Gilpin of the Spartans scoring five each.
A 3-pointer at the one-minute mark from Topeka High sophomore Ayana Leesman broke the 5-5 tie, giving the Trojans an 8-5 lead after eight minutes.
Topeka High began to create some distance in the second quarter, with a 3-pointer by Smith at the 2:46 mark putting the Trojans up by double digits.
“Once we started to get some defensive stops that kind of let off some pressure for us to relax and do our thing offensively and get some points in transition,” Alexander said.
Gilpin continued to score, as she knocked in the first 10 for Emporia and scored 13 in the half. Late free throws for senior DayShauna Wiley put the Trojans back up by 10, with a halftime lead of 26-16.
Gilpin came out of halftime just as hot, scoring five points in the first two minutes to pull Emporia within seven.
Topeka High’s offense would take off after that, led by Thomas, who scored 13 in the quarter, including converting two and-ones. The Trojans would finish on a 15-3 run to take a 49-27 lead into the fourth.
In the final quarter, nine combined early points from juniors Faith Shields and Adisyn Caryl pushed the lead to as many as 27. A layup by Caryl at the 3:33 mark made it a 30 point game and the clock ran out with a 29-point Trojan win.
“We attacked their man-to-man and then they threw a zone at us and we kept attacking so I think that is why we were successful,” Alexander said.
Smith led Topeka High with 21 points, including three 3-pointers while Thomas added 15 points, including 13 in the second half.
Gilpin was the only scorer in double-figures for the Spartans, finishing with 22 points and four made 3-pointers.
Next up for the Trojans is a road contest against Highland Park on Tuesday.
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 65, EMPORIA 36
Topeka High 8 18 23 16 - - 65
Emporia 5 11 11 9 -- 36
Topeka High (14-0, 11-0) – Leesman 2-3 1-2 6, Baird 0-2 0-0 0, Zimmerman 0-0 0-0 0, Wiley 1-4 2-2 4, Caryl 4-4 0-0 8, Thomas 5-11 4-4 15, Fulton 0-0 0-0 0, Shields 3-7 0-0 8, Sharpe 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 8-10 2-4 21, Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Mwangi 1-1 0-0 3, Verser 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-38 9-12 65.
Emporia (11-4, 7-4) – Gilpin 8-16 2-4 22, Kirmer 0-3 1-2 1, Peak 0-1 0-0 0, Stewart 1-2 0-0 3, A. Baker 1-1 0-0 3, Shirley 1-2 0-0 2, T. Baker 0-0 0-0 0, Garcia 0-0 0-0 0, Snyder 1-4 3-3 5. Totals 12-27 6-9 36.
3-point goals – Topeka High 8 (Smith 3, Shields 2, Thomas 1, Leesman 1, Mwangi 1). Emporia 6 (Gilpin 4, Stewart 1, A. Baker 1). Total fouls – Topeka High 15, Emporia 14. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Saturday's Centennial League boys wrestling tournament at Highland Park promises to be a lot bigger and more competitive than last year's league meet.
Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West did not wrestle in the 2020-2021 season while Seaman missed the tournament due to a COVID-19 quarantine, leaving just five schools in the field and some of those were missing regulars due to COVID-19.
Another change for Saturday's meet is that the league girls meet will be held in conjunction with the boys tournament after the two tourneys were held separately a year ago.
One thing that remains the same is that Washburn Rural is the team to beat in both the boys and girls divisions after sweeping the Centennial League crowns last season.
The Rural boys had eight wrestlers crowned league champions in the 2021 meet as the Junior Blues won their second straight team championship by a 230-159 margin over Manhattan.
Austin Fager
Washburn Rural's girls pulled out the league title by a 169-164 margin over Emporia after losing a 1-point decision to the Spartans in the first girls league tournament in 2020.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Chad Parks' Shawnee Heights boys wrestling team has dominated the United Kansas Conference ranks since the league's inception and the T-Birds will be favored again Saturday when the UKC boys and girls tournaments at held in Leavenworth.
Shawnee Heights' boys enters the UKC tournament as the No. 6-ranked team in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association's All-Class Rankings and No. 7 in Class 5A.
Two-time Class 5A state medalist Caden Walker is No. 3-ranked in the state by the KWCA heading into Saturday's United Kansas Conference tournament at Leavenworth. [File photo]
Shawnee Heights senior Caden Walker is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A and No. 7 in the all-class rankings at 160 pounds while senior Brock Ferguson is No. 4-ranked in 5A and No. 9 in the all-class rankings at 120 pounds.
T-Bird junior 220-pounder Garrett Peery is No. 5 in 5A and No. 10 overall while junior Sean Wunder is No. 5 at 195 pounds, senior Ty Lewis No. 6 in 5A at 138 pounds and senior Preston Hartman No. 6 in 5A at 182 pounds.
Ferguson, Hartman and Walker all placed fourth in the 5A state meet a year ago while Peery placed fifth.
Shawnee Heights' girls team is led by senior Maranda Bell and junior Molly Busenitz, who are both state-ranked in 6A-5A by the KWCA.
Shawnee Heights senior Maranda Bell is No. 2-ranked in the Class 6A-5A state rankings by the KWCA after placing third at state last season. [File photo/TSN]
Bell is currently second-ranked at 191 pounds while Busenitz is fifth-ranked at 115.
Bell placed third in the Division I state tournament last season and posted a 31-5 record on the season while Busenitz posted a 22-8 record last season and qualified for the state meet.
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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Rossville football standouts Torrey Horak, Brody Lietz and Corey Catron will hold a signing ceremony on Monday afternoon, officially launching the next step in their careers.
The seniors helped lead the Dawgs to two state titles in four years as Rossville put together a 47-6 record, including back-to-back undefeated seasons.
Horak, Lietz and Catron were all smiles when reflecting on their successes as members of the Rossville football program and their futures.
Horak is heading to the University of Central Missouri while Lietz will play for Emporia State and Catron at Bethel College.
Torrey Horak is projected as a defensive back at Central Missouri after starring at quarterback and on defense for Rossville. [File photo/TSN]
TORREY HORAK, Central Missouri
A star quarterback/defensive back at Rossville, Horak is projected to play defense for the Mules after a sensational playing career for the Bulldawgs.
Horak recorded 3,801 passing yards, 3,893 rushing yards, 54 passing touchdowns and 61 rushing touchdowns in his prep career.
In 2021, Horak tallied a 1,000 yard-plus passing season and a 1,000 yard-plus rushing season despite being out with an injury for three games, finishing 2,356 total yards and 26 total touchdowns.
Horak said he took mental notes when he watched his older brothers help build the foundation of the Rossville dynasty.
“Watching my two older brothers Thatcher and Tucker, growing up win state titles, it always motivated me,'' Torrey Horak said. "From a young age, I wanted to do what they did. I was lucky enough to grow up around this team. Seeing those guys before me work taught me what mentality you have to have to win (state). We won two (titles) and I don’t think there is any better feeling to have as a high school football player.”
Horak said his college decision was surprisingly easy.
“I went on three total visits and when I came back from Central it felt like home,” said Horak. “Having Bo Reeves (former Rossville football standout) up there will help me get settled in. I enjoy (Warrensburg), school, and they have a nice atmosphere on game days.”
Corey Catron is headed to Bethel College after playing a key role in Rossville's back-to-back state titles as a running back, quarterback and linebacker. [File photo/TSN]
COREY CATRON, Bethel College
Catron was an integral part of the sustained success of Rossville over his four-year playing career as a running back and linebacker.
During the 2021 season, Catron cemented his legacy in Rossville.
After Horak went down with an injury during the “War On 24” contest in Silver Lake, Catron put his duties at running back on hold and took over the quarterback role while Horak was injured.
With Catron at quarterback the Dawgs posted a 3-0 record, including two playoff wins.
“When Torrey (Horak) went down I was freaking out,” Catron said. “Once we got on a roll the first couple of games, we settled down. Our line did great for us and that was a big part of the season.”
As a running back, Catron accumulated 2,091 yards with 38 touchdowns in his career. As a middle linebacker, Catron had 244 total tackles, five sacks and two interceptions.
“Everything that has happened in the last two years has been amazing,'' Catron said. "We wouldn’t have won without (coach Derick) Hammes, the coaching staff, and all of the guys just doing what they were told to do. We all bought in and it worked out.
“When I went down to Bethel, the guys were pretty cool. The atmosphere, team and coaches were all good to me. Being at a small-town college will also be good for me.”
BRODY LIETZ, Emporia State
Right guard Lietz established his dominance in the trenches for the Bulldawgs, helping pave the way for Rossville's two-year title run.
Brody Lietz
As much of a presence as Lietz was on the offensive side of the ball, he was also a factor as a defensive lineman, recording 85 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and three sacks in his career.
Without the blood, sweat and tears, Lietz doesn’t believe he would be in the position that he is in today.
“It’s all about putting in the hard work on your off time,'' Lietz said. "Early mornings in the summer lifting and speed training paid off. Getting better comes with experience.”
Lietz was a leader of arguably one of the best groups of linemen in Class 2A last two years.
While Rossville hasn’t lost a game the last two seasons, the Dawgs lost in postseason the 2018 and '19 and Lietz said he learned some valuable lessons from those losses.
“We worked hard for them (state championship wins),'' Lietz said. "It took a lot of pain to get there. After losing our freshman and sophomore years, it pushed us.
“I chose Emporia State because I’m familiar with the community. I like the team and the coaching staff. Emporia just feels like home.”
WasRelated Stories and Videos
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural senior Emma Krueger was named the most valuable player in last week's Lady Firebirds Winter Classic. [File photo/TSN]
HAYDEN (7-5, 5-4) at WASHBURN RURAL (12-1, 8-1)
Hayden is coming off a 48-33 Centennial League loss to Emporia on Tuesday while Washburn Rural was off after winning last weeks Lady Firebirds Winter Classic at Lawrence. Freshman Brylee Meier led Hayden with 12 points against Emporia while senior Macy Smith added 11 points. Washburn Rural is ranked No. 3 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Junior Blue senior Emma Krueger was named the most valuable player in last week's tournament.
Seaman freshman Anna Becker is coming off a career-high 26-point game in Tuesday's 49-46 Centennial League win over Manhattan. [File photo/TSN]
HIGHLAND PARK (2-12, 0-10) at SEAMAN (9-4, 7-3)
Seaman held off Manhattan for a 49-46 home Centennial League victory on Tuesday as freshman Anna Becker led the Vikings with a career-high 26 points. Highland Park is coming off a 1-2 performance in last week's Capital City Classic. The Scots dropped a 61-39 decision to Maize in the fifth-place game.
Junior Kiki Smith (right) averages 18.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.8 steals for Topeka High, which is 13-0 on the season. [File photo/TSN]
EMPORIA (11-3, 7-3) at TOPEKA HIGH (13-0, 10-0)
Topeka High beat Junction City 58-28 in a Centennial League road game Tuesday night while Emporia is coming off a 48-33 league win over Hayden. Topeka High is ranked No. 2 in 6A by the KBCA while Emporia is No. 3-ranked in 5A. The Trojans took a 38-36 win over the Spartans in the first meeting between the two schools. Junior Kiki Smith averages team-highs of 18.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.8 steals for Topeka High. Emporia senior Gracie Gilpin scored 19 points with five 3-pointes in the Spartans' win over Hayden on Tuesday.
DE SOTO (8-5, 1-3) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (7-5, 2-1)
Shawnee Heights has won two straight games, including a 55-53 overtime victory over Tonganoxie on Tuesday. The T-Birds have already posted two more wins than they did in a 5-14 2020-2021 season. Heights will be facing a De Soto team that is coming off a 61-51 win over Spring Hill.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (7-6) at MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY (3-12)
Cair Paravel Latin has won three straight games to climb above .500. The Lions are coming off a 31-21 win over Kansas City Christian on Tuesday night. Marais des Cygnes Valley snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 49-30 victory over Cornerstone.
SILVER LAKE (12-1) at ST. MARYS (6-7)
Silver Lake moved up to the No. 1 spot in the KBCA 3A state rankings this week. The Eagles are coming off a 61-23 win over Osage City. Sophomore McKinley Kruger paced the Eagles with 15 points against Olsage City while junior Taylor Ross and sophomore Kaibryn Kruger added 10 points apiece. Junior Mariah Farmer scored nine points for the Eagles while sophomore Makenzie McDaniel had eight points and nine rebounds. St. Marys pulled out a 58-57 overtime win over Rossville on Turesday.
ROSSVILLE (7-7) at WABAUNSEE (4-9)
Rossville is coming off a tough 58-57 overtime loss to St. Marys on Tuesday while Wabaunsee took a 44-34 victory over Lyndon. Sophomore Emma Mitchell led Rossville with 24 points against St. Marys while sophomore Kinsey Perine added 19 points.
