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Created: 03 January 2022

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

 Topeka High junior Kiki Smith (right) leads city schools in scoring, assists and steals, helping pace the Trojans to a 5-0 start in the 2021-2022 season. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

 Washburn Rural junior Brooklyn DeLeye averages a team-high 13.5 points, ranking No. 3 in the city, to lead the 5-0 Junior Blues. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (5-0, 5-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-0, 5-0)

Washburn Rural was ranked No. 2 and Topeka High No. 6 in the most recent Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Class 6A rankings and the winner of Tuesday night's game will get an early leg up in the Centennial League race. Junior Kiki Smith leads the city in scoring (21.6 average), assists (7.0) and steals (5.0) while senior Tae Thomas ranks No. 2 in the city in scoring (15.4) and second in assists (3.4). Junior Brooklyn DeLeye leads a balanced Washburn Rural attack with a 13.5 scoring average while senior Emma Krueger averages 10 points and sophomore Zoe Canfield 9.6 points. Sophomore Jada Ingram averages 2.8 assists and 1.8 blocked shots for the Junior Blues.

Freshman Anna Becker (23) leads Seaman with a 13.2 scoring average. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Freshman Brylee Meier (25) leads Hayden with averages of 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds this season. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

HAYDEN (3-1, 3-1) at SEAMAN (3-2, 3-2)

Both the Wildcats and Vikings are off to solid starts, with Hayden's lone loss coming against undefeated Washburn Rural and Seaman's losses coming against Rural and state-ranked Emporia. Freshman Anna Becker leads Seaman with a 13.2 scoring average while freshman Brylee Meier averages a team-high 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds for Hayden, ranked No. 10 in Class 4A by the KBCA. Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer averages 9.6 points and 4.0 steals for the Vikings while seniors Macy Smith and Carly Stuke average 9.5 points for the Wildcats. Sophomore Lauren Sandstrom averages 6.3 rebounds for Hayden and sophomore Brooklyn Gormley 5.6 boards per game for Seaman.

ROSSVILLE (4-1) at SILVER LAKE (4-0)

Tuesday could be the first of three meetings this season between the Bulldawgs and the Eagles. Silver Lake has rolled to a perfect start while Rossville's lone loss came against undefeated Wamego. Silver Lake, ranked fifth in Class 3A by the KBCA, has had four different leading scorers in four games. The Eagles are coming off a 56-46 win over St. Marys to close out their pre-holiday slate, with sophomore McKinley Kruger scoring 20  points, sophomore MaKenzie McDaniel scoring 14 points and grabbing 14 rebounds and junior Taylor Ross scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Senior Caylee Douglass averages 11 points for Rossville, while sophomore Kinsey Perine averages 10.6 points and 2.9 assists, sophomore Emma Mitchell 10 points and senior Briar Gillum 9.6 points and 12.6 rebounds.

JUNCTION CITY (0-6, 0-4 ) at TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-4)

Either the Chargers or the Blue Jays will pick up a much-needed victory Tuesday night. Due to complications with re-finishing the floor at Topeka West, Tuesday's game will be played in West's auxiliary gym, tipping off at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sophomore Rebecca Bearman is Topeka West's leading scorer at 7.6 points per game while sophomore Siani Sanchez averages 6.4 points and junior Jazmyn Ford 5.8 points. Bearman ranks third in the city with a 7.6 rebounding average while senior Whitley Benson is tied for third in assists with a 2.8 average per game.

SUMNER ACADEMY (1-5) at HIGHLAND PARK (0-5)

Highland Park will be looking for its first win since the 2019-2020 campaign, while Sumner's lone win this season was a 58-13 romp past Kansas City East, Mo. Senior Aisya Taylor averages a team-high 7.4 points for Highland Park and has hit seven of 15 3-point attempts while freshman Amelia Ramsey is averaging a city-high 10 rebounds per game for the Scots. Beginning next season Highland Park and Sumner will both compete in the Kansas City Atchison League.

Junior Emari Doby averages a team-high 11.3 points for 2-1 Shawnee Heights. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-1) at BONNER SPRINGS (3-2)

Shawnee Heights wrapped up the 2021 portion of its schedule with a come-from-behind 64-55 home non-league win over Topeka West. Junior Emari Doby leads the T-Birds with an 11.3 scoring average while sophomore Breezy Canady averages 8.3 points and senior Abby Schulte averages 8.0 points. Heights senior Zoe Oczko ranks No. 2 in the city in rebounding, averaging 8.7 per game. Canady averages 4.7 rebounds for Shawnee Heights while Doby averages 2.7 steals and Schulte 2.3 steals and 2.3 assists.

Details

Created: 01 January 2022

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

One of the first items on Ty Baumgardner's agenda when he took the Topeka High boys basketball job in May was to put together a coaching staff.

Baumgardner tapped former Atchison head coach George Ross Jr., as well as former Trojan standout Nate Wallace, who was previously an assistant at Highland Park.

And Baumgardner's pick for a third assistant was a no-brainer for him -- his father, Jerry. 

Jerry Baumgardner coached Atchison, led by Kansas legend Chic Downing, to an undefeated Class 3A state championship in 1969 and he also coached at Emporia before going into administration and becoming Emporia's prinicipal. Jerry, who still lives in Emporia, journeyed to North Carolina to serve as Ty's assistant for his first two years as a head coach and was on the bench when Ty won a Class 4A state championship (North Carolina's largest class) with Charlotte's Olympic High in 2013.

"Coaching's all I've ever done and I got it from him,'' Ty Baumgardner said.

State championship coaches Ty Baumgardner (left) and his father, Jerry, are teaming up on Topeka High's boys basketball staff this winter. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

It took a little coaxing to get the 83-year-old Jerry to come on board at Topeka High, but he eventually took the plunge.

"It was Ty's idea and when he first approached me I said, 'Nah, I'm too old, see if you can't get a younger guy,' '' Jerry said. "But he just kind of kept after me and kept after me and I guess in a weak moment I said, 'OK, I'll do it, I'll try it.' ''

Jerry's decision to join Ty at Topeka High gives the Trojans three generations of Baumgardners in the program.

"He wanted to make sure that he could physically do it and I think having his grandson, Tyson, in the program as a freshman probably helped with that decision, too,'' Ty Baumgardner said.

"It's been fun, I've enjoyed it,'' Jerry said. "I do get a little tired during practice, but so far, so good. I hope I'm some help.''

Ty Baumgarder, who is also Topeka High's athletic director, took over a Trojan program that produced just four total wins last season (three at the varsity level) and Ty said his dad has had an impact on him and the rest of the staff as a steadying, calming influence.

"There's no question about it,'' said Ty Baumgardner, 371-159 as a high school coach. "That's exactly what he is and what I envisioned is him being that calming influence. When I or coach Ross or coach Wallace really gets into a kid he can kind of go behind us and pull them aside and say, 'Hey, here's what they're trying to get you to understand.' ''

"I think I'm more of a sounding board,'' Jerry said. "(Ty) runs things by me and if I have a comment or if I have some suggestion I'll make it. Obviously he makes the final decision on it.

"That's kind of been my role. I try to stay as low key as possible. He's got a couple of good assistants. Nate and George are doing an excellent job and I really appreciate them.''

But Ty said Jerry, who coached Ross' father at Atchison on the state championship team, can still get fired up when the situation calls for it.

"I'll tell you what now, there's been some days in these last few weeks, he's gotten into (the players),'' Baumgardner said. "He's voiced his concerns and opinions on some things that need to be corrected, so don't let the age fool you. (The fire) is still there. There's no question about it.''

Topeka High, which opens 2022 at Washburn Rural Tuesday night, has posted a 1-5 record thus far and, as fate would have it, the Trojans' lone victory came at Emporia, where Ty played and Jerry coached and retired as principal in 1997.

"That was an emotional evening for me, going back there after 25 years with the school district,'' said Jerry, who hired current Topeka West coach Rick Bloomquist at Emporia. "I had a lot of feelings heading into that game about whether I wanted to be on the bench or not, but as it turned out, it was nice. Beau Welch does a great job there and his kids were just wonderful. They all came over and shook my hand and that sort of thing and I really appreciated that.

"It was a nice evening and it was nice to get a victory.''

Ty Baumgardner said it's also been nice being able to share the last few weeks with a man who has had such a profound impact on his life and career.

"We're coaches, so it's been great,'' Ty said. "It's really been a blessing.''

Details

Created: 01 January 2022

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Shawnee County football standouts Orrin Busenitz, Torrey Horak, Danny Saili and Casen Stallbaumer have been selected to play in the 49th annual Kansas Shrine Bowl, which will be played July 23rd in Pittsburg.

Busenitz is a 6-foot-2, 295-pound lineman out of Shawnee Heights while Horak is a 5-11, 170 quarterback/defensive back for Rossville, Saili a 6-4, 370 lineman from Topeka High and Stallbaumer a 6-3, 205 receiver/defensive back for Seaman.

Horak, Saili and Stallbaumer were named to the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 while Busenitz was named to the all-county Second 22.

Orrin Busenitz

Busenitz was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection as an offensive lineman after Shawnee Heights rallied from an 0-3 start to the 2021 season to post a 5-5 record. 

Torrey Horak

Horak has helped lead Rossville to back-to-back 13-0 records and Class 2A state championships. Despite missing time with a shoulder injury, Horak completed 85 of 132 pass attempts for 1,337 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 TDs on 102 attempts.

Danny Saili

In his first season at Topeka High after transferring from Jefferson West, Saili was named to the All-Centennial League first team on both offense and defense. Saili anchored Topeka High's defense, recording 38 tackles with eight tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. 

Casen Stallbaumer

Stallbaumer earned first-team All-Centennial League honors on offense and second-team recognition on defense. Stallbaumer caught 58 passes for 759 yards and five touchdowns and had 35 tackles with seven tackles for loss and two sacks. 

 

 

Details

Created: 20 December 2021

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Even Washburn Unversity men's basketball coach Brett Ballard doesn't know exactly how, but the Ichabods found a way to pull out a 67-65 MIAA road win over Central Missouri Friday in Warrensburg, Mo.

Connon Deffebaugh converted a follow shot with two seconds left to cap a furious late comeback by Washburn, which trailed 63-55 with just 2:12 remaining.

"I don't know how we won this game,'' Ballard told KTPK Radio in his postgame interview. "Somehow we found a way.

"UCM kind of got rattled there at the end. Our last three minutes we were pretty turned up and I'm proud of the way our guys finished the game.''

Connor Deffebaugh scored the game-winning basket with two seconds remaining, giving Washburn a come-from-behind 67-65 MIAA victory at Central Missouri Friday. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

The Ichabods, who struggled most of the second half after leading 29-25 at the half, improved to 7-6 and 4-3 in the MIAA.

Jeremy Harrell hit two free throws to cut the Mules' lead to six and then Jalen Lewis connected on a 3-pointer the Ichabods' deficit to 63-60 with 1:47 remaining after back to back turnovers by Central Missouri (6-4, 3-3).

Harrell hit two more free throws to pull Washburn within a point (63-62) and then after Central Missouri missed at the other end Lewis canned another 3-pointer to put the Ichabods up 65-63 with 40 seconds remaining.

The Mules scored tied the score at 65 with 24 seconds left, but missed a free throw prevented Central Missouri from taking the lead and gave Washburn a chance to pull out the win.

Harrell, who paced the Ichabods with 17 points, missed a shot in the lane with two seconds to play, but Deffebaugh followed it up for the game-winner.

The Mules had a long desperation attempt at the buzzer that missed off the back of the rim
 
Harrell was one of four double-figure scoers for Washburn and also pulled down five rebounds. 

Tyler Geiman notched a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds (his 11th career double-double) and added four assists while Lewis finished with 13 points and Tyler Nelsom scored 11 in his season debut.

Jonny Clausing, coming off a foot injury, also saw his first action of the season, scoring two points with two rebounds in 11 minutes.
 
Ja'Cor Nelson scored a game-high 23 points for the Mules while Gaven Pinkley added 18 points.

Washburn struggled from 3-point range, hitting just five of 26 attempts, committed 20 turnovers and was just 12 of 22 from the free throw line.

"We'll take (wins) any way, pretty, ugly, I don't care,'' Ballard said. "Winning here is not easy.''

Central Missouri also struggled on offense, hitting 25 of 61 shots from the field and going nine of 17 from the free throw line.

The Mules also struggled against Washburn's pressure in the late going that helped turned the tide for the Ichabods.

Washburn will be back at Lee Arena next Thursday to host defending national champion Northwest Missouri.

WASHBURN MEN 67, CENTRAL MISSOURI 65 

Washburn 29 38 -- 67 

Central Missouri 25 40 -- 65 

WASHBURN (7-6, 4-3) 

Harrell 6-15 5-6 17, Geiman 5-12 2-4 14, Lewis 5-10 0-1 13, Deffebaugh 3-5 0-3 6, Keegan 2-3 0-0 4, Nelson 3-9 5-7 11, Clausing 1-1 0-1 2, Ellis 0-0 0-0 0, Braun 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 25-57 12-22 67. 

CENTRAL MISSOURI (6-4, 3-3) 

Nelson 9-15 4-9 23, Pinkley 7-13 0-0 18, Todd 3-10 3-4 9, Hunter 2-7 0-0 5, Okeke 2-6 0-0 4, Sides 1-6 2-2 4, Fritz 1-1 0-1 2, Gilbert 0-1 0-1 0, Mayle 0-2 0-0 0, Rogers 0-0 0-0 0.Totals 25-61 9-17 65. 

3-point goals -- Washburn 5-26 (Lewis 3-6, Geiman 2-5, Harrell 0-6, Nelson 0-5, Deffebaugh 0-2, Braun 0-2), Central Missouri 6-25 (Pinkley 4-8, Nelson 1-3, Hunter 1-3, Todd 0-5, Sides 0-3, Okeke 0-2, Gilbert 0-1). Rebounds -- Washburn 45 (Geiman 10), Central Missouri 36 (Nelson10). Assists -- Washburn 14 (Geiman 4), Central Missouri 13 (Hunter 5). Turnovers -- Washburn 20, Central Missouri 16. Total fouls -- Washburn 18, Central Missouri 17. Fouled out -- Nelson. Technical fouls -- Hunter 2, Obeke.