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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the second time in two meetings No. 15 Washburn and No. 3 Northwest Missouri needed overtime to decide a winner, with the Bearcats topping the Ichabods 88-85 at Lee Arena to split the regular-season series.
In a game that saw 17 lead changes and 15 ties, the Bearcats hit 9 of 10 free throws in the OT to seal the win.
The Bearcats went up by 5 in overtime but Washburn cut its deficit to 86-85 with 9 seconds to play. Then, after a pair of free throws by Northwest, a 3-point attempt by the Ichabods from the corner rimmed out as the Bearcats held on for the win.
Sophomore Tyler Nelson scored 18 points in Washburn's 88-85 OT loss to No. 3 Northwest Missouri Saturday. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After scoring just 13 points of Saturday's MIAA game against Northwest Missouri, Washburn women's basketball team didn't exacly singe the nets in the second half, but the Ichabods' 28-16 second-half scoring edge was enough to pull out a 41-38 victory at Lee Arena.
The Ichabods improved to 9-10 overall and in the MIAA while the Bearcats fell to 7-12.
Aubree Dewey contributed 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in Washburn's 41-38 MIAA win over Northwest Missouri. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West’s boys basketball team will wrap up its regular season next week before beginning its postseason fight for the Class 5A state basketball championship.
Charger coach Rick Bloomquist will begin his fight against cancer the same week.
Bloomquist confirmed Saturday that he has been diagnosed with Stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma in his lymph nodes and neck and delivered the shocking news to his team in a meeting minutes after the Chargers clinched the Centennial League championship with a 68-40 win over Topeka High Saturday at West.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer, characterized by abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells.
“I knew the kids had to know,’’ Bloomquist said. “I don’t want this to be about me, but you know how things escalate and rumors get started. I’ve got 32 kids and you’re going to have 32 versions of what’s wrong with my neck, so it’s important that we put this to rest now and get ready for sub-state. I want the newness to wear off.
“It will be a topic and I don’t want people to think I’m sick. I am sick, but I’m not unhealthy sick. I just need to get rid of this cancer. Cancer’s a scary word and you’ve got to respect it. I found out (Friday) I had to start treatment immediately, so it was time to let the kids know.’’
Topeka West boys basketball coach Rick Bloomquist delivered the news to his team that he is fighting cancer minutes after the Chargers clinched the Centennial League championship Saturday at West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Winning a league championship is always nice, and Topeka West senior standout Trevion Alexander admitted that the Centennial League title West wrapped up Saturday with a 68-40 home romp past Topeka High was extra nice for the Chargers.
"It feels good, knowing that Topeka West never had one and this is the first one,'' said Alexander, who scored 16 points as the Chargers improved to 16-2 overall and 13-1 in the league with their 10th straight victory. "Coach (Rick Bloomquist) always says it's good to be the first one.''
After shooting 57 percent in Friday's 60-46 win at Emporia, Topeka West struggled through a spotty offensive performance against Topeka High, shooting just 36 percent from the field.
But the Chargers controlled the game defensively, forcing 24 Topeka High turnovers.
"We just had to play different in the third quarter, knowing that two of their best players (Jalen Smith and Isiah Esquibel) were in foul trouble,'' Alexander said. "They were going to put in some younger guys, so we went at them.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After finishing second in Class 6A two years ago and having its chance at a title wiped out by COVID-19 last season, Topeka High's girls basketball team still has goals it wants to accomplish this season.
But Hannah Alexander's Trojans checked the first item off their checklist Saturday, clinching the outright Centennial League championship with a 71-25 romp past Topeka West at West to improve to 18-0 overall and 15-0 in the league with their 41st straight victory.
Saturday's win gave Topeka High its second straight outright league title and it's third overall, with the Trojans sharing the crown with Washburn Rural in 2019.
"It's always a good feeling to get that accomplished,'' Alexander said. "I think that's a big test in this Centennial League to do that.''
