- Details
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
HUTCHINSON -- The Hayden volleyball team shook off a disappointing loss in Saturday's Class 4A state semifinals, bouncing back with a win over McPherson to finish third in state at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
Hayden senior Bella Reid (12) celebrates a point with her teammates during Saturday's Class 4A state volleyball tournament. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Hayden senior Reagan McGivern spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 4A state tournament at Hutchinson. [Photo by Selena Favela/TSN]
Hayden was back in the state field for the first time since it won the 4A title in 2019.
The Wildcats were knocked out of the running for the title by Rock Creek. Hayden evened the semifinal match at one set apiece but couldn’t keep pace in the third set, falling 25-20.
Hayden dropped the first set of the consolation round against McPherson 21-25. But the Wildcats regrouped to win the next two sets 25-15, 25-16.
Hayden's volleyball team poses for a team picture after taking third place in the Class 4A state tournament. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Hayden seniors Bella Reid (left) and Reagan McGivern accept the Class 4A third-place trophy Saturday in Hutchinson. [Photo by Todd Fertig/Special to TSN]
“I’m so proud of the girls,” said Wildcat coach Corrinne McGreevy. “It’s mentally so hard to play that consolation game because you put your heart and soul in the semifinal game and then you feel so defeated. But it’s a game of heart and mental toughness. We said ‘Hey, let’s go home in third place, because third is way better than fourth.’ ”
"There’s always that disappointment of losing in a semifinal, but overall I’m so proud of these girls,” said senior Reagan McGivern. “We’re young. We’re inexperienced. So, I’m glad with the way they showed up and were able to bounce back. That consolation game is hard to play mentally, so I’m glad we took care of it. There’s only two teams that can end their season with a win, so I’m glad it was us.”
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's basketball played its final preseason tune-up Friday night, falling to the University of Kansas 81-54 in Allen Fieldhouse.
The Ichabods begin the regular season in St. Cloud, Minn. at the Central Region Crossover against Southwest Minnesota State on Nov. 8 at 4 p.m.
Washburn newcomer Payton Sterk scored 11 points in Washburn's 81-54 exhibition loss at Kansas Friday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
It was Washburn that got on the board first, with YIbari Nwidadah getting a bucket to go in the paint on the opening possession of the game.
The Jayhawks scored the next eight points, but the Ichabods battled back, going ahead 11-10 after a steal and score from Aniah Wayne in the backcourt with 2:01 left in the quarter.
The Washburn defense forced six turnovers in the first quarter but in the final two minutes Kansas was able to break down the defense, ending the frame on an 8-0 run.
The Ichabods kept it close to open the second quarter, cutting the lead down to six with 7:26 left after Payton Sterk drilled a three. Shortly after, free throws by Gabi Giovannetti made it a four-point game with 5:56 in the half.
After the Jayhawks started the game 0-14 from beyond the arc they got their first to go with 1:01 left in the quarter, which pushed the lead to double figures. Kansas went into the break leading 39-27.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 20-ranked Washburn Ichabod women's soccer team used two second-half goals from senior Khloe Schuckman to earn a 2-0 win over Northwest Missouri State on Friday night at Yager Stadium.
Senior Khloe Schuckman scored both goals in Friday's 2-0 MIAA win over Northwest Missouri at Yager Stadium. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods will celebrate Senior Day on Sunday with a 1 p.m. kickoff against No. 15 Missouri Western.
The first half of Friday's match was a defensive struggle, with the score staying at 0-0 entering halftime.
The best chance for either side came in the 42nd minute, when a shot from Washburn's Hunter McWilliams was deflected and fell to Ana Muruzabal, whose close-range shot was saved.
The Ichabods (11-3-2 overall, 8-1-1 MIAA) took seven shots in the half, while holding the Bearcats (7-4-6, 5-3-3) to three attempts.
The second half started much quicker than the first, with Schuckman finding her first score of the evening off a short pass from Mackinly Rohn.
The eventual game-winning goal was Schuckman's 16th career game-winner, tying the Washburn school record.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the second time in two weeks Rossville rolled to a decisive victory over Wabaunsee Friday night, posting a 47-13 home win in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs.
No. 4 East seed Rossville will be back at home Friday, hosting No. 5 McLouth (7-2), a 64-20 winner over Pleasanton Friday night.
Rossville junior Conner Bush scored three touchdowns in the Bulldawgs' 47-13 Class 1A playoff win over Wabaunsee Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville, which is now 6-3 and in the midst of a six-game win streak, jumped out on top 14-0 in the first quarter Friday night over the Chargers, getting 51 and 9-yard touchdown runs from junior Conner Bush (Vincent Daniel kick).
Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak rushed for three touchdowns in Friday's 47-13 Class 1A playoff win over Wabaunsee. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville junior Andre Johnson (1) celebrates a second-quarter touchdown in Friday's 47-13 Class 1A playoff win over Wabaunsee. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Bulldawgs then tacked on three more TDs in the second quarter to open up a commanding 34-6 halftime advantage. Senior quarterback Tayson scored a pair of TDs in the period on 13 and 17-yard runs while junior Andre Johnson scored from 3 yards out. Daniel kicked a pair of extra points.
Bush scored his third touchdown of the game on a 25-yard run in the third quarter and Horak finished Rossville's scoring midway through the fourth quarter with his third TD, a 27-yard run (Daniel kick).
HAYDEN 56, HIAWATHA 6 -- Hayden, which improved to 8-1,took the lead for good with a touchdown on its opening possession and scored on four of its five first-half drives on the way to a dominating 56-6 home win over Hiawatha in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Defensively, Hayden recovered two Hiawatha fumbles and picked off two passes.
Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Walmeier was 10 of 13 passing for 190 yards and a touchdown while senior Jensen Schrickel had three receptions for 41 yards and had six carries for 110 yards and two TDs.
- Details
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The three-year run of winning football came to an end for the Highland Park seniors Friday. They were bounced from the Class 5A state playoffs by Pittsburg, 49-18, at Hummer Sports Park, ending the Scots' season with a 6-3 record.
Highland Park sophomore G'Honi Montgomery had 58 rushing yards and a TD in the Scots' 49-18 Class 5A playoff loss to Pittsburg Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
The No. 8 East seed for the Scots meant they drew a tough opponent in the Purple Dragons. The Scots hung tough, trailing just 21-12 midway through the second period with a chance to cut into the deficit. But a fumble deep in Pittsburg territory turned into another score for the visitors, who gradually pulled away.
The season ended on a sour note, but the seniors who depart the Highland Park program can take pride in a historic turnaround. They completed their freshman season on a losing streak that extended to eight seasons. But since moving to the Meadowlark Conference, they have led a turnaround that is nothing less than historic. The Scots have amassed a 19-9 record over the past three seasons.
“This senior class is the first class that I had for all four years, and they witnessed (the turnaround),” coach Jermaine Monroe said. “The underclassmen, they don’t know what it was like. They don’t know the experience of going 0-9. This senior class knows that, and they helped change that. They were part of that grind to turn the thing around and keep it going. They can share those experiences.”
Senior Jamon Wilson closed out his banner Highland Park career in Friday's 49-18 Class 5A playoff loss to Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]
The Scots struggled Friday to turn their speed loose against the Purple Dragon defense. They got a 25-yard touchdown run from sophomore G’Honi Montomery, a 7-yard score from senior Jamon Wilson, and a 44-yard scoring pass from junior Dontrail Fox to sophomore Joe Kingcannon.
Defensively, the Scots were the victim of a ground-and-pound offense. Pittsburg attempted few passes but rushed for 406 yards. Senior running back Stone Peery accounted for 214 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
“With the type of offense that they run, they’re going to grind it out and eat the clock,” Monroe said. “And they made some chunk plays. We just made some mistakes in critical moments of the game, and it just got away from us.”
A running clock accelerated the pace of the second half and brought an early end to the evening. Monroe was not deterred by the outcome, however.
“We had a great season.,” Monroe said “We never gave up. The boys kept fighting to the end. Each week we got better and better, and even this week we got better. The score says one thing, but I think we played a solid game.”
Monroe was effusive in his praise of the seniors, but said he was ready to celebrate the effort of the entire team in the locker room following the defeat.
“I’ll tip my hat to them,” Monroe said. “I’m blessed to be able to coach these guys because all they do is give their heart and their soul, everything they have, in every practice, every game. They are just a great group of boys.”
PITTSBURG 49, HIGHLAND PARK 18
