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By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Washburn men torched visiting Rogers State with 60 percent shooting – 67 percent in the second half – to build a comfortable lead and cruise to a 93-71 win Saturday.
Washburn freshman Jack Bachelor paced the Ichabods with 17 points in Saturday's 93-71 MIAA win over Rogers State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
After a bit of a slow start, Washburn eventually built a double-digit lead and kept the Hillcats at arm’s length throughout most of the contest.
“It helps when you make shots, and we made shots today,” Washburn coach Brett Ballard said. “We did a good job of sharing it. We got some good looks, and we made some tough looks too. When you make shots, it helps everything.
“I thought we were ok defensively. Not great. But we made enough shots to keep them at that distance.”
The one snag in the first half was foul trouble encountered by sophomore point guard Sam Ungashick. Junior Jake Schadegg and freshman Jack Bachelor came off the bench to fill in for the starting point man.
“Sam is a very good player and has been very good,” Ballard said. “So, I was a little concerned when he went out. But Jake Schadegg came in and did a very good job, not just holding things down but elevating us. We actually played a little bit better with Jake in there, which says a lot about Jake as a player.
“Jack and Jake both did a very good job handling that point guard role and allowing us to finish the first half strong.”
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By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Washburn women had to overcome the coldest of cold starts to earn their first MIAA win Saturday, pulling it together in the second half to defeat Rogers State 56-44 at Lee Arena.
Washburn women's coach Lora Westling and the Ichabods' bench celebrate a big play in Saturday's 56-44 MIAA win over Rogers State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Ichabods entered the game averaging 80.6 points per game but they sure didn’t look like it, judging by the first half Saturday.
Washburn hit just two of 17 attempts in the first period, which concluded with just six points on the scoreboard for the home team.
The second quarter didn’t get much better. The Ichabods hit just three of 13 shots, raising their point total to just 15 by halftime.
“Usually, at halftime, we come in and talk strategy,” senior Aubree Dewey said. “But today we just came in and said, ‘We just need to relax. This is not who we are. We need to just slow it down and get back to who we are. To get back to sharing the ball and getting the ball in the bucket.’ ”
Fortunately for the Ichabods, the visiting Hillcats had just about the same amount of trouble putting the ball in the basket. Washburn trailed just 9-6 after one period and 19-15 at half.
“I thought we defended well enough that we still had a chance even after a pretty miserable first half,” Washburn coach Lora Westling said. “So, we really credited our defensive effort and our game plan there.”
The Ichabods made it apparent immediately that the second half would not mirror the first. They quickly cut into the Hillcats’ lead, moving in front within the first four minutes of the third period. On the strength of 15 points from non-starters in the third period, the Ichabods zoomed into the lead and never looked back. They outscored Rogers State, whose scoring issues persisted throughout the day, 22-10 in the third period.
“They came out with their heads up after the half, got some great possessions right off the bat, and then put their foot on the gas,” Westling said. “We found some rhythm, so we quit making it so hard for ourselves.”
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
MATTHEWS, N.C. – Washburn University soccer finished the 2023 season as the NCAA Division II runnerup after a 1-0 loss to Point Loma in the national championship match on Saturday afternoon.
Washburn soccer coach Davy Phillips and his Ichabods salute their fans after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Point Loma in the national championship game in Matthews, N.C. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods finished their record-breaking season with a 21-4-1 record.
"Point Loma's really good,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "I thought we made it hard on them at times. It game down to a set piece. I'm super proud of my team, but credit to Point Loma, theyre a really good team.''
Washburn and Point Loma (17-3-1) were locked in a scoreless tie through the first half, but the Sea Lions were able to find the back of the net in the 53rd minute of the match and hold on through the rest of the half to claim the national title.
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By CHARLES SPURLOCK
TopSports.news
LENEXA -- The Seaman Lady Vikings, ranked No. 4 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Associaion went on the road Friday to face St. James Academy, ranked No. 3 in 5A in a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal, where St. James ended the Vikings season.
Sophomore Maddie Gragg led the way with 14 points as Seaman avenged a state tournament loss with a 50-37 road win at St. James Academy Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman was able to avenge last season's state loss in impressive fashion, taking a 50-37 win over the Thunder.
“They (the girls) are probably tired of me talking about St. James in every practice,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "I’m just so proud of the girls, they’re tough.”
The Vikings jumped out to a 16-4 lead at the end of the first quarter with seven points from sophomore Maddie Gragg and five points from senior Taylin Stallbaumer.
Their tough, focused play continued into the second quarter and Seaman went into halftime leading 31-12. Seaman struggled with executing on the offensive end in the third quarter and St. James cut into the lead and trailed 40-27 going into the fourth quarter.
“We kind of went off-script offensively in the third quarter and couldn’t make a layup,” Tinsley said.
St. James began the first three minutes of the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run, leading to a Seaman timeout. Ava Esser had a big, offensive rebound and stick back, followed by two tough layups by junior Jaida Stallbaumer that quieted the rally.
Seaman had three players in double figures, led by Gragg with 14, Jaida Stallbaumer with 12 and Taylin Stallbaumer with 10. Gragg and Kinley Wilhelm both grabbed nine rebounds.
St. James was led by Riley Kerwin with 10 points and Reese Messer scored eight points.Seaman will be back in action at home on Tuesday (5:45 p.m.) for a United Kansas Conference clash with Piper.
SEAMAN GIRLS 50, ST. JAMES ACADEMY 37
Seaman 16 15 9 10 -- 50
St. James 4 8 15 10 -- 37
Seaman (3-0) -- J. Stallbaumer 4-8 3-4 12, Miller 0-0 0-0 0, E. Stallbaumer 0-1 0-0 0, T. Stallbaumer 3-10 3-5 10, A. Becker 3-8 2-4 8, Wilhelm 1-4 0-0 2, Gragg 5-12 3-3 14, Moulden 1-2 0-0 2, Esser 1-3 0-1 2. Totals 18-48 11-17 50.
St. James (0-1) -- Kerwin 4-8 0-0 10, Messer 4-15 0-0 8, Douglas 0-0 0-0 0, Ianello 0-0 0-0 0, Irsik 1-2 0-0 3, Robinson 1-7 2-4 4, K. Menghini 2-8 0-1 5, Tauscher 0-0 0-2 0, R. Becker 3-11 0-0 7. Totals 15-51 2-7 37.
3 point goals -- Seaman 3 (J. Stallbaumer, T. Stallbaumer, Gragg), St. James 5 (Kerwin 2, Irsik, K. Menghini, Becker). Total Fouls -- Seaman 11, St. James 21. -- Fouled out -- R. Becker.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights still has some work to do offensively, but defense continues to be a T-Bird strength and paved the way for Friday's come-from-behind 47-42 home United Kansas Conference win over Topeka West.
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the T-Birds' 47-42 UKC win over Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"I think our team takes pride in defense this year,'' said Heights junior standout Jaret Sanchez, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. "I think we're a way better defensive team than last year.
"Everybody contributed this game and the bench players came in and everybody did their role.''
Heights, which had opened its season with UKC losses to De Soto and Piper, appeared as if it might be looking at a third straight loss when 2-0 Topeka West doubled up the T-Birds at 24-12 with 6:58 left in the first half.
But the T-Birds stepped up their defensive pressure, forcing a rash of West turnovers, and cut their deficit to just two points (26-24) at the half while allowing just five Charger points in the second quarter.
West continued to struggle offensively in the third period, with another five-point quarter, as Shawnee Heights opened up a 39-31 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.
Shawnee Heights took a 10-point lead on two Deacon Pomeroy free throws with 7:18 left in the game, but this time it was Topeka West's turn to mount a comeback.
The Chargers scored eight straight points to get within two points (41-39) with 4:03 remaining on a Jalen Foy bucket and West missed two shots on its next possession with a chance to forge a tie or take the lead before Sanchez went six of six at the free throw line over the final 2:15 as Heights held on for the win.
