By CHARLES SPURLOCK
TopSports.news
The Seaman Vikings hosted the Topeka West Chargers in a United Kansas Conference boys contest on Friday night. After a high scoring first quarter, it became a defensive battle, with Topeka West taking a 55-49 win.
Sophomore Keimani Paul led Topeka West with 18 points in Friday's 55-49 UKC road win at Seaman. [File photo/TSN]
Both teams started the game by shooting 8-12 from the field in the opening quarter and Topeka West led 23-17.
In the second quarter, the defense began to stiffen on both ends of the court. Seaman shot 6-12 in the quarter and cut into the West lead by halftime, trailing 32-30.
The teams played even in the third quarter with Topeka West holding on to the two-point advantage, 40-38, going into the fourth quarter.
The Chargers increased the lead to 46-38 in the first three minutes of the final quarter, but the Vikings responded with 3-pointers from senior Justin Phillips and sophomore KaeVon Bonner, to cut the deficit to 46-44. The Vikings could get no closer due to some empty possessions and giving up four offensive rebounds on missed free throws in the final 90 seconds.
“We gave them 23 points in the first quarter, (which) were a lot more than we would like to, but after having to foul at the end of the game to only give up 55, our defense got better and gave us a chance,” Seaman coach Craig Cox said.
Seaman was led by two sophomores in scoring -- Landon Wiltz had 13 and KaeVon Bonner tallied 12. Senior Jack Unruh grabbed six rebounds to go with four assists.
Topeka West was led by sophomore Keimani Paul with a game-high 18 points, including 9-10 from the free throw line. Sophomore Malakyah Duncan had seven rebounds and senior Caleb Noonoo grabbed six boards.
Seaman (7-9 overall, 5-7 UKC) will host Leavenworth in a conference tilt next Tuesday night. Topeka West (11-6, 9-4 UKC) will travel to De Soto for another conference matchup on Tuesday.
TOPEKA WEST BOYS 55, SEAMAN 49
Topeka West 23 9 8 15 --55
Seaman 17 13 8 11 -- 49
Topeka West (11-6, 9-4) -- Young 3-6 1-2 8, Traylor 0-1 0-0 0, Duncan 2-5 1-2 6, Paul 3-8 9-10 18, Webb 0-0 0-0 0, Chambers 3-5 0-0 6, Foy 2-4 2-4 6, Ford 2-5 1-2 5, Noonoo 3-5 0-0 6. Totals 18-39 14-20 55.
Seaman (7-9, 5-7) -- Finley 2-6 2-2 8, Wiltz 6-8 0-0 13, Smith 1-3 0-0 2, Phillips 3-8 0-0 8, Bonner 5-12 1-4 12, Chapman 1-2 0-0 2, Unruh 2-6 0-0 4. Totals 20-45 3-6 49.
3 point goals -- Topeka West 5 (Paul 3, Young, Duncan), Seaman 6 (Finley 2, Phillips 2, Wiltz, Bonner). Total Fouls - Topeka West 13, Seaman 18. Fouled out - Finley, Wiltz.
