Cair Paravel Lions

Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.

WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES

 Caleb Annan-Noonoo

CALEB ANNAN-NOONOO | Topeka West

PARENTS: K.O. Noonoo and Anna Annan-Noonoo

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: NA

Annan-Noonoo was a three-year varsity player for the Chargers in basketball while also starring in the classroom, ranking as Topeka West's valedictorian for the class of 2024 and earning numerous academic scholarship offers. Annan-Noonoo turned in a solid senior season for the Chargers, shooting 55.9 percent from the field while ranking seventh in the city with a 5.5 rebounding average and leading the city with 1.4 blocked shots per game. He also averaged 1.6 steals on the season.

Rykan Carver

RYKAN CARVER | Shawnee Heights

PARENTS: Corey and Tricia Carver

SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.53

A standout in football, wrestling and track and field for the T-Birds, Carver ended his high school wrestling career with the Class 5A 285-pound state title. Carver was a four-time letterman in wrestling, winning a pair of United Kansas Conference titles and qualifying for the 5A state tournament three times. "Rykan is a team leader and captain in all three of his sports and also thrives in the classroom, taking honors courses throughout high school and graduating with a 4.53 GPA,'' Shawnee Heights wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "This GPA and workload earned Rykan the distinction of being in the top one percent of GPAs for the entire state of Kansas.'' Carver will attend Kansas State to study engineering.

Cooper Colboch

COOPER COLBOCH | Hayden

PARENTS: Craig and Torri Colboch

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.166

Colboch helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth as a senior, averaging 8.2 points per games while hitting 39 3-pointers and shooting 81.3 percent from the free throw line. "Cooper had a great senior season,'' former Hayden coach Trey Brown said. "He was the voice of our team all year long and hit countless big shots for us. He is a great kid on and off the court and was a big reason we had success this season. Colboch also played football for Hayden before being sidelined midway through his senior season with an injury.

Simon Everhart

SIMON EVERHART | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Dave and Rachel Everhart

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.17

Everhart was a Top 10 All-Shawnee County selection as a senior, averaging 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while scoring 35 percent of the Lions' points. "Simon is consistent in his approach and very reliable to his teammates,'' Cair Parave coach Chip Kueffer said. "A leader by his actions, not just words. The team depended on him heavily to show up and there was never a moment during the year when Simon let a teammate down. Simon demonstrates humility and perseverance. Despite being one of the top players in Topeka, Simon was never 'too big time.' He consistently swept the court before practices started and led as a team captain with a servant's heart.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee County athletes have starred in a variety of sports at the high school, collegiate, national amateur and professional levels over the years, with county high schools producing Super Bowl and World Series champs, national individual and team champions, Olympians, local and national Hall of Famers and even U.S. Open champs.

Topeka sports legend Mike Torrez was a world champion with the New York Yankees and won 185 games as a Major League pitcher in an 18-year career. [File photo]

 Former Shawnee Heights star Gary Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open and continues to compete on the PGA Tour. [PGA Tour]

Topeka High grad Chris Barnes is a PBA Hall of Famer, who also helped the Trojans win a state basketball title. [PBA Tour]

Topeka West state champion Sheri Norris was an All-American tennis player at Arizona State before playing on the pro tennis tour. [File photo]

And while some of the county greats are probably household names among local sports fans, there are others who have carved out impressive careers that you may not be as familiar with, including some you've probably never head of.

This summer TopSports.news will try to change that.

Beginning in July and continuing throughout the summer, TopSports.news will post its selections for the Top 100 greatest athletes in Shawnee County.

 Former Topeka High star NiJaree Canady has received national pitcher of the year and player of the year as a sophomore pitcher for Stanford. [Stanford Athletics]

Former Washburn Rural multi-sport star Brooklyn DeLeye is currently a star for Kentucky's volleyball team. [Kentucky Volleyball]

Past Top 100 and Top 125 lists, which I had the pleasure of helping select, combined men's and women's athletes, but, quite frankly, that is unfair in 2024, with female athletes very deserving of their own Top 100 list as athletes like NiJaree Canady and Brooklyn DeLeye continue to make their own mark on sports' biggest stages.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman's Anna Becker, Silver Lake's Taylor Zordel and Highland Park's Ja'Corey Robinson, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were selected Thursday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency girls and boys 2024 Rising Stars of the year.

Rising Stars of the Year Taylor Zordel, Ja'Corey Robinson and Anna Becker pose with Dan Key of the Farmers Insurance Agency after being honored Wednesday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Becker and Zordel shared the girls honor and boys winner Robinson were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2023-2024 school year.

Silver Lake's Taylor Zordel and Seaman's Anna Becker were named the co-girls Rising Stars of the Year Wednesday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Becker was a basketball and soccer standout for Seaman, helping lead the Vikings to the Class 5A state basketball championship and the 5A state quarterfinals in soccer while Zordel helped lead Silver Lake to the 3A-1A golf title and was a member of the Eagles' 3A state championship basketball team and state runnerup softball team. 

Ja'Corey Robinson of Highland Park was named the 2024 boys Rising Star of the Year Wednesday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Robinson helped lead Highland Park to a second straight third-place finish in the 5A state basketball tournament and also helped the Scots' football team advance to the second round of the 5A football playoffs.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, and Cair Paravel Latin, the 4A-1A state runnerup, combined to put eight players on the 17-member 2024 All-City girls soccer first team.

The All-City team was based on recommendations and votes from city coaches.

Mackenzie Flood, Washburn Rural

Hayley Legg, Washburn Rural

Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural

Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural

Addyson Kaberline, Washburn Rural

Washburn Rural is represented on the All-City first team by seniors Mackenzie Flood and Hayley Legg and juniors Destiny Higgs, Kate Hinck and Addyson Kaberline after the Junior Blues posted a 17-4-0 record on the season, capped by a 3-0 win over Maize in the third-place game after a 1-0 double overtime loss to Blue Valley Northwest in the semifinals.

The 2024 All-Shawnee County boys golf team, from left -- Myles Alonzo, Topeka West; Tagen Rodriguez, Hayden; James Kuta, Hayden; Rich Helmbold, Cair Paravel/Topeka High; Jack Donovan, Rossville; Cam Zimlich, Washburn Rural; Tadd Armstrong, Washburn Rural. Not pictured: Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake; Ayden Valdivia, Shawnee Heights; Zach Weir, Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Four-time first-team selections Myles Alonzo of Topeka West and Bryce Badsky of Silver Lake headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County boys golf team. 

Alonzo, who swept city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional titles, capped his high school career with his third individual medal in the 5A state tournament while Mid-East League champ Badsky earned his fourth straight medal in the 3A state meet.

Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake

Washburn Rural, which won its 14th straight city team championship, is represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior Cam Zimlich and junior Tadd Armstrong while Hayden put juniors James Kuta and Tagen Rodriguez on the first team after finishing fourth in the 3A state tournament.

Also named to the all-county first team were Cair Paravel Latin/Topeka High senior Rich Helmbold, whch led CPLS to a third-place team finish in 2A, Rossville sophomore 3A state medalist Jack Donovan, Shawnee Heights 5A sophomore state qualifier Ayden Valdivia and Seaman senior 5A state participant Zach Weir. 

All-Shawnee County capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Eleven athletes who had a hand in 10 state titles, including three multiple-event state champs, headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.

Hayden senior Finn Dunshee and junior Jensen Schrickel took home three Class 3A gold medals apiece, posting two individual wins to go with a relay victory, while also running on a runnerup relay.

Finn Dunshee, Hayden

Jensen Schrickel, Hayden

Dunshee won the 100-meter dash in 10.60 seconds and the 200 in 21.99 while Schrickel took the 3A gold in the long jump at 23 feet, 1 inch and won the 400 dash in 48.73 while Dunshee and Schrickel teamed with juniors Liam Stegman and John Strickland to win the 4x400 relay in 3:26.01 and with Stegman and sophomore Jackson McGivern to finish second in the 4x100 relay (42.52).  

Aaron Merritt, Seaman

Seaman senior Aaron Merritt was a double individual gold medalist in 5A and also helped the Vikings post a second-place relay finish.

Merritt won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.48 seconds and the 100 dash in 10.32 seconds and teamed with juniors Peyton Holmes and Bryce Cochran and senior Jacob Anderson to finish second in the 5A 4x100 relay (42.50 seconds).

Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights

Shawnee Heights senior Jackson Esquibel won the 5A state title in the 3,200 meters for the second straight season, with Esquibel also recording a second-place finish in the 1,600 as both a junior and senior.

Esquibel won Friday's 5A 3,200 in 9:21.31 and was second in the 1,600 in 4:19.11.

Josh Sulzen-Watson, Washburn Rural

Washburn Rural senior Josh Sulzen-Watson won the 6A state championship in the javelin with a throw of 188-7 after finishing third in the discus at 162-3 while the Junior Blues' foursome of senior Shane Jueneman, sophomores Liam Morrison and Draden Chooncharoen and junior Isaiah Terry sat through a weather delay before winning the title in the 4x400 relay in 3:19.56 in the final event of the 2024 state meet. 

Esquibel is joined on the all-county team by senior teammate Alex Dawkins, third in the 5A discus (164-9), and by T-Bird junior Payton Berry-Briggs, third in the 200 (22.27).

Blake Redmond, Silver Lake

Silver Lake senior Blake Redmond placed third in the 3A long jump (22-3.75) while Eagles junior Evan Scheid was a four-event state medalist in the 100, 200, 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay. Redmond also ran on the 4x100 relay.

Also earning berths on the All-Shawnee County boys first team were Seaman sophomore distance standout Brody Anderson and sophomore sprinter Malachi Murph, a two-time all-county pick.

All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendations and postseason performances.

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2024 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

WICHITA – Cair Paravel Latin fought off a barrage of scoring chances from powerhouse Bishop Miege for 92-plus minutes in Saturday’s Class 4-1A  championship game at Stryker Sports Complex. 

Cair Paravel's Zahra Friess battles for possession with Miege's Rose Lopez during the Lions' 1-0 double-overtime loss in Saturday's Class 4-1A championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

Cair Paravel's Veronica Ignoto boots a goal kick during Saturday's Class 4-1A championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

But Miege finally broke the dam with less than eight minutes in the second overtime.

On Miege’s 16th corner kick of the game, Dory Latenser headed home a perfectly-placed kick from Isabella McGaugh for the golden goal with 7:38 left in the second OT, securing a 1-0 win and the Stags’ state-record eighth consecutive championship.

Junior goalkeeper Veronica Ignoto and the Lions’ back line worked tirelessly to keep it scoreless, but offensive opportunities were scarce for Cair Paravel (15-4-1). The Lions weren’t officially credited with a shot on goal while Miege had 10. 

“Really proud of my girls. That was an amazing show of courage against a tough team, perennial state champs,” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery told KSHSAA Covered. “We just couldn’t get our offense generated. We were on our heels most of the game. 

“I knew my girls had it in them, but we just couldn’t seem to get the break that we had last time we played them (2-1 loss). We had a couple through balls to capitalize on and even had a couple missed opportunities in that game, and today those just didn’t show themselves. At the end of the day, they finally got one in the net and we didn’t.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Nine days after a frustrating 1-0 home United Kansas Conference loss to Basehor-Linwood, Seaman's girls soccer team responded with one of its best performances of the season last Thursday, taking a 4-1 road win over the Bobcats to advance to the Class 5A quarterfinals.

Seaman celebrates its Class 5A regional soccer championship after last Thursday's 4-1 road win at Basehor-Linwood. [Seaman Athletics]

"We played a lot better,'' Seaman coach Kyle Seevers said. "We had probably our best overall game of the season. Every person that went in competed hard, connected, defended, won 50-50 balls. It was just a complete game.''

After dropping three straight one-goal games to end the regular season, the Vikings bounced back with a 10-0 win over Kansas City-Schlagle in its regional opener and never trailed in the regional final after Parker Ayres and Marin Schuler scored first-half goals to give Seaman a 2-0 advantage. 

Midway through the second half Basehor-Linwood cut its deficit to 2-1 but Seaman's Taylin Stallbaumer answered with a pivotal goal to put Seaman up 3-1 and Ryin Miller found the net less than a minute after Stallbaumer's goal to give the Vikings their final margin.

Miller had a pair of assists in the Seaman win while Schuler also had an assist.

Now the 12-4-1 Vikings will attempt to build off that win in Tuesday's 6 p.m. quarterfinal at Blue Valley Southwest (15-2-0).

Blue Valley Southwest probably has to be considered the favorite, particularly at home, but Seevers has no doubt his team will put up a fight.

"Anything can happen,'' Seevers said. "When we beat De Soto (1-0) it wasn't always pretty but sometimes you've just go to muddy the waters to get a catfish so that's kind of been our go to ever since the De Soto game, to muddy the waters. It may not be pretty but it gets done.''

Seaman will be looking to continue what has been a magical 2023-2024 school year, with the Vikings winning 5A state titles in volleyball and basketball and punching their ticket to the state tournament in softball.

"We've got such a great group of athletes right now,'' Seevers said. "Not always the best soccer players, but oh my God do we have winners that are great athletes.''

Also looking to extend its season will be 13-5-0 Shawnee Heights, which will be on the road to face 16-1-0 St. Thomas Aquinas in the other 5A East quarterfinal at 7 p.m.

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin School girls soccer team is going back to state.

It may have come as a surprise when the Lions qualified for the Class 4-1A final four two seasons ago – the 1A program that had just recently earned KSHSAA membership.

Cair Paravel sophomore KellyAnn Chada scored three goals Tuesday as the Lions advanced to the Class 4A-1A semifinals with a 6-1 win over Baldwin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel junior Zahra Friess (3) had two goals and an assist in Tuesday's 6-1 state quarterfinal win over Baldwin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

This year, they left no doubt they belong, steamrolling Baldwin 6-1 in the quarterfinal round at Bettis Family Sports Complex Tuesday.

It took just 13 seconds for the Lions to set the tone. For the second game in a row, Cair Paravel struck for an early goal to put the opponents at a disadvantage.

“I said, ‘Let’s try to take advantage of our speed up top.’ We have a lot of it up there,” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said. “Zahra Friess is incredibly fast. I said, ‘Let’s put the ball down to the flag and let her beat ‘em to it.’ And it’s just worked great. She’s managed to score a couple of goals off of it.”

Senior Katherine Keys had a goal and two assists in Cair Paravel's 6-1 win over Baldwin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

That was just the beginning of the scoring for Cair Paravel. KellyAnn Chada knocked home three goals, Friess added a second, and Katherine Keys scored a goal to go with two assists. Only a Baldwin goal with 1:20 left spoiled the shutout.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin posted a third-place team finish in the Class 2A state tournament at Mariah Hills in Dodge City while Silver Lake senior Bryce Badsky finished third in 3A at Emporia to lead five local individual medalists.

Cair Paravel Latin golf posted a third-place team finish in the Class 2A state tournament. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

Cair Paravel finished third as a team, 13 strokes behind runnerup Ellinwood while perennial state champion Salina Sacred Heart earned the state championship by 19 strokes.

State medalist Rich Helmbold led the Lions with a sixth-place individual finish, shooting a 78 on Tuesday after an opening-round 76.

CPLS' Jase Pavlik tied for 26th place with a 36-hole total of 173 (83-90) while Caleb Cleverdon tied for 32nd (89-87), Luke Budden tied for 38th (86-96), Simon Everhart tied for 40th (90-93) and Ty Gossard finished in 50th place (101-103).

Eagles' Badsky third, Hayden fourth in 3A

Silver Lake senior Bryce Badsky earned his fourth straight Class 3A individual medal on Tuesday at Emporia Municipal, placing third with a 36-hole total of 151.

Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake

Badsky shot a 75 on Tuesday after an opening-round 76.

Hayden finished fourth as a team, four strokes behind third-place Wichita Collegiate. Hesston and Sabetha went one-two in the team race, with the Bluejays winning by four strokes.

James Kuta finished with a two-day total of 159 (73-86) to tie for 14th place and earn a state medal.

 James Kuta, Hayden

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Two Shawnee County teams and six individuals advanced to Tuesday's final day of boys state golf tournaments accross the state.

Leading the local contingent are Hayden in Class 3A and Cair Paravel Latin in 2A, with both the Wildcats and Lions qualifing as a team for Day 2 of state.

Cair Paravel is sitting in third place in the 2A state tournament after Monday's round at Dodge City's Mariah Hills, three strokes behind second-place Ellinwood. Perennial state champion Salina Sacred Heart is well on its way to another title, entering Tuesday's final round with a 41-stroke lead.

Rich Helmbold, Cair Paravel Latin

Rich Helmbold shot an opening-round 76 to lead the Lions and is tied for seventh place in 2A.

CPLS' Jase Pavlik is tied for 23rd place after an 83 while Luke Budden is tied for 35th (86), Caleb Cleverdon is tied for 38th (89), Simon Everhart is tied for 41st (90) and Ty Gossard tied for 50th (101).

Hayden enters the final round of the 3A tournament at Emporia Municipal in fourth place, but just seven strokes behind first-day leader Hesston.

The Wildcats are three shots behind third-place Sabetha and five strokes behind second-place Wichita Collegiate.

 James Kuta, Hayden

James Kuta is tied for second place individuall after shooting a 73 in Monday's first round.

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin School girls advanced from the regional round of the soccer playoffs with a 6-0 win over Eudora Thursday at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.

Sophomore KellyAnn Chada (11) is congratulated by her Cair Paravel teammates after scoring one of her four goals in Thursday's 6-0 win over Eudora in a Class 4A-1A regional. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Senior Katherine Keys (left), who had three assists, congratulates sophomore KellyAnn Chada after a goal in Cair Paravel's 6-0 regional win over Eudora. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Sophomore KellyAnn Chada accounted for four of the Lions’ six goals, including one in the opening minutes of the contest.

“It was crazy,” Chada said. “I definitely couldn’t have done it without my team. They had some great assists. I got the first one and that just started the game off on the right foot and then they just kept coming.”

“She is a goal-scoring machine” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said of Chada. “She is one of those players who always seem to put themselves in the right spot.”

Zahra Friess and Clare Everhart added goals for the Lions while Katherine Keys tallied three assists.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Due to weather-related postponements on Monday, several area golf regionals were pushed back a day until Tuesday.

But having to wait an extra day didn't seem to faze local golfers, with three teams earning team berths for next Monday and Tuesday's state events.

Here's a class-by-class look at Tuesday's tournaments involving Shawnee County teams:

Washburn Rural's golf team poses for a picture after finishing second in Tuesday's Class 6A regional at Junction City. [Washburn Rural golf]

Washburn Rural earns runnerup 6A finish

Led by top-10 finishes from senior Camden Zimlich and junior Tagan Monasmith, the Junior Blues finished second as a team behind Centennial League rival Manhattan in the Class 6A regional at Rolling Meadows in Junction City to advance to next week's Class 6A state tournament at Garden City.

Zimlich shot an 82 to tie for sixth place while Monasmith shot an 83 to tie for eighth to lead Washburn Rural while Hayden Glynn and Tadd Armstrong tied for 11th with 86s to round out the Junior Blues' four-man team score of 337.

Tanner Kasprznk added a 93 and Michael Wilson a 94 for Washburn Rural.

Manhattan won the team championship at 320 while Rural out-distanced Wichita East by 22 strokes for second place.

Hayden's golf team poses for a picture after earning a Class 3A state tournament berth with a runnerup regional finish on Tuesday in Seneca. [Hayden Golf]

Hayden posts second-place finish in 3A regional

Hayden finished second in Tuesday's Class 3A regional at Seneca's Spring Creek Golf Course to advance to next week's state tournament at Emporia.

Sabetha won the regional title with a four-man score of 310 while Hayden was second at 322 to earn the final team berth for state.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Myles Alonzo

MYLES ALONZO, Topeka West

Alonzo, a senior golf standout, set a Topeka West school record with a 4-under-par 66 in Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge, winning the individual title by five strokes. A two-time 5A state placer, Alonzo has now won city, United Kansas Conference and regional titles entering next week's 5A state meet at Newton.

Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

The Washburn Rural sophomore swimming star posted individual victories in the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 12.08 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 5:18.23 and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley relay (2:00.94) and 400 free relay (3:58.46) to lead the Junior Blues to their fourth straight Centennial League championship last Thursday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.

Drew Fay

DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

A sophomore, Fay posted a city-high fourth-place singles finish in Saturday's Class 3A-1A state tennis tournament in Prairie Village. A two-time state qualifier, Fay won his first two state matches on Friday before losing to two-time state singles champ Caleb Bartels of Kansas City Christian in the semifinals and to Charlie Gentile of Wichita Collegiate in the third-place match.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Drew Fay posted a fourth-place finish in Class 3A-1A singles Saturday at Harmon Park Tennis Complex in Prairie Village, pacing eight city state medalists in three classes.

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Drew Fay posted a city-high fourth-place finish in Class 3A-1A singles Saturday in Prairie Village. [File photo/TSN]

Fay (23-11) posted two straight wins on Friday advance to the semifinals before dropping a 6-0, 6-1 decision to Kansas City Christian senior star Caleb Bartels.

Fay then dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to sophomore Charlie Gentile of team champ Wichita Collegiate in the third-place match.

Bartels went on to finish off a perfect 33-0 season, winning his second straight singles title and his third state crown overall, including a doubles title in 2021.

 Hayden junior Chase Blaser (left) and senior Joseph Luke posted a fifth-place doubles finish in the Class 3A-1A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden's doubles team of senior Joseph Luke and junior Chase Blaser (24-10) posted a fifth-place state finish, going 6-1 on the weekend.

Luke and Blaser finished off their state run with a 9-7 win over Smoky Valley juniors Gabriel and Ezekiel Baker in the fifth-place match.

Hayden finished seventh in the 3A-1A team standings with 12 points while Cair Paravel tied for eighth with 11 points.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore tennis standout Drew Fay, making his second straight Class 3A-1A state singles appearance, posted two straight victories on Friday at the Harmon Park Tennis Complex in Prairie Village, advancing to Saturday's state semifinals.

Cair Paravel sophomore singles player Drew Fay advanced to the Class 3A-1A state semifinals on Friday in Prairie Village. [File photo/TSN]

Fay (23-9) will square off against defending 3A-1A state singles champ Caleb Bartels of Kansas City Christian in the semifinal, a rematch of last week's regional final at Marysville. Bartels took a 6-1, 6-0 win in that match.

Bartels (31-0) is a two-time state champion, winning a 3A-1A doubles title as a sophomore in 2022 after finishing third in singles as a freshman in 2021.

Hayden's doubles team of senior Joseph Luke and junior Chase Blaser (21-10) will also compete on Saturday, putting themselves in position for a state medal with a 3-1 record on Friday.

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin School girls soccer team rolled to a 6-2 victory over Maranatha Christian Academy – a Senior Night celebration punctuated by a Kaw Valley League championship.

Senior Katherine Keys (right) scored a pair of goals in Thursday's 6-2 Cair Paravel Senior Night win over Maranatha Academy. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Katherine Keys led the way with two goals while classmate Corinne Stapleton provided two assists and another goal for the Lions. Sophomore KellyAnn Chada also tallied two assists and a goal.

“A lot of people came out. That shows the kind of school community that we have and the love that school shows all of us,” senior Trinity Childs said prior to the Senior Night ceremony. “This group of seniors started playing together in seventh grade. So, we’ve been in the program for a very long time.

“These girls are amazing. I love this team. This is my favorite season of any I’ve played. We have so much talent on this team and they all love the sport.”

The victory lifted Cair Paravel to an 11-4-1 record. The Lions are bunched among several teams all vying for the top spot in the Class 4-1A East Regional.

Now the Lions can do nothing but wait to see how other teams finish and the playoff seedings shake out.

The specter of Bishop Miege – winners of every state title since 2016 – looms over the bracket. Because the Stags play a schedule packed with 5A and 6A foes, they enter postseason with a record of 9-7. They perennially receive a low seed, only to roll over higher-seeded opponents en route to the championship.

Last year, Bishop Miege ended the higher-seeded Lions’ season one game short of the state Final Four.

“I feel good about where we are, but I hesitate to say too much. I felt good last year, too,” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said. “But I feel like we’re right where we need to be. Everyone’s healthy. I feel like we have all the players where they help the team the most, so that makes us as strong as we can be.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

A total of 18 players representing seven city high schools will compete in state tennis tournments next Friday and Saturday at three sites.

Washburn Rural senior Lawsen Lobatos (left) and sophomore Dylan Willingham won a Class 6A regional doubles championship Friday in Junction City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Leading the city contingent for state is Centennial League and city team champ Washburn Rural, which added a Class 6A regional championship on Friday at Junction City by a 23-14 margin over Maize while qualifying all six players for the 6A state tournament at Wichita's Riverside Tennis Complex.

Washburn Rural senior Dylan Dodge posted a second-place singles finish in the Junction City 6A regional, helping the Junior Blues claim the team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Rural senior Lawsen Lobatos and sophomore Dylan Willingham captured the regional doubles title with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Manhattan's Michael Hwang and Jack Spiegel while senior Dylan Dodge also advanced to the final, finishing second after a 6-4, 6-1 loss to Hayden Herrera of Maize.

Sophomore Keegan Knudtson posted a third-place regional finish for the Junior Blues, taking a 6-2, 6-2 win over Maize's Anvith Natarajan in the third-place match at regionals while sophomores Cale Deutscher and Brayden Kohls finished third in doubles with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 win over Topeka High senior Tate Hodges and junior Alex Raymond in the third-place matches.

Hodges and Raymond also punched their ticket to state, giving the city eight state qualifiers.

CLASS 5A REGIONAL AT EMPORIA

Topeka West, Seaman and Shawnee Heights will send a total of six players to the 5A state tournament at the Andover District Tennis Complex.

Returning Class 5A state placers Caden McGee (left) and Caleb Weybrew finished second in doubles at regionals to earn a state berth. [File photo/TSN]

United Kansas Conference champion Topeka West, the 2023 5A state champion, will send three players to state, with seniors Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew finishing second at regionals in doubles while Charger senior James Maag finished third in singles.

McGee and Weybrew dropped a tough three-set decision in the finals to Blue Valley Southwest's Saket Jogannath and Vidhu Reddy, with the Southwest duo taking a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 win.

Maag finished third at regionals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Patrick Lacy of St. Thomas Aquinas in the third-place match as Topeka West finished third as a team.

Seaman senior Gavin Dutton qualified for state with a sixth-place regional finish in singles while Shawnee Heights seniors Roscoe Poyner and Alex Austin finished sixth in doubles.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's been a challenging but very successful last few days for Washburn Rural's boys tennis team.

Washburn Rural's boys tennis team poses for a picture after winning Wednesday's city team championship at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The eventful stretch began with last Thursday's city meet being postponed by inclement weather and continued in Monday's Centennial League meet, which Brad Johnston's Junior Blues won despite playing without top singles players Dylan Dodge and Keegan Knudtson, who were out of state on a school-related trip.

City schools also had to deal with weather uncertainty again on Wednesday, with teams initially reporting to Plan B indoor venue Genesis before the weather conditions vastly improved and the city championships were able to go on as planned at Kossover Tennis Center.

And once city competitors got back to Kossover and were treated to near-perfect conditions, Washburn Rural did the rest, sweeping all four individual titles on the way to a perfect team score and a 36-26 win over 2023 city champ Topeka West.

"The boys obviously kept their heads and stayed level-headed and finished the job,'' Johnston said. "I feel like we're at the top of our game right now and I feel like they're going to keep performing at a high level.

"Obviously you just never know, but I'm proud of where they're at and proud of where they're working towards.''

Dodge, a senior, and sophomore Knudtson swept the No. 1 and No. 2 singles championships while senior Lawsen Lobatos and sophomore Dylan Willingham prevailed in No. 1 doubles and sophomores Brayden Kohls and Cale Duetscher completed the sweep with the title in No. 2 doubles.

 Washburn Rural senior Lawsen Lobatos makes a return during Wednesday's city meet at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Sophomore Dylan Willingham helped Washburn Rural post a perfect team score in Wednesday's city boys tennis championships at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The match of the day was the No. 1 doubles final, with Lobatos and Willingham avenging an earlier tiebreaker loss to Topeka West returning Class 5A medalists Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew, with the Rural duo taking a hard-earned 8-6 victory.

"You never want to lose to your city rivals, so losing in their invitational of course it gives us motivation to practice and try harder and go and play other, better guys afterwards to just prepare for it and then to come back and win is pretty nice,'' Lobatos said. "Winning and sweeping city as a team is great motivation and great momentum going into regionals.''

"It doesn't get any better,'' Willingham said. "Winning now is perfect because we have all the momentum going to regionals. I lost to them last year and I lost to them this year. I was tired of losing and I was so glad we got the win today.'' 

Washburn Rural senior Dylan Dodge won the city No. 1 singles championship on Wednesday after winning the No. 2 doubles title as a junior. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Dodge, who won a city title in No. 2 doubles as a junior, made it two city titles in a row with Wednesday's 8-4 win over Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Drew Fay.

"That was one of the things on the top of my list of goals,'' Dodge said. "To win city is a big achievement I feel like, especially in Topeka, because tennis has a very rich tradition here.

"This is a big confidence boost for regionals and hopefully I can carry this into regionals and state.''

Knudtson added the No. 2 singles crown with an 8-6 win over Topeka West's Mark Cianciarulo while Kohls and Duetscher took an 8-5 win over Seaman's Noah Andrews and Austin Bramlett in the No. 2 doubles final.

Hayden and Cair Paravel will begin two days of 3A-1A regional competition on Thursday in Marysville while the remaining six city teams will compete on Friday.

Rural and Topeka High will compete in a 6A meet in Junction City while Highland Park, Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will compete in a 5A meet at Emporia.

The top six regional finishers in singles and doubles will qualify for state tournaments on May 10-11.

The 6A state tournament will be played in Wichita, 5A in Andover and 3A-1A in Prairie Village.

CITY BOYS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TopSports.News, in partnership with A-1 Lock and Key, Washburn University, Capital Label, Peggy's Tax and Accounting and the Jamie Hornbaker State Farm Insurance Agency, will host the 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26, 2024 at Washburn's Memorial Union.

For the fourth straight year TopSports.news will serve as host for the Sports Awards/Hall of Fame banquet, a longstanding tradition for the Topeka and Shawnee County sports community.

The ceremony will highlight Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes’ achievements throughout the 2023-2024 school year along with the induction of the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.

Schools have been asked to submit nominees with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both female and male candidates for the fall, winter and spring seasons as well as nominees for most inspirational athlete. Overall outstanding male and female athletes for 2023-2024 will also be named.

Also recognized will be an outstanding female and male athlete from Washburn University.

The four-member 2024 Hall of Fame class and the '24 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news in the coming days.

The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Micah Williams continued her prolific freshman soccer season for Highland Park on Tuesday to lead the way as the Scots improved to 4-5 on the season with a 6-2 win over Meadowlark Conference foe Kansas City-Washington.

Highland Park freshman Micah Williams had four goals and an assist in the Scots' 6-2 Meadowlark Conference soccer win over Kansas City-Washington on Tuesday. [Submitted photo]

Williams scored four of Highland Park's six goals, raising her season total to 19, and was also credited with an assist in the win.

The Scots also got goals from Jazmin Bermudez-Morales and Melany Noj-Hernandez.

The Topeka High/Cair Paravel golf team posed for a team picture after winning the team title in the Topeka High Invitational Monday at Western Hills. [Submitted photo]

Cleverdon, host Trojans post wins in Topeka High Invitational

Host Topeka High/Cair Paravel Latin posted a 17-stroke victory in Monday's Topeka High Invitational golf tournament at Western Hills while sophomore Caleb Cleverdon shot a 78 to take individual honors.

Cair Paravel sophomore Caleb Cleverdon shot a 78 on Monday to take the individual win in the Topeka High Invitational at Western Hills. [Submitted photo]

Cleverdon posted a three-shot win over Shawnee Heights' Dylan Packard (81), while Heights' Evan Jones, Topeka High/CPLS's Rich Helmbold and Seaman's Hunter Gerhardt tied for third place with 82s.

Topeka High/CPLS also got an 84 from Jase Pavlik and a 93 from Luke Budden to round out its top four.

Shawnee Heights (354), Seaman (370) and Hayden (384), who all played split squads in the event, finished second, third and fourth in the six-school event.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural's softball team ran its win streak to four games with Friday's 8-3, 15-4 non-league road doubleheader sweep over Olathe South, with the Junior Blues improving to 6-2 on the season.

Washburn Rural senior Makayla Ekis recorded her second straight complete-game pitching win in Friday's doubleheader sweep over Olathe South. [File photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Junior Naudia Wech sparked the Washburn Rural offense in the opener with a bases loaded triple while freshman Olivia Koch picked up the pitching win with a complete-game performance.

Junior Avery Rupp hit a grand slam in the second game, her first home run at the varsity level, while senior Makayla Ekis went the distance in the pitcher's circle for the victory.

Rural's sweep over Olathe South came on the heels of a 5-2, 10-1 Centennial League road sweep over Emporia.

Washburn Rural will be at home Tuesday to host Hayden (2-2) in a Centennial twinbill.

Seaman senior Paige Glasgow (left) congratulates sophomore teammate Aubrey Warren after Warren scored a run in Friday's softball triangular at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Seaman softball bounces back from first loss with win over city rival Topeka High

After suffering a heartbreaking 10-inning 5-4 loss to Eudora in its first game, Seaman's softball team bounced right back to take a 19-9 win over city rival Topeka High in Friday's triangular at Seaman.

Junior Kaelyn O'Rourke and the Seaman Vikings are 5-1 on the season after a split in Friday's triangular at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

With its second-game win the Vikings improved to 5-1 on the season.

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

Two girls soccer teams with high expectations for the season battled each other, and the elements, to a 0-0 double-overtime tie in their opening games Friday at the Sunflower Soccer Complex.

Hayden sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Borjon kept Cair Paravel soccer off the scoreboard as the Wildcats and Lions battled to an 0-0 double-overtime tie Friday. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Cair Paravel senior Katherine Keys (1) advances the ball as Hayden senior Mary Burenheide gives chase in Friday's 0-0 double-overtime tie between the Lions and Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Hayden and Cair Paravel were both hampered by a 20-30 mile per hour wind from the north that didn’t provide any decisive impact on the game other than to produce a lot of goose bumps and cramps. In the end, both coaches found enough positives to be happy with the result.

“The conditions were kind of tough on offense,” said Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer. “The wind makes it more difficult, but we did some things to make it difficult for ourselves. I thought we looked good defensively. We just didn’t take enough shots on goal. We looked for layups instead of taking a jump shot.”

Cair Paravel started the game with the wind at its back but produced just one shot on goal in the first half. The Lions nearly knocked home a couple of shots in in the second overtime, but Hayden held on to preserve the tie.

Cair Paravel junior Zahra Friess controls the ball in Friday's 0-0 soccer tie with Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Hayden sophomore Ella Foster (1) advances the ball against Cair Paravel in Friday's 0-0 double-overtime tie. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

“It seemed like we played better against the wind than we did with it for whatever reason. We took a couple of good shots at the end of the game and were like, ‘Where were those in the first half,’ ” said Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery. “But I feel like we got lucky, too, because they had some missed opportunities.

“For our first game, I was very pleased with our play. It’s hard to play in the wind. I felt like Klaus did a good job of preparing his team to defend against us.”

NOTE: Final 2023-2024 statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley after receiving reports from city coaches.

SCORING

Name, school                    Gms.  Pts.  Avg

Carter, Highland Park          19       343    18.1

Highland Park freshman Pearmella Carter averaged a city-best 18.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in 2023-2024. [File photo/TSN]

Vickery, Washburn Rural    25       388    15.5

Rayton, Topeka High          20       302    15.1

Ramsey, Hayden                 21       312    14.9

Becker, Seaman                  23       340    14.8

Gowan-Britt, Highland Park 16      217    13.6 

Emmot, Shawnee Heights   22       297    13.5

Canfield, Washburn Rural    22       291    13.2

I. McGlory, Topeka West      21       277    13.2

Gragg, Seaman                    21       261    12.4

Sandstrom, Hayden             26       320    12.3

Meier, Hayden                     25       318    12.2

T. Stallbaumer, Seaman       24       276    11.5

Broils, Highland Park           16       155     9.7

Vega, Shawnee Heights       22       207     9.4

Marshall, Topeka High         20       188     9.4

REBOUNDING

Name, school                    Gms.   Total    Avg.

Carter, Highland Park            19      193       10.2

Bearman, Topeka West          21      213       10.1

Ramsey, Hayden                    21      191        9.1

NOTE: Final statistics for city boys basketball teams for the 2023-2024 season were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley after receiving reports from city coaches.

SCORING

Name, school                    Gms.  Pts.  Avg

Robinson, Highland Park       25    545   21.8

Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) led the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double on the season. [File photo/TSN]

J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 19    366   19.3

Everhart, Cair Paravel              21    349  16.6

Dodge, Shawnee Heights       21    348   16.6

Williams, Highland Park          25    409   16.6

Bonner, Seaman                     18     283   15.7

Foy, Topeka West                    22    296   13.5

Anderson, Highland Park        23    291   12.7

Pavlik, Cair Paravel                  21    265   12.6

Hales, Topeka High                 20    244   12.2

Ballard, Washburn Rural          22   264   12.0

Durst, Washburn Rural            22    256   11.6

Finley, Seaman                        21     234  11.1

Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights    21     233  11.1

Lyons, Topeka High                 16     176  11.0 

REBOUNDING

Name, school                    Gms.   Total    Avg.

Robinson, Highland Park         25     289   11.6

J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights   19     171     9.0

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman junior Anna Becker and Silver Lake senior Makenzie McDaniel have been tapped as the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County co-girls basketball players of the year after helping lead their teams to state championships.

Seaman junior Anna Becker, a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county co-player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to the Class 5A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Senior Makenzie McDaniel, who helped lead Silver Lake to a 26-0 record and the Class 3A state title, has been named the Shawnee County co-player of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Becker helped Seaman post a 23-2 record on the way to the Class 5A state title while McDaniel helped lead Silver Lake to a perfect 26-0 record and the 3A crown.

The four Shawnee County teams that posted top-four state finishes in three different classes, including 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and third-place Hayden in 3A, combined to earn every spot on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 while Seaman, Silver Lake and Washburn Rural combined to sweep the individual awards.

Matt Tinsley has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after leading Seaman to the Class 5A state championship. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after the Eagles went 26-0 and won the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]

In addition to co-players of the year Becker and McDaniel, Seaman's Matt Tinsley and Silver Lake's Kyle Porter share the Shawnee County coach of the year award while Washburn Rural freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the county newcomer of the year.

Freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup finish in the Class 6A state tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Becker is joined on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 by Seaman senior teammate Taylin Stallbaumer and Viking sophomore Maddie Gragg after Seaman captured its first girls state championship since 1991 with a 54-41 win over Maize South Saturday night in Emporia.

Silver Lake also earned three Top 10 all-county spots with senior McKinley Kruger and sophomore Kailyn Hanni joining McDaniel on the team after the Eagles finished off their perfect run to the 3A title with a 66-61 win over Hesston.

Washburn Rural senior Zoe Canfield and Vickery were both named to the Top 10 along with Hayden senior Lauren Sandstrom and Wildcat junior Amelia Ramsey.

Canfield and Vickery helped lead the Junior Blues to their third straight 6A state final, where the Junior Blues dropped a 47-37 decision to Shawnee Mission South, while Ramsey and Sandstrom helped Hayden bounce back from a semifinal loss to Silver Lake to finish third with a 50-39 win over Goodland. 

Becker, McDaniel and Kruger all earned Top 10 honors for the third straight season while Gragg and Ramsey are repeat picks. 

Canfield and Stallbaumer also made the Top 10 for the second time, with both players also earning that honor in 2022.

All-Shawnee County capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights junior Lailah Benz (2) is a returning All-City and All-UKC pick. [File photo/TSN]

LAILAH BENZ, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Benz was a repeat first-team All-City honoree last spring as a sophomore for the 7-10-0 T-Birds and was also a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection for the second straight season. Benz earned All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season.

Cair Paravel junior Zahra Friess (3) is a two-time All-City soccer pick. [File photo/TSN]

ZAHRA FRIESS, Cair Paravel Latin

A junior forward, Friess helped lead Cair Paravel to a 16-2-1 record last season, earning a spot on the All-City team for the second straight season. Friess earned All-4A-1A first-team honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association in 2023. 

Washburn Rural junior Destiny Higgs was a first-team All-Centennial League pick last season. [File photo/TSN]

DESTINY HIGGS, Washburn Rural

Higgs, a junior, earned All-Centennial League first-team recognition last season as well as All-6A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Washburn Rural junior Kate Hinck (9) is a returning All-City and All-Centennial League first-team selection. [File photo/TSN]

KATE HINCK, Washburn Rural

A junior forward, Hinck earned first-team All-City and All-Centennial League recognition for the second straight season. Hinck, who received All-6A honorable mention from the KHSSCA, helped the Junior Blues post a 15-5-1 record en route to the Centennial title

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson and Shawnee Heights senior repeat pick Brennon Dodge headline the 2024 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.

Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the Shawnee County player of the year after helping lead the Scots to a 23-2 record and a third-place finish in Class 5A. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

Robinson was tapped as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, posting double-doubles in all three of Highland Park's state tournament games.

Dodge, the lone all-county first-team repeat pick, helped lead Shawnee Heights to a 19-4 record and the T-Birds' first 5A state tournament berth since 2017.   

The Scots, who dropped a three-point overtime loss in the semifinals to eventual state champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel, also put senior Tamir Anderson and junior Mikey Williams on the TSN Shawnee County Top 10.

Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the second straight season, leading the Scots to a 47-3 record over the past two years.

Dodge is joined on the all-county first team by junior teammate Jaret Sanchez while five other county schools put one player apiece on the Top 10.

That group includes seniors Simon Everhart of Cair Paravel Latin and Griffin Durst of Washburn Rural along with junior Jalen Foy of Topeka West and sophomores KaeVon Bonner of Seaman and Jack Donovan of Rossville.

Robinson and Sanchez both moved up to the Top 10 after being Second 10 picks in 2023 while Anderson, Bonner, Donovan, Everhart and Williams received honorable mention a year ago. 

Hayden freshman Mason Becker has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden freshman Mason Becker was selected as this season's Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping the 8-16 Wildcats put together a strong postseason run to reach the 3A state tournament.

All-Shawnee County capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

DYLAN DODGE, Washburn Rural

A senior, Dodge earned a berth on the 2023 All-City team by teaming with Keegan Knudtson to win the city championship in No. 2 doubles. Dodge and Knudtson also posted a second-place finish in Class 6A regional competition last spring to help Washburn Rural win the team championship. Dodge and Knudtson competed the '23 6A state tournament.

Cair Paravel Latin Drew Fay was a Class 3A-1A state singles qualifier last spring as a freshman. [Submitted photo]

DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

Fay, a sophomore, qualified for the 2023 Class 3A-1A state tournament last spring in Cair Paravel Latin's first season of fielding a tennis program. Fay posted a 21-12 record in singles competition as a freshman.

KEEGAN KNUDTSON, Washburn Rural

Knudtson, a sophomore, teamed with Dylan Dodge to win the city championship in No. 2 doubles last spring. Knudtson and Dodge posted a second-place finish in Class 6A regional competition to earn a berth in the 2023 6A state tournament while helping Washburn Rural win the regional team championship.

Hayden senior Joseph Luke is a returning Class 4A state doubles medalist. [File photo/TSN]

JOSEPH LUKE, Hayden

A senior, Luke earned All-City honors for the first time last season, teaming with Gus Glotzbach to finish fifth in the Class 4A state tournament. Luke and Glotzbach finished third in the city meet in No. 1 doubles and went on to finish second in the Centennial

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

A whopping four local wrestlers garnered individual state titles in the 2024 state meet and that championship quartet headlines the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County boys wrestling team.

Washburn Rural junior 132-pounder Easton Broxterman has been named the Shawnee County boys wrestler of the year after winning his second straight Class 6A state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural junior 132-pounder Easton Broxterman was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after earning his second straight Class 6A state championship in his third straight trip to the state finals.

Washburn Rural junior Kristjan Marshall has his hand raised as the 150-pound Class 6A state champion. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural senior Brody Byrne (right) won the Class 6A 157-pound state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

Broxterman, who went 49-1 on the season, was joined on top of the 6A awards stand by junior 150-pounder Kristjan Marshall (39-4) and senior 157-pounder Brody Byrne (37-3), who both won their first state titles after posting fourth-place finishes in 2023.

Shawnee Heights senior 285-pounder Rykan Carver won a Class 5A state title in his final state meet, taking a 4-3 overtime decision in the championship match. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

Shawnee Heights senior Rykan Carver (38-8) capped his high school career with a bang, winning the 5A state 285-pound championship in overtime to capture his first state medal.

Washburn Rural wrestling coach Josh Hogan has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year after three Rural wrestlers won state titles and finished third as a team. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural, which finished a close third in the 6A team standings, put a county-high eight wrestlers on the all-county first team, while Rural's Josh Hogan was named the county coach of the year and freshman 144-pounder Brodye Kocher-Munoz was selected as newcomer of the year.

The TopSports.news all-county team is based in part on selections made by the seven Topeka head coaches as well as at large selections for county schools Rossville and Silver Lake.

Also earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors for Rural in addition to the three state champions were sophomore 106-pounder Ryder Harrison (17-14), junior 120-pounder Walker Doyal (27-23), sophomore 126-pounder Cooper Stivers (11-5), sophomore 138-pounder Landen Kocher-Munoz (36-5) and senior 165-pounder Chase Calhoon (28-15).

Seaman and Shawnee Heights both put three wrestlers on the All-Shawnee County first team.

Seaman is represented by 144-pound senior Colin Little (40-10), 190-pound junior Deyton Mentzer (24-12) and 215-pound senior Hunter Reno (44-12) while Heights is represented by Carver, 138-pound senior Andrew Bonebrake (34-8) and 175-pound senior Allen Baughman (30-8). 

Bonebrake and Baughman are both first-team repeat picks.

Rossville is represented on the first team by Class 3A-1A 215-pound senior state runnerup Barret Lietz (36-9) while Topeka High put 113-pound sophomore Luis Morones (19-10) on the first team.

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS WRESTLING

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Highland Park got off to somewhat of a slow start in Tuesday's Class 5A boys sub-state semifinal against Kansas City-Turner, but opened up a double-digit advantage by halftime and turned the game into a rout with a 33-point third quarter on the way to an 85-43 win at Topeka High.

Highland Park senior Amari Taylor (0) scored 25 points in the Scots' 85-43 Class 5A sub-state win over KC-Turner Tuesday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Highland Park senior Mikey Williams scored 21 points as the Scots improved to 20-1 with an 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

The Scots led the Bears by just a 19-18 advantage at the end of the opening quarter but used a 20-9 second quarter to take a 39-27 advantage at the halftime break and outscored Turner 33-9 in the third quarter to take a 72-36 lead and force a running clock throughout the fourth quarter.

Senior Amari Taylor led Highland Park, now 20-1, with 25 points, followd by junior Mikey Williams with 21 points, junior Ja'Corey Robinson with 16 points and senior Tamir Anderson with 12 points on four 3-pointers.

Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson slams down a dunk in Tuesday's 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Tamir Anderson scored 12 points on four 3-pointers in Highland Park's 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner Tuesday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Highland Park advanced to Friday's sub-state championship game to face the winner of the semifinal between Kansas City-Washington and Bonner Springs.

The sub-state championship game will be played at Topeka West, with the sub-state winner advancing to next week's Class 5A state tournament at Emporia's White Auditorium.

WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 61, WICHITA NORTHWEST 24

The ‘second season’ began on Tuesday night with the first round of the sub-state tournament.  The Grizzlies of Wichita Northwest

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Parirings have been finalized for this week's sub-state high school basketball tournaments, with 11 Shawnee County teams earning home court advantage for at least the first round of sub-state competition, which begins Monday and continues through Saturday.

Both Highland Park teams, Seaman's girls and Shawnee Heights' boys could all stay at home through both rounds of sub-state competition.

Hayden will compete in the Class 3A Royal Valley sub-state while Silver Lake and Rossville will both compete in the Class 3A Riley County sub-state and Cair Paravel Latin will compete in the 2A Jefferson County North sub-state

Here's a look at sub-state tournaments involving Shawnee County teams:

CLASS 6A GIRLS

West sub-state No. 3 -- Topeka High (5-14) is the No. 11 West seed and will be on the road Tuesday for a 7 p.m. Tuesday game at Centennial League rival Manhattan (10-10).

The Topeka High-Manhattan winner will advance to a Friday night sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 3 seed Liberal (14-6) and Wichita North (3-17).

Senior Zoe Canfield and the Washburn Rural girls will be at home Tuesday to open Class 6A sub-state play against Wichita Northwest. [File photo/TSN]

West sub-state No. 4 -- Washburn Rural, second in 6A a year ago after winning the title in 2022, is the No. 5 West seed at 13-7 and will host Wichita Northwest (5-15) at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The Washburn Rural-Wichita Northwest winner will advance to a Friday sub-state championship game to face the semifinal winner between No. 3 seed Wichita South (13-7) and Dodge City (5-15).

CLASS 6A BOYS

West sub-state No. 1 -- Washburn Rural, the No. 9 West seed at 10-10, will go on the road Wednesday for a 6 p.m. sub-state semifinal against No. 8 Wichita Southeast (11-9).

The winner of that game will advance to a Saturday final to meet the winner of the semifinal between No. 1 seed Wichita Heights (19-1) and Liberal (5-15).

Senior Taylin Stallbaumer and the No. 1-seeded Seaman girls will be at home Wednesday to open Class 5A postseason. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 5A GIRLS

East sub-state No. 1 -- Seaman is the No. 1 East seed at 18-2 and will be at home for a 7 p.m. Wednesday semifinal to face No. 16 Kansas City-Harmon (1-15).

The winner of that game will advance to a Saturday final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 8 seed Basehor-Linwood (12-8) and No. 9 KC-Sumner (10-9).

East sub-state No. 2 -- Shawnee Heights, the No. 7 East seed at 14-6, will host No. 10 seed Piper (10-10) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with the T-Birds and Pirates meeting for the second straight game. Piper upset United Kansas Conference foe Heights last Friday in the regular-season finale.

The Heights-Piper winner will move on to a Saturday sub-state final to face the winner of another UKC matchup between No. 2 West seed De Soto (17-3) and Lansing (2-18).

Rob Brown's Highland Park girls, 14-5 on the season, will be at Topeka High for Wednesday's Class 5A sub-state semifinal against Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]

East sub-state No. 3 -- Highland Park (14-5) is the No. 3 East seed and will be looking for its second straight Class 5A state tournament berth.

HIghland Park will face No. 14 seed Pittsburg (5-15) in a 6 p.m. semifinal on Wednesday at Topeka High. The Highland Park-Pittsburg winner will advance to a Saturday sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 Spring Hill (14-6) and Blue Valley Southwest (10-10).

West sub-state No. 3 -- Topeka West is the No. 14 West seed at 8-12 and will travel to No. 3 seed Emporia (19-1) for a 7 p.m. Wednesday semifinal.

The winner will advance to Saturday's sub-state final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 6 Great Bend (14-6) and No. 11 Salina Central (10-10).

CLASS 5A BOYS

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

When Hayden's boys faced Kansas City-Bishop Ward back on Dec. 15th, the Wildcats needed overtime before escaping with a one-point victory over the Cyclones.

Senior Cooper Colboch paced Hayden with 21 points in Monday's 65-47 sub-state quarterfinal win over KC-Bishop Ward. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Dom Ridley scored 15 points, with four 3-pointers, in Hayden's 65-47 Class 3A sub-state win over KC-Bishop Ward Monday night. [File photo/TSN]

Monday's rematch, which came in a Class 3A sub-state quarterfinal, was a different story with Hayden, the No. 6 seed in the Royal Valley sub-state, rolling to a 65-47 win over No. 3 seed Ward in a game that was played at Kansas City-Turner.

With Monday's victory the 6-15 Wildcats advanced to a 7:30 p.m. Thursday night sub-state semifinal at Royal Valley to face No. 2 seed Perry-Lecompton, which took a 57-51 overtime win over Royal Valley.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Top-ranked Washburn Rural edged No. 2 Manhattan for the team championship in the Class 6A boys wrestling regional at Wichita North Saturday, with the Junior Blues claiming five individual titles while qualifying 10 wrestlers for this weeks state tournament at Hartman Arena in Park City.

Returning Class 6A state champion Easton Broxterman will take a 34-1 record into this week's state tournament in Park City. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural sophomore Landen Kocher-Munoz will be shooting for his second straight Class 6A state title this week at Hartman Arena in Park City. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural, which took a 243-234 win over Manhattan in the regional team race, got regional titles from 132-pound junior Easton Broxterman (45-1), sophomore 138-pounder Landen Kocher-Munoz (33-4), freshman 144-pounder Brodye Kocher-Munoz (36-12), junior 150-pounder Kristjan Marshall (35-4) and senior 157-pounder Brody Bryne (33-3).

Broxterman, a returning state champion, earned a medical forfeit over Vicent Rosas of Maize in the championship match while returning state champ L. Kocher-Munoz took a 10-8 decision over Daniel Gomez of Maize, B. Kocher-Munoz took a 2-1 decision over Manhattan's Logan Lagerman, Marshall took a 4-2 overtime decision over Grayson Hagen of Free State and Byrne pinned Free State's Gabe Swoyer in 59 seconds.

Sophomore 126-pounder Cooper Stivers (9-2) and senior 165-pounder Chase Calhoon (25-13) also advanced to regional championship matches, finishing second.

The Junior Blues got fourth-place finishes from sophomore 106-pounder Ryder Harrison (43-12), junior 120-pounder Walker Doyal (26-21) and 175-pound freshman Jadyn Baum (29-18)

Topeka High finished 12th as a team with 50 points and qualified junior 150-pounder Rehabiah Williamson (38-9), who finished sixth, senior 120-pounder Elijah Elliot (17-13), who finished seventh, sophomore 157-pounder Brandon Blancas (18-12), who placed eighth, and junior 215-pounder Detrick Johnson (23-12), who took eighth.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Silver Lake's boys rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 52-46 Mid-East League road win at Rock Creek Friday night.

The Eagles trailed 30-22 at the half but outscored the Mustangs 17-6 in the third quarter to take a 39-36 lead into the fourth quarter.

Silver Lake outscored Rock Creek 13-10 in the fourth stanza to hold on for the win, avenging a 51-38 home loss to the Mustangs on Jan. 5.

Junior Brody Deiter led Silver Lake with 19 points, going 5 of 6 at the free throw line.

Elijah Lopez added 14 for the Eagles, who improved to 11-7 overall and 5-4 in the Mid-East.

Silver Lake will travel to Royal Valley on Tuesday before hosting Wabaunsee on Thursday.

Senior Makenzie McDaniel scored 28 points for Silver Lake in the Eagles' 66-33 win over Rock Creek Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

McDaniel's 28 points leads Silver Lake girls to 66-33 romp past Rock Creek

Emporia State signee Makenzie McDaniel scored 28 points to lead the way as undefeated and top-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Lake rolled to a 66-33 Mid-East League win at Rock Creek Friday night.

Silver Lake, which improved to 18-0 overall and 9-0 in the Mid-East League, took control with a 27-8 first quarter and led 48-14 at the half and 64-25 at the start of the fourth quarter, forcing a running clock over the final eight minutes.

Senior McKinley Kruger added 16 points for Silver Lake while senior Kaylee Deiter finished with 11.

NOTE: Midseason statistics for city boys basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the second of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.

SCORING

Name, school                    Gms.  Pts.  Avg

Robinson, Highland Park        10     211  21.1

Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) leads the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double on the season. [File photo/TSN]

J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 10    182   18.2

Anderson, Highland Park         8    132   16.5

Bonner, Seaman                     10    161   16.1

Dodge, Shawnee Heights       12    184   15.3

Williams, Highland Park          10    153   15.3

Everhart, Cair Paravel              12     183  15.3

Ballard, Washburn Rural          --      ---   12.8

Finley, Seaman                        10     124  12.4

Hales, Topeka High                 12     148   12.3

Durst, Washburn Rural            --      ---    12.3

Foy, Topeka West                    11     135   12.3

Pavlik, Cair Paravel                  12      140   11.7

Colboch, Hayden                    11     117   10.6

Lyons, Topeka High                  9        93   10.3 

REBOUNDING

Name, school                    Gms.   Total    Avg.

Robinson, Highland Park         10      140   14.0

J. Sanchez, Shawnee Heights   10        83     8.3

NOTE: Mideason statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. Topeka High did not report midseason stats. The following stats are the second of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.

SCORING

Name, school                    Gms.  Pts.  Avg

Carter, Highland Park          9       144    16.0

Highland Park freshman Pearmella Carter is leading the city in scoring and rebounding. [Highland Park basketball]

Ramsey, Hayden                  9       140    15.6

Canfield, Washburn Rural    8       124    15.5

Vickery, Washburn Rural    11       166    15.1

Becker, Seaman                  13       194    14.9

Meier, Hayden                    13       183     14.1

Gowan-Britt, Highland Park  6         80     13.3

I. McGlory, Topeka West        15       198     13.2

Emmot, Shawnee Heights   12       147     12.3

Gragg, Seaman                    13       152     12.3

T. Stallbaumer, Seaman        13       151    11.6

Sandstrom, Hayden              13       149    11.5

Broils, Highland Park              9          87     9.7

Clark, Topeka West               15        138     9.2

Vega, Shawnee Heights        12        107     8.9

REBOUNDING

Name, school                    Gms.   Total    Avg.

Carter, Highland Park            9         94       10.4

Ramsey, Hayden                   9          88        9.8

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Freshman Pearmella Carter turned in a huge 38-point, 18-rebound performance Friday night as Highland Park's girls basketball team bounced back from a loss to perennial Class 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas with a 66-30 Meadowlark Conference road win over Kansas City-Wyandotte.

Freshman Pearmella Carter scored 38 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in Highland Park's 66-30 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Wyandotte Friday night. [Highland Park basketball]

Carter hit 18 of 27 shots from the floor and went two of three from the free throw line in the Highland Park win while also recording six steals.

Angelique Gowan-Britt scored 15 points with 9 assists and 6 steals in Highland Park's 66-30 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Wyandotte. [Highland Park basketball]

Tahtionna Broils scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Highland Park's 66-30 win over KC-Wyandotte. [Highland Park basketball]

Carter was backed by Angelique Gowan-Britt with 15 points, 9 assists and 6 steals while Tahtionna Broils scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Highland Park led 15-7 at the end of the opening quarter and 28-17 at the half before outscoring the Bulldogs 38-13 in the second half.

Now 7-4 on the season and undefeated in conference play, Highland Park will travel to Atchison on Monday for a Meadowlark Conference contest. 

Topeka West sophomore Imani McGlory led all scorers with 15 points in the Chargers' 58-21 UKC win over Turner. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

West girls take 58-21 runaway UKC decision over KC-Turner

Having lost four of its last five games at the start of the night, Topeka West's girls got back on track in a big way Friday night, taking a 58-21 home United Kansas Conference victory over Kansas City-Turner.

The Chargers started somewhat slowly, scoring seven of their 11 first-quarter points from the free throw line, but West still led 11-5 and then put the game out of reach with an 18-4 second quarter that gave West 29-9 halftime advantage.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Junior Jalen Foy turned in a huge performance Tuesday night as Topeka West rolled to a 68-51 United Kansas Conference road win over Lansing, the Chargers' fifth straight victory.

Topeka West junior Jalen Foy scored a career-high 31 points as the Chargers won their fifth straight game Tuesday, 68-51 over Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

Foy scored 31 points with four 3-pointers and a 5 of 5 performance at the free throw line while also contributing 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals.

Sophomore Keimani Paul scored 11 points with 5 assists and 3 steals while senior Caleb Noonoo had 8 points and 4 steals for the Chargers.

Topeka West, 9-4 overall and 7-2 in the UKC, led 20-14 at the end of the opening quarter and led 37-26 at the half before outscoring the Lions 31-25 in the second half.

Topeka West will travel to Piper on Thursday before hosting Kansas City-Turner on Friday.

Lady Scots rebound from back-to-back losses with 63-34 Meadowlark romp

Highland Park's girls basketball team bounced back from two straight losses with a 63-34 Meadowlark Conference road rout over Kansas City-Washington.

The Scots, who had dropped three of their previous four games, improved to 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the conference.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Highland Park's boys basketball team has only played one home game this entire season and that's not likely to change any time in the immediate future due to recent flooding in the Hi Park gym.

Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Highland Park's 93-53 win over KC-East Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Mikey Williams scored 18 points in Highland Park's 93-53 win over KC-East on Friday. [File photo/TSN]

But the Scots continue to roll up victories, with No. 3-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park bouncing back from its lone loss of the season to post three regular-season wins in four days last week, capped by Friday night's 93-53 non-league road victory over Kansas City, Mo.-East.

Highland Park opened the week with a 66-46 non-league win at Eudora, followed by a 58-19 Meadowlark Conference win at KC-Schlagle on Thursday and the Friday night win over KC-East.

Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against East, followed by junior Mikey Williams with 18 points.

Also cracking double figures for the Scots were senior Amari Taylor with 14 points and freshman Jojo Kingcannon with 11 points.

Junior guard Jamon Wilson dished out 11 assists Friday night.

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

A furious comeback by Cair Paravel Latin fell short Tuesday night in a Kaw Valley Conference battle against Bishop Seabury, with the Lions falling at home, 69-62. 

Cair Paravel Latin senior Simon Everhart (1) led the Lions with 21 points in Tuesday's 69-62 loss to Bishop Seabury. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

A cold second quarter found the Lions trailing 34-21 at the half and the Seahawks stretched their lead to 55-38 to start the fourth period.  

The Lions, led by junior Jace Pavlik, came roaring back. Pavlik fired in 14 points in the fourth period as the Lions ramped up fullcourt pressure and rattled the visiting Seahawks.  

The Lions shaved the deficit to 65-59 and nearly made it a one-possession game when a 3-point attempt by Cair Paravel senior Simon Everhart rattled out with just under two minutes remaining.  

Bishop Seabury made just enough of its free throws to hold off the home team down the stretch. 

“We had a lid on the cup for a little bit,” Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer said. “There were some things that we could have done to help ourselves out. But all in all, that’s basketball. It’s a game of runs. So, you’ve got to be able to take ‘em on the chin and punch back.” 

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Rossville's boys basketball team completed its run to the Oskaloosa Invitational championship with a decisive 57-37 victory over Perry-Lecompton in Saturday's title game.

Rossville's boys basketball team poses for a team picture on Saturday after winning the tournament championship in the Oskaloosa Invitational. [Rossville Athletics]

Imroving to 7-4 on the season, sophomore Jack Donovan had a monster 28-point performance for the Bulldawgs, scoring 28 points with four 3-pointers and a 6 of 6 performance at the free throw line.

Rossville also got 16 points from junior Kameron Bonura.

Rossville led by just a point (14-13) at the end of the opening quarter but used a 16-6 second quarter to take control, leading 30-19 at the half.

The Bulldawgs boosted their lead to 45-30 at the start of the fourth quarter and cruised the rest of the way.

Sophomore Jack Donovan (3) and Tayson Horak (12) were named to the Oskaloosa Invitational All-Tournament Team. [Rossville Athletics]

Donovan and junior Tayson Horak were named to the all-tournament team for the Bulldawgs.

Silver Lake's girls basketball team poses for a team picture after winning the tournament championship in the Burlington Invitational. [Silver Lake basketball]

Top-ranked Silver Lake girls top Ottawa for Burlington championship

Silver Lake's girls, top-ranked in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, claimed the tournament championship in the Burlington Invitational with a 64-46 romp past Ottawa.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Sophomore Imani McGlory scored a game-high 29 points with seven 3-pointers to lead the way as Topeka West's girls rolled to a 55-36 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth.

Sophomore Imani McGlory scored a career-high 29 points with seven 3-pointers in Topeka West's 55-36 UKC win over Leavenworth Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

McGlory, who also canned three 3s in limited time in the junior varsity game was joined in double figures by senior Rebecca Bearman, who had  14 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter as Topeka West improved to 4-5 overall and 3-5 in the UKC.

Topeka West will compete next Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Capital City Classic at Seaman.

ROSSVILLE BOYS ADVANCE TO TITLE GAME

Rossville's boys will play for the championship in the Oskaloosa Invitational at 4:30 p.m. Saturday after a 57-38 semifinal win over Jefferson County North Friday night.

Rossville and Jefferson North were tied at 10-10 at the end of the first quarter but the Bulldawgs outscored North 47-28 the rest of the way to take the 19-point win.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights junior standout Jaret Sanchez scored 32 points to lead the way as the T-Bird boys basketball team ran its winning streak to seven games with an 80-51 romp past Ozark, Mo. in the second round of the Shawnee Mission West Invitational Thursday.

Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez (23) scored 32 points Thursday as the T-Birds rolled to an 80-51 win over Ozark, Mo. [File photo/TSN]

Sanchez's big night came after he missed the T-Birds' previous game, a win over tournament host SM West, with a slight ankle injury.

Senior Brennon Dodge added 15 points for the 7-2 T-Birds while junior Deacon Pomeroy and sophomore Ontarius Emmot added 10 points apiece for Shawnee Heights.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are likely to be changes to tournament schedules early in the week due to inclement weather. TopSports.news will attempt to update the schedules as changes are announced.

BOYS

Monday

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN vs. McLOUTH

At McLouth Invitational

Cair Paravel Latin (4-3) was scheduled to play a 5 p.m. first-round game against tournament host McLouth on Monday, weather permitting The Lions have been idle since a 68-52 win over Maranatha Academy. The Cair Paravel-McLouth winner will advance to a 5 p.m. semifinal on Thursday to face the winner of the first-round game between Horton and Riverside. The first-round losers will play consolation games on Thursday. All place games will be played on Saturday, beginning with the seventh-place game at 10 a.m. and ending with the championship game at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday

SILVER LAKE vs. OTTAWA

At Burlington Invitational

Silver Lake (5-2) is scheduled to open its bid in the Burlington Invitational with an 8:15 p.m. first-round game against Ottawa. The Eagles are coming off a 53-38 win over Riley County. The Silver Lake-Ottawa winner will advance to a Friday semifinal (time to be announced) to take on the first-round winner between Sabetha and Labette County. Consolation games will be played on Friday (times to be announced). All place games will be played on Saturday, starting with the seventh-place game at 1:35 p.m. and culminating in the championship game at 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS vs. SHAWNEE MISSION WEST

At Shawnee Mission West Invitational

Shawnee Heights (5-2) will put its five-game winning streak on the line in a 7 p.m. first-round game against tournament host Shawnee

Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez has helped the T-Birds post five straight wins, including a 54-51 UKC win at Seaman on Friday. [File photo/TSN]

Mission West (0-6) in the Shawnee Mission West Invitational. The T-Birds are coming off a 54-51 United Kansas Conference road win at Seaman last Friday. Junior Jaret Sanchez scored 15 points and senior Brennon Dodge 14 in Heights' win over Seaman. Shawnee Heights will play a second-round game against Ozark, Mo. at 7 p.m. on Thursday and will play a place game on Saturday (times to be announced).

Rossville sophomore Jack Donovan scored 20 points last Thursday night as the Bulldawgs rolled to a 75-43 win over Valley Heights. [File photo/TSN]

ROSSVILLE vs. OSKALOOSA

At Oskaloosa Invitational

The 4-4 Bulldawgs will face off against tournment host Oskaloosa in a 7:45 p.m. first-round game that was postponed from Tuesday. The Rossville-Oskaloosa winner will move on to a 6 p.m. semifinal game on Friday to face the winner of the first-round game between Jefferson County North and St. Mary's Academy. Consolation games between the first-round losers will also be played on Friday. The tournament championship game is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, following the other place games, which will start at 12 p.m.

Thursday

HIGHLAND PARK vs. LAWRENCE 

At Topeka Invitational Tournament at Hayden

As it worked out, the 2024 Topeka Invitational Tournament will begin with the same matchup that ended the '23 event, matching last year's tournament champion Highland Park against runnerup Lawrence in Thursday's 2 p.m. first-round game. Highland Park, No. 3-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, is 4-0 on the season after an 111-43 Meadowlark Conference win

Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson slams down a dunk in Thursday's 111-43 Meadowlark Conference rout over KC-Sumner. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

over Kansas City-Turner while Lawrence is 1-7. Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 31 points with 12 rebounds and six dunks for the Scots against Sumner. With a win Thursday Highland Park will advance to Friday's 5:30 p.m. semifinal to face the winner of the first-round game between Shawnee Mission North and Topeka West. The consolation games will also be played on Friday. The Topeka Invitational championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:45 p.m., following the other place games.

SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH vs. TOPEKA WEST

At Topeka Invitational Tournament at Hayden

Topeka West, 4-3 on the season, will square off against Shawnee Mission North (2-6) in a 3:45 p.m. first-round game on Thursday. The Chargers will be looking to advance to a 5:30 p.m. semifinal game on Friday to meet the winner of the Highland Park-Lawrence tournament opener. Topeka West has been off since a 76-30 loss to De Soto on Jan. 5. Topeka West fell in the semifinals to Lawrence in the 2023 Topeka Invitational while Highland Park claimed the tournament title.  The consolation games will also be played on Friday. The Topeka Invitational championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:45 p.m., following the other place games.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The 35-second shot clock was approved on a trial basis for the 2024-25 basketball season by the KSHSAA Executive Board at their board meeting Wednesday.

All KSHSAA member schools will have the option to utilize the shot clock for all home boys and girls basketball games at the varsity level.

The trial will only be during the regular season.

If a school chooses to participate in the trial they must do so for all boys and girls varsity games they host.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) approved the use of the shot clock for state adoption in 2022.

The KSHSAA has surveyed school administrators and coaches for their opinions on adopting the shot clock since before allowance by the NFHS.

Most recently, at the October Regional Administrator meetings, the question was favored for adoption by classes 6A and 5A (Yes 47 N0 22). However, the total vote for all classes did not favor implementation (Yes 116 N 279).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville's boys basketball team rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 60-57 Mid-East League win over Riley County Friday night.

Rossville sophomore Jack Donovan scored 13 points Friday night as the Bulldawgs rallied for a 60-57 Mid-East League win over Riley County. [File photo/TSN]

Brandon McDonnell's Rossville boys basketball team improved to 3-4 Friday night with a 60-57 win over Riley County. [File photo/TSN]

Riley County led 21-14 at the end of the opening quarter and took a 35-27 advantage to the locker room at halftime before the Bulldawgs outscored the Falcons 33-22 in the second half.

Rossville still trailed 46-41 at the start of the fourth quarter but outscored the Falcons 19-11 over the final eight minutes to improve to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the league.

Sophomore Jack Donovan and junior Mason Jones scored 13 points apiece to lead the Bulldawgs while junior Tayson Horak added 11 points with a pair of 3-pointers and sophomore Cameron Miller and junior Kameron Badura scored 10 points apiece. 

ROSSVILLE GIRLS 40, RILEY COUNTY 33

Rossville and Riley County were deadlocked 20-20 at halftime before the Bulldawgs outscored the Falcons 20-13 in the second half to pull out the Mid-East League victory.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Here's a glance at all of Friday night's games involving Shawnee County boys teams: 

FRIDAY

WASHBURN RURAL BOYS (0-6 overall, 0-1 Centennial) at HAYDEN (4-2 overall, 0-1 Centennial)

Washburn Rural and Hayden will be playing their second Centennial League game on the week after opening Centennial League play on Tuesday. Rural dropped a hard-fought 51-48 decision at undefeated Junction City on Tuesday and while Hayden dropped a 58-42 home contest to Emporia. Junior Kaden Ballard scored 15 points for the Junior Blues against Junction City while sophomore Kade Mitchell led the Wildcats with 10 points against Emporia.

Highland Park senior Tamir Anderson leads the city in scoring and 3-point field goals. [File photo/TSN]

POSTPONED: ATCHISON BOYS (6-0 overall, 2-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (3-0 overall, 1-0 Meadowlark)

Friday's Atchison-Highland Park games have been postponed due to weather concerns and will be made up at a later date. Highland Park is ranked No. 3 in Class 5A by the KBCA while Atchison is ranked No. 3 in 4A. Highland Park closed out 2023 with a 77-30 win over Kansas City-Wyandotte in its Meadowlark Conference opener while Atchison rolled to a 91-41 conference win over

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

A game-by-game glance at all of Friday night's Shawnee County girls basketball games:

FRIDAY

WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS (5-1 overall, 1-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (5-1 overall, 0-1 Centennial)

Washburn Rural and Hayden will both be playing their second Centennial League games of the week after the Junior Blues and Wildcats were the first Shawnee County teams to open 2024 with Tuesday night games. Washburn Rural rolled to a 58-31 win at Junction City while Hayden dropped a 54-40 home decision to Emporia. Senior Zoe Canfield and freshman Maddie Vickery scored 17 points apiece in just a half against Junction City while junior Brylee Meier led Hayden with 14 points and senior Avery Grunert added 12 points against Emporia.

Highland Park junior Amelia Ramsey is the city leader in scoring and rebounding, averaging 22 points and 15 rebounds. [File photo/TSN]

POSTPONED: ATCHISON GIRLS (3-3 overall, 2-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (3-0 overall, 1-0 Meadowlark)

Friday's Atchison at Highland Park games have been postponed due to weather concerns and will be made up at a later date. Highland Park opened Meadowlark Conference play with an 87-17 win over Kansas City-Wyandotte in its final game before the holiday break while Atchison improved to 2-0 in the conference with a 47-36 win over Wyandotte in its 2023 finale. Highand Park

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The 2024 portion of the Shawnee County high school basketball season cranks up in a hurry, with all 10 county schools in action this week, beginning with a pair of Centennial League games on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Here's a glance at all of this week's games involving county boys teams: 

TUESDAY

Senior Cooper Colboch is averaging 16.2 points to lead 4-1 Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]

EMPORIA BOYS (4-2 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (4-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial)

Both Hayden and Emporia will open Centennial League play Tuesday while meeting for the second time this season. Emporia handed the Wildcats their lone loss, a 50-44 decision, in the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia in early Dec. Hayden, ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, closed out 2023 with a 69-56 win over Class 6A school Shawnee Mission West while Emporia dropped a 45-42 decision to Great Bend in its '23 finale. Senior Cooper Colboch leads Hayden with a 16.2 scoring average while seniors Dom Ridley and Carter Charvat average 10.2 and 10.0 points. Charvat also leads the Wildcats with a 7.2 rebounding average.

Junior Kaden Ballard (2) is averaging a team-high 11.6 points for Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL BOYS (0-5 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at JUNCTION CITY (6-0 overall, 0-0 Centennial)

Washburn Rural and Junction City will both open their Centennial League schedules on Tuesday. Washburn Rural closed out its pre-holiday slate with a 67-45 loss to undefeated Kapaun Mt. Carmel while Junction City, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, took a 55-51 overtime win over Bishop Carroll in its 2023 finale. Junior Kaden Ballard leads Washburn Rural with an 11.6 scoring average while