Cair Paravel Lions

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

HAYDEN (1-0) at SILVER LAKE (1-0)

Hayden senior JC Cummings (38) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown in last Friday's 21-7 Wildcat victory over Olpe. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden is coming off of a 21-7 season-opening win over two-time defending Class 1A state champion Olpe, ending the Eagles' 26-game winning streak, while Logan Pegram made his debut as Silver Lake's coach with a 28-21 road win over Riley County. Hayden got pass interceptions from seniors JC Cummings and Dylan Foster while Cummings and senior Ethan Florence ran for touchdowns and sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier hit sophomore Jensen Schrickel for a TD pass. Junior quarterback Tanner Martin accumulated more than 250 total yards and had a hand in all four Silver Lake touchdowns in the Eagles' season-opening win.

LANSING (0-1, 0-1) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (0-1, 0-1)

Shawnee Heights fell 31-20 to new United Kansas Conference member Piper in its season opener on the road, while Lansing dropped a 27-21 UKC decision to De Soto. Piper built a 24-0 advantage over Heights before surviving a late T-Bird rally. Heights junior Allen Baughman rushed for 92 yards on 17 carries while senior Nick Freeland completed six of 11 passes for 45 yards and junior Jayden Moore caught five passes for 65 yards. Defensively, junior Alex Dittman was in on eight tackles and senior Jaye Jones was credited with seven stops.

LEAVENWORTH (1-0, 1-0) at TOPEKA WEST (0-1, 0-1)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka West standout senior quarterback Malachi Berg (left) and the Chargers will be looking to bounce back from a season-opening loss to Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Topeka West will be looking to bounce back from last Thursday's 58-14 United Kansas Conference loss to Seaman while Leavenworth is coming off a 61-0 UKC win over Kansas City-Turner. West senior quarterback Malachi Berg went 17 of 29 passing for 244 yards and two touchdowns while senior Xavier Alexander carried the ball 17 times for 102 yards and senior Kamen Jones caught five passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Emporia State senior Hannah Woolery, a former Cair Paravel Latin standout, set one school record and tied another as the No. 14-ranked Hornets soccer team rolled to a 5-1 victory at Minot State on Sunday afternoon.

Former Cair Paravel Latin soccer standout Hannah Woolery (10) set one Emporia State school soccer record and tied another in Sunday's 5-1 win at Minot State . [Photo courtesy of Emporia State Athletics]

Woolery, who had a goal and three assists in the victory, broke a tie with Adie Hayden (14 assists from 2001-04) for Emporia State career assists records and now has 17 assists at ESU.

With Sunday's three assists, Woolery tied Wendy Dunn (three assists vs NWMSU on Sept 5, 2004 and vs Mo. S&T on Oct. 15, 2004) for the Hornets' single-game assist record.

Mackenzie Dimarco scored her 39th and 40th career goals on Sunday and is now Emporia State's career leader for goals..

The Hornets will take on Washburn at 6 p.m. Friday in Topeka for the first Turnpike Tussle of the season.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Editor's note:Shawnee County varsity coaches in all fall sports are encouraged to report their game/event results by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. TopSports.news will post regular prep roundups throughout the season.

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Hayden's football team got the test it expected from two-time defending Class 1A state champ Olpe in Friday night's season-opener, but the Wildcats combined some timely offense with stingy defense to end the Eagles' 26-game win streak with a 21-7 win at Hayden.

Hayden senior JC Cummings (38) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown in Friday's 21-7 Wildcat victory over Olpe. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden's defense brings down Olpe quarterback Truman Bailey in Friday's 21-7 Wildcat win at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden got a pair of interceptions from seniors JC Cummings and Dylan Foster and also recovered a fumbled punt before taking a 7-0 halftime lead on a 20-yard touchdown run from Cummings to cap a three-play scoring drive with 31 seconds left in the opening half. 

The Wildcats boosted their lead to 14-0 on their first drive of the second half, with sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier hitting sophomore Jensen Schrickel on a deep post pattern for the TD. 

Hayden finished its scoring with an 83-yard scoring run from senior Ethan Florence with 8:56 left in the game.

Olpe used a long 14-play drive to get on the scoreboard late in the game on a 2-yard quarterback sneak from Truman Bailey.

Unofficially, Wahlmeier passed for 118 yards on a 10 of 12 performance with one interception while Hayden rushed for more than 230 yards.

Hayden's defense limited Olpe to 77 rushing yards while Bailey passed for 86 yards with two interceptions.

WASHBURN RURAL 49, WICHITA EAST 42 -- Both offenses ruled the night, combining for 91 points, but it was a late defensive stand that allowed Washburn Rural to escape with a hard-earned 49-42 non-league road win.

Washburn Rural trailed on four diffferent occasions, including 42-33 late in the contest, but the Junior Blues scored the final 16 points to pull out the victory.

Junior JC Heim blocked a punt and senior Walker Thompson pounced on the ball in the end zone to give Rural an early 6-0 advantage.

Junior quarterback Branton DeWeese hit senior Lukas Hanks for a touchdown pass and junior Titan Osborn caught a 2-point conversion pass to put Rural in front 14-8 at tne end of the first quarter.

The game was knotted at 22 at the half and the scorefest continued in the second half.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Editor's note: TopSports.news finished its tour of preseason football practice at all 10 Shawnee County high schools on Friday and will post preview stories over the coming days leading into the opening games of the 2022 season Sept. 1-3.

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Cair Paravel Latin football coach Doug Bonura knows his team faces a big challenge in its first season as a full member of the Kansas State High School Athletics Association.

But its a challenge that Bonura and his Lions are excited to face.

Cair Paravel Latin football coach Doug Bonura talks to his team, 11-0 last season, during Thursday's practice session. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Cair Paravel, which is coming off a perfect 11-0 record and a Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship, make the jump to KSHSAA this fall and will compete in the Eight-Man Division I ranks in District 2.

"We're going up against some really good programs and it's going to be a great test to see where we are, if we have been able to move in the direction we want to be able to compete,'' Bonura said. "In our district we have Madison-Hamilton, Burlingame, Chase County, and then Lyndon, which has come down out of 11-man, and all those teams have been deep in the playoffs over the years, so we're going against solid programs and we play (defending Eight-Man Division II state champion) Axtell out of the gate.

"We recognize that there's no gimme here and our boys are excited. We really don't know what to expect fully but we know it's going to be a lot of hard work and it's going to be competition.''

Cair Paravel graduated star quarterback Carter Brian and star tight end/defensive end Noah Hastert, who have moved on to play college football after earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors last fall.

The Cair Paravel Lions go through a drill at Thursday's practice session. The Lions are coming off an 11-0 season entering their first season competing in KSHSAA Eight-Man Division I. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But the Lions' cupboard is far from bare.

"We lost a lot of athleticism and leadership from last year, but the nice thing was that it was a small (senior) class, so we're returning 11 starters,'' Bonura said. "Really, for all these guys it's just another year for them after playing last year.

"The big question for us this year is going to be quarterback -- who is going to step up and take that position -- but then as far as our backs I think we're just reloading this year.''

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake's Logan Pegram and Washburn Rural's Brad Johnston, who are taking over retiring Kansas coaching legends C.J. Hamilton and Kevin Hedberg, are part of a group of 19 new varsity head coaches who have been announced by Shawnee County high schools for the 2022-2023 school year.

Brad Johnston will take over as Washburn Rural's tennis coach in 2022-2023, replacing Kevin Hedberg who retired after 32 years at the school. [File photo/TSN]

Logan Pegram

Alex Hutchins

Pegram, a former Silver Lake standout, takes over as the Eagles' head football coach for Hamilton, the state's winningest football coach, who retired after 47 years at the school, while Johnston is the new Washburn Rural girls and boys tennis coach, replacing Hedberg, who led the Junior Blues to five state team championships in 32 seasons and coached a total of 43 years at Seaman and Rural.

Joining Johnston as a new head coach for Washburn Rural is former Hays boys basketball coach Alex Hutchins, who is taking over as the Junior Blues' boys basketball coach from Kevin Muff. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

More than 29,000 reader votes have been received since TopSports.news kicked off its Best of the Best Coaches project in late June.

Voting will conclude Friday night before TSN honors Shawnee County's all-time coaching greats in a series of Best of the Best lists.

Current Washburn Rural boys and girls golf coach Jared Goehring has led the Junior Blues to five Class 6A state championships. [File photo/TSN]

Former Hayden and current Rockhurst coach Kathy Strecker won six state cross country team titles with the Wildcats. Hayden Schools]

Derick Hammes has coached Rossville to five state football championships, including the past two straight. [File photo/TSN]

Former Silver Lake coach Loren Ziegler led the Eagles to five girls state basketball titles. [Silver Lake Schools]

More than 240 current and former county coaches have received Best of the Best votes in 14 different sports, including 24 men's basketball coaches and 23 baseball and football coaches.

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                  

EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize Shawnee County's all-time coaching greats in 14 sports as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July 15, with the Top 10 in all categories announced in July and August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best soccer coach click on https://linkto.run/p/2LH96HJB while email votes/nominations will be also accepted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Hayden's Klaus Kreutzer and Washburn Rural's Brian Hensyel, who have led multiple teams to state championships, lead the list of contenders for the No.1 spot on the TopSports.news Shawnee County Best of the Best Coaches list in soccer while four other former and current local coaches have also notched state titles.

Longtime Hayden soccer coach Klaus Kreutzer has led the Wildcat boys and girls teams to five state championships. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural soccer coach Brian Hensyel has led the Junior Blues to a pair of Class 6A boys titles and seven total state runner-up finishes. [File photo/TSN]

Kreutzer has led the Hayden boys to Class 4A state championships in 2000 and '12 and added 4A-1A girls titles in 2012, '13 and '15 while Hensyel has led Washburn Rural's boys to 6A state crowns in 2009 and '12 while the Junior Blues have also posted seven state runner-up finishes (four girls, three boys), including seconds in both the boys and girls tournaments in 2021-2022.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Last summer TopSports.news took on the task of honoring hundreds of Shawnee County's all-time great athletes in more than 20 sports as part of our Best of the Best project.

As rewarding as that project was, however, there was something missing -- the high school coaches, both head coaches and assistants past and present -- who have helped hundreds if not thousands of county athletes achieve athletic greatness.

Washburn Rural's Kevin Bordewick has coached nine Class 6A state championship teams in volleyball and girls basketball. [File photo/TSN]

Current Seaman basketball coach Craig Cox has led five teams to state championships in basketball and baseball, including the Class 5A basketball title this past season. [File photo/TSN]

Former Hayden coach Ben Meseke (right), talking with former Wildcat coach and athletic director Jerry Simecka, coached Hayden to 12 state titles in basketball and cross country. [File photo/TSN

Brenda Holaday coached Washburn Rural to multiple Class 6A state softball championships before moving on to a successful career at Washburn University. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

This summer we will try to correct that ommision, with TopSports.news planning to publish Best of the Best coaches lists in 14 different sports.

As was the case a year ago, TSN will rely heavily on our readers for their input in rating the best coaches in the history of the county.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Former Rossville star Torrey Horak, who helped lead the Bulldawgs to back-to-back Class 2A state football championships, was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Fall Male Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University.

Former Rossville star Torrey Horak, the TSN Fall Male Athlete of the Year, helped lead the Bulldawgs to back to back undefeated Class 2A state football championships. [File photo/TSN]

A star quarterback and defensive back, Horak was a four-year starter for the Bulldawgs, helping lead Rossville to 13-0 records as a junior and senior.

Horak was the TopSports.news Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year as a senior after completing 85 of 132 pass attempts for 1,337 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 TDs on 102 attempts despite missing time with a shoulder injury.

"Torrey will go down as an all-time great performer in is a rich football history at Rossville,'' Bulldawg football coach Derick Hammes said. "However, Torrey's personal attributes may outshine his onfield accomplishments. Torrey has displayed an uncanny maturity throughout his career.''

Horak has signed a football letter with Central Missouri. 

Horak had a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.8.

Other candidates:

Tylan Alejos

TYLAN ALEJOS | Topeka High

PARENTS: Evan and Tia Alejos 

SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.10

 A 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back/defensive back, Alejos was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 and  All-Centennial League first-team selection after rushing for 1,327 yards on 202 carries and scoring 18 total touchdowns lat fall. Defensively Alejos recorded 40 tackles (16 solo) and had a pass interception. Alejos rushed for 400 yards and scored eight touchdowns in a Centennial League victory over Highland Park. Alejos will play his college football at the University of Kansas after accepting a preferred walk-on offer from the Jayhawks.

Jaq'Son Birdwhistle-Bush

JAQ'SON BIRDWHISTLE-BUSH | Topeka West

PARENTS Dr. Christopher and AliShia Bush 

SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.415

 "Jaq'Son has been an excellent example of character, leadership and work ethic as a student-athlete at Topeka West,'' said Ryan Kelley, who coached Birdwhistle-Bush at West. "In four years of being his football coach, Jaq'Son never missed a workout or practice, summer or fall. Even through tough times where the program struggled to experience success in terms of wins and losses Jaq'Son remained positive and worked hard every day. We at Topeka West are extremely proud of Jaq'son.'' Birdwhistle-Bush caught 12 passes for149 yards and a touchdown as a senior. Birdwhistle-Bush will attend Kansas State University.

Carter Brian 

CARTER BRIAN | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Tom and Susan Brian

SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.27

Brian was the Lions' quarterback as a junior and senior, leading Cair Paravel to a perfect season and the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state title last fall. "He is a determined individual who is not afraid of difficult possibilities and that effort created the building blocks for a very successful senior season,'' Cair Paravel coach Doug Bonura said. "Carter's leadership at the quarterback position helped secure his team's undefeated season. Brian earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honors, throwing for 2,515 yards and 51 touchdowns. Brian plans to play football at Ohio Northern University. 

Jace Moore

JACE MOORE | Seaman

PARENTS: Russ and Jana Moore

SPORT: Cross country | GPA: NA

"Jace led our cross country team in every competition of his senior year,'' Seaman coach Luke Wiens said. "Jace is a fiery and passionate leader and an intense competitor who chose to compete in our sports (cross country and track) despite having the skills and athleticism to contribute in a variety of other sports.'' Moore was an All-Shawnee County pick in cross country last fall and was the Centennial League champion in the 3,200 meters in track as a senior. Moore plans to compete in track and cross county for Washburn University.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK | HAYDEN

PARENTS: Kevin and Nealy Newkirk

SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 3.84

Newkirk was a four-time state medalist in Class 4A cross country for the Wildcats, including top-three finishes his final three seasons. Newkirk finished second in 4A as a sophomore, won the state title as a junior and finished third individually his senior season. A two-time city champ in cross country, Newkirk also won three state championships and set two Class 4A state meet records as a senior in track and field. Newkirk will run track and cross country at the University of Kansas. "Tanner Newkirk is a one of a kind athlete,'' Hayden cross country and track coach DeJuan Gardenhire said. "What makes Tanner so special is his ability to want to get better. Tanner is always trying to find a way to get better at some thing and is never satisfied.''

Jarin Sanders

JARIN SANDERS | Shawnee Heights

PARENTS: Robbie and Courtney Sanders

SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.7

Sanders was a star running back for the T-Birds as a senior, cracking Shawnee Heights' top five in several rushing categories. Sanders ran for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and also caught 31 passes for 240 yards and four TDs. Sanders carried the ball more than 30 times in big wins over De Soto and Blue Valley Southwest. Sanders was a team captain and earned first-team All-Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference honors. Sanders was also a two-year starter at point guard for Shawnee Heights' basketball team, earning All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention. 

Porter Schafersman

PORTER SCHAFERSMAN | Washburn Rural

PARENTS: Scott and Autumn Schafersman

SPORT: Soccer| GPA: 3.53

Schafersman helped lead Washburn Rural to a second-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament, scoring 23 goals on the season, which tied for second in school history, en route to earning first-team All-City, All-Centennial League and All-6A recognition. Schafersman, who also had 13 assists, was the Centennial League player of the year and the 6A forward of the year. "Porter had one of the best individual seasons in Washburn Rural soccer history, which was instrumental in one of the best seasons in school history,'' Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. Schafersman registered five three-goal hat tricks as a senior, all in Centennial League play, as the Junior Blues recorded just their second-ever undefeated regular season. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Former Washburn Rural basketball standout Emma Krueger was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Winter Female Athlete of the Year Wednesday at Washburn University during the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Washburn Rural product Emma Krueger (right) was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Female Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]

Krueger was a four-year starter for Washburn Rural, winning Class 6A state championships as a freshman and senior.

"Emma has a work ethic second to none,'' Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "She is one of a handful of athetes that truly plays hard all the time. Emma is a great leader. She leads by her example and holds teammates accountable to the same work ethic.

"She took pride in being our defensive stopper and did whatever it took for our team to succeed.''

As a senior Krueger averaged 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals.

Also a soccer standout, Krueger will play college basketball at Grand Canyon University.

Krueger finished high school with a 4.15 grade point average.

Other candidates:

Jaley Barkley

JALEY BARKLEY | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Shane and Valerie Barkley

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.53

"Jaley is a fantastic leader and worker,'' Cair Paravel coach Brian Ewing said. "She knew my expectations for her senior year and led the team through her dedication and desire. Jaley has always been a hard worker during the season but out of season as well. She put up tens of thousands of shots during COVID, which showed up in her stats this past season. Jaley loves to interact with, and encourage, the younger kids, especially the girls. She knows that eyes are on her for not only how she plays on the court but how she leads throughour her school day and practice.'' Barkey will play college basketball next season for Sterling College.

Celeste Gonzalez

CELESTE GONZALEZ | Highland Park

PARENTS: Raul Gonzalez and Clara Caro

SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.2

Gonzalez posted a 17-7 record as a senior and was a two-year letter-winner for Highland Park's girls wrestling team. Gonzalez won the Centennial League indiviual championship at 191 pounds her senior season, qualified for the Class 6A-5A state meet with a runner-up regional finish and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention. "She had a desire to demonstrate dominance on the mat but was friendly to everyone off the mat,'' Highland Park coach Shannon Keller said. Gonzalez, who also earned All-City honorable mention in soccer, plans to attend college at Washburn University.

Rylee Murray

RYLEE MURRAY | Seaman 

PARENTS: TJ and Sonya Murray

SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 3.34

Murray was Seaman's first Centennial League girls wrestling champion as a junior and the first Viking to secure her place on the state podium in her final season of wrestling, finishing fifth in Class 6A-5A. Murray posted a two-year record of 40-10, with 29 wins coming by pin. Murray is also a softball standout for the Vikings and will play softball at North Central Missouri College. "Rylee is a multi-sport athlete who gives absolutely nothing but her best in everything she does,'' Seaman girls wrestling coach Jordan Best said. "Her commitment to leadership is second to none and she gained respect by pushing everyone to be their best while keeping a smile on her face and lifting the spirits of her teammates as well.''

Macy Smith

MACY SMITH | Hayden

PARENTS: Rob and Cindi Smith

SPORT: Basketball | GPA  3.86

Smith missed most of her junior season with an ACL injury, but returned to turn in a solid senior season for the Wildcats. "Macy was the primary ball-handler for our team and was relied heavily upon to score for us,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "She tore her ACL her junior year so she had a comeback season of sorts. As the knee got stronger she played a bigger role and improved defensively.'' Smith averaged 12 points and was also a team leader in assists. Smith earned All-Shawnee County Top 10 honors and was a second-team All-Centennial League pick, Smith was also a soccer standout for Hayden. 

Talayah Thomas

TALAYAH THOMAS | Topeka High

PARENTS: Tobian and Stephanie Thomas

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.71

Thomas was a three-sport standout for Topeka High, handling place-kicking duties for the Trojans in football and starring as point guard in basketball and as a forward in soccer. "She has made some historical memories at Topeka High,'' said Hannah Alexander, Thomas' basketball coach at High. "She has led our girls basketball program to the state tournament all four years of high school. She has an 88-8 record overall. She is a true leader on and off the floor. She is destined for greatness.'' A first-team All-Shawnee County selection, Thomas averaged 14.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.9 steals as a senior. Thomas will play college basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma.  

Kendra Umscheid

KENDRA UMSCHEID | Topeka West

PARENTS: Kevin and Shelly Umscheid

SPORT: Bowling | GPA: 3.725

Umscheid helped Topeka West reach the Class 5A-1A state bowling tournament as a senior. "Kendra is a great team player,'' Topeka West coach Alyx Nash said. "She sets high goals for herself and those around her. She creates a positive mindset and a supporting environment to motivate herself and team to their goals. She represents herself on the lanes, in the classroom and in her everyday actions to the best of her abilities. Her accomplishments are and will continue to be a reflection of this.'' Umscheid plans to study computer science at Wichita State University. 

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Recent Topeka West graduate Elijah Brooks, honored as the 2021-2022 Mr. Kansas Basketball by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association after a record-setting 2021-2022 season, was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn.

Former Topeka West star Elijah Brooks was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night after a record-setting senior season. [File photo/TSN]

Brooks averaged 25.3 points during his senior season and put together a string of 30-point games with a high of 43 points.

Brooks, the TopSports.news Shawnee County and Centennial League Player of the Year, led the Chargers to back-to-back Class 5A state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2021.

Brooks is West's single-season record-holder (581 points) and career leading scorer (1,450 points).

"Elijah has shown enthusiasm and work ethic that has been commendable and sincere,'' West coach Rick Bloomquist said.

Brooks will play his college basketball at Division I North Dakota.

Other candidates:

Richard Carter

RICHARD CARTER | Topeka High

PARENTS: Richard and Margaret Carter

SPORT: Swimming | GPA: NA

Carter was a varsity swimmer all four seasons at Topeka High, earning second-team All-City recognition two times. Carter competed in the Class 6A state tournament as a senior in the 400-yard free relay. Carter scored a total of 582 points during his swimming career for the Trojans. Carter competed primarily in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100 free, the 200 free and and the 100 butterfly. Carter plans to attend Grove City College.

Trent Duffey

TRENT DUFFEY | Hayden

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TopSports.news will honor outstanding Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes in 10 different categories at Wednesday's 17th annual Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards banquet, which will be presented in conjunction with the induction of the 2022 Hall of Fame class.

Recent Seaman graduate Aidan Polter (22), who played baseball and football for the Vikings, is nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, which will be presented Wednesday night at Washburn's Memorial Union. [File photo/TSN]

Four-time state champ Tanner Newkirk of Hayden is a fall and spring candidate for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, which will be presented Wednesday night at Washburn's Memorial Union. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High graduate NiJaree Canady, who has led the Trojans to back-to-back Class 6A state softball titles, is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County Female Spring Athlete of the Year award. [File photo/TSN]

Recent Washburn Rural grad Emma Krueger helped lead the Junior Blues to a pair of Class 6A state basketball titles in her high school career. Krueger is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards. [Submitted photo]

TopSports.news, in partnership with the University of Kansas Health Systems St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key and Washburn University, will host the 6 p.m. event at the Washburn University Memorial Union..

Awards will be presented to top female and male athletes in the fall, winter and spring seasons, as well as overall female and male athletes of the year and the most inspirational female and male.

A complete list of nominees is listed below.

To be eligible, an athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Athletes were nominated by their schools' athletic directors and coaches.

In addition to the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, James Letcher Jr. and Faith Rottinghaus will be honored as Washburn University Athletes of the Year and Aaron Crow, Kaylee Manns and Dani (McHenry) Schmidt will be inducted as the 2022 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.

A  committee of local media members selected the 2022 high school winners, including the selection of overall female and male athletes of the year. 

TOPEKA SHAWNEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS NOMINEES

FALL FEMALE — Kate Roeder, Hayden; Grace Unruh, Seaman; Camilla Ossola, Silver Lake; Anna Newcome, Topeka West; Khloi Bird, Washburn Rural.

FALL MALE — Carter Brian, Cair Paravel Latin; Tanner Newkirk, Hayden; Torrey Horak, Rossville; Jace Moore, Seaman; Jarin Sanders, Shawnee Heights; Tylan Alejos, Topeka High; Jaq'Son Birdwhistle-Bush, Topeka West; Porter Schafersman, Washburn Rural.

WINTER FEMALE — Jaley Barkley, Cair Paravel Latin; Macy Smith, Hayden; Celeste Gonzalez, Highland Park; Rylee Murray, Seaman; Talayah Thomas, Topeka High; Kendra Umscheid, Topeka West; Emma Krueger, Washburn Rural.

WINTER MALE —Noah Hastert, Cair Paravel Latin; Trent Duffey, Hayden; Juan'Tario Roberts, Highland Park; Ty Henry, Seaman; Brock Ferguson, Shawnee Heights; Richard Carter, Topeka High; Elijah Brooks, Topeka West; Nathen Trachta, Washburn Rural.

SPRING FEMALE —  Carly Stuke, Hayden; Vanesa Quinones, Rossville; Gabby Grace, Seaman; Tatum Hoge, Shawnee Heights; Taryn Burkhardt, Silver Lake; NiJaree Canady, Topeka High; Kadence Jeffries, Topeka West; Campbell Bagshaw, Washburn Rural.

SPRING MALE — Tanner Newkirk, Hayden; Torrey Horak, Rossville; Dagen Brewer, Seaman; Caden Walker, Shawnee Heights; Daigan Kruger, Silver Lake; Zander Putthoff, Topeka West; Zach Sulzen-Watson, Washburn Rural.

MOST INSPIRATIONAL FEMALE — Celeste Gonzalez, Highland Park; Drew Baxter, Seaman; Taryn Dial, Shawnee Heights; DayShauna Wiley, Topeka High; Trenna Whitmore, Washburn Rural.

MOST INSPIRATIONAL MALE — Corey Catron, Rossville; Aidan Polter, Seaman; Carter Olson, Shawnee Heights; Richard Carter, Topeka High; Aidan Boline, Washburn Rural.

WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES

 Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS | Topeka West

PARENTS: Peter Brooks and Katesheius Anderson 

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.75

Brooks was named Mr. Kansas Basketball by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association after a record-setting 2021-2022 season. Brooks averaged 25.3 points on the season after putting together a string of 30-point games with a high of 43 points. Brooks, the TopSports.news Shawnee County and Centennial League Player of the Year, led the Chargers to back-to-back Class 5A state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2021. Brooks is West's single-season record-holder (581 points) and career leading scorer (1,450 points). "Elijah has shown enthusiasm and work ethic that has been commendable and sincere,'' West coach Rick Bloomquist said. Brooks will play his college basketball at Division I North Dakota.

Richard Carter

RICHARD CARTER | Topeka High

PARENTS: Richard and Margaret Carter

SPORT: Swimming | GPA: NA

Carter was a varsity swimmer all four seasons at Topeka High, earning second-team All-City recognition two times. Carter competed in the Class 6A state tournament as a senior in the 400-yard free relay. Carter scored a total of 582 points during his swimming career for the Trojans. Carter competed primarily in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100 free, the 200 free and and the 100 butterfly. Carter plans to attend Grove City College.

Trent Duffey

TRENT DUFFEY | Hayden

WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES

Jaley Barkley

JALEY BARKLEY | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Shane and Valerie Barkley

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.53

"Jaley is a fantastic leader and worker,'' Cair Paravel coach Brian Ewing said. "She knew my expectations for her senior year and led the team through her dedication and desire. Jaley has always been a hard worker during the season but out of season as well. She put up tens of thousands of shots during COVID, which showed up in her stats this past season. Jaley loves to interact with, and encourage, the younger kids, especially the girls. She knows that eyes are on her for not only how she plays on the court but how she leads throughour her school day and practice.'' Barkey will play college basketball next season for Sterling College.

Celeste Gonzalez

CELESTE GONZALEZ | Highland Park

PARENTS: Raul Gonzalez and Clara Caro

SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.2

Gonzalez posted a 17-7 record as a senior and was a two-year letter-winner for Highland Park's girls wrestling team. Gonzalez won the Centennial League indiviual championship at 191 pounds her senior season, qualified for the Class 6A-5A state meet with a runner-up regional finish and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention. "She had a desire to demonstrate dominance on the mat but was friendly to everyone off the mat,'' Highland Park coach Shannon Keller said. Gonzalez, who also earned All-City honorable mention in soccer, plans to attend college at Washburn University.

 Emma Krueger

EMMA KRUEGER | Washburn Rural 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Ten city girls soccer standouts have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, led by Washburn Rural co-midfielder of the year Belle Kennedy and Junior Blue All-Class 6A first-team midfielder Reagan Allen.

 Washburn Rural senior Belle Kennedy has received Class 6A midfielder of the year recognition for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural senior Reagan Allen received first-team All-Class 6A honors from the KHSSCA. [File photo/TSN]

Kennedy, who earned midfielder of the year honors for the second straight season, and Allen, both seniors, helped lead Washburn Rural to a runner-up finish in the 6A state tournament.

Rural seniors Hunter McWilliams and McKenna Merrick both received second-team All-6A honors while Rural junior Mackinly Rohn, Topeka High senior Luxanna Sands and High sophomore Avery Zimmerman earned All-6A honorable mention.

Shawnee Heights senior goalkeeper Tatum Hoge received second-team All-Class 5A recognition while T-Bird freshmen Isabell Van Fleet and Lailah Benz earned All-5A honorable mention.

Cair Paravel Latin freshman Zahra Lewis was named to the All-4A-1A first team after helping lead the Lions to a fourth-place finish in the state tournament.

Coaches have to be members of the KHSSCA to have players nominated and selected.

CLASS 6A

Editor's note:Over the next few days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2022 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 22 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.

FALL SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES

Tylan Alejos

TYLAN ALEJOS | Topeka High

PARENTS: Evan and Tia Alejos 

SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.10

 A 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back/defensive back, Alejos was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 and  All-Centennial League first-team selection after rushing for 1,327 yards on 202 carries and scoring 18 total touchdowns lat fall. Defensively Alejos recorded 40 tackles (16 solo) and had a pass interception. Alejos rushed for 400 yards and scored eight touchdowns in a Centennial League victory over Highland Park. Alejos will play his college football at the University of Kansas after accepting a preferred walk-on offer from the Jayhawks.

Jaq'Son Birdwhistle-Bush

JAQ'SON BIRDWHISTLE-BUSH | Topeka West

PARENTS Dr. Christopher and AliShia Bush 

SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.415

 "Jaq'Son has been an excellent example of character, leadership and work ethic as a student-athlete at Topeka West,'' said Ryan Kelley, who coached Birdwhistle-Bush at West. "In four years of being his football coach, Jaq'Son never missed a workout or practice, summer or fall. Even through tough times where the program struggled to experience success in terms of wins and losses Jaq'Son remained positive and worked hard every day. We at Topeka West are extremely proud of Jaq'son.'' Birdwhistle-Bush caught 12 passes for149 yards and a touchdown as a senior. Birdwhistle-Bush will attend Kansas State University.

Carter Brian 

CARTER BRIAN | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Tom and Susan Brian

SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.27

Brian was the Lions' quarterback as a junior and senior, leading Cair Paravel to a perfect season and the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state title last fall. "He is a determined individual who is not afraid of difficult possibilities and that effort created the building blocks for a very successful senior season,'' Cair Paravel coach Doug Bonura said. "Carter's leadership at the quarterback position helped secure his team's undefeated season. Brian earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honors, throwing for 2,515 yards and 51 touchdowns. Brian plans to play football at Ohio Northern University. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which went undefeated against city competition en route to a Centennial League championship and a runner-up finish in the Class 6A state tournament, put a city-high five players on the 2022 All-City girls soccer team, selected by city coaches.

Washburn Rural senior Belle Kennedy (left), a first-team repeat pick, is one of five Junior Blues named to the 2022 All-City girls soccer team. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights senior goalkeeper Tatum Hoge earned first-team All-City soccer honors for the second straight season after helping lead the T-Birds to a 13-5-0 record in 2022. [Submitted photo]

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Katherine Keys (1) earned All-City girls soccer first-team recognition for the second straight season after helping lead the Lions to a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A-1A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural senior Hunter McWilliams (left) earned first-team All-City girls soccer honors for the second straight season after helping the Junior Blues post a second-place finish in Class 6A. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High sophomore Avery Zimmerman (2) and Hayden senior Kate Roeder (15) are both first-team All-City girls soccer repeat picks. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High senior Luxanna Sands (right) earned a spot on the All-City soccer first team for the second straight year after helping lead the Trojans to a 12-6-0 season this spring. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman junior Brooklyn Yingling (near) earned first-team All-City soccer honors for the second straight year after helping the Vikings post an11-6-1 record this spring. [File photo/TSN]

The Junior Blues, who went 17-3-1 on the season, are represented on the first team by seniors Reagan Allen, Belle Kennedy, McKenna Merrick and Hunter McWilliams and freshman Kate Hinck while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the city coach of the year.

Cair Paravel Latin, which posted a fourth-place finish in the 4A-1A state tournament, put sophomore Katherine Keys and freshman Zahra Lewis on the first team after the Lions posted a 15-5-0 record and earned their first final four berth.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

All 10 Shawnee County high schools have nominated multiple senior athletes for the 17th annual Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards, which will be presented on June 22 along with the induction of the 2022 Hall of Fame class.

TopSports.news, in conjunction with the University of Kansas Health Systems St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key and Washburn University, will host the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the Washburn University Memorial Union.

Topeka High star NiJaree Canady, who helped lead the Trojans to back-to-back Class 6A softball state titles, has been nominated for the 2022 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, which will be presented June 22 at Washburn University's Memorial Union. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden product Tanner Newkirk, a three-time state champion in the 2022 state track meet, is a nominee for the 2022 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, which will be presented on June 22 at Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]

TopSports.news will present awards to the top female and male athletes in the fall, winter and spring seasons, as well as overall female and male athletes of the year and the most inspirational female and male. A complete list of nominees is listed below.

To be eligible, an athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Athletes were nominated by their schools' athletic directors and coaches.

In addition to the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, James Letcher Jr. and Faith Rottinghaus will be honored as Washburn University Athletes of the Year and Aaron Crow, Kaylee Manns and Dani (McHenry) Schmidt will be inducted as the 2022 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.

A  committee of local media members will select the 2022 high school winners, including the selection of overall female and male athletes of the year. 

General admission tickets for the Topeka Shawnee County sports awards banquet are $26 per person and include dinner.

Ticket information is available at topsports.news.

TOPEKA SHAWNEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AWARDS NOMINEES

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's always tough paring down a whole year of sports stories to the top two or three.

Do team accomplishments get the edge over individual accolades and does one particular sport get the edge over any of the others?

My answer to both those questions is no. All accomplishments and sports should be judged on their own merit while realizing that no matter how many of these lists you put together you're not always going to be right.

That was especially true when looking at the 2021-22 sports year for Shawnee County high school boys teams, but after changing the order a time or two or 12 here's my version of the Top 10 Shawnee County boys prep stories of '21-'22:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural's girls soccer team advanced to the Class 6A state championship game for the fourth time in school history, taking a 3-2 semiinal decision over Olathe Northwest on Friday at the College Boulevard Activity Center.

The Junior Blues, who improved to 17-2-1, got goals from Belle Kennedy, Reagan Allen and Hunter McWilliams while Kennedy also picked up an assist.

Washburn Rural will play for the state championship at 2 p.m. Saturday against four-time defending 6A champion Blue Valley West (15-3-1), a 5-1 win over Manhattan. 

Manhattan (15-4-1) will face Olathe Northwest (14-5-1) in the third-place game at 12 p.m.

Cair Paravel Latin celebrates its goal in Friday's 2-1 Class 4A-1A semifinal loss to Buhler on Friday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel freshman Zahra Lewis attempts a shot in Friday's Class 4A-1A state soccer semifinal against Buhler. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

LIONS TO PLAY FOR THIRD

Cair Paravel Latin, making the first final four appearance in school history, dropped a tough 2-1 semifinal decision to Buhler in Friday's Class 4A-1A state tournament at Hummer Sports Park.

The Lions, 15-4-0, will now play play McPherson (15-4-1) in the 12 p.m. third-place game Saturday.

Buhler (12-7-1) will play state power Bishop Miege (14-5-1) for the 4A-1A championship at 2 p.m. 

Bishop Miege advance with a 2-1 semifinal win over McPherson, taking a 5-3 decision in penalty kicks. 

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

For the first time in Cair Paravel Latin's short history in the KSHSAA, the Lions' girls soccer team will take part in the Class 4A-1A state semifinals after knocking off Hayden in Tuesday's state quarterfinal game at the Bettis Family Sports Complex, 2-1.

Cair Paravel (14-3-0) has shown in the 2022 campaign that it deserves to be considered one of 4A-1A's top teams and on Tuesday, the Lions' victory proved that the moment wasn’t too big for its youthful squad. Out of its 22 players, only one player is a senior.

Cair Paravel freshman Zahra Lewis (3) celebrates the Lions' first goal with sophomore Katherine Keys in Tuesday's 2-1 state quarterfinal victory over Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel soccer celebrates Tuesday's 2-1 Class 4A-1A state quarterfinal win over Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel has now laid the foundation and is hoping that the state quarterfinal victory won’t be its last of the season.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin and No. 7 Hayden captured Class 4A-1A regional girls soccer championships on Thursday, setting up a state quarterfinal matchup between the Lions and the Wildcats next Tuesday at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.

Cair Paravel Latin hoists its Class 4A-1A regional championship trophy after Tuesday's 9-0 win over Bishop Seabury. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

Hayden soccer poses for a team picture after winning a Class 4A-1A regional title with a 1-0 win at Louisburg on Thursday. [Photo/Hayden soccer]

Cair Paravel rolled to a 9-0 win over Bishop Seabury in its regional final Thursday at Bettis while Hayden earned a 1-0 road victory at Louisburg.

With the victory Cair Paravel improved 14-3-0 on the season.

Junior Sloane Sims scored the game's only goal in the first half and Hayden made it stand up the rest of the way.

Senior Abby Dodd was credited with the assist on Sims' goal as Hayden improved to 10-6-1 on the season.

Next Tuesday's quarterfinal will be played at 4:30 p.m. at Bettis.

The winner of that game will move on to the 4A-1A state tournament Mary 27-28 at Hummer Sports Park.

Other 4A-1A state quarterfinals will pit Bishop Miege (12-5-1) against Baldwin (10-5-2), Mulvane (14-3-1) against Buhler (10-7-1) and McPherson (14-3-1) against Circle (12-5-1).

ROSSVILLE SOFTBALL COMPLETES REGIONAL RUN

Rossville softball wrapped up its suspended Class 3A regional final on Thursday in Sabetha, taking a 9-3 win over Nemaha Central to earn a berth in next week's Class 3A state tournament at the Twin Oaks Complex in Manhattan.

Rossville softball poses for a team picture after earning a Class 3A state berth with a 9-3 win over Nemaha Central Thursday at Sabetha. [Submitted]

The Bulldawgs, now 20-3 on the season, will be the No. 6 seed in the state tournament and will open their state tournament bid at 7 p.m. next Thursday against No. 3 Council Grove (21-2).

Also on the same side of the bracket with Rossville and Council Grove are No. 2 Scott City (20-1) and No. 7 Prairie View (19-4).

On the other side of the 3A bracket, No. Hoisington/Central Plains (22-1) will face No. 8 Santa Fe Trail (19-4) and No. 4 Kingman/Norwich (21-2) will take on No. 5 Frontenac (20-3).

The state semifinals will be played at 11 a.m. next Friday, followed by the championship game at 1:30 p.m.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TopSports.News, in conjunction with the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key and Washburn University, will host the 17th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 22, 2022 at Washburn's Memorial Union.

For the second 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 2021-2022 school year along with the induction of the 2022 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. Over-all outstanding male and female athletes for 2021-2022 will also be named.

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

The three-member 2022 Hall of Fame class and the '22 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news on Monday morning.

The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season. A  committee of local media members will select the 2022 winners, including the selection of overall female and male athletes of the year.

This year TopSports.news will also introduce a new award, along with the Topeka Officials Association, spotlighting the dedication and contribution of these men and women that are integral to high school athletics.

The June 22 event kicks off in the Memorial Union with a Hall of Fame reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the presentation of awards.

Each nominee will receive a complimentary ticket. Tickets are $26 per person, prior to June 18, 2022, and are required for admission. Tickets include dinner.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.TopSports.news or call 785-633-8448 

The 2021 Hall of Fame class included former NFL linebacker and current Chargers assistant coach Michael Wilhoite, former Missouri State and longtime professional basketball player Kyle Weems and Kyle McNorton, a former Kansas star linebacker and NFL player for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wilhoite and Weems are Highland Park graduates and McNorton a Seaman grad.

Silver Lake graduate Ellington Hogle receives her award as 2021 Shawnee County girls athlete of the year last June from 2021 Hall of Fame inductee Michael Wilhoite. [File photo/TSN]

Former Hayden football standout Desmond Purnell is interviewed by Bruce Steinbrock after being named the 2021 Shawnee County male athlete of the year last June. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake's Ellington Hogle and Hayden's Desmond Purnell were named outstanding female and male athletes in 2021.

Hogle is now playing softball at Washburn while Purnell is playing football at Kansas State.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Four Shawnee County teams earned spots in the latest Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association girls state rankings.

Washburn Rural, currently 9-2-0, is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A while Shawnee Heights, 9-1-0, is No. 8 in 5A.

Both Hayden and Cair Paravel Latin are ranked in 4A-1A, with Hayden (7-2-1) No. 3 and Cair Paravel (9-3-0) No. 5.

KHSSCA COACHES POLL

WEEK 5

Records as of April 27

CLASS 6A

1. Blue Valley West                     7-1-0

2. Washburn Rural                      9-2-0

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                              

TopSports.news

Topeka West's boys tennis team won the team championship in Saturday's Salina Central Invitational, led by junior doubles champions Miles and Ian Cusick.

The Cusicks, who won their third tournament on the week, took an 8-3 win over Arkansas City in the championship match.

Topeka West's Miles Cusick returns a shot as Ian Cusick looks on Saturday in the Sallina Central Invitational. The Cusicks win the doubles title, leading the Chargers to the team championship. [Submitted]

Topeka West's Gavin Chavez (left) and Carter Cool finished third in doubles in Saturday's Salina Central Invitational, helping the Chargers win the team title. [Submitted]

Senior Gavin Chavez and junior Carter Cool posted a third-place finish, bouncing back from a semifinal loss to teammates Cusick and Cusick to win the third-place match.

Sophomore James  Maag added a fourth-place finish in singles for the Chargers.

• Topeka West finished second as a team to Wichita Classical in Friday's Emporia Invitational, with Miles and Ian Cusick claiming the championship in an all-West doubles final.

The Cusicks beat teammates Chavez and Cool 8-7 (7-4 in a tiebreaker) for first place.

Maag from Topeka West finished 4th in singles.

Senior Michael Sandstrom and junior Gus Glotzbach finished fifth in doubles for Hayden.

Maag from Topeka West finished 4th in singles.

NEWKIRK JOINS ALL-TIME DISTANCE ELITE

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                              

TopSports.news

Former Shawnee Heights star point guard Trey Brown, who helped lead the T-Birds to the Class 5A state championship in 2017, had his heart set on becoming a basketball coach.

But even Brown is surprised that things have happened this quickly, with Cair Paravel Latin announcing the 23-year-old Brown as the Lions' new head boys coach Wednesday night.

TreyBrown

"It was actually pretty crazy,'' said Brown, who recently wrapped up his college career at MidAmerica Nazarene University. "Coaching is something I always really wanted to do and I was looking around and really didn't have any plans of being a head coach right away, but I saw the (Cair Paravel) opening on a website. It was where my mom (Kim) had gotten her first coaching job and I saw it and it was kind of a shot in the dark, but I thought I might as well try.

"I ended up meeting with Gary (Cleverdon, CPLS athletic director) and had a good meeting with him and then he offered me the job. Honestly it's just been a blessing. It's something I never expected to happen, and shocked me as well, but I'm happy it did. It's been pretty wild.''

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                              

TopSports.news

Silver Lake senior pitcher Daigan Kruger threw his first career no-hitter Monday night in a 6-0 Mid-East League first-game win over Riley County.

 Daigan Kruger

The Eagles added an 8-5 victory in the second game to complete the sweep.

Kruger went seven innings with five strikeouts while issuing two walks in the Game 1 win and also went 2 for 4 at the plate with a run scored.

Matt Barnes went 2 for 3 with a home run and three runs batted in for the Eagles in the opener while Luke Womack was 2 for 4 with a homer and two RBI and Kaden Walker was 1 of 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Eli Barnes picked up the pitching win in the second game, throwing a complete game while allowing nine hits and three earned runs. Barnes stuck out three batters.

Walker went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBI while E. Barnes was 2 for 4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored, Kruger 2 for 3 with a run scored and Womack 1 for 4 with an RBI.

With the sweep the Eagles improved to 7-3 overall and 6-2 in the Mid-East League.

Lions' Clark signs with McPherson College

Cair Paravel Latin senior basketball standout Zach Clark signed a college letter of intent with McPherson College on Monday.

Cair Paravel Latin senior Zach Clark, flanked by his parents Devon and Amy Clark, signed a basketball letter of intent with McPherson College on Monday. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

Clark, a 6-foot-4 guard, earned second-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honors this past season and was also a first-team All-Kaw Valley League pick.

Clark helped lead the Lions to a 14-5 record.

Hayden improves to 7-0-1 with 4-1 win over Blue Jays

Senior Macy Smith scored two goals to lead the way as Hayden posted a 4-1 Centennial League girls soccer victory at Junction City Monday night.

Macy Smith

Junior Jenessa Broxterman and sophomore Jill Lenherr also scored goals for the Wildcats, now 7-0-1 on the season.

Senior Kate Roeder and junior Elaina Wolff were credited with assists.

HAYDEN 4, JUNCTION CITY 1

Hayden                2  2 -- 4

Junction City      1 0 -- 1

Hayden -- Goals: Smith 2, Broxterman, Lenherr. Assists: Roeder, Wolff.

Keys powers Cair Paravel to 7-0 soccer win

Sophomore Katherine Keys scored three goals and also recorded an assist as Cair Paravel Latin improved to 7-3-0 on the season with a 7-0 girls soccer romp past Kansas City Christian Monday.

Katherine Keys

Junior Sage Schwartz added two goals and two assists for the Lions, who also got goals from freshmen Zahra Lewis and Alexis Gonzalez.

Lewis was also credited with two assists while Sawyer Schwartz had an assist and picked up the shutout in goal for Cair Paravel. 

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 7, KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN 0

Cair Paravel 5 2 -- 7

KC Christian 0 0 -- 0

Cair Paravel -- Goals: Keys 3, Sage Schwartz 2, Lewis, Gonzalez. Assists: Sage Schwartz 2, Lewis 2, Keys, Sawyer Schwartz. Shutout: Sawyer Schwartz. 

Seaman golf runner-up in Hays tournament

Seaman's golf team finished second as a team in Monday's Bob Blazer/Hays Invitational on Monday while three city golfers posted top-five finishes.

Viking senior Gavin Wilhelm finished fourth individually with a 78 while Seaman's Tim Biggs and Topeka West's Myles Alonzo tied for fifth with 80s.

Garden City won the team championship by a 312-334 margin over Seaman, with the Buffaloes placing three players in the top seven individually, led by individual medalist Theo Juhl (67).

BOB BLAZER/HAYS INVITATIONAL

Team scores

Garden City 312, Seaman 334, Salina Sacred Heart 340, Dodge City 351, Hays 368, Salina South 371, Liberal 390, Junction City 398, Great Bend 405.

Individual results

1. Juhl, Garden City, 67; 2. Scheck, Dodge City, 76; 3. Koskal, Garden City, 77; 4. Gavin Wilhelm, Seaman, 78; 5. (tie) Tim Biggs, Seaman, and Myles Alonzo, Topeka West, 80; 7. Shook, Garden City, 82; 8. (tie) Elmore, Salina Sacred Heart, and Maddox Xaysongkham, Salina South, 83; 10. Robinson, Dodge City, 84.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin got a pair of goals and an assist from sophomore Katherine Keys as the Lions rolled to a 5-0 win over Heritage Christian on Tuesday.

The Lions, who improved to 4-3, also got goals from Sage Schwartz, Zahra Lewis and Allison Schwarz.

Sawyer Schwartz got the shutout in goal for the Lions.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 5, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 0

Cair Paravel             2 3 -- 5

Heritage Christian  0 0 -- 0

Cair Paravel -- Goals: Keys 2, Sage Schwartz, Lewis, Allison Schwarz  Assists: Keys. Shutout – Sawyer Schwartz

Hayden soccer remains unbeaten 

Sophomore Jill Lenherr scored the game's only goal off an assist from senior Kate Roeder as Hayden improved to 5-0-1 with a 1-0 non-league victory over Baldwin.

Senior Macy Smith and junior Hannah Schmitz combined for the shutout in goal for the Wildcats.

HAYDEN 1,  BALDWIN  0

Hayden   0 1 -- 1

Baldwin  0 0 -- 0

Hayden -- Goal: Lenherr. Assist:  Roeder. Shutout: Smith/Schmitz.

Topeka West Myles Cusick (right) and Ian Cusick won the doubles championship in last Saturday's Goddard Invitational. [Submitted]

Cusicks win doubles title at Goddard

Topeka West juniors Ian and Myles Cusick captured the doubles championship in the Goddard Invitational, topping Andover Central in the championship match.

Senior Gavin Chavez and junior Carter Cool beat McPherson to take third place in doubles for the Chargers.

West sophomore James Maag placed ninth in singles.

The Chargers' next meet is the Topeka West Invitational on April 19 at Kossover Tennis Center.

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

The heavy wind gusts couldn’t blow away Tae Thomas as the Topeka High senior had two goals that helped the Lady Trojans defeat Cair Paravel Latin 4-1 at Hummer Sports Park on a frigid Thursday night.

Thomas’ goals were Houdini-like -- a goal from near the Northeast corner and a goal short of midfield -- that had a huge impact on the victory.

Tae Thomas

“I’m pretty proud of myself today,” Thomas said. “Of course, I have some things to work on. I need to play a bit quicker and find the open teammate more often, but I’m proud of myself for the good things I did do during the game.

“I’m always looking for the open teammate and the open shot.”

The three-sport athlete scored her first goal with 7:49 to go in the first half and her second goal came with 3:09 remaining in the second half.

“(Thomas) just brings so much energy to this team,” Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. “We moved her around in different positions today, just so we could put her in the best situation possible. She’s not a big talker, but her play and energy she brings to the field is something that everyone feeds off of.

“She’s a fantastic leader and today was fantastic for her.”

Besides Thomas’ two goals, midfielders Avery Zimmerman and Haley Carpenter contributed one goal each in the three-goal victory.

In the last two games, the trio of Thomas, Zimmerman and Carpenter have a combined 11 goals. The Lady Trojans as a team in the two-game span have outscored Highland Park and Cair Paravel, 16-1.

Thomas would stand before her teammates after Thursday’s victory and let everyone know how proud she is of the energy everyone played with.

“We knew (Cair Paravel) was going to be a tough game for us,” Thomas said. “I felt like we were more mentally prepared for this game than others. I felt like going against a tough team brought our energy up. We expected everyone to hustle, carry a heavy amount of energy and play our best. I think the energy was a big part of our win.”

Snook agreed with Thomas and thinks this team can go far if the tge Trojans play the way they did on Thursday night.

It took the Lady Trojans 1:01 to get on the board, with Zimmerman converting a penalty kick to give Topeka High the 1-0 lead.

“The early penalty kick gave us a nice advantage since it was so early,” Snook said. “We’ve had an issue so far this year with our shots just barely missing or having other things not go our way early in games. It was nice for us to be in a good situation like that early.

“Having momentum a minute into the game is nice.”

The strong defense for both teams would prevent anyone from coming close to scoring for 29:25 after Zimmerman’s goal.

Cair Paravel would answer back after the early 1-0 Topeka High lead. Freshman Zahra Lewis was able to separate herself from a group of Trojans and win the battle by kicking in the Lions' first goal of the night.

Topeka High regained the lead as Thomas scored her first goal that would slide over defenders' heads far away from where the goalie was.

Carpenter would end the first half with a goal giving the Lady Trojans a two-goal lead heading into the half.

After halftime, goals were harder to come by. The defense by both teams was exceptional and it made it hard for the offense to come up with anything.

Thomas would drill in her second goal from the deep Northeast corner with 3:09 left in the game.

That final goal from Topeka High would be the dagger in an impressive win.

Topeka High (3-2) will face Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park next Tuesday.

TOPEKA 4, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 1

Cair Paravel 1 0 – 1

Topeka High 3 1 – 4

Goals: Topeka High – Thomas 2, Zimmerman, Carpenter. Cair Paravel – Lewis.

WasRelated Stories and Videos

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Five Shawnee County high school soccer teams received mention in the Week 2 Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association girls state rankings.

Freshman Delaney Hill (left), senior Emma Krueger (right) and the Washburn Rural girls soccer team are ranked No. 4 in Class 6A by the KHSSCA. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural is ranked No.4 in Class 6A after getting the 2022 season off to a perfect 5-0-0 start while Hayden is No. 3 in 4A-1A after starting the year 3-0-1 and Cair Paravel Latin is No. 8 in 4A-1A at 3-2-0.

Topeka High received votes in the 6A poll while Shawnee Heights received votes in 5A.

KHSSCA COACHES POLL WEEK 2

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville's softball team ran its record to 6-0 Tuesday night with an 11-0, 17-0 Mid-East League doubleheader sweep over Riley County.

Sophomore Kinsey Perine homered in both games while sophomore Ryan Leathers also had a pair of homers on the day.

Rossville sophomores Kinsey Perine and Ryan Leathers hit a pair of home runs in Tuesday's doubleheader sweep over Riley County. [Submitted]

Rossville softball celebrates after Tuesday's Mid-East League doubleheader sweep over Riley County. [Submitted]

Perine homered and had two runs batted in for the Bulldawgs in the 11-0 first-game victory while sophomore Emma Mitchell went 2-2 with two RBI.

Vanesa Quinones improved to 3-0 on the season with the shutout pitching performance, recording five strikeouts.

The Lady Dawgs wrapped up the sweep with a 17-0 win in the nightcap.

Mitchell went 4 for 5 with a double and a triple while Perine went 4 for 5 with her homer and a triple.

Brinley Dyche moved to 3-0 with the pitching victory, recording five strikeouts.

Hayden soccer blanks Tonganoxie, 6-0

Hayden improved to 3-0-1 on the season with a 6-0 non-league road romp Tuesday at Tonganoxie.

The Wildcats opened up a 2-0 halftime advantage and turned the game into a rout with four second-half goals.

Hayden junior Sloane Sims (5) scored a pair of goals in the Wildcats' 6-0 soccer win over Tonganoxie on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden got a pair of goals from junior Sloane Sims while junior Jenessa Broxterman, senior Macy Smith and sophomore Jill Lenherr also scored goals. The Wildcats' sixth goal came on a Tonganoxie own goal.

Sophomore Mary Burenheide contributed a pair of assists while seniors Riley Schmidtlein, Elizabeth Dunshee and Kate Roeder were also credited with assists.

Smith and sophomore Hannah Schmitz combined for the shutout in goal.

HAYDEN 6, TONGANOXIE 0

Hayden             2 4 -- 6

Tonganoxie      0 0 -- 0

Hayden -- Goals: Sims 2, Broxterman, Smith, Lenherr, own goal. Assists: Burenheide 2, Schmidtlein, Dunshee, Roeder. Shutout: Smith, Schmitz.

Lions' Everhart signs with Baker 

Cair Paravel Latin soccer standout Ethan Everhart signed a college letter of intent with Baker University on Tuesday.

Cair Paravel Latin senior Ethan Everhart signs a soccer letter of intent with Baker University on Tuesday as his parents, Rachel and David, and Baker assistant men’s soccer coach Sean McAllister look on. [Photo courtesy of Jan Pabitzky]

 Everhart received first-team All-City recognition last fall and also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention in basketbal this past season.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman's boys golf team put five players in the top 10 en route to winning the Salina Central Invitational by 27 strokes Monday at Salina Municipal.

Seniors Gavin Wilhelm, Jake Moss and Tim Biggs placed 3-4-5 individually to pace the Vikings while sophomore Zach Weir finished seventh and senior Taylor Tenperry ninth.

Gavin Wilhelm

Wilhelm shot a 72, followed by Moss with a 74, Biggs with a 76, Weir with a 79 and Tenpenny with an 81.

Freshman Bradley Williamson rounded out Seaman's lineup with an 89, tying for 18th place.

SALINA CENTRAL INVITATIONAL

Team scores

Seaman 301, Hutchinson 328, Salina South 331, Emporia 332, Newton 362, Salina Central 368, Hays 385.

Individual resullts

1. Adkins, Hutchinson, 64; 2. Sauder, Emporia, 68; 3. Wilhelm, Seaman, 72; 4. Moss, Seaman, 74; 5. (tie) Biggs, Seaman, and Sauder, Emporia, 76; 7. Weir, Seaman, 79; 8. Perry, Salina South, 80; 9. (tie) Tenpenny, Seaman, and Xaysongkham, Salina South, 81.

Other Seaman -- T18. Williamson, 89. 

CAIR PARAVEL SOCCER BLANKS WARD, 10-0

Sophomore Katherine Keys scored four goals to lead the way as Cair Paravel Latin stretched its winning streak to three games with a 10-0 romp past Bishop Ward.

Katherine Keys

The Lions, who improved to 3-2, also got two goals apiece from junior Sage Schwartz and freshman Clara Boyd while sophomore Emma Keller and sophomore Corinne Stapleton also scored goals for the Lions.

Keller and freshman Zahra Lewis were credited with two assists each while Stapleton and freshman Shay Lowery also had assists and freshman Sawyer Schwartz picked up the shutout in goals.

Cair Paravel took a 7-0 lead in the first half added three goals in the second hallf to end the game.

CAIR PARAVEL 10, BISHOP WARD 0

Bishop Ward 0 0 -- 0

Cair Paravel  7 3 -- 10

Cair Paravel -- Goals: Keys 4, Sage Schwartz 2, Boyd 2, Keller, Stapleton. Assists: Lewis 2, Keller 2, Stapleton, Lowry. Shutout – Sawyer Schwartz

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka West's Elijah Brooks a 6-foot-4 senior, and Seaman 6-5 senior Ty Henry have been named to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-Class 5A first team.

Brooks, the Shawnee County and Centennial League player of the year, helped lead the Chargers to a 5A state tournament berth and a 21-2 record overall, while Henry helped lead the Vikings to an 18-7 record and Seaman's first-ever boys state basketball championship.

Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks has been named to the KBCA All-5A first team after leading the Chargers to a 21-2 record and a 5A state tournament berth. [File photoTSN]

Seaman senior Ty Henry has received All-Class 5A first-team honors from the KBCA after helping lead the Vikings to the 5A state championship. [File photo/TSN]

Brooks and Henry were two of nine Shawnee County boys players to receive all-state recognition from the KBCA, including six players in 5A.

Highland Park senior Juan'Tario Roberts earned second-team All-5A recognition after helping the Scots advance to the 5A state tournament while Highland Park junior Bo Aldridge, Seaman junior Kaeden Bonner and Viking senior Mateo Hyman received honorable mention.

Hayden junior Joe Otting earned second-team All-4A honors after helping lead the Wildcats to a fourth-place finish in the 4A state tournament while Wildcat senior Trent Duffey received honorable mention.

Cair Paravel Latin senior Noah Hastert received second-team recognition in 1A Division I.

KBCA BOYS ALL-STATE BASKETBALL

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Cair Paravel Latin's girls soccer team cruised to its second straight victory on Thursday, taking a 7-0 decision over Maranatha Academy at the Sunflower Soccer Complex.

Sophomores Katherine Keys and Corinne Stapleton and freshman Zara Lewis all scored two goals for the Lions, who evened their record at 2-2, while senior Sage Schwartz also had a goal for Cair Paravel.

Sage Schwartz was also credited with two assists and Keys one assist.

Freshman Sawyer Schwartz posted the shutout in goal for Cair Paravel. 

Cair Paravel Latin freshman goalkeeper Sawyer Schwartz, making a save in an earlier game against Hayden, posted the shutout in goal for the Lions in Thursday's 7-0 victory over Maranatha Academy. [File photo/TSN]

Cair Paravel opened up a 3-0 lead at the half before adding four games after the break to turn the game into a rout. 

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 7, MARANATHA ACADEMY 0

Cair Paravel (2-2)  3 4 -- 7

Maranatha             0 0 -- 0

Cair Paravel -- Goals: Keys 2, Lewis 2, Stapleton 2, Sage Schwartz. Assists: Sage Schwartz, Keys. Shutout: Sawyer Schwartz.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

There's a long way to go in the 2022 high school girls soccer season, but Hayden certainly can't complain about its start.

The Wildcats played for the second time in three days Friday at the Sunflower Soccer Complex, with Hayden improving to 2-0 with a 2-0 shutout victory over Cair Paravel Latin.

"It makes me really optimistic for the rest of the season,'' Hayden senior Elizabeth Dunshee said. "I have high hopes and it gives me a lot of confidence to have two wins under our belt.

"I think it's just working together as a team and connecting passes. I think we have the talent. We just have to make sure we're using it and finishing on the opportunities we get in front of the goal.''

Hayden senior Kate Roeder (15) goes airborn over a Cair Paravel player to try to get to the ball in the second half of the Wildcats' 2-0 win over the Lions Friday at the Sunflower Soccer Complex. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Coming off a record-setting season for Topeka West, Charger 6-foot-4 senior Elijah Brooks headlines the TopSports.news' All-Shawnee County boys basketball team while Class 5A state champion Seaman put three players on the Top 10.

Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks was named the TSN All-Shawnee County player of the year after averaging 25.3 points and leading the Chargers to a 21-2 record, including a 20-game winning streak. [File photo/TSN]

Brooks was tapped as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading Topeka West to a second straight Centennial League title and a second straight state tournament berth while becoming West's single-season and career leading scorer during the 2021-2022 season.

Brooks put together a string of 30-point-plus games this past season with a high of 43 points while averaging 25.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.5 blocked shots.

Senior Ty Henry earned a spot on the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 after helping lead Seaman to the first state boys state title in school history. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN] 

Seaman junior Kaeden Bonner (13) averaged 13.4 points and hit 64 3-pointers to help lead the Vikings to the Class 5A state championship. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Seaman senior Mateo Hyman earned a berth on the all-county Top 10 after averaging 14.2 points for the Class 5A state champion Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman, which won the first boys state basketball championship in school history, is represented on the Top 10 by 6-5 senior Ty Henry, 6-1 senior Mateo Hyman and 6-1 junior Kaeden Bonner while 6-5 senior Gavin Wilhelm was named the city newcomer of the year after the 18-7 Vikings ended the season with an 11-game winning streak, capped by a 66-47 win over De Soto in the Class 5A state championship game.

Henry scored a team-high 15 points a game for the Vikings and also averaged 4.8 rebounds while Hyman averaged 14.2 points and 3.9 assists and Bonner 13.4 points, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals while hitting a city-high 64 3-pointers and shooting 45 percent from deep. 

Wilhelm was a key contributor for the Vikings after bouncing back from an injury his junior season, shooting 44 percent from 3-point range while canning 42 treys and also pulling down 4.4 rebounds a game.

Seaman senior Gavin Wilhelm has been named the TSN All-Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping the Vikings win the Class 5A state title. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman coach Craig Cox is the TSN Shawnee County coach of the year after leading the Vikings to the Class 5A state title, his third title as a head coach. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Seaman's Craig Cox, who notched his third state championship as a head coach, was named the Shawnee County coach of the year. Cox led the Vikings to the 2022 state title after previously coaching a pair of state championship teams at Shawnee Heights in 2000 and 2002.

Topeka West, which went 21-2 on the season, including a 20-game win streak, is also represented on the Top 10 by 6-1 junior guard Sincere Austin, who was also a key player on the Chargers' 5A state runner-up team in 2021.

Topeka West junior Sincere Austin has earned a spot on the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 after helping lead the Chargers to a second straight Class 5A state tournament berth. [File photo/TSN]

Austin averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals as a junior while connecting on 32 3-pointers.

Highland Park senior Juan'Tario Roberts (23) has been named to the All-Shawnee County Top 10 after helping the Scots advance to the Class 5A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Highland Park junior Bo Aldridge has been named to the All-Shawnee County Top 10 after helping lead the Scots to the Class 5A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Highland Park (18-5), which qualified for the 5A state tournament, put 6-0 senior Juan'Tario Roberts and 6-4 junior Bo Aldridge on the all-county Top 10, while 4A state qualifier Hayden is represented by 6-5 junior Joe Otting 

Aldridge ranked No. 2 in the city in scoring with an 18.7 average and also averaged 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 blocked shots while Roberts averaged 17.1 points, 3.7 assists and hit 39 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from 3-poiint range.

Hayden junior Joe Otting was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County first team after helping lead the Wildcats to a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Otting helped lead Hayden to a fourth-place finish in the 4A state tournament and earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors in basketball after also being an all-county pick in football last fall.

 Senior Noah Hastert (4), who averaged a double-double, represents Cair Paravel Latin on the TSN All-Shawnee County first team. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural junior Jack Bachelor (right) was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County first team after averaging 13.8 points and hitting 44 3-pointers. [File photo/TSN] 

Cair Paravel Latin 6-6 senior Noah Hastert and Washburn Rural 6-2 junior Jack Bachelor round out the TSN All-Shawnee County first team, with Hastert averaging 15.9 points, a city-high 11.3 rebounds, a city-best 5.0 assists and tying Aldridge for city-high honors with 2.3 blocked shots per game while Bachelor averaged 13.8 points, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals and hit 44 3-pointers while shooting 43 percent from 3-point range. Hastert also earned all-county honors in football last fall.

The all-county Second 10 includes senior Carter Olson and sophomore Brennon Dodge of Shawnee Heights, Cair Paravel senior Zach  Clark, Hayden senior Trent Duffey and junior Jake Muller, Highland Park junior Tre Richardson, Rossville junior Kade Perine, Seaman junior Aron Davis, Topeka West senior Zander Putthoff and Washburn Rural senior Quincey Kidd.

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Three members of Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural earned Top 10 berths on the TopSports.news' All-Shawnee County girls basketball team while Topeka High junior Kiki Smith was named the county player of the year after leading Topeka High to the Centennial League championship and a 6A state tournament berth.

Smith, also the Centennial League player of the year, averaged 18 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.1 steals this past season while connecting on 49 3-pointers.

Washburn Rural 6-foot-2  junior Brooklyn DeLeye and 5-11 senior Emma Krueger earned first-team All-Shawnee County spots for the second straight season after leading the Junior Blues to a 23-2 record and the Junior Blues' second state championship since 2019.

Washburn Rural junior Brooklyn DeLeye is a first-team repeater on the All-Shawnee County girls basketball team after helping lead the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state championship. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural senior Emma Krueger is a member of the All-Shawnee County girls first team for the second straight season after helping the Junior Blues win the Class 6A championship. [File photo/TSN]

DeLeye averaged 11.8 points, 7.0 rebounds 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals for Washburn Rural while Krueger was a defensive stopper and averaged 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals and was also a key player on the Junior Blues' 2019 championship team.

Washburn Rural sophomore Zoe Canfield earned a spot on the TSN All-Shawnee County first team after helping lead Rural to the Class 6A state title. [File photo/TSN]

 Kevin Bordewick coached Washburn Rural to a second Class 6A state basketball champioonship and his ninth state title overall in the 2021-2022 season. [File photo/TSN]

Zoe Canfield, a 5-11 sophomore, also garnered a Top 10 all-county berth for the Junior Blues while Rural's Kevin Bordewick was named the county coach of the year after earning his second state basketball championship as a head coach and his ninth title overall.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

HAILEY BECK, Washburn Rural

Beck, a junior goalkeeper, helped 17-3-1 Washburn Rural win the Centennial League championship and finish third in the Class 6A state tournament last season, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Beck posted 12 shutouts a year ago while earning All-Class 6A and All-Centennial League honorable mention.

ABBY DODD, Hayden

Dodd, a senior defender, earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season and was also an All-Centennial League first-team selection for the Wildcats. Dodd helped the Wildcats post a 10-8-0 record in the 2021 season.

Shawnee Heights senior goalkeeper Tatum Hoge (0) was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season. [Photo by Kirk Hockman]

TATUM HOGE, Shawnee Heights

Hoge, a senior goalkeeper, earned a berth on the All-Shawnee County first team last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 10-7-1 record. Hoge has signed with Fort Hays State.

Washburn Rural senior Belle Kennedy was named the Class 6A midfielder of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place state finish in 6A. [File photo/TSN]

BELLE KENNEDY, Washburn Rural

A senior midfielder, Kennedy was a first-team All-Class 6A and All-Shawnee County pick as a junior after helping lead Washburn Rural to a 17-3-1 record, the Centennial League championship and a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Also an All-Centennial League pick, Kennedy led Rural with 17 goals and 12 assists and was named the 6A midfielder of the year. Kennedy has signed with Washburn University.

KATHERINE KEYS, Cair Paravel Latin

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin seniors Zach Clark, Noah Hastert and Jaley Barkley have received first-team All-Kaw Valley Conference basketball honors.

Clark and Hastert were named to the all-conference boys first team while Barkley was a first-team girls pick.

Zach Clark

Noah Hastert

Jaley Barkley

Cair Paravel senior Lauren Drum was a second-team girls all-conference selection while sophomore Allison Schwarz received honorable mention.

On the boys side, Lion seniors Ethan Everhart and Carter Brian both received honorable mention.

ALL-KAW VALLEY CONFERENCE BASKETBALL

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.newsclass

Hayden's boys basketball team continued its late-season turnaround with is biggest win of the season Saturday afternoon, with the No. 12-seeded Wildcats punching their ticket to next week's Class 4A state tournament in Salina with a 52-37 road win at No. 4 seed Wamego.in a sub-state final.

"Wamego's a very talented team,'' Hayden first-year coach Dwayne Paul said. "They shoot the ball at a high rate and it was going to be extremely important for us to guard the bounce.

"We guarded very well today and we rebounded very well and that kind of kept us in it until our offense kind of picked up towards the end of the first (half) going into the second. We kind of made a run there and did some good things.''

Hayden junior Joe Otting led the way with 18 points as the Wildcats earned a berth in the Class 4A state tournament with a 52-37 win at Wamego Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

Saturday's win came on the heels of a 53-43 overtime sub-state semifinal victory at No. 5 Holton.

Hayden was 3-12 in mid-February, but has won six of its last seven games, including five straight.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Parirings were released Saturday for next week's sub-state high school basketball tournaments, with five Shawnee County teams earning home court advantage through Class 6A and 5A sub-states.

Topeka High and Washburn Rural earned home court in the 6A girls ranks while the Topeka West and Highland Park boys and Seaman girls could stay at home through 5A sub-state competition.

The top-ranked Silver Lake girls will be at home to host a 3A sub-state.

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

Topeka High junior Kiki Smith and the Trojan girls will open Class 6A sub-state play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at home against Centennial League rival Junction City. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 6A GIRLS

West sub-state No. 2 -- Topeka High, which will be shooting for a fourth straight state tournment berth, will open postseason at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with the 18-2 Trojans hosting Centennial League rival Junction City (2-17) in a semifinal.

With a win the No. 2-seeded Trojans, the state runner-up last season, will advance to a Friday championship game to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 7 West seed Liberal (14-6) and No. 10 Wichita South (8-12).

West sub-state No. 3 -- Washburn Rural, the No. 3 seed in the West with an 18-2 record, will host No. 14 Garden City (3-17) in a 6 p.m. semifinal Tuesday.

The winner of that game will advance to a Friday sub-state championship game to face the winner of the semifinal contest between No. 6 seed Hutchinson (16-4) and No. 11 Manhattan (8-12).

Washburn Rural won the 6A state championship in 2019.

CLASS 6A BOYS

West sub-state No. 3 -- Topeka High, the No. 14 seed at 4-16, will go on the road Wednesday for a 6 p.m. sub-state semifinal against No. 3 Dodge City (17-3).

The winner of that game will advance to a Saturday final to meet the winner of the semifinal between No. 6 Wichita Southeast (12-8) and No. 11 Washburn Rural (8-12).

West sub-state No. 3 -- Washburn Rural, the No. 11 seed in the west at 8-12, will open its postseason bid at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the road at No. 6 Wichita Southeast (12-8).

The winner of that semifinal will advance to a Saturday sub-state championship game to take on the winner of the semifinal between No. 3 Dodge City (17-3) and No. 14 Topeka High (4-16).

CLASS 5A GIRLS

East sub-state No. 2 -- Shawnee Heights, the No. 7 seed at 10-10, will be at home for a 7 p.m. Wednesday semifinal to face No. 10 Mill Valley (6-12).

The winner of that game will advance to a Saturday final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 2 seed Lansing (17-3) and No. 15 Piper (3-16).

With a semifinal win Lansing will host the sub-state final.

East sub-state No. 3 -- Highland Park (4-16) is the No. 14 seed and will travel to Spring Hill to face No. 3 seed Spring Hill (14-6) in a 7 p.m. semifinal on Wednesday.

The winner of that game will move on to a Saturday championship game to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 6 Sumner Academy (10-10) and No. 11 Leavenworth (7-13).

Seaman freshman Anna Becker (23) and the 15-5 Vikings will open Class 5A sub-state play at home Wednesday in a 6 p.m. semiinal against Salina South. [File photo/TSN]

West sub-state No. 4 -- Seaman is the No. 4 seed at 15-5 and will be looking for its third straight 5A state tournament berth. The Vikings will be at home Wednesday for a 6 p.m. semifinal against No. 13 Salina South (7-13).

The winner will advance to Saturday's sub-state final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 5 Andover Central (15-5) and No. 12 Eisenhower (7-13).

CLASS 5A BOYS

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

TOPEKA WEST (2-17, 2-13) at TOPEKA HIGH (17-2, 14-1)

Topeka High has already clinched a share of the Centennial League championship and can clinch the title outright with a win Friday. Topeka High is coming off a 59-53 non-league loss to perennial state power Bishop Miege while Topeka West is coming off a 47-36 league loss at Highland Park. Senior Tae Thomas led Topeka High with 17 points against Miege while junior Azaryah Duncan and sophomore Zoe Clark led Topeka West with 11 points each against Highland Park.

Highland Park senior Aisya Taylor scored a game-high 15 points in the Scots' 47-36 win over Topeka West Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Washburn Rural sophomore Zoe Canfield scored 19 points in the Junior Blues' 61-14 romp past Junction City on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (17-2, 13-2) at HIGHLAND PARK (4-15, 2-13)

Washburn Rural is coming off a 61-14 Centennial League romp at Junction City while Highland Park has won back-to-back league games, including a 47-36 home win over Topeka West on Tuesday. Senior Aisya Taylor led Highland Park with 15 points against Topeka West while sophomore Victoria Reed and freshman Amelia Ramsey added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Zoe Canfield paced Washburn Rural against Junction City with 19 points.

EMPORIA (15-4, 11-4) at SEAMAN (14-5, 12-4)

Seaman, which has won four straight games and seven of its last eight, faces a tough battle in it regular-season finale, with the No. 6-ranked Vikings (Class 5A) facing off against No. 4-ranked Emporia (5A). Seaman is coming off a 47-40 Centennial League win over Manhattan while Emporia took a 39-21 league win over Hayden in its last game. Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer and freshman Anna Becker scored 21 and 15 points for Seaman against Manhattan. Gracie Gilpin scored 12 points to pace Emporia against Hayden.

TROY (8-12) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (11-7)

Cair Paravel is the first Shawnee County team to open postseason play, hosting Troy in a Class 1A Division I playoff opener. Cair Paravel wrapped up its regular season with a 45-24 win over Bishop Seabury and the Lions have won seven of their last eight games. Troy is coming off a 56-24 loss to Hanover.

HAYDEN (10-9, 7-8) at MANHATTAN (7-12, 6-9)

Both teams are coming off Centennial League losses, with Hayden dropping a 39-21 decision to Emporia and Manhattan falling to Seaman, 47-40. Hayden struggled on the offensive end against Emporia, with senior Macy Smith leading the Wildcats with six points.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (10-9, 4-5) at BASEHOR-LINWOOD (12-7, 7-2)

Both teams are coming off lopsided wins over Turner, with Basehor-Linwood taking a 57-8 United Kansas Conference win over the Bears on Tuesday and Shawnee Heights taking a 50-10 UKC win in a Wednesday makeup game. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer and freshman Anna Becker combined for 36 points Tuesday night as Seaman's girls basketball team posted its fourth straight win, taking a 49-40 Centennial League decision at Manhattan.

Stallbaumer led the Vikings with 21 points while Becker added 15 as Seaman improved to 14-5 overall and 12-4 in the Centennial League.

Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer scored 21 points as Seaman posted its fourth straight win Tuesday night, 49-40 over Manhattan. [File photo/TSN]

Manhattan (7-12, 6-9) led 10-8 at the end of the first quarter but the Vikings took control with a 20-5 second quarter, building a 28-15 halftime advantage.

Manhattan outscored Seaman 25-21 in the second half, but it wasn't enough for the Indians to overcome their halftime deficit.

Seaman, ranked No. 6 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, will close out its regular season on Friday at home against No. 4-ranked (5A) Emporia.

Sophomore Zoe Canfield scored a game-high 19 points in Washburn's 61-14 Centennial League win at Junction City Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 61, JUNCTION CITY 14 -- Washburn Rural, ranked No. 3 in Class 6A, improved to 17-2 overall and 13-2 in the Centennial League with Tuesday's 61-14 league win at Junction City.

Sophomore Zoe Canfield powered Washburn Rural early and finished with 19 points, one of 10 players to crack the scoring column for the Junior Blues.

Canfield was the lone Rural player in double figures as the Junior Blue starters left the game midway through the third quarter. Senior Campbell Bagshaw and sophomore Jada Ingram added eight points each and senior Trenna Whitmore seven points for Rural.

Junction City fell to 2-17, 2-14.

Washburn Rural will finish its regular season at Highland Park on Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden's boys basketball team continued its late-season surge Tuesday night, taking a 52-40 Centennial League road win at Emporia.

The win was the second straight for the Wildcats and their third over the past four games.

Hayden senior Trent Duffey scored 16 points to tie for game-high honors in the Wildcats' 52-40 win over Emporia Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Joe Otting scored 16 points to tie for game-high scoring honors in Hayden's 52-40 win at Emporia Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden, now 6-13 overall and 4-11 in the league, got 16 points apiece from senior Trent Duffey and junior Joe Otting while junior Jake Muller added 14 points.

Hayden ended the game with a 22-10 run to pull away for the victory.

Emporia, which fell to 3-16, 2-13, got 12 points from River Peters and 11 from Parker Leeds.

Hayden will travel to Manhattan on Friday.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Seven Shawnee County basketball teams continue to be ranked in the final 2021-2022 Kansas Basketball Coaches Association state rankings released Tuesday, with Seaman's girls jumping two places in Class 3A after knocking off a pair of state-ranked teams.

Seaman, 13-5 through last week, upset 6A's No. 2-ranked team, Topeka High, and 5A's then-No. 4-ranked Lansing last week and moved from No. 8 to No. 6 in 5A.

 Matt Tinsley's Seaman girls basketball team jumped two places to No. 6 in the final KBCA Class 5A rankings. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake's girls continued to be ranked No. 1 in 3A  while Topeka High and Washburn Rural held the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in the 6A girls rankings behind Olathe North.

Topeka West, which has won 16 straight games, remained No. 2 in the 5A boys rankings while Highland Park slipped two spots to No. 6.

Cair Paravel moved up a spot to No. 7 in the 1A Division I boys rankings.

KANSAS BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION STATE RANKINGS

GIRLS

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

EMPORIA (13-4, 9-4) at TOPEKA WEST (2-15, 2-11)

Emporia is coming off a 63-19 Centennial League victory over Junction City while Topeka West dropped a 53-35 league loss at Hayden on Tuesday. Sophomore Rebecca Bearman and junior Jazmyn Ford both cracked double figures for Topeka West against Hayden, with Bearman scoring 13 points and Ford 11. 

JUNCTION CITY (2-15, 2-12) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-15, 0-13)

The Scots dropped a 43-41 decision to Junction City in the first meeting between the two schools and will be looking to pick up their first Centennial League win. The Blue Jays dropped a 63-19 league decision to Emporia on Tuesday while Highland Park fell at Manhattan, 73-31.

Hayden senior Macy Smith scored a game-high 25 points in the Wildcats' 53-35 Centennial League win over Topeka West Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (16-1, 13-1) at HAYDEN (10-7, 7-6)

Topeka High, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, is coming off its first loss of the season, dropping a 50-42 Centennial League decision at Seaman on Tuesday. Hayden has posted two wins this week, beating Tonganoxie on Monday before taking a 53-35 league decision over Topeka West on Tuesday. Senior Macy Smith paced Hayden against Topeka West with a game-high 25 points.

MANHATTAN (7-10, 6-7) at WASHBURN RURAL (15-2, 11-2)

Washburn Rural, ranked No. 3 in 6A by the KBCA, was off Tuesday after dropping a 46-42 Centennial League decision to No. 2 Topeka High last Friday. Sophomore Zoe Canfield led Rural against High with 14 points and four 3-pointers while senior Emma Krueger added 11 points. Manhattan is coming off a 73-31 league romp past Highland Park on Tuesday.

Sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer scored 19 points in Seaman's 50-42 win over previously-unbeaten Topeka High Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

 LANSING (15-2) at SEAMAN (12-5)

Seaman, ranked No. 8 in 5A by the KBCA, upset previously-unbeaten and No. 2 ranked (6A) Topeka High Tuesday night, 50-42. The Vikings face another tough test Friday, hosting No. 4 (5A) Lansing in a non-league contest. Seaman sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer scored 19 points against Topeka High while freshman Anna Becker added 13 points and was 9 of 9 at the free throw line.

TURNER (3-14, 0-7) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (8-8, 3-4)

Shawnee Heights posted a 56-54 United Kansas Conference road victory at Leavenworth on Tuesday while Turner is coming off a 66-5 loss to De Soto. Junior Emari Doby scored 21 points against Leavenworth while senior Zoe Oczko added 13 points and junior Taylor Rottinghaus 10 for the T-Birds.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (10-7) vs. BISHOP WARD (7-10)

At Kansas City Kansas Community College

The Lions dropped a 41-27 decision to Maranatha Academy on Tuesday while Bishop Ward beat Cristo Rey 63-32 Wednesday night. Senior Jaley Barkley led Cair Paravel with 14 points against Maranatha while freshman Gracie Babbitt added 10 points. The Lions took a 38-27 win over Ward earlier in the season.

RILEY COUNTY (7-9) at ROSSVILLE (10-8)

Rossville took a 59-49 victory over Wabaunsee on Tuesday while Riley County is coming off a 34-30 decision over Council Grove. Sophomore Emma Mitchell led the Bulldawgs with 22 points against Wabaunsee while Kinley Porter added 14.

SILVER LAKE (16-1) at ROCK CREEK (15-3)

Silver Lake has split two earlier games with Rock Creek, with the Mustangs handing the Eagles their lone loss back on Jan.22, taking a 60-55 victory. Silver Lake was off Tuesday after taking a 68-46 win over rival Rossville last Friday. Kaibryn Kruger paced the Eagles with 19 points and five 3-pointers against the Bulldawgs while McKinley Kruger added 14 points and Makenzie McDaniel 13.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks and the Chargers take a one-game lead in the Centennial League race into Friday's home game against Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

EMPORIA (3-14, 2-11) at TOPEKA WEST (16-1, 12-1)

Emporia is coming off a 74-62 Centennial League victory over Junction City on Tuesday while No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West took a 51-48 overtime decision over Hayden. Senior Elijah Brooks scored 25 points for West, including the game-winning 3-pointer. West has now won 15 straight games and holds a one-game lead in the Centennial League race.

JUNCTION CITY (11-7, 8-6) at HIGHLAND PARK (14-3, 11-2) 

No. 4-ranked (5A) Highland Park now trails Topeka West by a game in the Centennial League race after dropping a 52-50 overtime decision at Manhattan on Tuesday. Highland Park will host Topeka West next Tuesday. Junction City is also coming off a loss, dropping a 74-62 league game to Emporia.

Hayden junior Joe Otting (33) scored 20 points on 10 of 13 shooting in the Wildcats' 51-48 overtime loss at Topeka West Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (4-14, 4-10) at HAYDEN (4-13 2-11)

Hayden will be playing its third game of the week, beating Tonganoxie on Monday before dropping a 51-48 overtime heartbreaker at Topeka West on Tuesday. Junior Joe Otting led the Wildcats with 20 points against Topeka West. Topeka High is coming off a 79-44 Centennial League loss at Seaman. The Trojans played without sophomore standout BJ Canady, out with an injury. Senior Matt Flenoy led High with 13 points.

MANHATTAN (6-11, 5-8) at WASHBURN RURAL (8-9, 7-6)

Manhattan is coming off a big 52-50 overtime Centennial League victory over Highland Park Tuesday night. Washburn Rural was off Tuesday night after taking a 60-35 Centennial League win at Topeka High last Friday. Senior Quincey Kidd led Washburn Rural with 14 points while Jack Bachelor added 12 points and Wyatt Conklin 11 for the Junior Blues.

 LANSING (8-9) at SEAMAN (10-7)

Seaman has won its last two games, over Hayden and Topeka High, by an average of 32.5 points. The Vikings are coming off a 79-44 Centennial League win over the Trojans on Tuesday night, with junior Kaeden Bonner leading the way with a game-high 26 points and six 3-pointers. Mateo Hyman and Ty Henry added 12 points each for Seaman.

TURNER (0-12, 0-6) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (11-5, 4-3)

Shawnee Heights snapped a four-game losing streak with a 71-63 United Kansas Conference road victory at Leavenworth Tuesday night. Sophomore Brennon Dodge led the T-Birds with 18 points, including three 3-pointers, while Jayden Moore and Jaret Sanchez added 12 points apiece and Deacon Pomeroy 10. Heights took an 82-58 win over the Bears in the first meeting between the two schools.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (13-4) vs. BISHOP WARD (13-4)

At Kansas City Kansas Community College

Cair Paravel, ranked No. 8 in 1A Division I by the KBCA, will be out to avenge a 67-41 loss to the Cyclones earlier in the season. The Lions are coming off a 72-57 win over Maranatha Academy on Tuesday while Ward is coming off a 69-33 victory over Cristo Rey. Senior Zach Clark scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Cair Paravel against Maranatha while senior Noah Hastert had 19 points and 17 rebounds and blocked six shots.

RILEY COUNTY (4-13) at ROSSVILLE (3-15)

Rossville is coming off a 58-49 loss to state-ranked Wabaunsee while Riley County dropped a 58-53 decision to Council Grove. Freshman Tayson Horak scored 15 points for Rossville on five 3-pointers against Wabaunsee while junior Kade Perine added 13 points.

SILVER LAKE (6-11) at ROCK CREEK (7-11)

Silver Lake was off Tuesday after dropping a 46-43 decision to rival Rossville last Friday. Rock Creek is coming off a 54-45 win over Chapman.Luke Womack scored nine points and Troy Heiman seven for the Eagles in the loss to Rossville.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Topeka West senior Elijah Brooks and the Chargers take a one-game lead in the Centennial League race into Friday's home game against Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

EMPORIA (3-14, 2-11) at TOPEKA WEST (16-1, 12-1)

Emporia is coming off a 74-62 Centennial League victory over Junction City on Tuesday while No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West took a 51-48 overtime decision over Hayden. Senior Elijah Brooks scored 25 points for West, including the game-winning 3-pointer. West has now won 15 straight games and holds a one-game lead in the Centennial League race.

JUNCTION CITY (11-7, 8-6) at HIGHLAND PARK (14-3, 11-2) 

No. 4-ranked (5A) Highland Park now trails Topeka West by a game in the Centennial League race after dropping a 52-50 overtime decision at Manhattan on Tuesday. Highland Park will host Topeka West next Tuesday. Junction City is also coming off a loss, dropping a 74-62 league game to Emporia.

Hayden junior Joe Otting (33) scored 20 points on 10 of 13 shooting in the Wildcats' 51-48 overtime loss at Topeka West Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (4-14, 4-10) at HAYDEN (4-13 2-11)

Hayden will be playing its third game of the week, beating Tonganoxie on Monday before dropping a 51-48 overtime heartbreaker at Topeka West on Tuesday. Junior Joe Otting led the Wildcats with 20 points against Topeka West. Topeka High is coming off a 79-44 Centennial League loss at Seaman. The Trojans played without sophomore standout BJ Canady, out with an injury. Senior Matt Flenoy led High with 13 points.

MANHATTAN (6-11, 5-8) at WASHBURN RURAL (8-9, 7-6)

Manhattan is coming off a big 52-50 overtime Centennial League victory over Highland Park Tuesday night. Washburn Rural was off Tuesday night after taking a 60-35 Centennial League win at Topeka High last Friday. Senior Quincey Kidd led Washburn Rural with 14 points while Jack Bachelor added 12 points and Wyatt Conklin 11 for the Junior Blues.

 LANSING (8-9) at SEAMAN (10-7)

Seaman has won its last two games, over Hayden and Topeka High, by an average of 32.5 points. The Vikings are coming off a 79-44 Centennial League win over the Trojans on Tuesday night, with junior Kaeden Bonner leading the way with a game-high 26 points and six 3-pointers. Mateo Hyman and Ty Henry added 12 points each for Seaman.

TURNER (0-12, 0-6) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (11-5, 4-3)

Shawnee Heights snapped a four-game losing streak with a 71-63 United Kansas Conference road victory at Leavenworth Tuesday night. Sophomore Brennon Dodge led the T-Birds with 18 points, including three 3-pointers, while Jayden Moore and Jaret Sanchez added 12 points apiece and Deacon Pomeroy 10. Heights took an 82-58 win over the Bears in the first meeting between the two schools.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (13-4) vs. BISHOP WARD (13-4)

At Kansas City Kansas Community College

Cair Paravel, ranked No. 8 in 1A Division I by the KBCA, will be out to avenge a 67-41 loss to the Cyclones earlier in the season. The Lions are coming off a 72-57 win over Maranatha Academy on Tuesday while Ward is coming off a 69-33 victory over Cristo Rey. Senior Zach Clark scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Cair Paravel against Maranatha while senior Noah Hastert had 19 points and 17 rebounds and blocked six shots.

RILEY COUNTY (4-13) at ROSSVILLE (3-15)

Rossville is coming off a 58-49 loss to state-ranked Wabaunsee while Riley County dropped a 58-53 decision to Council Grove. Freshman Tayson Horak scored 15 points for Rossville on five 3-pointers against Wabaunsee while junior Kade Perine added 13 points.

SILVER LAKE (6-11) at ROCK CREEK (7-11)

Silver Lake was off Tuesday after dropping a 46-43 decision to rival Rossville last Friday. Rock Creek is coming off a 54-45 win over Chapman.Luke Womack scored nine points and Troy Heiman seven for the Eagles in the loss to Rossville.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights' boys basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak with Tuesday's 71-63 United Kansas Conference win at Leavenworth while clinching a winning season.

Shawnee Heights improved to 11-5 after winning just six games a year ago as four T-Birds scored in double figures.

Sophomore Brennon Dodge scored 18 points with three 3-pointers in Shawnee Heights' 71-63 UKC win over Leavenworth Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

Sophomore Brennon Dodge led Shawnee Heights, 4-3 in the UKC, with 18 points, while sophomore Jayden Moore and sophomore Dylan Sanchez both added 12 points and freshman Deacon Pomeroy 10 points.

Dodge hit three 3-pointers on the night while Moore went 7 of 8 at the free throw line.

The T-Birds led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and 32-24 at the half before opening up a double-digit advantage (53-38) with a 21-14 third quarter.

The Pioneers outscored Heights 25-18 in the fourth quarter but the T-Birds held on for the win.

Shawnee Heights will be at home Thursday to host Piper in a non-league game.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS GIRLS 56, LEAVENWORTH 54 --Shawnee Heights held on for a 56-54 United Kansas Conference road win over Leavenworth in a game that was tight throughout.

The T-Birds, who improved to 8-8, 3-4, was led by junior Emari Doby with 21 points while senior Zoe Oczko added 12 points, junior Taylor Rottinghaus 10 points and senior Abby Schulte nine.

Rottinghaus provided a lift for Shawnee Heights, which played without sophomore starter Breezy Canady, who missed the game due to illness.

The T-Birds will be back in action Thursday, hosting Piper in a non-league contest.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Seven Shawnee County basketball teams continue to be ranked in the latest Kansas Basketball Coaches Association state rankings released Tuesday, with Silver Lake's girls continuing to hold the No. 1 spot in Class 3A.

Topeka West, which has won 14 straight games, remained No. 2 in the 5A boys rankings while Highland Park is No. 4.

Cair Paravel is No. 8 in the 1A Division I boys rankings.

Topeka High and Washburn Rural are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the 6A girls rankings behind Olathe North.

Seaman remains No. 8 spot in the 5A girls rankings.

KANSAS BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION STATE RANKINGS

GIRLS