Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

The Rossville girls and Cair Paravel Latin boys basketball teams got tournament week off to a rousing start with a pair of big wins on Monday.

Rossville opened its girls title bid in the Jefferson County North Invitational with a 60-22 first-round win over the tournament hosts while Cair Paravel's boys rolled to a 64-30 first-round win over West Franklin in the Flint Hills League tournament at Emporia's White Auditorium.

Senior Rylee Dick scored 27 points Monday against JCN to move into the No. 3 spot on Rossville's all-time scoring list. [File photo/TSN]

Lady Bulldawg senior Rylee Dick scored 27 points in Rossville's win over JCN, moving into the No. 3 spot on Rossville's career scoring list with 1,281 points.

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek added 23 points as the Bulldawgs advanced to a 6 p.m. semifinal on Wednesday.

Cair Paravel's boys, playing West Franklin for the second straight game, took control early with a 19-7 first quarter before opening up a 39-16 halftime advantage.

Blaine Durbin led Cair Paravel with 17 points while Lucas Marichal added 14 points and Caleb Cleverson 13 with three 3-pointers.

Now 9-2 on the season, CPLS will play a semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Lyndon.

Other area tournament pairings:

TOPEKA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

BOYS

At Highland Park

Thursday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High vs. Shawnee Mission East.

5 -- Lansing vs. Shawnee Mission North.

6:30 -- Topeka West vs. St. Thomas Aquinas.

8 -- Highland Park vs. Wichita Northwest.

Friday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High-SM East loser vs. Lansing-SM North loser.

5 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas loser vs. High-Wichita Northwest loser.

6:30 -- Topeka High-East winner vs. Lansing-SM North winner.

8 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas winner vs. Highland Park-Wichita Northwest winner.

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Fifth place (main gym); Seventh place (South gym).

11:30 -- Third place.

1 p.m. -- Championship.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Highland Park will host the 65th annual Topeka Invitational Tournament Thursday through Saturday, with Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West's boys teams taking part in the event.

 

Christian Ulsaker's Topeka West Chargers are the No. 1 city seed for this week's Topeka Invitational Tournament at Highland Park. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High, 6-5, will open the tournament at 3:30 p.m. Thursday against Shawnee Mission East (6-5).

Lansing (3-6) and Shawnee Mission North (6-3) are on the same side of the bracket with Topeka High and SM North and will play a first-round game at 5 p.m.

The Topeka High- SM East winner will face the Lansing-SM North winner in a 6:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

Topeka West, 8-2 entering a Tuesday United Kansas Conference home game against Basehor-Linwood, will open its tournament bid at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against St. Thomas Aquinas (3-8).

Host Highland Park (3-7) will close out the first round at 8 p.m. Thursday against Wichita Northwest (5-6), with the Highland Park-Northwest winner advancing to an 8 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face the Topeka West-Aquinas winner.

The tournament will conclude on Saturday, starting with the seventh and fifth-place games at 10 a.m. in separate gyms, followed by the third-place game at 11:30 and the championship contest at 1 p.m.

TOPEKA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
 
At Highland Park

Thursday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High vs. Shawnee Mission East.

5 -- Lansing vs. Shawnee Mission North.

6:30 -- Topeka West vs. St. Thomas Aquinas.

8 -- Highland Park vs. Wichita Northwest.

Friday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High-SM East loser vs. Lansing-SM North loser.

5 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas loser vs. High-Wichita Northwest loser.

6:30 -- Topeka High-East winner vs. Lansing-SM North winner.

8 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas winner vs. Highland Park-Wichita Northwest winner.

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Fifth place (main gym); Seventh place (South gym).

11:30 -- Third place.

1 p.m. -- Championship.

Hayden boys to compete at Baldwin

Hayden, 4-8 on the season, will compete in the four-school Baldwin Invitational round-robin event this week, opening its tournament bid at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday against Wellsville (5-5).

The Wildcats will play Bishop Seabury (7-2) at 5:30 Friday and will wrap things up 2:30 p.m. Saturday against host Baldwin (9-2).

BALDWIN INVITATIONAL

Tuesday

5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Wellsville.

7 -- Baldwin vs. Bishop Seabury.

Friday

5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Bishop Seabury.

7 -- Baldwin vs. Wellsville.

Saturday

1 p.m. -- Wellsville vs. Bishop Seabury.

2:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Baldwin.

Rural boys headed to Pittsburg

Washburn Rural (7-3) will compete this week in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg, opening with a 4 p.m. first-round game on Thursday against Branson, Mo. in Pittsburg's secondary gym.

Also on Rural's side of the tournament bracket are Olathe North and Willard, Mo., who will play at 7 p.m. Thursday.

On the other side of the bracket Webster Groves, Mo. will face Joplin, Mo. and host Pittsburg will take on Wichita West.

The Rural-Branson winner will play the Olathe North-Willard winner in a 4:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

The place games will be played on Saturday, capped by the championship game at 2:30 p.m.

BILL HANSON MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
 
At Pittsburg
 
Thursday

4 p.m. -- Washburn Rural vs. Branson, Mo. (Mallatt gym).

5:30 -- Webster Groves, Mo. vs. Joplin, Mo. (main gym).

7 -- Olathe North vs. Willard, Mo. (Mallatt gym).

8:30 -- Pittsburg. vs. Wichita West (main gym). 

Friday

3 -- Consolation semifinal (Mallatt gym).

4:30 p.m. -- Washburn Rural-Branson winner vs. Olathe North-Willard winner (main gym);

6 -- Consolation semifinal (Mallatt gym).

7:30 -- Pittsburg-Wichita West winner vs. Webster Grove-Joplin winner (main gym).

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Seventh place (Mallatt gym).

11:30 -- Third place (main gym)

1 p.m. -- Fifth place (Mallatt gym).

2:30 p.m. -- Championship game (main gym).

T-Bird boys to compete in Viking Classic

Shawnee Heights, now 7-4, will open competition in the Shawnee Mission West Viking Classic with a 7:30 p.m. Thursday quarterfinal against Blue Valley North (4-4).

Shawnee Heights is coming off a 70-62 non-league road win at Gardner-Edgerton on Saturday.

The T-Birds trailed 35-33 at the half against the Trailblazers but took control with a 20-10 third quarter. 

The Shawnee Heights-BV North winner will advance to a 7:30 semifinal on Friday to take on the first-round winner between Glendale, Mo. and Shawnee Mission West.

On the other side of the bracket Andover Central will play Louisburg in the first round and Raymore-Peculiar, Mo. will play Aurora, Mo. 

The place games will be played on Saturday, with the title game set for 3 p.m.

SHAWNEE MISSION WEST VIKING CLASSIC

Thursday

3 p.m. -- Andover Central vs. Louisburg, 3 p.m.

4:30 -- Raymore-Peculiar, Mo. vs. Aurora, Mo.

6 -- Glendale, Mo. vs. SM West.

7:30 -- Blue Valley North. vs. Shawnee Heights.

Friday

3 p.m. -- Andover Central-Louisburg loser vs. Raymore-Peculiar, Mo.-Aurora, Mo. loser.

4:30 -- Glendale, Mo.-SM West loser vs Blue Valley North-Shawnee Heights loser.

6 -- Andover Central-Louisburg winner vs. Raymore-Peculiar, Mo.-Aurora, Mo. winner.

7:30 -- Glendale, Mo.-SM West winner vs. Blue Valley North-Shawnee Heights winner.

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Seventh place.

11:30 -- Fifth place.

1 p.m. -- Third place.

2:30 -- Championship game.

By CHARLES SPURLOCK

Special to TopSports.news

A non-conference city girls basketball matchup took place on Thursday night at Shawnee Heights between the host T-Birds and the Scots of Highland Park, with Heights in control from the opening jump and winning convincingly, 64-27.

Shawnee Heights senior Reianna Vega scored 12 points in Thursday's 64-27 win over city rival Highland Park. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game, led by senior Reianna Vega’s seven points. Highland Park scored their only point of the first quarter on a free throw from junior Zayah Kincade with 5:29 remaining in the first stanza.

The Thunderbirds scored the final five points of the quarter to take a commanding 15-1 lead into the second quarter.

The 5-0 run that ended the first quarter was extended to 21-0 over the first seven minutes and thirty seconds of the second quarter, giving the T-Birds a 31-1 lead with thirty seconds remaining in the first half. The Scots scored  5 points in the last 25 seconds to trail 31-6 at halftime. 

The third quarter saw the Lady Scots warm up from the field by scoring 15 points in the quarter, led by juniors Mi’Luv Cosey and Kincade with 6 points each. But the T-Birds continued their efficient offense, scoring 21 in the quarter and led 52-21 heading to the final quarter. 

With the lead at 31, the running clock was in effect for the final eight minutes. The T-Birds emptied their bench early in the quarter and went on to pick up the 37-point victory.

Senior Reianna Vega scored 12 points to lead Shawnee Heights and junior KK Emmot finished with 10 points.

The Lady Scots also had two in double figures, with Cosey leading the way with 12 points -- all on 3-pointers -- and Kincade dropping in 10 points.

Shawnee Heights moved to 8-3 on the season and will be in action next Friday (1/23) on the road at Topeka West. Highland Park fe;; to 3-6 on the season and will host Kansas City-Harmon on Friday.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 64, HIGHLAND PARK 27

Highland Park        1 5 15 6 -- 27

Shawnee Heights 15 16 21 11 -- 64

Highland Park (3-6) -- Cosey 4-11 0-0 12, Kincade 3-14 1-2 10, Jones 0-3 0-0 0, Barnett 0-1 0-0 0, Atkins 0-2 0-2 0, Cameron 0-0 0-0 0, Inyard 1-4 0-0 3, Mitchell 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Williams-Sanders 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 9-37 1-4 27.

Shawnee Heights (8-3) -- Emmot 3-9 2-3 10, McGlory 3-7 0-0 8, Carter 2-4 4-4 8, Baum 3-5 2-2 9, Vega 5-9 0-0 12, Brees 1-4 0-2 3, Aubrey Hamilton 3-3 0-2 6, Schmidt 0-1 0-0 0, Pierce 1-4 0-0 2, Allie Hamilton 0-0 0-0 0, Carlisle 3-5 0-2 6. Totals 24-51 8-15 64.

3-point goals -- Highland Park 8 (Cosey 4, Kincade 3, Inyard), Shawnee Heights 8 (Emmot 2, McGlory 2, Vega 2, Baum, Brees). Total Fouls -- Highland Park 17, Shawnee Heights 12. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none. 

By CHARLES SPURLOCK

Special to TopSports.news

Two city boys basketball teams battled on Thursday night at Shawnee Heights as the host T-Birds took a 76-53 non-conference victory over Highland Park.

Junior Cam Ross led Shawnee Heights with a game-high 28 points in Thursday's 76-53 non-league win over city rival Highland Park.

The first four minutes of the game saw both teams trade buckets and Shawnee Heights led 10-8. But the T-Birds went on a 12-3 run to build a 22-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Junior Cam Ross scored the first basket of the second quarter and the T-Birds extended their lead to 28-11 before the Scots were able to score. The teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the quarter and Shawnee Heights took a 41-27 lead into the halftime break.

Both teams were very efficient on offense in the third quarter, with the T-Birds outscoring the Scots, 21-18.

Senior Ja’Veon Alston scored eight points for the T-Birds in the quarter while fellow senior JaiMarion Cook dropped in five. The Scots had two players score six points each in the quarter -- juniors G’honi Montgomery and JoJo Kingcannon.

Shawnee Heights led 62-45 going into the final quarter and were able to empty their bench over the final two minutes while capping the 23-point victory.

The T-Birds finished the game shooting 28 of 42 from the field for 67 percent and 60 percent from the 3-point line (9 of 15).

The T-Birds were led by three in double figures -- Ross with 28 points, Alston with 16 and Cook with 13.

The Scots had two in double figures, led by Kingcannon with 22 points while Ke’Sioun Drew dropped in 12.

Shawnee Heights improved to 6-4 on the season and will be in action on Saturday with a road game at Gardner-Edgerton. Highland Park fell to 2-7 on the season and will play at home Friday against Kansas City-Harmon.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 76, HIGHLAND PARK 53

Highland Park      11 16 18 8 -- 53

Shawnee Heights 22 19 21 14 -- 76

Highland Park (2-7) -- Anderson 1-8 0-0 2, Montgomery 0-1 3-6 3, Drew 4-13 0-0 12, Mitchell 2-4 1-2 6, Kingcannon 10-17 0-1 22, L. McMillon 0-2 0-0 0, Pollard 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 1-1 1-2 4, Nance 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 20-49 5-11 53.

Shawnee Heights (6-4) -- Alston 5-9 4-6 16, Cook 5-6 0-0 13, Ross 10-16 5-6 28, Scott 3-4 2-2 9, Wallace 2-4 0-0 4, Lee 1-1 0-0 2, Halloran 1-1 0-0 2, Becker 0-0 0-0 0, Vega 0-0 0-0 0, Terrell 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 28-42 11-14 76.

3-point goals -- Highland Park 8 (Drew 4, Kingcannon 2, Mitchell, Smith), Shawnee Heights 9 (Cook 3, Ross 3, Alston 2, Scott). Total fouls -- Highland Park 14, Shawnee Heights 15. Fouled out -- L. McMillon. Technical fouls -- none. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TREY DONATH, Shawnee Heights -- A junior two-time first-team All-City pick, Donath helped Shawnee Heights win its first-ever boys Class 5A team bowling championship in 2024 and helped the T-Birds return to state last season. Donath rolled a 614 series at the 2025 state meet to finish 28th as Heights finished fifth as a team. Donath shot a 542 series in regional competition as Heights advanced to state with a third-place team finish. Donath shot a 603 series in the city tournament as Shawnee Heights finished second as a team.

ANDREW FAUROT, Washburn Rural --Faurot, a junior, was a second-team All-City selection in 2025 after helping Washburn Rural post a fifth-place team finish in Class 6A and capture city and regional team championships. Faurot shot a 587 in the state tournament after finishing third in 6A regional competition with a 679 series. 

Dylan Hunt, Seaman [File photo/TSN]   

DYLAN HUNT, Seaman -- A junior, Hunt was a second-team All-City pick last season. Hunt finished fifth in the United Kansas Conference tournament with a 663 three-game series and he posted a sixth-place finish in the city championships with a 649 series before rolling a 618 series in Class 5A regional competition.

Kelton Meier, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]  

KELTON MEIER, Hayden -- Meier, a junior, helped Hayden capture its first-ever state bowling championship, rolling a 604 three-game series to finish 21st as the Wildcats won the title by 95 pins. Meier shot a 633 series in 4A-1A regional competition to finish sixth as Hayden won the regional title by 213 pins. Meier captured the Centennial League individual title with a 675 series as the Wildcats finished second as a team. A first-team All-City pick, Meier finished ninth in the city meet with a 632 series. Meier averaged 213 with a high series of 706 last season and opened the 2026 season on Tuesday in Hayden's quadrangular with a 785 series, capped by a perfect 300 game in his third game.

Henry Schattilly, Shawnee Heights [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

HENRY SCHATTILLY, Shawnee Heights -- After helping Shawnee Heights win its first-ever boys Class 5A team bowling championship in 2024, Schattilly, a senior, helped the T-Birds return to state this past season. Schattilly shot a 579 series at state as Heights finished fifth in the team race. Schattilly rolled a 672 series at regionals to place sixth and lead the T-Birds to a third-place team finish. Schattilly posted an 11th-place finish in the United Kansas Conference tournament with a 625 series as the T-Birds finished second as a team. Schattilly placed third individually in the city tournament with a 658 series for runnerup Shawnee Heights. A first-team All-City selection, Schattilly averaged 212 last season with a high series of 693 and a perfect 300 game.

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights boys basketball was in danger of letting a 25-point lead get away Tuesday night, but the T-Birds were able to hold off No. 7-ranked Piper in the final seconds for a 72-70 home United Kansas Conference victory.

JaiMarion Cook led Shawnee Heights with 25 points in Tuesday's 72-70 UKC win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]

The two programs have had their battles with one another over the last couple of years, especially in the state tournament, and Heights was able to snap a five-game losing streak to Piper.

“The first half was great and we were beating a great team by over 20 points,'' Shawnee Heights coach Ken Darting said. "We played great, but these guys get tired, missing free throws, turning the ball over, the shot comes up short. We can’t work any harder, I promise you, we just got to get more guys playing.''

Darting said the T-Birds currently have a small rotation and when they play a game like Tuesday's, players get gassed. Ja'Veon Alston started cramping and while freshman Quincy Dixon left the game after falling hard on his back drawing a foul early in the game.

“First half I thought we played great, we played as a team,'' Heights senior JaiMarion Cook said. "The whole season we’ve had a problem with closing games. Every game we’ve lost has come by single digits. We just got to learn how to stay poised as a team and I trusted in my teammates tonight and that’s why we got the win.''

Senior Aiden Scott scored the first seven points for SHHS after hitting a triple, putting them up 7-2. Piper would draw within one at 11-10 but that’s the closest they got for the remainder of the half.

Cook hit a 3-pointer with four seconds left in the first quarter off an assist from junior Cam Ross to put the T-Birds up 21-13.

Cook then took off, scoring 11 of the 13 points in the second quarter, while hitting two 3s, putting Heights up 27-17. About a minute later, off an offensive rebound, Alston put one off the window, forcing the Pirates into a timeout with 3:21 left in the half after Heights claimed its biggest lead, 29-17.

Cook went on to score five points down the stretch of the quarter, hitting three 3s in the right corner pocket, helping SHHS to an eight point lead at halftime, 34-26.

In the second half, Cook picked up where he left off, hitting another shot from distance to put the T-Birds in front 39-28 and Heights kept increasing its lead. Alston scored in transition off a turnover that caused Piper to call a timeout with 5:19 left in the third quarter.

The T-Birds got their lead up to 25, 57-32, after another Cook 3 and headed into the fourth quarter up 58-42.

But then the Pirates pressed, trapped and doubled teamed anytime they could to cut the deficit and they accomplished that goal, getting it down to a 60-52 game until Ross hit two free throws to put it back up to 10.

“For me it was how I can keep this team together?” Cook said. “How can I keep us all calm because we’ve been in these situations so many times and this game was the first time we got one of these done. I was trying to get my teammates all on the same page. During free throws, I was talking to each one of them on how we have to communicate.”

Piper brought it down to just two with 1:39 left in the game after converting a three-point play, 66-64, but then Ross and Alston put up four straight for the T-Birds as they led 70-66. But then Piper would score again, making it a two-point game.

It was getting loud and the tension was growing knowing the stakes of this game and recent history. Cooper Crawford for Piper drove in for a two-hand flush as SHHS led 71-70. Ross was then fouled off the inbounds play, made one of two free throws with about 10 seconds left and Piper couldn’t get a shot off as time expired.

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights' girls basketball team avenged its only United Kansas Conference loss of the season Tuesday night, postin a 63-56 home victory over Piper.

“Majority of the time, we kept the ball moving and any time they would try to come double, we would move the ball out of their double teams and a lot of times we got layups because of it,'' Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells said. "I just liked their overall composure.

“We made substitutions to keep the girls fresh and avoid turnovers and came back and held their composure,which is a testament to them.” 

“I liked how everyone just stayed calm and we knew that we worked on it and we knew that we had to do what we did in practice,” said junior KK Emmot, who led the T-Birds with 15 points.

Emmot started out strong in the first quarter, nabbing the game's first bucket and would push SHHS out to an early 6-2 lead.

Piper’s Giuliana Benedetto hit a triple to make it 6-5 but Emmot’s 3-pointer later in the quarter from the top of the key made it 11-5 and the T-Birds led by six after one quarter.

Both teams were playing 2-3 zone on defense, which caused some fits for both teams creating turnovers and rushed possessions. The T-Birds were able to get out and run a little bit when getting a steal and lead to some points on the other end.

Piper’s Faith McCallop trimmed Shawnee Heights' lead to two at 16-14 after a mid-range jumper, with the Pirates going on a mini 6-2 run.

One thing that helped Shawnee Heights stay ahead in the first half was offensive rebounds and creating second chances. Senior Reianna Vega was one example, following the shot of senior Aubrey Hamilton in the paint and banking it off the glass for two.

“That was something we had talked about, that I thought that rebounding was going to be a big part of this game,” Wells said. “I think our girls took that to heart and we did a good job rebounding for the majority of the time.”

After a steal from Emmot, the T-Birds were able to run in transition as freshman Bijou Schmidt finished for a bucket, pushing the lead to seven, 23-16.

Emmot nailed another trey to give Heights a 26-18 advantage with three minutes left before halftime. In the winding seconds of the quarter, both teams traded buckets and SHHS led 29-25.

The third quarter was Vega’s quarter, scoring six straight, but and despite a brief cold spell, the T-Birds took a 39-32 lead.

Shawnee Heights extended its lead with a Imani McGlory 3-pointer off an inbounds play on the left wing and then SHHS forced a turnover, leading to another bucket from the senior, with the T-Birds reaching a 13 point lead at 46-33 and going into the fourth up 46-35.

In the fourth, Piper went on a 8-0 run, forcing Wells to call a timeout with 6:18 left.

Emmot picked up her fourth foul shortly after the timeout and had to sit for a couple of minutes to avoid the fifth foul.

But Heights was able to stave off the Pirates, asMcGlory hit a clutch 3 with 4:45 to stop the Piper run, 53-45.

After that, junior Permella Carter put the nail in the coffin with a baseline floater and then it became the foul game for Piper as the T-Birds picked up their seventh win of the season.

“Everyone was hype because practically beating them means we win the league pretty much and that’s our goal and we knew we had to beat them to get there,” Emmot said.

“Everyone of them had opportunities and took advantage of it whether it was a perimeter shot or taking it to the basket and it was a great team effort in practice and in the game to get this win,” Wells said. 

Emmot led the T-Birds with 15, while McGlory and Carter both had 13 points and Vega added 12.

Piper's Faith McCallop led all scorers with 28 points for Piper and Brylee Gerber added 11.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 63, PIPER 56

Piper                        8 17 10 21 – 56

Shawnee Heights 14 15 17 17 – 63

Piper (6-3, 5-1) – Benedetto 3 0-0 6, McPerson 1 0-0 2, F. McCallop 9 8-12 28, H. McCallop 1 0-2 2, Hollinshed 3 1-4 7, Gerber 4 2-2 11.

Shawnee Heights (7-3, 6-1) – Emmot 6 1-2 15, Brees 1 0-0 2, McGlory 5 1-2 13, Schmidt 1 0-0 2, Carter 3 7-10 13, Baum 2 2-4 6, Vega 6 0-0 12.

3-point goals – Piper 3 (F McCallop 2, Gerber 1), Shawnee Heights 4 (Emmot 2, McGlory 2). Total fouls – Piper 17, Shawnee Heights 17. Fouled out – none. Technical foul -- none.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden

TOPEKA HIGH (3-5, 0-1 Centennial) at HAYDEN (8-2, 2-0 Centennial)

Hayden is coming off a 38-35 Centennial League win at Washburn Rural last Friday while Topeka High had its three-game winning streak snapped by league foe Manhattan, 67-55. Sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein led Hayden with 17 points, including three 3-pointers, against Rural while senior Lauren Borjon added 8 points with a pair of 3s. Junior Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton led Topeka High with 21 points against Manhattan while sophomore Hailey Caryl added 17 points with three 3-pointers.  

SEAMAN (5-2, 5-1 Centennial) at TOPEKA WEST (1-7, 0-6 Centennial)

Seaman is coming off a 54-12 United Kansas Conference win over Lansing last Friday while Topeka West dropped a 69-36 conference decision at Basehor-Linwood. Junior Brynn Spencer led Seaman with 15 points against Lansing while Baylee Ayres and Lydia Dreher added 10 points. Seaman took a 45-26 win over Topeka West on Dec. 12. The Chargers will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Koralee Jones, Highland Park 

KANSAS CITY-SUMNER (2-6, 2-4 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-5, 1-2 Meadowlark)

Highland Park dropped a 66-42 Meadowlark Conference decision to Atchison last Friday while KC-Sumner is coming off a 76-7 loss to KC-Wyandotte. Koralee Jones and Zayah Kincaid paced Highland Park with 14 points apiece against Atchison, with Kincaid draining three 3-pointers.

PIPER (6-2, 5-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (6-3, 5-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights rolled to a 53-22 United Kansas Conference win over Leavenworth last Friday while league-leading Piper is coming off a 69-34 non-league loss to Blue Valley Northwest. T-Bird senior Imani McGlory scored 18 points with four 3-pointers against Leavenworth while juniors Pearmella Carter and KK Emmot scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. Piper handed Shawnee Heights its lone UKC loss on Dec. 9, 50-45.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

Bryson McComas, Topeka High

TOPEKA HIGH (4-4, 0-1) at HAYDEN (3-7, 0-2)

Both the Trojans and Wildcats will be looking to bounce back from Friday night losses, with Topeka High dropping a 70-63 home Centennial League decision to Manhattan and Hayden dropping its second straight league game, a 79-62 decision at Washburn Rural. Mar'saun Redmond led Topeka High with 16 points against Manhattan while Jalen Aldridge and Bryson McComas added 14 points apiece. Carter Compton scored 20 points for Hayden against Washburn Rural while Connor Hanika added 15 points.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

Gad Munganga, Topeka West

SEAMAN (6-1, 5-1) at TOPEKA WEST (7-1, 6-0)

No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West will host No. 5 Seaman in a key United Kansas Conference matchup. Seaman senior star KaeVon Bonner is coming off a 42-point performance in Friday's 65-46 UKC win at Lansing while Landon Wiltz added 10 points and Griffin Zuniga 9. West is coming off a 56-45 conference win at Basehor-Linwood, with senior guard Gad Munganga pacing the Chargers with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Senior Keimani Paul added 12 points and junior Prince Lassiter 10.

JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park

KANSAS CITY-SUMNER (4-5, 2-2) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-5, 2-1)

Highland Park played No. 2-ranked (Class 4A) Atchison tough in a 57-51 Meadowlark Conference home loss Friday night. Junior JoJo Kingcannon led the Scots with 18 points. Highland Park will be facing a KC-Sumner team that is coming off a 59-40 Meadowlark loss to KC-Wyandotte, a team Highland Park beat earlier in the season. 

PIPER (5-3, 3-2) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-4, 3-3)

Shawnee Heights jumped out to a 35-5 halftime lead on the way to a 60-24 home United Kansas Conference win last Friday while Piper is coming off a non-league loss to Lincon Prep, Mo. Freshman Quincy Dixon led the T-Birds with 19 points while junior Cam Ross added 18 points and senior Ja'Veon Alston 13.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

CAMRYNN AHRENS, Washburn Rural -- A senior, Ahrens earned second-team All-City recognition for the second straight season in 2025 after helping the Junior Blues post a third-place team finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Ahrens shot a 536 three-game series at state after finishing third in 6A regional competition with a 616 series as the Junior Blues won the regional team crown by 341 pins. Ahrens finished fourth in the Centennial League meet for the team-champion Junior Blues with a 534 series.

Leah Crowford, Seaman [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

LEAH CRAWFORD, Seaman -- Crawford, a sophomore, placed 22nd individually in her first Class 5A state tournament with a 532 series last season, helping Seaman finish third in the team standings. Crawford, who averaged 182 on the season, won a 5A regional individual championship with a 630 series as Seaman captured the team crown by 514 pins, finished eighth in the United Kansas Conference with a 568 series as the Vikings won the team title by 334 pins and shot a 522 series in the city tournament to finish 12th individually for the team-champion Vikings.

Megan Glinka, Washburn Rural [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

MEGAN GLINKA, Washburn Rural -- A junior, Glinka earned first-team All-City honors for the second straight season after placing 26th at state with a 554 series to help Washburn Rural finish third as a team in the 2025 Class 6A state tournament. Glinka recorded a 561 series to place 12th in regional competition for team-champion Rural. Glinka garnered the Centennial League individual championship with a 597 series as the Junior Blues won the team title and shot a 525 in the city tournament to place 11th as Rural finished second as a team. Glinka averaged 191 on the season with a high game of 276 and a high series of 713.

Claire LaDuke, Seaman [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

CLAIRE LADUKE, Seaman -- LaDuke, a senior, placed eighth in the 2025 Class 5A state tournament with a 582 three-game series, helping lead the Vikings to the third-place team trophy. LaDuke was third at regionals with a 581 series as Seaman won the championship by 514 pins. LaDuke finished ninth in the United Kansas Conference with a 558 series as the Vikings won the team title by 334 pins and rolled a 569 series in the city tournament to place fourth as Seaman won the city team title. LaDuke earned first-team All-State honors in Class 5A from the Kansas Bowling Coaches Association, averaging 201 on the season with a high series of 673 and a high game of 257.

Kenzie Lawson, Washburn Rural [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

KENZIE LAWSON, Washburn Rural -- Lawson, a senior, earned first-team All-City honors for the first time in 2025 after helping the Junior Blues post a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Lawson posted a 10th-place individual finish in the state meet with a 621 three-game series. Lawson rolled a 597 series to place sixth at regionals for team-champion Rural and finished eighth with a 503 series in the Centennial League for team-champion Rural. Lawson shot a 545 series in the city tournament to place ninth as Rural finished second as a team. Lawson averaged 180 on the season. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Brooks Ballard

BROOKS BALLARD, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 sophomore boys basketball standout, Ballard connected on 7 of 10 field goal attempts, including six 3-pointers, and went four of four at the free throw line for a career-high 24-point night in Friday's 79-62 home Centennial League victory over Hayden, helping the Junior Blues improve to 7-2 on the season overall and 2-0 in the league.

KaeVon Bonner

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-foot-4 senior, had a monster week as Seaman boys basketball improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the United Kansas Conference with a pair of road victories. Bonner reached the 1,000-point milestone for his career with a 27-point performance in Wednesday's 60-57 non-league victory at St. James Academy and scored a career-high 42 points in Friday's 65-46 United Kansas Conference win at Lansing.

Cianna Graves 

CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights

After being named Shawnee Heights' Queen of Courts the previous night, the senior 155-pound standout wrestler claimed an individual championship in Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational, helping lead the T-Birds to the team championship by a 262-164 margin over Wichita South. Graves, now 18-0 on the season, went 4-0 in the tournament with four pins, in 1 minute, 20 seconds, 1:31, 1:01 and 3:44. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden star wrestlers Jude Krentz and Caleb Menke will face a lot of tough opponents over the 2025-2026 season, but very few any tougher than they see every day in practice when the two Wildcats square off against each other.

Hayden senior Jude Krentz (top) captured the 190-pound title in Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational while improving to 15-0 on the season. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden senior Caleb Menke (top) captured the 175-pound title in Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational while improving to 16-0 on the season. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

And both Krentz, a senior 190-pounder, and Menke, a junior 175-pounder, feel like that regular competition in practice has helped them post a combined 31-0 record this season after both Hayden wrestlers claimed championships in Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational.

"It's awesome because we both push each other all the time, all the time,'' said Krentz, who posted a fourth-place finish in Class 4A as a junior.

Menke, a returning state qualifier, agrees. 

"Jude, honestly, is probably one of the best training partners that I could ever ask for,'' Menke said. "We push each other every day in practice, sometimes even getting to the point where we get after each other a little bit and get into a couple of scuffles, but at the end of the day it makes us better and we love each other for it.''

Both Krentz and Menke, who helped Hayden's football team advance to the 3A state football championship game for the third straight season, said it takes them awhile to transition from the gridiron into football mode.

But now both Wildcat standouts said they feel like they're ready to make a run at state titles later this winter.

"Normally it probably takes me probably about three weeks because in football you're trying to maintain all your weight and you're trying to stay in shape to where you can go really hard for a short period of time where wrestling you've got to go hard for a long period of time,'' Menke said. "So typically it takes me about three weeks to a month to get ready, but normally after Christmas break I'm good and ready to rock and roll.''

"I'd say it's about one to two, maybe even a three-week progress of just constantly drilling hard, and it's more of a constant movement in wrestling where you always get a few seconds between plays in football,'' said Krentz, named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year in football. "Wrestling is contant, it's in-fighting and you're always pushing the pace.''

And after suffering both of his losses at state in a 42-2 season a year ago, Krentz feels like a state crown is in reach this season.

"It was in reach last year,'' Krentz said. "There were some mental mistakes, little mistakes that can easily be fixed. It's just a matter of pushing through and keep pushing every day instead of getting complacent.'' 

Both Hayden wrestlers were in top form in Saturday's Shawnee Heights meet, with Menke going 5-0 with four pins en route to improving to 16-0 on the season while Krentz, after receiving a first-round bye, posted two straight wins by fall and a 17-1 technical fall to improve to 15-0.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

This past weekend is one that Shawnee Heights senior girls wrestling star Cianna Graves will never forget.

It started Friday night when Graves was selected as Heights' Queen of Courts, not exactly a common occurence for someone in her sport.

Shawnee Heights star senior wrestler Cianna Graves was named Queen of Courts Friday night. [Submitted photo]

And then on Saturday Graves went back to what she knows best, going 4-0 with four pins to win the 155-pound championship in the Shawnee Heights Invitatational while helping lead the T-Birds to the team title.

Graves, also a softball standout for the T-Birds, was nominated by the Shawnee Heights wrestling team as the program's Queen of Courts candidate and then was tapped as one of five finalists in an all-school vote before being named the queen between the Heights' girls and boys basketball games against Leavenworth.

"I was (surprised),'' Graves said. "There were a lot of good girls up this year, so it was an honor and a blessing to be able to be the queen.

"I wasn't even thinking about (winning). I was just happy that I was nominated and excited to do all the Winter Royalty things.''

Used to being in the limelight in both wrestling and softball, Graves said she wasn't rattled by Friday's festitivies.

"I really wasn't nervous, I was just there to have fun,'' Graves said.

But Graves admitted that putting on an evening dress was something new.

"It definitely was, but I think that's why I enjoyed it so much, getting to dress up and be in something a little bit more fun than maybe a singlet,'' she said.

Still dressed in her evening gown after being named Queen of Courts earlier in the night, Ciarra Graves helped set up the wrestling mats for Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational. [Submitted photo]

As soon as the boys basketball game was over Graves had to quickly go back into wrestling mode, joining her teammates to help set up the mats for Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational while still in her formal attire.

Shawnee Heights senior Cianna Graves went 4-0 with four pins to win the 155-pound title in the Shawnee Heights Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

And when Saturday rolled around, Graves, third in Class 5A as a junior, put on another performance fit for a queen, going 4-0 with four pins to claim the 155-pound title and improve to 18-0 on the season.

 "I love it so much,'' said Graves, a three-time state placer. "The people, the adrenalin that you get, it's all amazing.''

And now Graves will turn her attention on trying to cap what has already been a memorable senior season with a state title.

"It's the goal,'' she said. "I'm hoping that my hard work that I put in over the summer and continue to put in through this season really pays off in the end.''

Graves was one of seven individual champions in Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational as the T-Birds captured the team title by a 262-164 margin over Wichita South.

In addition to Graves, Shawnee Heights got individual titles from freshman 110-pound sophomore Bianca Juarez (15-6 on the season), 115-pound freshman Brinnley Morris (12-2), 125-pound junior Audrey Hinkly (15-6), 135-pound sophomore Olive Jones (21-1), 145-pound senior Olivia Stevens (16-3) and 190-pound junior Brooklyn Binkley (12-6).

Morris went 5-0 with five pins between 16 seconds and 1 minute, 51 seconds while Jones went 3-0 with 27, 49 and 46-second pins.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

FRIDAY'S GAMES

HAYDEN (7-2, 1-0 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 1-0 Centennial)

Both defending champion Hayden and perennial Class 6A contender Washburn Rural won their Centennial League openers on Tuesday. The Wildcats took a 53-37 home win over Emporia as sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein scored 14 points and sophomore Blakely Walter 10. The Junior Blues went on the road to beat Junction City, 68-32. Hayden is ranked No. 7 in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association and Rural is No. 10 in 6A. Washburn Rural will be playing its third game of the week, dropping a 50-35 non-league decision to Olathe North on Monday. 

Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High

MANHATTAN (5-2, 0-0 Centennial) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-4, 0-0 Centennial)

Topeka High picked up its third straight win on Tuesday, taking a 65-41 non-league road win at Lawrence as junior Ahysieyrhuajh Rayton scored 29 points, senior Keimara Marshall 15 and senior Trish Short 13. High sophomore Hailey Caryl contributed 8 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists against the Lions. Manhattan is coming off its second loss of the season, dropping a 58-45 non-league decision to Hays.

ATCHISON (3-6, 3-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-4, 1-1 Meadowlark)

Highland Park picked up a Meadowlark Conference forfeit win over Kansas City-Schlagle on Tuesday while Atchison edged KC-Wyandotte in a conference contest, 42-41. Highland Park played Wyandotte earlier in the season, with the Bulldogs taking a 68-52 victory over the Scots.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

LEAVENWORTH (4-2, 1-2 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (5-3, 4-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights stretched its winning streak to four games on Tuesday, with the T-Birds taking a 64-46 home United Kansas Conference win over De Soto. Junior Pearmella Carter led Heights with 19 points while juniors Sami Baum and Imani McGlory scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively. Leavenworth is coming off a 49-35 home UKC win over Topeka West. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

HAYDEN (3-6, 0-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (6-2, 1-0)

Washburn Rural opened defense of its Centennial League championship Tuesday with a 50-45 road win over Junction City, imporoving to 6-2 on the season. Senior Kieffer O'Connor led the Junior Blues with 16 points while senior Simon Rowley added 11. Hayden will be looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 59-56 home Centennial League loss to Emporia. Senior Connor Hanika scored a game-high 22 points for the Wildcats while junior Carter Compton added 12 points.

Bryson McComas, Topeka High

MANHATTAN (6-1, 0-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (4-3, 0-0)

Topeka High climbed above the .500 level with a 66-65 nailbiter on the road Tuesday night at Lawrence. Friday's game will be the Centennial League opener for both Topeka High and Manhattan. The Indians are coming off a 62-59 overtime win over Hays, stretching its winning streak to six games.  

ATCHISON (8-0, 3-0) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-4, 2-0)

Atchison and Highland Park will square off in a game that could go a long ways to deciding the Meadowlark Conference championship. The Scots improved to 2-0 in league play with a 60-32 home win over Kansas City-Schlagle Tuesday night as junior JoJo Kingcannon scored 21 points, going 8 of 11 from the floor with three 3-pointers. Atchison is coming off an 87-32 Meadowlark win over KC-Wyandotte.

LEAVENWORTH (2-4, 1-3) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-4, 2-3)

Shawnee Heights will be looking to bounce back from a tough 51-50 United Kansas Conference home loss to De Soto Tuesday night. Junior Cam Ross led the T-Birds with 12 points. Leavenworth is coming off a 74-47 UKC home loss to Topeka West on Tuesday.

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

HOLTON (1-7, 1-5) at SILVER LAKE (6-2, 4-0)

Silver Lake posted a 73-61 Big East League victory at St. Marys on Tuesday while Holton picked up its first win of the season, a 57-53 league decision over Riley County. Holton is coached by former Topeka West assistant coach Marco Hunter. Silver Lake is ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Not everything went Shawnee Heights' way early in Friday's United Kansas Conference girls game against Leavenworth, with the T-Birds missing some easy shots, turning the ball over and getting in foul trouble right out of the gate.

But Heights' defense kept the hosts in the hunt early and then the T-Birds turned a single-digit halftime advantage into a running clock late as Shawnee Heights stretched its winning streak to five games with a 53-22 home rout over the Pioneers.

Senior Imani McGlory scored a game-high 18 points with four 3-pointers in Friday's 53-22 Shawnee Heights win over Leavenworth. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"In the first half we were getting some great shots and they were either rolling around the rim or hitting the bottom of the rim,'' Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells said. "You put those shots in and all of a sudden the first half is a whole lot different and we feel a whole lot better. 

"But the girls did a good job of coming out in the second half and establishing themselves and did a good job of penetrating and making the defense collapse and getting those shots from the perimeter to fall.''

Shawnee Heights, now 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the UKC, fell behind 5-0 early and trailed for most of the opening quarter before scoring the final six points of the quarter to take a 14-10 lead.

The T-Birds led 21-14 at the half after a second quarter that included a total of 11 points for both teams.

But Shawnee Heights left no doubt after the break, outscoring the Pioneers 18-6 in the third stanza to build a 39-20 cushion before closing out things with a 14-2 fourth quarter and forcing a running clock over the final 3:29.

Senior Imani McGlory led the T-Birds with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, while junior Pearmella Carter scored all of her 12 points in the second half after missing the bulk of the first half with two fouls.

Shawnee Heights junior Pearmella Carter scored all 12 of her points in the second half in Friday's 53-22 UKC win over Leavenworth. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Junior KK Emmot scored eight of her 10 points in the second half, with a pair of 3-pointers.

Sophomore Layla Brown led Leavenworth (4-3, 2-3) with 13 points.

Shawnee Heights will be back at home Tuesday, hosting Piper in a UKC contest. 

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS GIRLS 53, LEAVENWORTH 22

Leavenworth        10 4 6 2  -- 22

Shawnee Heights 14 7 18 14  -- 53

Leavenworth (4-3, 2-3) – Walker 1-4 0-0 3, Huewitt 2-7 1-4 6, Brown 4-15 3-7 13, Allen 0-3 0-0 0, M. McIntyre 0-2 0-0 0, Graham 0-2 0-0 0, McCann 0-2 0-0 0, Lovejoy 0-2 0-0 0, P. McIntyre 0-3 0-0 0, Noell 0-0 0-2 0, Tolber 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 7-40 4-13 22. 

Shawnee Heights (6-3, 5-1) – Emmot 3-8 2-2 10, McGlory 5-11 4-4 18, Carter 4-5 4-6 12, Baum 1-4 1-2 3, Vega 2-5 0-0 4, Brees 1-1 0-0 2, Hamilton 2-4 0-2 4, Schmidt 0-2 0-2 0, Karlyle 0-0 0-0 0, Moeder 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-40 11-18 53.

3-point goals – Leavenworth 4 (Brown 2, Walker, Huewitt), Shawnee Heights 6 (McGlory 4, Emmot 2). Total fouls – Leavenworth 16, Shawnee Heights 15. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls -- none.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights was just fine offensively in Friday's United Kansas Conference home boys game against Leavenworth, with three T-Birds scoring at least 13 points and seven cracking the scoring column.

Shawnee Heights freshman Quincy Dixon (22) scored a game-high 19 points in Friday's 60-24 UKC win over Leavenworth. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Junior Cam Ross scored 18 points in Shawnee Heights' 60-24 UKC win over Leavenworth Friday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But make no mistake about it, defense was the story for Heights in its 60-24 romp past the Pioneers on King and Queen of Courts night.

Shawnee Heights, now 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the UKC, limited Leavenworth (2-5, 1-4) to just five points in a dominating 35-5 first half and never looked back, forcing a running clock throughout the fourth quarter.

"We're not deceived, that's not the Los Angeles Lakers, but they got five points,'' Darting said about the first half. "They're a high school team of really good athletes, so it was great and we were playing so hard.

"We're shooting as a team 52 percent for the year, but you see why, it's coming from the defensive end. They've bought in and they believe it. I've sold from Day 1 that if we're going to get anything better than average you've got to be really good defensively.''  

Heights led 11-3 at the end of the opening quarter and then hit Leavenworth with a 24-2 second quarter to take command. The T-Birds held the Pioneers scoreless until the 2:15 mark of the quarter.

The pace slowed drastically in the second half as Darting emptied his bench, but the T-Birds still outscored the Pioneers, 25-19, while forcing 29 Leavenworth turnovers on the night.

Freshman Quincy Dixon scored a game-high 19 points for Shawnee Heights with a pair of 3-pointers and a 7 of 10 performance at the free throw line while junior Cam Ross had 18 points (7 of 9 at the line) and senior Ja'Veon Alston 13.

Junior Adrian Brantley led Leavenworth with 7 points.

Shawnee Heights will be back in action Tuesday, hosting Piper in a UKC game.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS BOYS 60, LEAVENWORTH 24

Leavenworth        3 2 12 7  -- 24

Shawnee Heights 11 24 14 11  -- 60

Leavenworth (2-5, 1-4) – Cheatham 2-4 2-6 6, King 1-3 0-0 2, Clark 1-3 0-0 2, Brantley 2-7 1-2 7, Alonzon 1-5 2-2 4, Jefferson 0-4 0-0 0, Aizaiah Rookwood 0-0 0-0 0, Davis 0-1 3-4 3, Tolbert 0-1 0-0 0, Lobina 0-0 0-0 0, Flanders 0-0 0-0 0, Butter 0-1 0-0 0, Ayden Rookwood 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 7-29 9-14 24. 

Shawnee Heights (4-4, 3-3) – Alston 5-9 2-2 13, Cook 0-8 2-2 2, Ross 5-9 7-9 18, Scott 2-5 0-2 4, Dixon 5-15 7-10 19, Lee 0-0 0-0 0, Becker 1-2 0-0 2, Terrell 1-1 0-0 2, Vega 0-0 0-0 0, Halloran 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-49 18-25 60.

3-point goals – Leavenworth 2 (Brantley 2), Shawnee Heights 4 (Dixon 2, Alston, Ross). Total fouls – Leavenworth 18, Shawnee Heights 16. Fouled out – Ross. Technical fouls -- none.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

EMPORIA (4-4, 0-0) at HAYDEN (6-2, 0-0)

The Spartans and Wildcats will open Centennial League play on Tuesday, with Hayden opening defense of the league title it captured last season. The Wildcats dropped a 38-36 non-league decision at Shawnee Heights last Friday, Hayden's second straight loss after six straight wins to start the season. Sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein led Hayden with 16 points against the T-Birds while senior Lauren Borjon added 11 points. Emporia is coming off a 32-25 win over Circle.

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights 

DE SOTO (2-3, 1-1) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-3, 3-1)

Shawnee Heights climbed above .500 with a 38-36 non-league win over Hayden last Friday at home. T-Bird junior KK Emmot scored 9 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining. Shawnee Heights has now won three straight games after starting the season 1-3. De Soto dropped a 45-34 United Kansas Conference decision to Seaman to close out its pre-holiday slate. 

WABAUNSEE (5-1, 2-1) at CAIR PARAVEL (3-3, 0-2)

Cair Paravel Latin ended its 2025 slate with a tight 40-37 Flint Hills League decision to Chase County while Wabaunsee is also coming off a loss, dropping a 68-37 league game to Osage City. London Backman leads CPLS with a 9.8 scoring average while Karsyn Hastert pulls down 5.7 rebounds per game.

Addaline Hall, Topeka West

TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 0-4) at LEAVENWORTH (3-2, 1-2)

Topeka West will be looking for its first United Kansas Conference victory Tuesday night at Leavenworth. Senior Addaline Hall leads the Chargers with a 10.8 scoring average while junior Sydney VanDyke averages 8.8 points and leads the city of Topeka in rebounding with 14.0 per game and in blocked shots with a 3.8 average. 

Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural

WASHBURN RURAL (4-2, 0-0) at JUNCTION CITY (1-4, 0-0)

Washburn Rural will be playing its second game of 2026 in as many nights, opening Centennial League play against the Blue Jays after dropping a 50-35 non-league decision to Olathe North Monday night. Junior Blue freshman Brynn Anderson scored 14 first-half points with three 3-pointers against Olathe North, but sat out the second half after an injury late in the first half. Senior Hallie Walker had 9 points and 5 rebounds for Rural.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

EMPORIA (8-0, 0-0) at HAYDEN (3-5, 0-0)

Hayden is coming off a 79-60 non-league loss at Shawnee Heights on Friday while Emporia remained undefeated with a 73-38 non-league romp past Circle. Both the Wildcats and Spartans will be opening Centennial League play Tuesday. Senior Connor Hanika led Hayden with 20 points against Shawnee Heights while junior Mason Becker added 17 points.

Cam Ross, Shawnee Heights

DE SOTO (2-3, 0-2) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-3, 2-2)

Shawnee Heights evened its record at 3-3 with a 79-60 home win over Hayden last Friday while De Soto closed out 2025 with a 56-40 loss to Seaman on Dec. 19. Junior Cam Ross led Shawnee Heights with 28 points and four 3-pointers against Hayden while senior Ja'Veon Alston added 19 points with a pair of 3-pointers. 

WABAUNSEE (5-1, 3-0) at CAIR PARAVEL (4-2, 2-0)

Cair Paravel Latin is off to a solid start, including a 60-39 Flint Hills League win over Chase County on Dec. 19, and faces a tough test Tuesday against a Wabaunsee team that is also unbeaten in league play after a 63-56 win over Osage City to close out 2025. Sophomore Chase Hastert leads Cair Paravel with a 16.3 scoring average and also pulls down 7.5 rebounds a game.

Keimani Paul, Topeka West 

TOPEKA WEST (5-1, 4-0) at LEAVENWORTH (2-3, 1-2)

Topeka West will be looking to bounce back Tuesday after the No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Chargers dropped a 53-49 non-league game at 6A Free State Monday night. Senior Keimani Paul led West with 19 points and four 3-pointers against the Firebirds while senior Malakyah Duncan added 12 points. Leavenworth dropped a 66-36 United Kansas Conference decision to Basehor-Linwood last Friday.

WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 0-0) at JUNCTION CITY (4-2, 0-0)

Washburn Rural stretched its winning streak to four games with a 68-53 non-league win at Olathe West on Saturday while Junction City has won three straight games after a 56-53 win over Shawnee Mission North last time out. Sophomore Brooks Ballard scored 21 points with six 3-pointers in the Junior Blues' win over Olathe West. Tuesday's game is the Centennial League opener for both Rural and Junction City.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The Shawnee Heights girls relied on some new contributors to lead them past De Soto 64-46 at home Tuesday to improve to 4-1 in the United Kansas Conference.

Junior Pearmella Carter scored a game-high 19 points in Tuesday's 64-46 Shawnee Heights UKC win over De Soto. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

With one minute remaining in the first period, the sluggish T-Birds found themselves in a 9-4 hole. But Reianna Vega dropped a 3-pointer just before the buzzer, which sparked a 22-point run over the next seven minutes. By halftime, the T-Birds had built a commanding 32-14 lead.

Shawnee Heights made that run with its usual scoring leader on the bench. KK Emmot, who averages 18 points per game, tallied just one bucket in the first half before being sidelined with two personal fouls. She returned in the second half, but did not score again.

Senior Imani McGlory and juniors Pearmela Carter and Sami Baum, none of whom played at Shawnee Heights last year, picked up the slack. Carter led the T-Birds with 19 points while Baum and McGlory added 15 and 14 apiece.

“We needed them to step up, and they did it within the execution of the team,” Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells said. “That’s what I was most impressed with. They were getting the shots we want them to get. It was really fun seeing them all step up and hit shots and rebound and play solid on defense.”

One of the team’s three senior returners, Vega chipped in 13 points. She said the team responded when Emmot left early in the second period.

“I think all of us, with KK being out, we made sure we were spreading the floor and then each of us was able to drive the lane and do what we’re good at,” Vega said. “In practice, we’ve really worked on spreading out of offense because we tend to get really tight.”

The T-Bird offense had a very efficient night, hitting 23-51 field goal attempts and 12-15 free throws. Baum contributed three of the team’s six three-pointers.

“It helped that our girls were mentally prepared that (De Soto) was going to come out and try to be physical and try to hang on to us when we were cutting and doing things like that,” Wells said. “It didn’t get to us. We played through it and kept playing hard.”

After dropping three tough games in the first two weeks of the season, the T-Birds have won four straight.

“I feel like the season is getting better,” Vega said. “I feel like we’re on the rise and we’re going to keep going from there.”

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS GIRLS 64, DE SOTO 46

De Soto                 9 5  13 19 -- 46

Shawnee Heights 7 25 18 14 -- 64

De Soto (2-4, 1-2) – C. Leis 1-5 0-4 2, O’Brien 4-7 1-3 10, Cinotto 0-0 2-2 2, M. Leis 3-10 7-7 14, Chappel 3-6 1-1 8, Bush 1-3 0-0 3, Gulley 1-2 0-0 2, Stapp 1-1 0-0 2, Green 1-1 0-0 3, Major 0-2 0-0 0, Reiswig 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-37 11-17 46.

Shawnee Heights (5-3, 4-1) – Emmot 1-9 0-0 2, McGlory 5-8 2-2 14, Carter 6-12 7-9 19, Baum 5-9 2-2 15, Vega 6-12 0-0 13, Hamilton 0-1 0-0 0, Schmidt 0-0 1-2 1, Brees 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-51 12-15 64.

3-point goals – De Soto 5 (O’Brien 1, M. Leis 1, Chappel 1, Bush 1, Green 1), Shawnee Heights 6 (McGlory 2, Baun 3, Vega 1). Total fouls – De Soto 16, Shawnee Heights 15. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None. 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Foul trouble and two long scoreless stretches foiled the Shawnee Heights boys’ attempt at a comeback win over De Soto Tuesday at Shawnee Heights. The T-Birds fell to the Wildcats, 51-50.

Ken Darting's Shawnee Heights boys came up just short in Tuesday's comeback bid, falling 51-50 to De Soto. [File photo/TSN]

Shuffling due to foul trouble and going to young, inexperienced players, coach Ken Darting nearly led the T-Birds to a come-from-behind win. But a last-second desperation shot produced by wild full-court pressure came up just short.

“It was a great game between two pretty good teams. But we were always playing uphill,” Darting said. “We did a poor job of getting the right people shooting. We got back in the game with defense, but then we became a 3-point shooting team instead of getting the ball in.”

Shawnee Heights trailed by just one point, 34-33, at halftime. But the T-Birds did not score for the first four minutes of the third period. After a five-point T-Bird run tied the game at 38-38, Shawnee Heights went back into a funk. They went another six minutes – three minutes into the fourth period – without scoring.

The T-Birds trailed 47-38 with five minutes remaining in the game. They cranked up the full-court pressure and came roaring back, outscoring the visitors 9-2 over the next three minutes. Freshman Quincy Dixon dropped a 3-pointer to cut the Wildcat lead to 49-47 with 2:10 left. Then Aiden Scott tied the game at 50-50 with a 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining.

But the T-Birds were unable to capitalize on the momentum. They fouled Wildcat senior Brayan Salas with 15 seconds left. He hit one of his two foul attempts, leaving the T-Birds to scramble for a final shot. A designed play failed. Shawnee Heights recovered a loose ball but a desperate heave at the buzzer just missed.

“We had two or three opportunities to take the lead, make them have to make the decision. We just about pulled it off,” Darting said.

Leading the T-Birds was Cam Ross with 12 points, followed by Dixon’s 11. Starters Scott, Ja’Veon Alston and Dae’Veon Cook each scored eight points apiece.

Pacing the Wildcats was Salas, who hit 5-9 field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers.

De Soto’s starting five was a mixed bag, but the Wildcats got key buckets from their reserves. Players off the De Soto bench hit 4-7 shots and 6-8 free throws to contribute 17 points. Darting got good effort from his reserves, but just three points.

“Our margin of error is small, and until we get everybody going in the right direction, we’re gonna keep coming up short,” Darting said. “We’re going to be in every game, but against the top echelon, it’s gonna be like this.”

DE SOTO BOYS 51, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 50

De Soto                 24 10 9 8 -- 51

Shawnee Heights 17 16 5 12 -- 50

De Soto (3-3, 1-2) – Patterson 2-10 0-0 4, Dickerson 2-10 3-4 7, Morayah 1-1 0-0 2, Waite 2-6 1-3 5, Salas 5-9 2-4 16, Krier 0-1 2-2 2, Rapp 1-2 0-0 3, Brady 1-2 4-6 7, Morton 2-2 0-0 5. Totals: 16-43 12-19 51.

Shawnee Heights (3-4, 2-3) – Alston 3-6 2-2 8, Cook 3-8 1-2 8, Ross 4-16 4-6 12, Scott 3-5 0-0 8, Dixon 5-8 0-1 11, Becker 1-2 1-2 3, Terrell 0-1 0-0 0, Vega 0-0 0-0 0, Lee 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-46 8-13 50.

3-point goals – De Soto 7 (Salas 4, Rapp 1, Brady 1, Morton 1), Shawnee Heights 4 (Scott 2, Cook 1, Dixon 1). Total fouls – De Soto 15, Shawnee Heights 23. Fouled out – Scott. Technical fouls – Alston. 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Sometimes talent isn’t as important as chemistry. Shawnee Heights girls basketball coach Bob Wells could see his team had talent. But he had to wonder about the chemistry when Heights added three newcomers this winter who were most likely to start and play big roles for the T-Birds.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

Imani McGlory, Shawnee Heights

Sami Baum, Shawnee Heights

The T-Birds made a run at the Class 5A State Tournament last season that came up just short, a loss to Piper in the sub-state finals. Wells wanted to build on that success, which was spearheaded by then-sophomore guard KK Emmot.

Emmot returned, as did versatile forward Reianna Vega, but the T-Birds lost Kaydence Torrez to graduation and Tayler Hanshaw, a current senior who is out with an injury, in addition to a couple of other key graduates. Wells would need to find athleticism, size, scoring and leadership if the T-Birds were to continue their run of success.

Into the gym this November walked three new players who brought those qualities, plus experience. An added benefit was that the three were a known commodity. For the most part, they knew each other and the returning T-Birds knew them.

Joining the T-Birds were senior Imani McGlory, a sharpshooting transfer from Topeka West, junior Pearmela Carter, a skilled scorer from Highland Park, and junior Sami Baum, a long wing who played for the NEK homeschool team.

Wells liked what he saw, but couldn’t be sure how well the group would work together.

“Without a doubt I wondered, ‘How are they going to jell together?’” Wells said after Tuesday’s 64-46 T-Bird win over De Soto. “They all knew each other when they were young kids, but that was when they were playing ‘bitty ball.’ Now they’re playing high-speed ball.”

Wells said after the T-Birds’first home game that the new T-Birds faced a tough learning curve but were growing. He said the team’s returners were helping to smooth the transition.

One month later – in its eighth game of the season – the new crew was called upon to step up under adversity. Facing De Soto Tuesday, Emmot was sent to the bench with early fouls. Averaging 18 points per game for the season, the junior spent much of the night on the sideline and managed just two points in the game. Someone would have to take up the slack.

The pressure was on the trio of newcomers, and they rose to the occassion. Carter, a powerful forward with a soft touch around the goal, scored 19 to lead the T-Birds. Baum knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 15 points. McGlory tossed in 14. The trio hit 16-29 shots from the field and 11-13 from the line.

The result was the T-Birds' fourth straight win as Heights improved to 5-3 on the season.

“We needed them to step up, and they did it within the execution of the team,” Wells said. “That’s what I was most impressed with. They were getting the shots we want them to get. It was really fun seeing them all step up and hit shots and rebound and play solid on defense.”

Was it the natural progression of players becoming more comfortable in the system that caused the trio to bloom Tuesday, or was it the absence of their scoring leader?

“It was probably a little bit of both,” Wells said. “They realized KK was not (in the game), I’ve got to step up a little bit here, and they did. And now they know they can do it.

“We’ve had so many games and so little practice time where they can get out there and really work together and start to feel like they know what’s going on. They’re starting to play without thinking instead of having to think about what they’re doing out there.”

Vega said familiarity with the new girls was key. Once they were in the program, it was a matter of embracing roles.

“We had seen them come from different places and we know what they are best at,” said Vega, who scored 13 points against De Soto. “So, we just fit them into the roster and let them do what they had to do. If they didn’t get it right, we explained to them how we do certain things. Eventually we were all on the same page and we are all learning together now at this point.”

Carter came to the T-Birds with the most familiarity. She knew both McGlory and Baum, who didn’t know each other. She also was friends with most of the returning T-Birds. Carter had shouldered a heavy load at Highland Park as a sophomore, serving as the Scots’ primary scoring option.

“I actually like (my role here) because the whole team is playing together and the whole team is scoring,” Carter said. “It’s like a group effort. Everybody’s cheering for each other, not getting jealous of each other. I went to Shawnee Heights Middle School, so it’s kind of like playing with old friends.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Brooks Ballard

BROOKS BALLARD, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 sophomore, Ballard connected on 6 of 10 3-point attempts and hit 7 of 11 shots overall and his only free throw attempt on the way to a career-high 21-point performance in Saturday's 68-53 non-league road victory at Olathe West, helping the Junior Blues improve to 5-2 on the season.

Hailey Caryl

HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High

Playing only her second game of the season after missing four games with an injury, the 5-foot-10 sophomore scored a career-high 26 points Friday night, including a 6 of 7 performance at the free throw line, as Topeka High posted its second straight victory, an 87-31 road decision over USD 501 rival Highland Park.

KK Emmot

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 5-foot-8 junior, scored 9 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining, as Shawnee Heights took a 38-36 home non-league victory over city rival Hayden Friday night. Emott scored 7 of the T-Birds' final 8 points as Heights improved to 4-3.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

It took three periods, but Shawnee Heights and Hayden finally shook off the rust accumulated over the holiday break, turning a snoozer into a thriller that the T-Birds won in the final seconds, 38-36, at Shawnee Heights Friday.

Junior KK Emmot scored a game-high 18 points in Friday's 38-36 win over Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Just one day after New Years, the Wildcats and T-Birds came out looking like they needed more practice, or more sleep. They struggled to a 20-20 tie after three quarters. But then the offenses got in gear. Hayden led 31-26 with 2:25 remaining. But then the T-Birds went on a 10-2 run to lead 36-33 with just seconds remaining.

Hayden sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein, frustrated into an inefficient shooting night, let fly a 3-pointer from about 25 feet that tied the game with 6.2 seconds remaining.

Shawnee Heights junior KK Emmot was not intimidated by the moment, however, but rather seized command of the game. Knowing the T-Birds were in the bonus, she took the inbounds pass and drove the length of the floor, drawing a foul with 2.9 seconds on the clock. Emmot calmly stepped to the line and sank both free throws, as she had twice earlier in the period. She scored nine of her 18 points in the final quarter to lead the T-Birds to their fourth victory of the season.

“Lucky enough for us, we hit some shots coming down the stretch,” Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells said. “Then (Schmidtlein) hit a big shot coming down the stretch when she hadn’t (shot well) from the perimeter all game. Kudos to her for stepping up and hitting that.”

Wells drew up a play to give Emmot a chance to decide the game.

“I thought we did a good job getting the ball where we wanted to get the ball, finding a way to get it into KK’s hands. She was definitely the first option,” Wells said. “She was just gonna take it and go do what she does.”

Emmot hit six of six free throws down the stretch and accounted for seven of the T-Birds’ final eight points. She said pressure does not bother her.

“I work good with pressure and stress. I don’t really care,” Emmot said. “I just know that if I start hustling, everyone else (takes) their energy from me. In the fourth quarter we just had to get going. I was screaming at everyone, ‘We have to get hyped!’ And then we just started hitting shots.”

“She works her tail off. I’m super proud of her,” Wells said of Emmot. “And all the girls, at some point in time, stepped up and hit shots, and that’s what we needed to happen. We just need to get where everybody is rolling at the same time. This is a fun group to watch.”

Hayden, ranked second in Class 4A in the most recent poll by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, struggled to get its offense in gear. Schmidtlein hit just 4-19 attempts from the field and finished with 16. Lauren Borjon added 11.

Wells said playing a game so early in January, with so little time to practice, contributed to the ragged performance by both teams.

“When you have four days to practice, where you’re trying to get your legs back and get your shot back, you can’t have both,” Wells said. “I think you saw that from both teams.”

“I think there’s some sickness going around,” Emmot added. “And you could tell (Hayden) was not in super great shape either. I think both of us were just playing with the same amount of hustle and everything. It was just no one could score. We were both pretty gassed.”

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS GIRLS 38, HAYDEN 36

Hayden                 8 8 4 16 -- 36

Shawnee Heights 5 9 6 18 -- 38

Hayden (6-2) – Schmidtlein 4-19 6-10 16, Foster 0-2 0-0 0, Huscher 0-0 0-0 0, Borjon 4-10 1-2 11, Watts 2-5 2-5 6, Walter 0-3 0-2 0, Connell 0-1 0-0 0, Mitchell 1-2 0-0 3, Wichman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 11-32 9-19 36.

Shawnee Heights (4-3) – Emmot 4-18 8-11 18, Schmidt 0-5 1-2 1, Carter 2-3 0-2 4, Baum 1-5 4-6 7, Vega 3-9 0-2 7, Brees 0-2 0-0 0, Hamilton 0-1 1-2 1. Totals: 10-43 14-25 38.

3-point goals – Hayden 5 (Schmidtlein 2, Borjon 2, Mitchell 1), Shawnee Heights 4 (Emmot 2, Baum 1, Vega 1). Total fouls – Hayden 15, Shawnee Heights 15. Fouled out – Schmidt. Technical fouls – None. 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights' boys came out of the holiday break hitting on all cylinders, knocking off Hayden 79-60 at Shawnee Heights Friday.

Junior Cam Ross led all scorers with 28 points in Friday's 79-60 Shawnee Heights boys win over Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

A game between two teams looking to improve their fortunes in the new year went the way of the T-Birds, who got 30 first-half points from the high-scoring tandem of junior Cam Ross and senior Ja’Veon Alston. The T-Birds jumped out to a 19-5 lead in the first four minutes. By halftime, Shawnee Heights had an 18-point lead, which it stretched to 23 points early in the third period.

“I feel like we came out pretty strong,” Ross said. “We were coming out after a loss (to Topeka West) and I feel like we played a little harder, rebounded a little more. We’re not a very tall team, so we’ve got to get to the rebound more and be team players instead of individuals. When everybody’s contributing, the team just plays well.”

Shawnee Heights got 28 points from Ross and 19 from Alston. JaiMarion Cook and Aiden Scott each contributed nine points, and Quincey Dixon added seven. The T-Birds hit 27-53 field goals and 15-19 free throws. But they scuffled enough in the second half to give coach Ken Darting plenty to work on.

“Anytime you talk about negatives, there’s a thousand positives,” Darting said. “As a coach, what I see is what needs fixin’. So, no matter what happens, I’m not totally happy. But all I’m saying is, if we don’t get it fixed, we won’t be as good as we can be.”

The T-Birds evened their record at 3-3. Each of the three losses – to Piper, Manhattan and Topeka West – was by a margin of five points or fewer.

“We’re doing things hard enough and good enough that we’ve gotta stop ‘almost’ beating (our opponents),” Darting said. “We’ve got to beat them. We’ve got ourselves in position (to win against good teams) and that’s quite an accomplishment. So, we’ve got a bunch of kids playing their rears off, but our margin of error is a lot smaller than a (Topeka) West or a Piper or a Seaman.”

Hayden dropped to 3-5 on the season. The Wildcats were led by Connor Hanika with 20 points, Mason Becker with 17 and Carter Compton with 11.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS BOYS 79, HAYDEN 60

Hayden                 13 13 13 21 -- 60

Shawnee Heights 26 18 16 19 -- 79

Hayden (3-5) – Mitchell 1-7 5-7 7, Hanika 8-13 4-10 20, Mason Becker 5-9 4-5 17, Kidd 1-3 0-2 2, Compton 3-8 4-4 11, E. Tourtillott 0-3 0-0 0, Wolff 1-2 0-0 3, Masqueda 0-0 0-0 0, Anthony 0-0 0-0 0, Max Becker 0-0 0-0 0, B. Tourtillott 0-1 0-0 0, McDonald 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-45 17-28 60.

Shawnee Heights (3-3) – Alston 8-13 1-1 19, Cook 3-8 0-0 9, Ross 11-18 2-2 28, Scott 3-4 2-2 9, Dixon 0-5 7-11 7, Campbell 1-3 0-0 2, Lee 0-1 2-2 2, Doby 0-1 0-0 0, Halloran 1-1 1-1 3, Vega 0-0 0-0 0, Terrell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 27-53 15-19 79.

3-point goals – Hayden 5 (Becker 3, Compton 1, Wolff 1), Shawnee Heights 10 (Ross 4, Cook 3, Alston 2, Scott 1). Total fouls – Hayden 17, Shawnee Heights 21. Fouled out – Campbell. Technical fouls – None.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

FRIDAY'S GIRLS GAMES

Topeka High junior Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton leads the city in scoring with a 22-point average [File photo/TSN]

Senior Koralee Jones averages team-highs of 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds for Highland Park. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (1-4) at HIGHLAND PARK (1-3)

Topeka High closed out its 2025 schedule with a 65-35 home win over Highland Park and will play its second straight game against the Scots to open 2026. Junior Sasha Gotru scored a game-high 22 points on 11 of 15 shooting from the field in the Trojans' earlier win over the Scots while recording a double-double with 12 rebounds. Senior Keimara Marshall added 19 points, including a 5 of 5 performance at the free throw line, while sophomore Hailey Caryl scored 13 points against the Scots. Topeka High junior Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, who did not play in the Trojans' first game against the Scots, leads the city with a 22-point average. Highland Park ended its pre-holiday slate with a 68-52 Meadowlark Conference against Kansas City-Wyandotte. Senior Koralee Jones leads Highland Park with a 10.8 scoring average and 7.5 rebounds per game. Game time: 5:30 p.m.

Junior KK Emmot leads Shawnee Heights, 3-3 on the season, with an 18-point scoring average. [File photo/TSN] 

 Hayden sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein averages 18.6 points. 6.0 rebounds, 4.6 steals and 2.6 assists for the 6-1 Wildcats. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (6-1) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-3)

Hayden suffered its first loss of the season in its final game before the holiday break, with Hesston taking a 55-47 decision over the Wildcats, while Shawnee Heights closed out 2025 with a 67-30 United Kansas Conference romp past Topeka West. Junior KK Emmot scored a game-high 17 points for Shawnee Heights against West, while juniors Sami Baum and Pearmella Carter added 11 points apiece and seniors Reianna Vega and Imani McGlory scored nine and eight points, respectively. Emmot ranks third in the city with an 18-point scoring average. Hayden sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein is No. 2 in the city with an 18.6 scoring average and also leads the city with 4.6 steals per game while also averaging 6.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game. Game time: 5 p.m.

FRIDAY'S BOYS GAMES

Senior Bryson McComas leads Topeka High with averages of 13.2 points and 7.6 rebounds. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (2-3) at HIGHLAND PARK (1-3)

Highland Park gave Nate Wallace his first victory as a head coach in the Scots' final game of 2025, a 78-35 Meadowlark Conference romp past Kansas City-Wyandotte, while Topeka High ended '25 with a 63-50 loss to Olathe East. Junior JoJo Kingcannon leads Highland Park with a 19-point average, ranking third in the city in scoring, while Kingcannon and junior G'Honi Montgomery grab 5.0 rebounds a game and are averaging .3.7 and 3.0 steals. Senior Bryson McComas leads Topeka High with a 13.2 scoring average with 7.6 rebounds a game. Senior Jalen Aldridge averages 13 points for the Trojans. Both Topeka High first-year coach Robbie Sanders and Wallace are Topeka High graduates. Game time: 7 p.m.

Junior Carter Compton (12) averages a team-high 17.3 points for Hayden. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Cam Ross leads Shawnee Heights with a 16-point scoring average. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (3-4) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-3)

Hayden snapped a three-game losing streak with a 64-57 win over Silver Lake in its final game of 2025 while Shawnee Heights ended its pre-holiday slate with a 63-58 United Kansas Conference loss to Topeka West. Junior Carter Compton leads Hayden with a 17.3 scoring average while senior Connor Hanika averages 14.9 points and 7.1 rebounds. Junior Cam Ross leads Shawnee Heights with a 16-point scoring average while freshman Quincy Dixon averages 12.2 points and a team-high 4.8 rebounds. Game time: 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY'S BOYS GAME

Senior Simon Rowley is averaging a team-high 16.2 points for 4-2 Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (4-2) at OLATHE WEST (3-3)

Washburn Rural ended its pre-Christmas slate with its third straight victory, a 60-25 road romp over Kansas City-Barstow, Mo., while Olathe West is coming off a 65-43 loss to Mill Valley. Senior Simon Rowley leads Washburn Rural with a 16.2 scoring average while senior John Hoytal averages 9.5 points and sophomore Brooks Ballard 9.2 points. Game time: 1 p.m.  

NOTE: Statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2025-2026 season, capped by the season-ending stats.

Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High

SCORING

Name, school                    Gms.  Pts.    Avg

Rayton, Topeka High             4        88     22.0

Schmidtlein, Hayden             7      130     18.6

Emmot, Shawnee Heights     6      108     18.0

Caryl, Topeka High                1        15     15.0

Gragg, Seaman                      5        68     13.6

Anderson, Washburn Rural    5        68     13.6

Marshall, Topeka High           5        63     12.6

McGlory, Shawnee Heights   6         70     11.7

Carter, Shawnee Heights       6         65     10.8

Hall, Topeka West                  6         65     10.8

Jones, Highland Park             4         43     10.8

Backman, Cair Paravel           6         59       9.8

Hirschi, Washburn Rural        5         48       9.6

Beaton, Seaman                     5         47       9.4

Carlgren, Washburn Rural      5         47       9.4

Sydney Van Dyke, Topeka West

REBOUNDING

Name, school                    Gms.   Total    Avg.

VanDyke, Topeka West           6         84       14.0

Gragg, Seaman                       5         47         9.4

Walker, Washburn Rural         5         45         9.0

Caryl, Topeka High                  1           8         8.0

Jones, Highland Park              4          30         7.5

Gotru, Topeka High                5           36        7.2

Carter, Shawnee Heights        6           43        7.2

Hall, Topeka West                  6           41         6.8

Dreher, Seaman                      5           31        6.2

Anderson, Washburn Rural     5           31        6.2

Schmidtlein, Hayden               7           42        6.0

Vega, Shawnee Heights          6            35        5.8

Marshall, Topeka High            5            29        5.8 

Hastert, Cair Paravel               6             34        5.7 

Ayres, Seaman                        5             25        5.0

Hailey Caryl, Topeka High

ASSISTS

Name, school                     Gms.   Total    Avg.

Caryl, Topeka High                  1           8       8.0

Marshall, Topeka High            5          18      3.6

Beaton, Seaman                      5          17      3.4

Gragg, Seaman                        5          15     3.0

Rutherford, Washburn Rural    4          12     3.0

Baum, Shawnee Heights          6          16     2.7

Schmidtlein, Hayden                7          18     2.6

Puvogel, Seaman                     5           12     2.4

Walker, Washburn Rural          5           12     2.4

Emmot, Shawnee Heights       6           14     2.3

Vega, Shawnee Heights           6           14     2.3

Foster, Hayden                         7           14     2.0

Gonzales, Topeka West            5             9     1.8

Backman, Cair Paravel             6            10     1.7

McGlory, Shawnee Heights     6             10     1.7

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden

STEALS

Name, school                     Gms.    Total     Avg.

Schmidtlein, Hayden               7            32      4.6

Gragg, Seaman                       5            19       3.8

Marshall, Topeka High            5            17        3.4

Donaldson, Cair Paravel          6            20        3.3

Gonzales, Topeka West           5             16       3.2

Backman, Cair Paravel             6             19       3.2

Caryl, Topeka High                  1               3       3.0

Jones, Highland Park               4             12       3.0

Hastert, Cair Paravel                6             17       2.8

Beaton, Seaman                      5              14       2.8

Rayton, Topeka High               4              11       2.8

Allen, Topeka West                  6              17       2.7

Anderson, Washburn Rural     5               13       2.6

Walter, Hayden                       7                18       2.6

VanDyke, Topeka West           6                 14       2.3

NOTE: Statistics for city boys basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2025-2026 season, capped by the season-ending stats.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

Malakyah Duncan, Topeka West

SCORING

Name, school                    Gms.  Pts.  Avg

Bonner, Seaman                      5    130    26.0

Duncan, Topeka West              5     98    19.6

Kingcannon, Highland Park     3     57    19.0

Compton, Hayden                   7    121    17.3

Hastert, Cair Paravel                6      98    16.3

Rowley, Washburn Rural          6      97    16.2

Ross, Shawnee Heights            5      80    16.0

Hanika, Hayden                        7    104    14.9

Paul, Topeka West                    5      74    14.8

MCComas, Topeka High           5      66    13.2

Lassiter, Topeka West               5       65    13.0

Aldridge, Topeka High              5       65    13.0

Zuniga, Seaman                        5       62     12.4

Dixon, Shawnee Heights           5       61     12.2

Durbin, Cair Paravel                   6       73      12.2  

REBOUNDING

Name, school                       Gms.   Total    Avg.

Fay, Cair Paravel                         6        46      7.7

McComas, Topeka High             5        38      7.6

Hastert, Cair Paravel                   6         45      7.5

Schmidt, Washburn Rural           6         36      6.0

Durbin, Cair Paravel                    6         33      5.5

Lassiter, Topeka West                 4          22      5.5

Paul, Topeka West                      4          22      5.5

Tourtillott, Hayden                      7         35      5.0

Kingcannon, Highland Park        3         15      5.0

Montgomery, Highland Park      3          15     5.0

Zuniga, Seaman                          5          25     5.0

Hoytal, Washburn Rural              6          30     5.0

Cleverdon, Cair Paravel               6           29    4.8

Dixon, Shawnee Heights             5           24     4.8

Anderson, Highland Park            3           14     4.7

ASSISTS

Name, school                       Gms.   Total    Avg.

Anderson, Highland Park            3         19      6.3

Bonner, Seaman                          5         31      6.2

Paul, Topeka West                       4          20      5.0

Hastert, Cair Paravel                    6          28      4.7

Fay, Cair Paravel                          6           23      3.8

Kingcannon, Highland Park         3          11      3.7

Hoytal, Washburn Rural              6           20       3.3

Scott, Shawnee Heights              5           16       3.2

Duncan, Topeka West                 4           12       3.0

Guest, Topeka High                    5           14       2.8

Becker, Hayden                           7           18       2.6

Marichal, Cair Paravel                 6            15       2.5

McComas, Topeka High             5            12       2.4

Alston, Shawnee Heights           5            12       2.4

Nimz, Washburn Rural               6            14       2.3

STEALS

Name, school                       Gms.      Total     Avg.

Kingcannon, Highland Park       3            11         3.7 

Montgomery, Highland Park     3              9         3.0

Bonner, Seaman                        5            15         3.0

Wiltz, Seaman                            5            14         2.8

McComas, Topeka High             5            14         2.8

Alston, Shawnee Heights           5            14         2.8

Hanika, Hayden                          7            17        2.4

Anderson, Highland Park           3              7         2.3

Duncan, Topeka West                4               9        2.3

Munganga, Topeka West           4               9        2.3

Fay, Cair Paravel                        6              12        2.0

Drew, Highland Park                 3                6         2.0

Zuniga, Seaman                        5               10        2.0

Mitchell, Hayden                      7                13        1.9

Becker, Hayden                        7                 13       1.9

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Shawnee County girls high school sports teams may likely remember 2025 as the year of near-misses, with seven county teams finishing second in five different sports while eight individuals/relays posted runnerup finishes.

But the county still had notable accomplishments to celebrate, with local schools capturing a pair of state team championships while local athletes captured four individual state titles.

Class 6A soccer champion Washburn Rural and 3A volleyball champ Silver Lake share the No. 1 spot on the TopSports.news Top 10 list for 2025 while Seaman track star Ryin Miller, who dominated the 5A state track meet with three wins and Highland Park wrestler Makayla Cadet, who captured her school's first girls state crown, hold down the next two spots.

Seaman posted runnerup team finishes in basketball and tennis while Silver Lake finished second in basketball and softball, Hayden was second in soccer and volleyball and Washburn Rural posted a runnerup finish in softball.

Individually, Washburn Rural's Molly Spader, Seaman's Koti Best and Taylie Heston and Shawnee Heights' Isabel Reyes all recorded second-place finishes in state wrestling while Rural's Morgan Ray and Topeka High's Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton were individual runnerups in state track, Seaman's Emma Sweeney was a singles runnerup in state tennis and Washburn Washburn Rural's 4x800-meter relay team also posted a second-place state finish in track.    

Here's a look at TopSports.news' Top 10 Shawnee County girls prep stories of 2025:

Washburn Rural girls soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship after its 1-0 win over Mill Valley in PKs. [Photo by KSHSAA Covered]

1. TITLE BREAKTHROUGH -- Washburn Rural added the only missing piece from its impressive soccer resume with its first Class 6A state championship. Making their 11th straight Final Four appearance, including four runnerup state finishes, the 19-2-0 Junior Blues broke through with a 1-0 win over Mill Valley, taking the win with a 4-1 edge in penalty kicks. Rural was represented on the All-City first team by 2025 grads Destiny Higgs, Kate Hinck, Addyson Kaberline, Zahra Friess and Madison Lemke and then-junior Dayne Shriver while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the city coach of the year.

Silver Lake volleyball capped a 46-1 season with the 2025 Class 3A state championship. [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

1. EAGLES FLY TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP -- Silver Lake, which went 46-1 and ended its season on a 37-match winning streak, finished off its championship run with a 25-21, 25-19 win over Holton. The Eagles were represented on the All-Shawnee County  team by senior Jaiden Wise, juniors Kylie Hanni and Jaylie Whitehead and sophomore Karys Deiter, with Hanni named the county player of the year and Eagles coach Sarah Johnson tapped as the coach of the year.

Seaman's Ryan Miller capped her junior track season with a sweep of the Class 5A 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs in the 2025 state meet. [File photo/TSN]  

3. MILLER SHINES -- Seaman superstar runner Ryin Miller capped off her junior track and field season in the 2025 strate track and field championships by sweeping Class 5A state titles in all three of her individual events, taking wins in the 3,200 (10:19.53), 1,600 (4:57.33) and 800-meter (2:11.14) runs at Wichita State. Miller's three wins in 2025 gave her five career titles and came on the heels of a banner 2024 cross country season, which included the fastest five-kilometer run in Kansas history (16:32.62) and a runnerup finish in the 5A state meet (17:26.36).

Highland Park then-junior Makayla Cadet became her school's first girls state wrestling champion in 2025. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

4. A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY -- Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet celebrated her 17th birthday in one of the best ways you could imagine, with a 2025 Class 5A state wrestling championship. Cadet, who went 23-4 on the season, became the first girls wrestler in Highland Park history to win a state championship when she pinned Basehor-Linwood junior Izzy Renfro at the 1:36 mark of the first period in Park City. Cadet's win over Renfro avenged a regional loss to the Bobcat standout.

5. OH SO CLOSE -- After winning state titles a year earlier, Seaman in Class 5A and Silver Lake in 3A both posted runnerup finishes in 2025 in girls basketball. The Vikings ran off 24 straight wins in the 2024-2025 campaign before dropping a 68-61 decision to perennial state champ St. Thomas Aquinas in the title game while Silver Lake, which had to reload after graduating a talented senior class from its 26-0 championship team in 2024, posted a 23-3 record last season, dropping a tight 48-45 decision to Halstead in the 3A final.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Shawnee County high schools captured three boys state team titles in 2025 while county athletes combined to earn six individual/relay championships.

Washburn Rural soccer is No. 1 on TopSports.news' list of the Top 10 boys high school sports stories of 2025 after winning its fourth Class 6A state title and first since 2012 while Rural cross country and Hayden bowling also won team championships.

Individually, Washburn Rural's Easton Broxterman is No. 2 on the Top 10 after capping his outstanding high school wrestling career with his third straight Class 6A state championship in 2025 in his fourth straight trip to the state finals.

Other highlights included current Junior Blue seniors Draden Chooncharoen and Liam Morrison celebrating state titles in soccer and track while Broxterman's Junior Blue wrestling teammates, current senior Landen Kocher-Munoz and 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall, both claimed their second individual state titles.

Rural 2025 grad Isaiah Terry and Morrison both captured 6A individual titles and teamed with Chooncharoen and '25 grad Matthew Houser to set a state meet record in the 4x400-meter relay, Rural's second straight state crown in that event. 

Here's a look at TopSports.news' Top 10 Shawnee County boys prep stories of 2025:

Washburn Rural soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship since 2012 after its 3-2 win over Shawnee Mission East in PKs. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

1. RURAL RULES -- Led by an outstanding senior class, perennial state soccer power Washburn Rural capped a 19-1-1 2025 season with its first Class 6A state championship since 2012, taking a 3-2 win over Shawnee Mission East with a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks. Senior Dylan Willingham ended his high school career with Washburn Rural's single-season and career scoring records.

Washburn Rural wrestling star Easton Broxterman capped his high school career in 2025 with his third straight Class 6A state title and fourth trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]

2. MAT MASTER -- Washburn Rural superstar wrestler Easton Broxterman put the capper on one of the top high school careers in Shawnee County history with his third straight Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in the 6A state tournament in Overland Park. Broxterman, who is wrestling collegiately at Army, finished off a 41-2 senior season with the 145-pound state title.

Washburn Rural cross country celebrates its 2025 Class 6A state championship after winning by a single point over Blue Valley. [Photo courtesy of Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

3. STRENGTH IN THE PACK -- Washburn Rural cross country didn't have an individual medalist (top 20) in the 2025 Class 6A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, but the Junior Blues put four runners in the top 28 places to lead the way as Rural captured the team championship by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley. Rural got a team-high 22nd-place finish from sophomore Henry Laubach while senior Brooks Kehoe was 25th, sophomore Clayton Fink 26th, sophomore Duke Graf 28th, sophomore Jaxson Adams 42nd, senior Wyatt Shorb 52nd and sophomore Brady Meek 84th. 

Hayden won its first ever state bowling championship in the 2025 season, winning the Class 4A-1A state crown by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane. [File photo/TSN]

4. STRIKING GOLD -- Hayden garnered the first state bowling championship in school history, winning the Class 4A-1A state event by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane as four Wildcats earned individual state medals. Trevor Christy rolled a 698 series to finish third individually while John Strickland finished fifth with a 685, Chase Blaser was seventh with a 676 and Reese Renyer placed 16th with a 636.

Washburn Rural 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall won back-to-back Class 6A state wrestling titles in '24 and '25.'[File photo/TSN] 

 Washburn Rural senior Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second career Class 6A state wrestling title in '25 with his third trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]

5. REPEAT FEAT -- Washburn Rural wrestling stars Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz captured the second Class 6A state titles of their careers in the 2025 state tournament as the Junior Blues finished third as a team. Marshall, a 2025 graduate, won his second straight championship, winning the 157-pound crown to finish off a 37-5 season while then-junior Kocher-Munoz won his second career championship in his third straight state final, winning at 138 pounds to finish 34-3 on the season.

Washburn Rural's Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry set the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay in the 2025 state meet. [File photo/TSN]

6. REPEAT FEAT PART II -- Washburn Rural won the Class 6A state title in the 4x400-meter relay for the second straight season in the final event of the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium as 2025 grads Matthew Houser and Isaiah Terry and then-juniors Liam Morrison and Draden Chooncharoen set a 6A state meet record in a winning time of 3 minutes, 16.23 seconds. Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry ran on Rural's state-champion relay in both '24 and '25 while Houser won his first state title.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

The names are probably well known to anyone who has followed local sports over the past several years, but a long and growing list of athletes who starred at Shawnee County high schools made a big impact at the college and/or professional level in 2025.

Here's a look at just some of the stars who continued to make their fans proud over the past year:

Junior Jack Bachelor has helped lead Washburn to a 13-0 record and a No. 1 national ranking this season. [File photo/TSN]

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural/Washburn -- A year after helping lead 30-4 Washburn to the NCAA Division II Final Four and earning All-MIAA first-team honors, the 6-foot-2 junior guard has played a major role as the Ichabods are off to a 13-0 start this season while achieving the No. 1 national ranking in D-II. Bachelor, named the MIAA Player of the Week last week, is averaging 16.2 points with 36 3-pointers while hitting 34 of 38 free throws (89.5 percent). Bachelor has a team-high 64 assists with 24 steals.

COREY BALLENTINE, Shawnee Heights/Washburn/Dallas Cowboys -- A 6-foot, 191-pound defensive back, Ballentine is in his seventh season in the NFL and currently on the active roster for the Dallas Cowboys. Ballentine previously played for the New York Giants, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots. Ballentine has played in 71 games with 11 starts, registering 102 tackles with one interception.

ANNA BECKER, Seaman/Drake -- Becker, a 5-foot-10 freshman guard, has started all 11 games for Division I Drake after helping lead Seaman to a Class 5A state championship as a junior and a runnerup state finish as a senior. Becker is averaging 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Bulldogs. Becker was a four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection, a two-time county player of the year and a three-time United Kansas Conference player of the year.   

Former Topeka West star Elijah Brooks leads Houston Christian with a 12.3 scoring average. [Houston Christian Athletics]

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West/Houston Christian -- A 6-foot-3 senior guard, the former Mr. Kansas Basketball for Topeka West has started all eight games he's appeared in for the 5-7 Huskies, averaging a team-high12.3 points along with 4.5 rebounds and 25 assists. Brooks, who began his college career at North Dakota, averaged 9.1 points and 3.7 rebounds last season for Houston Christian with a career-high 29-point game.

NIJAREE CANADY, Topeka High/Texas Tech

A senior pitcher/first baseman, the former Topeka High two-time Class 6A state champion was named the 2025 NCAA Division I Pitcher of the Year as a junior in her first season at Texas Tech while also earning first-team All-American honors. Canady, the Big 12 Player of the Year, finished her season with a 34-7 pitching record, a 1.11 earned run average and 319 strikeouts while also leading Tech with 11 home runs and slugging .639. Canady was the two-time Gatorade Player of the Year for the Trojans.

BROOKLYN DELEYE, Washburn Rural/Kentucky -- The former three-sport Washburn Rural star, DeLeye, a 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter, was named a first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America selection for the second straight season. DeLeye helped lead the 30-3 Wildcats to a runnerup finish in the NCAA Tournament, starting all 33 matches with 545 kills while also compiling 279 digs and 42 blocks.

Washburn sophomore linebacker JC Heim ranked second in the nation with 142 tackles this fall, earning second-team All-MIAA honors. [File photo/TSN]

JC HEIM, Washburn Rural/Washburn -- A sophomore linebacker, Heim earned second-team All-MIAA recognition after leading the Ichabods and the MIAA and ranking second in the nation with 142 total tackles, splitting 71 solo and 71 assisted tackles. Heim added seven tackles for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. He was also third in solo tackles in the national rankings.

TEVEN JENKINS, Topeka High/Cleveland Browns -- After starring at Topeka High and earning All-Big 12 honors at Oklahoma State as an offensive lineman, Jenkins, 6-foot-6, 321 pounds, was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bears. After playing four seasons with the Bears, Jenkins is in his first season with the Cleveland Browns. An offensive guard, Jenkins has played in 15 games with three starts this season and has played in 60 games in his career with 41 starts.

Washburn senior Belle Kennedy (12) earned first-team All-America honors this fall for the Ichabods. [File photo/TSN]

BELLE KENNEDY, Washburn Rural/Washburn -- A 5-foot-3 senior midfielder, the former Washburn Rural star was named a first-team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches after helping lead Washburn University soccer to its second NCAA Final Four in three seasons. A three-time All-MIAA first-team pick, Kennedy was named the conference defensive player of the year this fall. Kennedy scored 12 goals and had four assists in her career for the Ichabods.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn University

A junior guard, Bachelor was named the MIAA Player of the Week after averaging 19.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds as No. 1-ranked Ichabod men's basketball went 2-0 with victories over two top-five teams. The former Washburn Rural star went 8 of 13 from 3-point range and 9 of 10 from the free thow line as WU improved to 13-0, scoring 20 points against Lubbock Christian and 19 against West Texas A&M. Bachelor's first basket of the game against West Texas A&M pushed him over the career 1,000-point mark and he now has 1,017 career points.

Madi Blanco

MADI BLANCO, Washburn Rural

Blanco, a senior, won the 140-pound championship in Saturday's 35-school Ladycat Classic wrestling tournament, improving to 13-1 on the season as Washburn Rural captured the team title by a 184.5-147 margin over host Basehor-Linwood. Blanco battled back from a 7-2 deficit in the championship match to record a second-period pin.

Kailyn Hanni 

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career, was named the Most Valuable Player in the Flurry In Flush girls basketball tournament at Rock Creek after Silver Lake clinched the tournament championship with a 72-44 win over Eudora on Saturday. Hanni helped the Eagles go 4-0 on the week, including a 69-53 regular-season win over Rossville, a 56-38 win over Hesston, a 62-41 win over Hays and Saturday's win over Eudora.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights girls basketball got off to a bit of a rough start this season while wading through a rugged opening stretch that included a pair of games against Class 6A schools, including No. 2 Shawnee Mission South, as well as a United Kansas Conference matchup with state-ranked 5A power Piper.

Shawnee Heights senior Imani McGlory drives to the basket in Friday's 67-30 UKC win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

But after starting the year 1-3, Bob Wells' T-Birds enter the holiday break with momentum after reaching the .500 level with back-to-back United Kansas Conference routs.

Shawnee Heights started the week with a tough three-point overtime loss to Manhattan, but bounced back with a 77-point win over Lansing before rolling past Topeka West 67-30 Friday night at Heights.

"We needed to come out and play well,'' Wells said. "What I told them is, 'I don't care what the score is, we need to come out and execute and do the things we've been working on in practice,' and offensively we saw that. 

"We've got a long ways to go defensively and just working on defense and working on talking and doing some of those fundamental things a little bit better, but that's something that people have to learn and we've got to do a better job teaching them to get them to where we want them to be... defensively we're a work in progress.''

The T-Birds, now 3-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference, never trailed Friday after Heights juniors KK Emmot and Sami Baum opened the game with 3-pointers.

Shawnee Heights went on to open up a commanding 22-8 lead by the end of the opening quarter and took a 40-13 advantage to the locker room at the half.

The T-Birds boosted their margin to 60-25 in the third quarter, forcing a running clock throughout the entire fourth quarter.

All five starters had at least eight points for Shawnee Heights, led by Emmot with a game-high 17 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Baum and junior Pearmella Carter added 11 points apiece while seniors Reianna Vega and Imani McGlory scored nine and eight points, respectively.

Topeka West (1-5, 0-4) got 15 points from junior Sydney VanDyke while VanDyke and senior Addaline Hall grabbed eight rebounds apiece.

Shawnee Heights will return to action Jan. 2 to host 4A power Hayden in a non-league game while Topeka West will travel to Leavenworth for a UKC game on Jan. 6.   

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS GIRLS 67, TOPEKA WEST 30

Topeka West           8 5 12 5 -- 30

Shawnee Heights 22 18 20 7 -- 67

Topeka West (1-5, 0-4) – Gonzales 0-5 0-0 0, VanDyke 4-8 7-8 15, Ogles 1-6 0-0 2, Hall 2-7 0-0 4, McGlory 1-11 0-0 3, Allen 0-1 0-0 0, Kutina 1-2 0-0 2, Traylor 1-4 2-4 4, Fox 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 10-45 9-12 30.

Shawnee Heights (3-3, 3-1) – Emmot 6-13 3-5 17, McGlory 3-6 0-0 8, Carter 2-9 7-8 11, Baum 5-7 0-0 11, Vega 4-5 0-0 9, Hamilton 2-5 1-2 5, Schmidt 2-5 0-0 4, Karlyle 1-1 0-0 2, Moeder 0-1 0-0 0, Doby 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-52 11-15 67. 

3-point goals – Topeka West 1 (A. McGlory), Shawnee Heights 6 (Emmot 2, I. McGlory 2, Baum, Vega). Total fouls – Topeka West 13, Shawnee Heights 9. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls -- none.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After reeling off four straight double-digit victories to open the 2025-2026 season, Topeka West boys basketball got its toughest test of the year Friday night at Shawnee Heights.

Junior Prince Lassiter led a balanced Topeka West attack with 15 points in Friday's 63-58 UKC win at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

And Christian Ulsaker's No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Chargers used a clutch fourth-quarter performance to pass that test, taking control down the stretch in a 63-58 United Kansas Conference victory over the seventh-ranked T-Birds, improving to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

Topeka West trailed 36-32 at the half and the game was knotted 48-all at the start of the fourth quarter before the Chargers used a 5-0 run to take the lead and held off the T-Birds (2-3, 2-2) the rest of the way.

"We knew a (Ken) Darting-led team defensively is always going to be gritty and he had them ready for this game, so I'm glad our guys came out prepared,'' Ulsaker said. "It's one that we needed. We haven't really had that (battle) in the fourth, a little bit with Piper, but it was good to see us rise up in crunch time in the fourth quarter and come away with a win.''

The game was close throughout, with West's biggest lead of the night six points with 2:14 left while the T-Birds' biggest advantage was four points on four occasions.

Junior Prince Lassiter, the only underclassman in Topeka West's starting lineup, led a balanced Charger attack with 15 points while senior Keimani Paul added 14 points and seniors Malakyah Duncan and Jay'Veon Traylor 13 apiece.

"Overall, I just like to be a team player,'' Lassiter said. "Of course, anybody wants to score, but ultimately you've got to do what's best for your team. I'm glad I had the experience last year to play some varsity minutes because I'm definitely a lot more comfortable this year.''

"He brings that edge that our team needs,'' Ulsaker said of Lassiter. "And we have to feed off of that. Prince is huge that way.''

Freshman Quincy Dixon (22) scored a game-high 17 points in Shawnee Heights' 63-58 UKC loss to Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Freshman Quincy Dixon led Shawnee Heights with a game-high 17 points, including three 3-pointers, while senior JaiMarion Cook had 16 points with four 3-pointers and junior Cam Ross added 10.

And although Friday's loss was Heights' third loss by five or fewer points, Darting was very pleased with his team's effort against a bigger, more physical Topeka West team.

"I feel great,'' Darting said. "Over our first five games I leave this one feeling way better about (his team) than any time this year. This game was the first time we've played Shawnee Heights defense.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights girls basketball coach Bob Wells knows that his team is making strides, but he also knows that the T-Birds let an opportunity get away Monday night in a 77-74 home non-conference overtime loss to Manhattan.

Junior KK Emmot scored 37 points Monday in Shawnee Heights' 77-74 overtime loss to Manhattan. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Now 1-3 on the season, Heights led for the bulk of Monday's game, including an 11-point lead in the opening minutes, a nine-point advantage at the half, a 14-point cushion in the third stanza and a 12-point lead early in the fourth period.

But the 5-1 Indians came storming back, including scoring the final six points of regulation to force overtime at 67-67, and Manhattan came from behind again in the extra session to lead by as many as five points before holding off the T-Birds in the closing seconds.

"We knew Manhattan wasn't going to quit and it was a fight to the end and we just have to learn to keep our composure in those situations and take care of the basketball at opportune times and finish,'' Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells said. 

"But I think we're making progress. We're making progress, I feel like, by leaps and bounds''

Senior Imani McGlory scored 14 points with four 3-pointers in Shawnee Heights' 77-74 overtime loss to Manhattan Monday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The T-Birds lost despite a game-high 37-point night from junior star KK Emmot and 14 points from senior newcomer Imani McGlory, with Emmot (six) and McGlory (four) combining for 10 of Heights 12 3-pointers on the night.

Senior Reianna Vega also hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with eight points along with junior Pearmella Carter.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights boys basketball fought back from an early double-digit deficit to put itself in position to post its second win of the season Monday night, but Manhattan rallied down to stretch to take a 56-54 non-league decision at Heights.

Junior Cam Ross led Shawnee Heights with 15 points in Monday's 56-54 non-league loss to Manhattan. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN] 

"I just told them, 'Nobody plays harder than us,' '' Shawnee Heights coach Ken Darting said. "But we don't have closure. We've got to have a bucket to win, or make a free throw to win and we don't make it.

"I always talk about 'it.' To win, you've got to do 'it.' Today it's a layup, it's a rebound, it's a made free throw. When 'it' needs to be done you do it and you win. (Manhattan) did 'it'. We're up seven and they get three straight drives all the way to the rim and score and then a kid shoots a crazy three with somebody jumping in his face and hits it to seal it. He did 'it.' 

The T-Birds, now 1-2 on the season, dug itself a 16-6 hole at the end of the opening quarter, but the T-Birds answered with a 19-6 second quarter to take a 25-22 halftime advantage.

The game remained tight in the third quarter, but Shawnee Heights led by as many as six in the period and took a 41-39 lead into the final eight minutes.

Heights pushed its advantage to eight points at 51-43 on a hoop from junior Cam Ross with 3:16 remaining but Manhattan battled back to take a 55-54 lead on senior Will Carpenter's sixth 3-pointer of the night and senior Sawyer Newton added a free throw to account for the final margin.

Carpenter led all scorers with 27 points while Newton finished with 12 points.

Freshman Quincy Dixon (22) scored 13 points in Shawnee Heights' 56-54 non-league loss to Manhattan Monday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Ross led Shawnee Heights with 15 points while freshman Quincy Dixon had 13 points and senior JaiMarion Cook 12 for the T-Birds.

Shawnee Heights will be right back in action Tuesday night, traveling to Lansing for a United Kansas Conference contest.

MANHATTAN BOYS 56, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 54

Manhattan           16 6 17 17 -- 56

Shawnee Heights 6 19 16 13 -- 54

Manhattan (5-1) – Carpenter 10-19 1-2 27, Doering 1-8 2-2 5, S. Newton 5-6 2-3 12, Witt 2-7 0-0 5, Washington 1-2 3-3 5, Hattrup 0-1 0-0 0, Braxmeyer 0-1 0-0 0, A. Newton 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 19-46 10-12 56.

Shawnee Heights (1-2) – Alston 3-7 0-0 7, Cook 4-10 1-2 12, Ross 6-17 2-2 15, Scott 1-3 0-0 2, Dixon 6-9 0-0 13, Campbell 0-0 0-0 0, Doby 0-0 0-0 0, Lee 1-3 3-3 5, Halloran 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-49 6-7 54. 

3-point goals – Manhattan 8 (Carpenter 6, Doering, Witt), Shawnee Heights 6 (Cook 3, Alston, Ross, Dixon). Total fouls – Manhattan 13, Shawnee Heights 18. Fouled out – Scott. Technical foul -- Scott.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the third straight season, and 1A finalist Rossville combined for nine of Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' 2025 All-Shawnee County football team while the Wildcats and Bulldawgs swept offensive and defensive player of the year honors.

Kade Mitchell, Hayden

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Jude Krentz, Hayden

Hayden senior all-purpose standout Kade Mitchell and Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell were named the co-offensive players of the year for 2025 while Hayden senior Jude Krentz was named the defensive player of the year.

Kade Mitchell carried the ball 106 times for 1,003 yards, caught 23 passes for 471 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns while Canann Mitchell rushed for 1,162 yards and 21 touchdowns on 167 carries and completed 123 of 184 passes for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Krentz led the Hayden defense with 120 tackles (61 solo) while recording six tackles for loss and picking off two passes.

Hayden's Bill Arnold and Rossville's Derick Hammes were named the co-coaches of the year while Rossville junior lineman Charlie Chance was tapped as the defensive newcomer of the year and Silver Lake freshman quarterback Kipton Kruger was named the offensive newcomer of the year.

Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks while Kruger completed 178 of 252 passes for 2,158 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Kade Mitchell and Krentz are Top 22 repeat selections, along with Seaman senior Cameron Brian, Rossville senior Conner Bush, Silver Lake senior Dayne Johnson and Shawnee Heights senior Aiden Scott.  

Hayden, which posted a 12-1 record this fall, is also represented on the Top 22 by seniors Xander Blasing, Connor Hanika and Julian McGivern and junior Mason Becker while Rossville senior Andre Johnson joins Bush and Canann Mitchell on the Top 22 after the Bulldawgs posted an 11-2 record, with both losses coming against state champions.

Washburn Rural, which posted a 6-4 record, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Jayden Cooper, Brody Haas and John Hoytal and junior Jadyn Baum.

Senior Noah Kobuszewski joins Brian on the first team for Seaman while senior Jayden Waterer joins Dayne Johnson on the Top 22 for Silver Lake and senior AJ Gallegos joins Scott on the first team for Shawnee Heights.

Meadowlark Conference champion Highland Park put senior Tremaine Savage and junior G'Honi Montgomery on the Top 22 while Topeka High is represented by multi-time All-Centennial League selection Malachi Murph

All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams posted six or more wins this fall and four teams posted at least one win in the playoffs. 

TopSports.news selected the 2025 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.

All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

A collection of transfers and a freshman helped lead the Shawnee Heights girls past United Kansas Conference foe Basehor-Linwood 69-49 in the T-Birds’ home opener Friday.

Junior KK Emmot led Shawnee Heights with 18 points in Friday's 69-49 UKC win over Basehor-Linwood. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Pearmella Carter, a junior transfer from Highland Park, and Imani McGlory, a senior transfer from Topeka West, combined for 29 points in their T-Bird home debuts.

Senior Imani McGlory scored 13 points in her home debut for Shawnee Heights Friday, a 69-49 UKC win over Basehor-Linwood. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Sami Baum, a home school student, scored four points in her first home game at Shawnee Heights and freshman Bijou Schmidt came off the bench to provide 11 points.

Freshman Bijou Schmidt came off the bench to score 11 points in Shawnee Heights' 69-49 win over Basehor-Linwood Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells has worked this fall to mold the new additions into a cohesive unit. The group had its eyes opened in a first-game loss to Shawnee Mission South and they showed Friday the collaboration is coming together.

“It was hard at first, but they’re learning,” Wells said. “Any time you’re learning a new system and learning how we do things in practice, everything is completely different for them. They have had to buy into what we’re doing. So they’ve been doing great. And the girls who have been in our program have been doing great helping them with everything.”

Shawnee Heights blasted out of the gate with 24 points in the first period with 10 from Carter and seven from junior KK Emmot, who led the T-Birds with 18 points.

The game was halted at the 4:40 mark of the third period when T-Bird sophomore Lauryn Brees fell awkwardly and lay on her back when the officials stopped the action. She remained down for more than 25 minutes before she was placed on a backboard and taken from the gym by first responders. After allowing for a brief warmup period, the game resumed after nearly 35 minutes.

“I just came back to the huddle and told (the team) what I knew,” Wells said about Brees’ injury. “I said, ‘We can all say a little prayer for her, and then the best thing we can do is go and play. Just go out there and play hard for her.’ And they did. I felt like they came out really focused. I was concerned that their minds were going to be someplace else because my mind was for a long time.”

The T-Birds outscored Basehor-Linwood 16-3 the rest of the period to expand their lead to 56-31.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The Shawnee Heights boys had to dig deep after they let a 15-point lead slip away in their season opener Friday night. They relied upon the efforts of a freshman and knocked down clutch free throws to hold off United Kansas Conference foe Basehor-Linwood, 61-55.

JaiMarion Cook led Shawnee Heights with 14 points in Friday's 61-55 UKC win over Basehor-Linwood. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Having graduated senior leaders from last year’s squad, the T-Birds may have a few things to learn about holding a lead. They raced to a 35-20 advantage midway through the second quarter and were still holding on 42-28 early in the third. But the Bobcats began clawing their way back into it.

With 2:49 remaining, the T-Birds’ lead was down to five, 55-50, when Bobcat Isaiah Calvert was fouled attempting a 3-pointer. He knocked down all three of his foul shots. Twenty seconds later, he went back to the line when the T-Birds were whistled for a technical foul. He drained two more free throws to knot the game at 55-55.

T-Bird coach Ken Darting felt, once the tide turned, some players attempted to do too much on their own.

“Selfishness. That’s what was going on,” Darting said. “We played hard the whole game. We played well for two-thirds of the game. But we were totally selfish at the end.”

Notably, the T-Birds were playing their first game without Jaret Sanchez and Deacon Pomeroy, a couple of graduates who hit big shots and played clutch minutes throughout their careers.

“We don’t have any of those 20-point scorers,” Darting said. “So, if we’re not near perfect defensively, rebounding and on our execution on offense, we’re not going to shoot a very high percentage. I don’t get mad when (these players) miss their shots because they’re going to miss most of the time they shoot. But if you’re taking some shot that a star can’t make, now I’m mad.

“But it’s a learning process. We’re playing an offense that’s a read-oriented offense and you’ve got to read everything to play it. So that’s going to take a while.”

Freshman Quincy Dixon (22), who had 11 points in his varsity debut for Shawnee Heights, celebrates a basket with teammate Cam Ross. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Giving the T-Birds a lift in the second half was freshman Quincy Dixon. Playing in his first varsity game, Dixon led the T-Birds with nine points in the second half, when the rest of the team was in a rut. He finished with 11.

Leading the T-Birds was JaiMarion Cook with 14. Cam Ross added 12.

“It was important to get this win,” said senior Ontarius Emmot, one of the T-Birds’ returning starters from a year ago. “(A lot of us) have been playing for eight or nine years together. So, it’s the first game back, but it’s not our first time playing with each other. Our chemistry is there.

“Down the stretch we didn’t handle the ball very well, but you know, crunch time, when it got down under a minute, I think we handled that pretty well.”

Emmot said he encouraged his teammates to feel comfortable in the moment.

“I just told the guys ‘This is nothing new from what you’ve been playing all your life,” Emmot said. “I said ‘You’ve played in close games before. Yeah, there might be a couple more people here now. But the ball is still the same. The size of the rim is still the same. There’s the same amount of players on the court.’”

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS BOYS 61, BASEHOR-LINWOOD 55

Basehor-Linwood                  10 16 13 16 -- 55

Shawnee Heights         19 20 10 12 -- 61

Basehor-Linwood (0-1, 0-1) – Brown 2-11 5-6 10, Morrison 5-8 1-3 13, Hofer 0-2 0-0 0, Young 2-8 2-2 6, Calvert 5-10 8-9 19 Hutchinson 0-1 2-2 2, Elliott 2-3 0-0 5, Nixon 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-43 18-22 55.

Shawnee Heights (1-0, 1-0) – Alston 1-8 1-4 4, Cook 4-12 4-4 14, Ross 4-13 4-6 12, Scott 1-4 4-4 7, Emmot 3-9 0-0 7, Doby 1-2 0-0 2, Dixon 4-6 3-3 11, Lee 2-3 0-0 4. Totals: 20-57 16-21 61.

3-point goals – Basehor-Linwood 5 (Morrison 2, Brown 1, Calvert 1, Elliott 1) Shawnee Heights 5 (Cook 2, Alston 1, Scott 1, Emmot 1). Total fouls – Basehor-Linwood 18, Shawnee Heights 21. Fouled out – Ross. Technical fouls – Ross. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

Baum, a junior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 190 pounds last season after posting a 28-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament for Washburn Rural, which finished third as a team. Baum is ranked No. 4 at 190 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is top-ranked in 6A at 215. 

BRENNEN BOWERS, Seaman

A senior 157-pounder, Bowers is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings. Bowers was a 5A state qualifier last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Vikings.

BRODY BROWN, Shawnee Heights

Brown, a junior, is a two-time Class 5A state qualifier and earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 138 pounds. Brown is expected to wrestle at 150 pounds this winter and is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

KAYDEN CLELLAND, Silver Lake

A junior 165-pounder, Clelland was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after winning a Class 4A regional championship to qualify for state with a 32-11 record through regional competition.  

RYDER FOSTER, Rossville

Foster, a sophomore 106-pounder, is currently ranked No. 5 in Class 3A-1A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings. Foster was a state qualifier as a freshman, posting a fourth-place regional finish.

JOSE GOMEZ, Topeka High

Gomez, a junior, posted a 24-13 record last season at 106 pounds and earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Gomez is currently ranked No. 4 in the Class 6A preseason rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

RYDER HARRISON, Washburn Rural

Harrison, a senior 120-pounder, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season, posting a 27-15 record for the Junior Blues and finishing sixth in Class 6A. Harrison is ranked No. 4 at 120 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings.

EVAN JOHNSON, Shawnee Heights

Johnson, a senior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is a three-time Class 5A state qualifier for the T-Birds. Johnson is expected to wrestle at 165 pounds this season and is currently ranked No. 5 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

A junior 150-pounder, Kocher-Munoz was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season for Washburn Rural, posting a 16-7 record on the season and finishing fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues. Munoz is ranked third at 150 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and 10th in the All-Class rankings.

Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

Kocher-Munoz, a senior 138-pounder, captured his second Class 6A state championship last season in his third straight trip to the state finals. Kocher-Munoz posted a 30-3 record, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for a third straight season. Kocher-Munoz is top-ranked in 6A and No. 3 in the All-Class rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

 Jude Krentz, Hayden

JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden

A senior, Krentz earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season at 175 pounds last season after earning his third straight trip to the Class 4A state tournament. Krentz posted a 42-2 record en route to a fourth-place state finish and is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and No. 2 in 4A.

KAIDEN MARSHALL, Washburn Rural

A sophomore 215-pounder, Marshall was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season while also earning all-county first-team recognition. Marshall, who posted a 17-11 record and finished fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues, is expected to move up to 285 pounds this season and is ranked No. 4 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings.

Caleb Menke, Hayden

CALEB MENKE, Hayden

Menke, a junior 157-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after qualifying for the Class 4A state meet with a second-place regional finish. Menke is ranked sixth in 4A in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings and is 10th-ranked in the All-Class rankings.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Twenty-seven Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West players earned spots on the All-United Kansas Conference football team, led by four first-team selections.

AJ Gallegos, Shawnee Heights

Nas Williams-Brown, Topeka West

Cameron Brian, Seaman

Hayden Foxhoven, Seaman

Shawnee Heights senior wide receiver AJ Gallegos and Topeka West sophomore all-purpose pick Nas Brown-Williams were named to the All-UKC first-team offense while Seaman senior linebacker Cameron Brian and Viking defensive back Hayden Foxhoven were named to the first-team defense.

Seaman put junior Coy Barta (wide receiver), senior Noah Kobuszewski (tight end) and senior Brogen Brown (line) on the All-UKC second-team offense while Shawnee Heights is represented by senior Aiden Scott (quarterback) and junior Will Skaggs (line).

The T-Birds put seniors Blake Coffman (line), Tyren Parker (defensive back) and Camden Granado (kicker) on the second-team defense while Topeka West is represented by senior Marcus Kirtdoll (line).

Fourteen city players received all-conference honorable mention.

United Kansas Conference Football

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Whether it's spraying 25-year head coach Bob Wells with water after every win in the locker room or tossing pre-game jerseys in the air before every game, Shawnee Heights girls basketball could be an exciting team on the court in 2025-2026.

Junior KK Emmot returns for Shawnee Heights after earning All-Shawnee County Top 10 honors a year ago. [File photo/TSN]

Wells says even in 39 total years of coaching, you always wonder what the team chemistry will be like but this year, he said that’s coming along very well.

Two transfers Shawnee Heights adds to this group are Highland Park’s Pearmella Carter and Topeka West’s Imani McGlory. The T-Birds also added Sami Baum, who had previously been homes-chooled and played volleyball for the T-Birds this fall.

Funny enough, Wells said he coached Sami’s dad back in the day when he coached with the boys. Wells said he didn’t know anything about these girls coming to the school, but when he got word they were coming, he was thrilled to plug them into the game plan.

“It’s been a really smooth transition, she (Carter) played with all these kids up until eighth grade at Shawnee Heights. She fits in real well,” Wells said. “Everyone was saying she (McGlory) was coming here and I said, 'Yeah right.' Then when enrollment happened and they were here I just said, 'Oh wow,' and the great thing is the girls on roster already have been very accepting and hopefully it will stay like that.''

“I think having Pearmella is very beneficial because we don’t have very many bigs out here, we’re mainly shooters and watching her put in the work has been fun. And Imani, she’s a really good shooter, so she just adds to that strength," Senior Reianna Vega said.

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights boys basketball coach Ken Darting is 76 years old and will be calling it quits after this season following his eighth season with the Thunderbirds and a legendary run with Highland Park.

Ken Darting, a member of multiple Halls of Fame, will close out his legendary coaching career this season at Shawnee Heights. [File photo/TSN]

Darting said he doesn’t want this to be a farewell tour for him because it’s not about him, it’s about the kids.

“Leave me out of it,'' he said. "When I left Highland Park, they wanted to win the state championship for me in my last year so bad and you get side-tracked with that. I want them to play as hard and as together as they can and we will be good.

"I never set a goal of winning a state championship . A bad referee call, an injury… if you can play as well as you can play, I’m going to be happy with you and we’ll have a chance when it matters and anything can happen,” Darting said.

Brennon Dodge, Jaret Sanchez, Deacon Pomeroy are just some of names that led the T-Bird program the last couple of years.

Darting said there’s not one specific player that will be that superstar or may standout per se this winter but he always preaches everybody has to do a part. While he believes there may not be an all-state player or all-conference player as the T-Birds have had in the past, he said that if they all contribute, they’ll be fine.

Continuing what he’s built over the years, Darting says it’s simple.

“Good assistants, great wife and good players,'' Darting said. "We always had the ‘We, not Me’ on our shirts and I believe in that. It’s two things, discipline and high expectations. Kids walk around cool and tough and scared to death inside. You want to get them where they’re confident,” Darting said.

Darting said the T-Birds have implemented a new offense that’s taking some time to figure in but it’s getting there. And the strength of Darting's teams will always be defense.

Darting told TopSports.news that he will enjoy this final ride.

“I feel like I’ve never worked a day in my life. Coaching is just a vacation, it’s just fun and I can't wait to get to it… but I can’t wait to get to the other part, too,'' he said. "I think it’s going to be a fantastic year.''

Senior Ontarius Emmot is a top returner for Shawnee Heights, which has advanced to the Class 5A state tournament the past two seasons. [File photo/TSN]

Seniors Ja'Veon Austin, Jai'Marion Cook and Ontarius Emmot love their chemistry together and finally have the opportunity to share the court at the same time.

“Our main goal is to play as a team and win together,” Cook said. “We’re trying to build a family here, start a foundation for all the elementary and middle school kids and build them up until the high school level. We break down every practice with ‘family’ because that’s what we want to be is a family.”

“We have to sacrifice for each other, taking in the moment, realizing how big it is and seeing that down the road you won with the people you’ve played with your whole life,” Emmot said.

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news 

The hammer and chain you might see that Washburn Rural boys basketball posts on X after every game, that’s not going away this year.

Senior Simon Rowley earned All-Shawnee County Top 10 honors for Washburn Rural last season. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Blues coach Alex Hutchins said that started when he started coaching in 2018 and it became an idea when Hutchins started watching baseball games and believes it came from former MLB player Carlos Beltran.

Regardless of a win or loss, the players choose who gets the hammer and/or chain based on doing it the right way according to Hutchins.

The hammer goes to the player who does things right offensively and the chain is for defense.

“It holds us accountable to our core values and being tough and going out there to perform every night. It just makes you have that dawg mentality when you’re out there. You want to compete for the chain and the hammer,” senior standout Simon Rowley said.

Hutchins will be in his fourth year with the Junior Blues and this senior class has been with him the whole time, with the exception of Rowley, who transferred in last season.

Last year's team finished at 18-5 and advanced to the state tournament before falling in the first round to Wichita Heights. That was Rural's first trip to the big dance since 2019 where they were the state runnerups.

“We’ve felt like we’ve hit the ground running more this year than probably any other year and part of that is the decisions as a coaching staff to stick with some things that have worked, but part of it is a deep roster of kids who have been with us through a lot,” he said.

Rowley and John Hoytal return as starters from last year's group, while Draden Chooncharoen, Brooks Ballard and Kieffer O’Connor, who’s won the JV MVP the last two years, are names to look out for, too.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

BROOKLYN BINKLEY, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Binkley was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick last season after placing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Binkley is currently ranked No. 4 in 5A at 170 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural

EMME BLANCO, Washburn Rural

Blanco, a senior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season after posting a 35-10 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 140 pounds. Blanco is ranked No. 6 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 145 and is ranked third in 6A.

MADI BLANCO, Washburn Rural

A senior, Blanco earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition for the second straight season after posting a 30-8 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 135 pounds. Blanco is ranked eighth in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 140 pounds and is ranked No. 3 in 6A. 

CONNIE BURNS, Highland Park

Burns, a senior, posted a 22-7 record and was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 115 pounds after finishing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament in her first season at Highland Park. Burns in ranked No. 5 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 5A preseason rankings at 115.

Makayla Cadet, Highland Park

MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park

Cadet, a senior, captured the Class 5A state championship at 190 pounds last season, capping a 23-4 season for the Scots with the school's first girls state championship. Cadet was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year for the 2024-2025 season and is ranked No. 2 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings and is also ranked second in 5A.

Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights

CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights

A senior 155-pounder, Graves is a three-time Class 5A state placer, including a third-place finish last season as Shawnee Heights earned the third-place team trophy in 5A. Graves, who went 39-3 on the season, was an All-Shawnee County first-season repeater. Graves is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is No. 3 in 5A.

AVA GUTIERREZ, Shawnee Heights

Gutierrez, a sophomore 100-pounder, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament for Shawnee Heights, which posted a third-place team finish in 5A. Gutierrez posted a 19-13 record as a freshman.

AUDREY HINKLY, Shawnee Heights

Hinkly, a junior 120-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after placing fourth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Hinkly is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

OLIVE JONES, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Jones was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament at 135 pounds. Jones, who was named to the all-county second team, is expected to wrestle at 140 pounds for the T-Birds this winter and is ranked fifth at that weight by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

JANIAH MATTHIE-JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Matthie-Johnson was a Class 6A state qualifier last season as a freshman at 190 pounds, earning All-Shawnee County  second-tean recognition, but is expected to wrestle at 155 pounds this season. Matthie-Johnson is currently ranked sixth at 155 in 6A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

By RICK PETERSON             

TopSports.news

Jalen Aldridge, Topeka High

JALEN ALDRIDGE, Topeka High

Aldridge, a 6-foot-1 senior, averaged a team-high 12.3 points for Topeka High last season, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Aldridge shot 43 percent on two-point field goal attempts and connected on 26 3-pointers while averaging 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals and shooting 70 percent from the free throw line.    

JA'VEON ALSTON, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 senior point guard, Alston received All-Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record en route to a second straight trip to the Class 5A state tournament. A standout defender, Alston averaged 2.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the T-Birds as a junior.  

Mason Becker, Hayden

MASON BECKER, Hayden

A 5-11 junior guard, Becker was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 last season after averaging 10.1 points with 36 3-pointers, while shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Becker also averaged 2.8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Becker will get a late start on preseason basketball practice after helping lead the Wildcats football team to their third straight Class 3A state championship game Saturday in Hutchinson.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-4 senior, is a two-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Bonner averaged 19 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.9 steals this past season for the 13-8 Vikings while hitting 49 3-pointers and shooting 77 percent from the free throw line.

CALEB CLEVERDON, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior, Cleverdon will be counted on heavily this winter as Cair Paravel looks to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Cleverson averaged 7.6 points last season while connecting on 33 3-pointers and shooting 35 percent from outside the arc. Cleverdon also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals as a junior. 

JAI'MARION COOK, Shawnee Heights

Cook, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season while helping Shawnee Heights post an 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Cook connected on 30 3-pointers as a junior while shooting 38 percent from outside the 3-point line. 

Jack Donovan, Rossville

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A 5-11 senior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the second straight season after averaging 18.7 points with 62 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 16-8 record and a Class 2A state tournament berth last season. Donovan, a first-team All-Big East League pick, is also a standout in golf and football, helping Rossville reach the Class 1A state football title game on Friday in Hutchinson.

Malakyah Duncan, Topeka West

MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West

Duncan, a 6-4 senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season after helping lead the Chargers to the Class 5A state tournament, where West lost in the quarterfinals to state champ Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Duncan averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals as a junior while shooting 55 percent on two-point field goal attempts. 

ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 6-4 senior forward, received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Emmot averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a junior while draining 29 treys on the season.

Elisha Guest, Topeka High

ELISHA GUEST, Topeka High

A 5-7 senior, Guest received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after averaging 11.6 points while connecting on 49 3-pointers and shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Guest also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals for the Trojans last season. 

Connor Hanika, Hayden

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a 6-5 senior, received All-Shawnee County second-team honors last season after averaging 10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 48 percent on two-point field goals. Hanika is Hayden's starting quarterback in football, helping the Wildcats reach their third straight Class 3A state championship game.

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural 

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior forward, Hoytal received All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after helping the 18-5 Junior Blues win the Centennial League title and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. Hoytal averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals last season while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goals and 73 percent from the free throw line. 

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-2 senior, helped lead the Eagles to a 20-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament in 2024-2025. A first-team All-Big East League selection, Johnson moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after being a Second 10 pick as a sophomore. Johnson is a multi-sport standout for the Eagles, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors as a junior.

Lucas Marichal, Cair Paravel

LUCAS MARICHAL, Cair Paravel

A senior, Marichal is a key returner for Cair Paravel Latin, which will by looking to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Marichal averaged 9.0 points a year ago while connecting on 28 3-pointers and shooting 80 percent from the free throw line. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which captured the Class 6A state championship, leads the 2025 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with five first-team picks.

The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by seniors Draden Chooncharoen (midfield), Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (forward) and junior Brodye Kocher-Munoz (forward) while Rural coach Brian Hensyel was voted the city coach of the year after the Junior Blues posted a 19-1-1 record.

Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural

Brandon Hamilton, Washburn Rural

Liam Morrison Washburn Rural

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

Hamilton, Morrison and Willingham are all first-team repeat picks.

Shawnee Heights, Topeka High and Topeka West all put three players on the All-City first team, while Cair Paravel Latin and Seaman both put one player on the team.

Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights

Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights

Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights

Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by seniors Camden Granado (forward) and Jason Slay (defense) and junior Mason Haas (midfield), with Granado and Haas first-team repeat picks.

Neri Diaz-Mayorga, Topeka High

Neri Diaz-Mayorga, Topeka High 

Topeka High put three players on the All-City team -- seniors Neri Diaz-Mayorga (midfield) and Billy Lutz (goalkeeper) and junior Carlos Acosta-Martinez (midfield).

Lutz is a repeat first-team selection while Diaz-Mayorga made the first team in 2024 for Highland Park.

Valentin Del Real, Topeka West

Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West

Giancarlo Valenzuela, Topeka West

Topeka West is represented on the first team by sophomore Valentin Del Real (midfield), junior Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Giancarlo Valenzuela (midfield), with Del Real and Gonzalez-Talavera first-team repeaters.

Nathan Keys, Cair Paravel

Cody Quy, Seaman

Cair Paravel put senior Nathan Keys (forward) on the All-City team while Seaman is represented by senior Cody Quy (forward).

Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall for the second straight season while Rural's Chooncharoen, Hamilton, Kocher-Munoz and High's Acosta-Martinez and Diaz-Mayorga were also first-team picks.

Shawnee Heights' Granado was named the United Kansas Conference player of the year while Haas and Slay and Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Valenzuela were all named to the All-United Kansas Conference first team.

2025 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER

By RICK PETERSON        
TopSports.news

BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-11 freshman guard/forward, Anderson has yet to take the basketball court for the Junior Blues, but made an immediate impact in volleyball, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team honors while also being named the county and league newcomer of the year as Washburn Rural won the Centennial League title and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

SAMI BAUM, Shawnee Heights 

A 6-1 junior, Baum will make her high school basketball debut in the 2025-2026 season after joining the T-Birds. Baum, who has been home schooled, played for the Shawnee Heights volleyball team this fall and has extensive experience in club basketball, receiving interest from college recruiters.    

Nora Burdiek, Rossville

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 6-0 junior forward, missed 11 games of the 2024-2025 season with an injury, but still earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention and was a third-team All-Class 2A and All-Big-East League honoree after averaging 16.5 points and 12 rebounds for 10-12 Rossville. Burdiek was a first-team All-Shawnee County and 2A All-State pick in volleyball, helping lead the Bulldawgs to the state tournament.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

PEARMELLA CARTER, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 junior, Carter starred at Highland Park the past two seasons before transferring to Shawnee Heights for the 2025-2026 season. Carter was a Second 10 All-Shawnee County selection for the Scots last winter after averaging 19.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.1 assists and shooting 50 percent from 2-point field goal range while connecting on 14 3-pointers. 

Hailey Caryl, Topeka High

HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a 5-10 sophomore, received All-Shawnee County Second 10 honors as a freshman after helping Topeka High post a 14-8 record and a nine-win improvement over the 2023-2024 season. Caryl averaged 10.5 points and 8.4 rebounds as a freshman while shooting 58 percent on 2-point field attempts and averaging 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. Caryl is also a tennis and soccer standout for the Trojans.

KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake

A 5-7 sophomore guard, Deiter earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition for the 23-3 Eagles as a freshman starter, averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds as Silver Lake overcame big graduation losses from its 2024 Class 3A state championship team to post a runnerup state finish. Deiter was a first-team all-county pick in volleyball this fall after the Eagles won the state title with a 46-1 record, including 37 straight wins to end the season.  

Rylee Dick, Rossville

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

 A 5-6 senior guard, Dick was a first-team All-2A and All-Big East League pick last season and was an All-Shawnee County second-team selection after averaging 20.4 points with 68 made 3-pointers and 89-percent shooting from the free throw line for the 10-12 Bulldawgs while eclipsing the 1,000-point mark for her career. Dick, who has received all-league, all-county and All-2A recognition three straight seasons, has signed a letter of intent with Division II Rockhurst.  

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 5-8 junior, moved up to the All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after earning second-team honors as a freshman. Emmot, who led the T-Birds to a 14-8 record, also earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference honors this past season after averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 3.2 assists while connecting on 46 3-pointers.     

Maddie Gragg, Seaman 

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-10 senior, Gragg was an All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection for the third straight season after helping lead Seaman to a 24-1 record and a runnerup finish in Class 5A. Gragg, also a three-time All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick, averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goal attempts and shooting 83 percent from the free throw line while hitting 39 3-pointers. 

Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a 5-7 senior guard, led Silver Lake to a 23-3 record and a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament this past season after helping the Eagles post a perfect 26-0 record en route to the 3A state championship in 2024. Hanni was a repeat All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection as well as a repeat first-team all-league pick. A Fort Hays State basketball signee, Hanni is a multi-sport standout, earning first-team all-county honors in golf this fall. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Jack Bachelor 

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn University

A junior guard, Bachelor scored 23 points on 7 of 13 shooting with three 3-pointers and 6 of 6 free throws in an 95-63 win over Minnesota State-Moorhead and had 14 points with five assists and three 3s in an 88-57 in over Winona State as No. 2-ranked Washburn went 2-0 in the Central Regional Challenge at Pittsburg to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Mason Becker 

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a junior, scored a 71-yard touchdown on a pass reception from Connor Hanika, rushed for 78 yards on 9 carries, went 5 of 5 on extra-point attempts to improve his season PAT streak to 61 and averaged 44.5 yards on two punts as Hayden improved to 11-0 with an 43-29 home Class 3A state quarterfinal win over Jefferson West.

 Autumn Gibbs

AUTUMN GIBBS, Washburn University 

A junior volleyball player, Gibbs came up big in Friday's 3-1 home MIAA win over Central Oklahoma. After Washburn, now No. 7-ranked, dropped a 25-23 first-set decision, Gibbs jump-started her team with six straight service points, including three aces, at the end of the second set to give WU a 25-22 win before it closed out the match with 25-19 and 25-16 wins. Washburn took a 3-0 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith the following day to earn a share of the MIAA regular-season championship.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's hard to think of much that Ken Darting hasn't accomplished in his Hall of Fame basketball coaching career.

He's led three different schools to state tournament appearances, won five state championships at two schools, including three straight titles at Highland Park, posted a perfect 25-0 campaign and registered 603 coaching victories.

Ken Darting, a member of multiple Halls of Fame, will close out his legendary coaching career alongside his son, Kerry, this season at Shawnee Heights. [File photo/TSN]

Now, when high school practice for the 2025-2026 season starts on Monday, Darting will add what he feels is the only missing piece when his son, Kerry, joins him on the T-Bird bench in his final season at Shawnee Heights.

The 76-year-old Darting had thought about retirement the last couple of years, but wanted to finish out with this year's senior class, which has been a part of back-to-back Class 5A state tournament appearances.

"I'm looking forward to this year as much as I have any year ever and that's pretty good when you say you lost your three leading scorers, three leading rebounders, three leading percentage shooters, leading free throw shooters, leading assist guy, and I'm looking forward to it? I've got to be drunk, dumb or something,'' Darting said. "But these senior kids do everything you ask and they want to be good, they want to have a good team. Those kids have done everything that I told them is important to get good, so we're looking forward to it.

"That's why it should be nothing but fun. When I'm saying I'm looking forward to this year and I said what I lost, I ain't stupid. I'm not looking forward to it because we're going to have five All-Americans and we're going to beat everybody 60 points. I'm looking forward to it because the kind of people that I like to work with are there.''

Kerry Darting, who operates Darting Basketball Academy, will serve as an assistant coach for his father, Ken, this season at Shawnee Heights. [File photo/TSN]

And when Kerry, a former Division I assistant and the co-founder with his dad in the highly-successful Darting Basketball Academy, committed to joining his dad on the Heights bench, one more season was a done deal for Ken.

"A biggie is Kerry coming on board,'' Ken said. "That made it a no decision.''

Coaching with his son is something that Ken has thought about for a long time, but the stars just never aligned to make that possible until now.