Topeka High Trojans
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EMPORIA (0-6, 0-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (4-2, 0-1 Centennial League)
Washburn Rural, ranked No. 4 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, was off Tuesday after a tough 46-44 Centennial League loss at Hayden last Friday. Sophomore Maddie Vickery led Rural with 15 points against Hayden while senior Kate Hinck added 11 points. Both of Rural's losses have been two-point road losses. Emporia is still looking for its first win after dropping a 66-12 decision to Hays on Tuesday. Game time: 6 p.m.
JUNCTION CITY (1-4, 0-1 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-3, 0-1 Centennial League)
Topeka High is coming off a 56-41 Centennial League loss to undefeated Hayden on Tuesday while Junction City dropped a 93-25 league game to Manhattan. Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton and freshman Hailey Caryl led the Trojans with 11 points apiece against Hayden. Game time: 6 p.m.
KC-TURNER (0-5, 0-4 United Kansas Conference) at TOPEKA WEST (0-6, 0-6 United Kansas Conference)
Topeka West will be looking for its first win of the season Friday against the winless Bears after dropping a 71-29 UKC decision at undefeated and top-ranked Seaman Tuesday night. Turner is coming off a 70-11 loss to Basehor-Linwood Wednesday night. Game time: 5:45 p.m.
WEST FRANKLIN (2-6, 2-3 Flint Hills League) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-7, 0-4 Flint Hills League)
Cair Paravel is coming off a 69-10 Flint Hills loss to Osage City on Tuesday while West Franklin is coming off a 47-37 league win over Mission Valley. Game time: 6 p.m.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EMPORIA (4-2, 0-0 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 1-0 Centennial League)
Washburn Rural is coming off a 52-46 home non-league loss to Blue Valley West on Tuesday while Emporia is coming off a 41-36 non-league victory over Hays. Senior Kaden Ballard scored 15 points and hit three 3-pointers for Washburn Rural against Blue Valley West while junior Simon Rowley added 13 points. Game time: 7:30 p.m.
JUNCTION CITY (6-0, 1-0 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (0-7, 0-1 Centennial League)
Topeka High is coming off a 65-50 Centennial League loss to Hayden on Tuesday while Junction City took a 66-62 league win over Manhattan. Junior Jalen Aldridge led Topeka High with 17 points and hit three 3-pointers against Hayden. Game time: 7:30 p.m.
KC-TURNER (1-6, 0-5 United Kansas Conference) at TOPEKA WEST (4-2, 4-2 United Kansas Conference)
Topeka West will be looking for its third win of the week Friday, with the Chargers coming off a 59-57 come-from-behind United Kansas Conference win over Seaman Tuesday night. West is ranked No. 8 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association while Seaman is No. 7. Junior Keimani Paul scord 17 points and junior Malakyah Duncan 14 points against Seaman, with Duncan hitting the game-winning free throws. Turner is coming off a 77-27 UKC loss to Basehor-Linwood Wednesday night. Game time: 7:15 p.m.
WEST FRANKLIN (3-5, 2-4 Flint Hills League) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (3-5, 1-3 Flint Hills League)
Cair Paravel is coming off a 61-37 Flint Hills loss to Osage City on Tuesday while West Franklin is coming off a 53-42 league league loss to Mission Valley. Lucas Marichal scored 12 points to lead Cair Paravel in the Lions' loss to Osage City. Game time: 7:30 p.m.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Topeka High inducted its second annual Sports Hall of Honor class on Thursday, inducting 15 individuals and two Trojan teams.
Former Topeka High track and field star Clardy Vinson, who later became the school's principal, was inducted into the Topeka High Sports Hall of Honor Thursday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High Hall of Honor inductees Shara Stafford (left) and Doshia Woods visit prior to Thursday's ceremonies. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Sports Hall of Honor inductees will also be recognized at halftime of Friday's boys varsity basketball game against Junction City, with the game starting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The 2025 inductees included 1962 graduate John Grantham, Levi Lee (1964), Carky and Marky Alexander (1980), Glen Trammel (1985), Crystal Kemp (2002), Shara Stafford (2008), Will Geary (2013), Lee Dodson (1942), Chuck Nelson (1951), Clardy Vinson (1968), Kevin Hedberg (1970), Doshia Woods (1997), Joe Waldron (1990-2005 as staff member), Jeff Jacobsen (1969), the 1955 Trojan football team and the 1974 Trojan girls track team.
Hall of Honor capsules:
JOHN GRANTHAM -- A 1962 Topeka High graduate, Grantham was the first of only two city male tennis players to win three state championships and one of only six players to win multiple titles. During his time at Topeka High, he led the Trojans to multiple city and league team titles. After high school Grantham attended the University of Kansas, where he helped the Jayhawks win two Big 8 Conference titles. He also won one Individual title and one doubles title and helped the Jayhawks to a 14-2 record during his final Big 8 season. Grantham is a member of the Topeka Tennis Hall of Fame.
LEVI LEE -- A 1964 graduate, Lee starred in football and track at Topeka High. Lee was a three-year starter for the Trojan football team and is still considered one of the most talented players ever to come out of Topeka. He was an All-State running back in 1963, helping Topeka High win the Sunflower League championship and leading the Trojans to a 6-2 record his senior year. He also led his track and field team to the state championship while winning the state long jump championship with a leap of 21 feet. Lee was heavily recruited by some of the biggest names in college football before choosing Kansas. He eventually decided to leave school and joined the Navy, becoming a Vietnam War veteran.
Twin brothers Carky and Marky Alexander were inducted into the Topeka High Sports Hall of Honor Thursday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
CARKY AND MARKY ALEXANDER -- The twin brothers graduated from Topeka High in 1980, excelling in football, basketball and track. Contributing significantly to the Trojans their junior season they both entered their senior campaign ranked in the Preseason Top 40 prospects. Their contributions led the team to a 6-3 record and the I-70 League championship. Both Carky and Marky were named first-team All-City, All-I-70 League and All-Class 6A first team and All-State third team and selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. As seniors in basketball they led the team to the I-70 League championship, a second-place finish in the Topeka Invitational, a 6A sub-state championship and a runnerup finish in 6A. The twins were part of record-setting 440 and mile relay teams in track. The Alexanders played football at KU and played in the 1981 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl game.
Former Topeka High and Kansas star swimmer Glen Trammel was inducted into the Topeka High Sports Hall of Honor Thursday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
GLEN TRAMMEL -- A 1985 graduate, Trammel was a five-time state swimming champion, specializing in the backstroke and individual medley. Trammel set three state records, including a mark in the 100 backstroke that stood for 14 years. He helped the Trojans take home second place as a team in the 1985 state championships. Trammel was a high school All-American. and nationally ranked multiple times. He went on to Kansas University, where he became a seven-time All-American. He set four school records and at one time was ranked 11th in the world in the 100 backstroke.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Topeka High will induct its second annual Sports Hall of Honor class on Thursday in the Topeka High Student Cafeteria.
The 2025 induction class will include 15 individuals and two Topeka High teams.
The school's main and Western doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the public is welcome.
The Sports Hall of Honor inductees will also be recognized at halftime of Friday's boys varsity basketball game against Junction City, with the game starting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The 2025 inductees include:
John Grantham, 1962 graduate, Levi Lee (1964), Carky and Marky Alexander (1980), Glen Trammel (1985), Crystal Kemp (2002), Shara Stafford (2008), Will Geary (2013), Lee Dodson (1942), Chuck Nelson (1951), Clardy Vinson (1968), Kevin Hedberg (1970), Doshia Woods (1997), Joe Waldron (1990-2005 as staff member), Jeff Jacobsen (1969), the 1955 Trojan football team and the 1974 Trojan girls track team.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Senior James Kuta scored 12 points in Hayden's 67-54 Centennial League loss to Washburn Rural last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
HAYDEN (3-4, 0-1 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (0-6, 0-0 Centennial League)
Hayden is coming off a 67-54 loss to Washburn Rural last Friday night in the Wildcats' Centennial League opener while Topeka High's scheduled league game at Manhattan was postponed due to inclement weather. The Trojans have been off since an 81-42 loss to undefeated Highland Park on Jan. 3. Senior James Kuta and junior Kade Mitchell scored 12 points apiece for Hayden in Friday's loss to Rural. Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Junior Kae Von Bonner led Seaman with 25 points in Friday's 57-43 UKC road win at Lansing. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST (3-2, 3-2 United Kansas Conference) at SEAMAN (5-1, 5-1 United Kansas Conference)
Topeka West made its 2025 debut Monday night in a 71-38 United Kansas Conference romp past Leavenworth while Seaman is coming off a 57-43 UKC road win at Lansing last Friday. Pending today's rankings Seaman is ranked No. 7 and Topeka West No. 9 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Sophomore Prince Lassiterled the way for West in Monday's win over Leavenworth as seven Chargers scored 7 or more points while junior KaeVon Bonner scored 25 points in Seaman's win over Lansing, backed by senior Bryer Finley with 11 points. Game time: 7:15 p.m.
Junior Simon Rowley led Washburn Rural with 18 points in Friday's 67-54 win over Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
BLUE VALLEY WEST (3-5) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-1)
Washburn Rural takes a break from Centennial League action to host Blue Valley West in a non-league contest. The Junior Blues are coming off a 67-54 league win at Hayden last Friday night as junior Simon Rowley led four double-figure scorers with a game-high 18 points. Senior Amare Jones added 15 points, junior John Hoytal 11 and Kaden Ballard 10 points for Rural. Blue Valley West is coming off a 55-41 victory over Lee's Summit West, Mo. Game time: 7:30 p.m.
RILEY COUNTY (2-4, 1-2 Big East League) at ROSSVILLE (4-2, 2-1 Big East League)
Riley County is coming off a 63-55 Big East League road win at Jefferson West last Friday while Rossville dropped a 57-55 road decision to league foe Hiawatha. Junior Jack Donovan paced Rossville with 18 points against Hiawatha while Kameron Badura added 11 points and Andre Johnson 10 points for the Bulldawgs. Rossville was ranked No. 5 in Class 2A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association in last week's state rankings. Game time: 7:30 p.m.
JEFFERSON WEST (3-3, 1-2 Big East League) at SILVER LAKE (4-1, 3-1 Big East League)
Silver Lake had games against St. Marys and Holton postponed last week due to inclement weather, with the Eagles now idle since a 70-57 Big East win over Hiawatha on Dec. 20. Jefferson West dropped a 63-55 league decision to Riley County last Friday. Game time: 7:30 p.m.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Senior Millie Ramsey scored a game-high 17 points in Hayden's 46-44 Centennial League win over Washburn Rural last Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
HAYDEN (7-0, 1-0 Centennial League) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-2, 0-0 Centennial League)
Hayden, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, stayed unbeated with a 46-44 home Centennial League win over Washburn Rural on Friday, with senior Millie Ramsey pacing the Wildcats with 17 points and senior Brylee Meier adding 12 points. Topeka High has been off since earning a 48-42 win over Wichita Life Prep on Jan. 3. Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton scored 25 points, including 19 in the second half, in the win over Life Prep and is averaging 21.6 points on the season. Game time: 6 p.m.
TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-5 United Kansas Conference) at SEAMAN (6-0, 6-0 United Kansas Conference)
Seaman, top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, made its 2025 debut on Friday with a 72-9 United Kansas Conference road win at Lansing. The Vikings got 21, 8 assists and 4 steals from senior Anna Becker while senior Kinley Wilhelm had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals against the Lions. Topeka West returned to action Monday night, dropping a 62-50 UKC decision to Leavenworth in the Chargers' 2025 debut. Junior Imani McGlory led the Chargers with a 16.5 scoring average and had connected on 14 3-pointers going into the holiday break. Game time: 5:45 p.m.
Sophomore Nora Burdiek (22) scored a career-high 31 points in Friday's 70-62 Rossville loss to Hiawatha. [File photo/TSN]
RILEY COUNTY (4-2, 3-0 Big East League) at ROSSVILLE (3-3, 0-3 Big East League)
Rossville will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak, all in Big East League play, and faces another tough league test against a Riley County team that is unbeaten in the league. Rossville is coming off a 70-62 road loss to Hiawatha Friday night despite a career-high 31 points from sophomore Nora Burdiek and 25 points from junior Rylee Dick. Riley County is coming off a 52-21 league win over Jefferson West. Game time: 6 p.m.
JEFFERSON WEST (3-3, 1-2 Big East League) at SILVER LAKE (4-1, 4-0 Big East League)
Silver Lake, ranked No 5 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, has been idle since a 60-27 Big East League win over Hiawatha on Dec. 20, with the Eagles' game at Holton last Friday postponed by inclement weather. Jefferson West is coming off a 52-21 loss to Riley County on Friday. Game time: 6 p.m.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Coming off back-to-back losses to Class 5A Shawnee Heights and 6A Washburn Rural, Hayden's boys basketball team was looking for a win to regain its momentum.
Sophomore Mason Becker scored a game-high 18 points with four 3-pointers in Hayden's 65-50 Centennial League win at Topeka High Tuesday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Dwayne Anthony's Wildcats got just that in Tuesday's 65-50 Centennial League road win at Topeka High.
"I just love how my guys respond to the simple things I'm trying to get them to do night in and night out,'' Anthony said. "Today they tried to do everything that I asked them to.
"As we get to know each other I get to know kind of what our capabilities are and just the fact that they came out and excuted a lot better tonight than what we've been accustomed to, I'm pleased with it.''
Hayden, which improved to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in the league, led most of the night, but the winless Trojans (0-7, 0-1) were in the hunt until the Wildcats pulled away over the final 11 minutes of the contest.
After trailing 3-2 early Hayden built a 14-11 advantage at the end of the opening quarter, before High forged a 16-all tie early in the second period.
Hayden answered with a run to go into the locker room with a 28-22 halftime advantage.
Then, after the Trojans got within five (37-32) with five minutes left in the third, Hayden went on a 13-4 run to take a 50-36 lead into the fourth.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Norma Greco
NORMA GRECO, Hayden
A 5-foot-6 senior, Greco scored a game-high 17 points as Hayden's girls basketball team made its 2025 debut Friday night with a 60-47 non-league home victory over Shawnee Heights. Greco scored 15 points in the first half with four 3-pointers, helping the Wildcats improve to 6-0 on the season.
Deacon Pomeroy
DEACON POMEROY, Shawnee Heights
Pomeroy, a 6-foot-5 senior, had a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds as Shawnee Heights' boys basketball team improved to 4-1 with a 61-52 non-league road win Friday night at Hayden. Pomeroy hit three 3-pointers and went 4 of 4 at the free throw linee for the T-Birds.
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton
AHSIEYRHUAJH RAYTON, Topeka High
Rayton, a 5-foot-6 sophomore, scored a game-high 25 points, including 19 in the second half and the Trojans' final nine points, as Topeka High's girls basketball team improved to 3-2 with a 50-42 home non-league win over Wichita Life Prep Academy.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Topeka High girls survived a nine-point deficit to race past Wichita Life Prep Academy 50-42 Friday night on the Trojans’ home court.
Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton scored 25 points, including her team's final nine points, in Friday's 50-42 Topeka High win over Life Prep. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sophomore Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton scored 19 of her 25 points in the second half – including the Trojans’ last nine of the game – to fuel the comeback.
Topeka High fell behind 19-10 midway through the second period when it went scoreless for about eight minutes of game action. But coach Ron Slaymaker and the Trojans didn’t fold.
Topeka High coach Ron Slaymaker talks to his team during Friday's 50-42 win over Wichita Life Prep Academy. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“We just tried to do what we were trying to do from the beginning -- be solid, run our fast break and play good defense,” Slaymaker said. “And that’s exactly what got us back into it.”
Despite giving up height at essentially every position on the court, Topeka High kept revving the accelerator and tormenting the Life Prep ballhandlers.
“We came out nervous, scared of their height,” Rayton said. “I had to tell the girls, 'Don’t worry about the height. Play hard and have fun. It’s just basketball.’ ”
Topeka High steadily made up ground and took the lead early in the fourth period on a jump shot by junior Keimara Marshall, who chipped in 12 points. The Trojans gave up the lead momentarily, but they outscored the Fire 13-4 over the final five minutes of the game.
“I just told (the team in the locker room) that the thing I was most pleased with was the way we made adjustments,” Slaymaker said. “I’m not sure I would have anticipated that. We just haven’t had enough practices. We made very good adjustments. That’s what got us the lead.”
“When we came in at halftime, Keimara and I told the girls that we didn’t have energy, hanging our head after mistakes,” Rayton said. “We came together as a team.”
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Highland Park boys basketball coach Mike Williams notched his 100th career victory in an 81-42 romp at Topeka High Friday night.
Following the contest, Williams received the game ball from Trojans coach Geo Lyons and a plaque from Highland Park athletic director Boshner Whitaker to commemorate the accomplishment.
Highland Park coach Mike Williams receives a plaque commemorating his 100th win from Hi Park athletic director Boshner Whitaker after Friday's 81-42 win at Topeka High. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Highland Park coach Mike Williams celebrates his 100th career victory with his Scots after Friday's 81-42 win at Topeka High. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Williams took over the Scots program in 2018, a season in which they won just three games. His son, Mikey, a senior on the current Scots team, recalls those difficult days.
“It was hard on him,” Mikey Williams said. “He would come home and tell me, ‘I wish things were different, but I’m never going to give up.’ So, I just watched him keep working to get to this point. It’s just a testimony to who he is as a person.”
Senior MIkey Williams slams down a dunk in Friday's 81-42 Highland Park win at Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The younger Williams threw down several impressive dunks to spark the Scots. He finished with 19 points on the special night.
“When I got into coaching, I didn’t know it would come to this point,” coach Williams said. “I got into it to coach my son. I wanted to impact him, and then some things changed. Some coaching positions came open and I was an assistant. You get into something because you love the game, you love teaching and working with young people. You want to impact the community.
“Then you look up and, through the grace of the Most High, you’re winning games and things are coming together.”
Williams said lessons learned during the losing seasons helped him harness his optimism and channel it into a coaching style.
“The crazy thing about it was, I never thought we would lose,” Williams said. “I always had belief. I’m a competitor. I’m a winner. Even in those years where we were losing, I didn’t think we were (losing).
“That’s what I want to get across to the guys. That you can manipulate situations through your focus, through your approach, through doing things right, day in and day out. Doing things together. And I think we’re finding that recipe this year, and I think we’re onto something really special.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2025 portion of the Shawnee County high school basketball season begins with a pair of doubleheaders on Friday, Jan. 3.
Highlighting Friday's slate is a boys clash between USD 501 rivals Highland Park and Topeka High as well as an all-city twinbill between Hayden and Shawnee Heights. Topeka High's girls will also be in action Friday, hosting Wichita Life Prep Academy.
Here's a glance at all four of Friday's games involving county teams:
FRIDAY GIRLS
Senior Millie Ramsey leads 5-0 Hayden with a 13.8 scoring average. [File photo/TSN]
Sophomore KK Emmot is averaging a team-high 20.5 points for Shawnee Heights. [File photo/TSN]
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-1) at HAYDEN (5-0)
Shawnee Heights completed its pre-holiday slate with a 57-40 United Kansas Conference win at Topeka West while Hayden, third-ranked in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, remained unbeaten with a 56-37 win over defending 6A champion Shawnee Mission South to close out 2024. Shawnee Heights sophomore KK Emmot ranks No. 4 in the city of Topeka with a 20.5 scoring average and has hit 13 3-pointers while T-Bird senior Kaydence Torrez is averaging 12.5 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds. Senior Millie Ramsey is averaging a team-high 13.8 points and 9.3 rebounds for Hayden and reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career against SM South. Senior Brylee Meier is averaging 13 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Wildcats with 11 3-pointers while freshman Hailey Schmidtlein is averaging 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 steals. Game time: 4 p.m.
Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton leads Topeka High's girls with a 20.8 scoring average and has hit a city-high 14 3-pointers. [File photo/TSN]
WICHITA LIFE PREP ACADEMY (5-7) at TOPEKA HIGH (2-2)
Topeka High has been idle since posting a 58-40 win over Notre Dame de Sion in the third-place game of the De Soto Hardwood Classic and will be facing a Life Prep Academy team that has already played 12 games while facing schools from seven different states. The Fire are coming off a 51-42 loss to Fort Smith, Ark.-Northside. Trojan sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton is No. 3 in the city in scoring with a 20.8 average and has connected on a city-high 14 3-pointers while junior Keimara Marshall is averaging 11.3 points and is also averaging 4.3 steals and 3.0 assists. Game time: 6 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 2024-2025 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery leads the city of Topeka in scoring with a 22.6 average. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 113 22.6
Carter, Highland Park 3 64 21.3
Rayton, Topeka High 4 83 20.8
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 4 82 20.5
Becker, Seaman 5 93 18.6
I. McGlory, Topeka West 4 66 16.5
Ramsey, Hayden 4 55 13.8
Gragg, Seaman 5 66 13.2
Meier, Hayden 4 52 13.0
Schmidtlein, Hayden 4 51 12.8
Torrez, Shawnee Heights 4 50 12.5
Esser, Seaman 5 60 12.0
Marshall, Topeka High 4 45 11.3
Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 52 10.4
Broils, Highland Park 3 31 10.3
Highland Park sophomore Pearmella Carter is the city leader in rebounding with a 10.7 average. [File photo/TSN]
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Carter, Highland Park 3 32 10.7
Benning, Topeka High 4 39 9.8
Ramsey, Hayden 4 37 9.3
Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 46 9.2
Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 44 8.8
Torrez, Shawnee Heights 4 35 8.8
Broils, Highland Park 3 25 8.3
Esser, Seaman 5 39 7.8
Caryl, Topeka High 4 29 7.3
Hall, Topeka West 4 29 7.3
Vega, Shawnee Heights 4 28 7.0
Becker, Seaman 5 31 6.2
Wilhelm, Seaman 5 31 6.2
Keeling, Topeka West 4 23 5.8
Meier, Hayden 4 23 5.8
Seaman senior Anna Becker leads the city of Topeka with a 6.4 assist average. [File photo/TSN]
ASSISTS
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Becker, Seaman 5 32 6.4
Brees, Shawnee Heights 4 14 3.5
Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 17 3.4
Sanders, Highland Park 3 10 3.3
Marshall, Topeka High 4 12 3.0
Wilhelm, Seaman 4 14 2.8
Vega, Shawnee Heights 4 11 2.8
Beaton, Seaman 5 13 2.6
Gragg, Seaman 5 13 2.6
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 4 10 2.5
Meier, Hayden 4 10 2.5
Greco, Hayden 4 10 2.5
Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 12 2.4
Schmidtlein, Hayden 4 9 2.3
Hirschi, Washburn Rural 5 11 2.2
Highland Park senior Tahtionna Broils is the city steals leader with 4.7 per game. [File photo/TSN]
STEALS
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Broils, Highland Park 3 14 4.7
Hartz, Highland Park 3 14 4.7
Greco, Hayden 4 18 4.5
Schmidtlein, Hayden 4 18 4.5
Sanders, Highland Park 3 13 4.3
Marshall, Topeka High 4 17 4.3
Hinck, Washburn Rural 5 19 3.8
Jones, Highland Park 3 10 3.3
Becker, Seaman 5 14 2.8
Torrez, Shawnee Heights 4 11 2.8
Brees, Shawnee Heights 4 11 2.8
Rayton, Topeka High 4 11 2.8
Vega, Shawnee Heights 4 10 2.5
I. McGlory, Topeka West 4 10 2.5
Miller, Seaman 4 9 2.3
Keeling, Topeka West 4 9 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 2024-2025 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson leads the city in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Robinson, Highland Park 4 90 22.5
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 4 71 17.8
Bonner, Seaman 5 82 16.4
Finley, Seaman 5 78 15.6
Williams, Highland Park 4 58 14.5
Rowley, Washburn Rural 5 72 14.4
Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 70 14.0
Paul, Topeka West 4 55 13.8
Guest, Topeka High 5 66 13.2
Pavlik, Cair Paravel 6 77 12.8
Aldridge, Topeka High 5 59 11.8
Kelley, Highland Park 4 45 11.3
Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights 4 44 11.0
Wiltz, Seaman 5 53 10.6
Hales, Highland Park 4 41 10.3
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Robinson, Highland Park 4 44 11.0
Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights 4 38 9.5
Kelley, Highland Park 4 34 8.5
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 4 30 7.5
Ford, Topeka West 4 27 6.8
Finley, Seaman 5 28 5.6
Roeder, Cair Paravel 6 33 5.5
Lee, Shawnee Heights 4 22 5.5
Paul, Topeka West 4 22 5.5
Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 27 5.4
Rowley, Washburn Rural 5 27 5.4
Kuta, Hayden 5 26 5.2
Smith, Seaman 5 26 5.2
Hanika, Hayden 5 25 5.0
Hoytal, Washburn Rural 5 25 5.0
Highland Park junior Jamon Wilson (3) leads the city in assists with a 7.8 average. [File photo/TSN]
ASSISTS
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Wilson, Highland Park 4 31 7.8
Robinson, Highland Park 4 25 6.3
Pavlik, Cair Paravel 6 35 5.8
Hales, Highland Park 4 19 4.8
Leonard, Washburn Rural 5 20 4.0
Williams, Highland Park 4 16 4.0
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 4 14 3.5
Bonner, Seaman 5 17 3.4
Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 16 3.2
Finley, Seaman 5 15 3.0
Hoytal, Washburn Rural 5 13 2.6
Rowley, Washburn Rural 5 13 2.6
McFadden, Topeka High 5 12 2.4
Zuniga, Seaman 5 11 2.2
Guest, Topeka High 5 11 2.2
Hastert, Cair Paravel 6 13 2.2
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee County girls high school sports teams and individuals enjoyed another banner year in 2024, with county schools capturing six state team championships in four different sports in five different classifications and posted seven runnerup team finishes, including a pair of local teams that came within a tiebreaker of state crowns
Individually, local athletes combined for five individual/relay titles.
That across-the-board success made it nearly impossible to narrow down TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County girls sports stories to just 10, and even harder to decide which accomplishments deserve to be at the top of the list.
In fact, if you polled five different people you could have five different No. 1s. But having said that, here's one person's opinion.
Rossville wrestling star Kendra Hurla capped her prep career with a fourth straight individual title while helping lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 4A-1A team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]
1. FOUR FOR FOUR, PLUS TWO MORE -- Rossville 120-pound girls wrestling star Kendra Hurla capped one of the most dominant high school careers in state history with her fourth straight Class 4A-1A state championship in the 2024 state meet at Hays. But Hurla's four-peat wasn't the only thing the Bulldawgs had to celebrate, with fellow senior Hailey Horton adding the 155-pound championship and as the Bulldawgs won thir first-ever state team crown by a half point, 82.5-82.0 over Oakley.
Molly Spader (with trophy) celebrates with her teammates after helping Washburn Rural win its fourth straight girls wrestling state title in five seasons. [File photo/TSN]
2. UNPARALLELED DOMINANCE --Damon Parker's Washburn Rural Junior Blues continued to set the standard for all Kansas high school girls wrestling programs in 2024, with Rural winning its fourth team title in the five seasons that girls wrestling has been an official sport in Kansas. After the Junior Blues had their two-year title reign snapped in 2022, finishing second to Dodge City, Rural has bounced back to win the last two Class 6A-5A championships, including a win by a 118-96 margin over Garden City in 2024. Then-junior state runnerup Molly Spader (105 pounds) led the way as six Junior Blues earned state medals.
Silver Lake girls basketball posted a perfect 26-0 record in the 2023-2024 season, winning the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]
3. WIRE TO WIRE -- Traditional state girls basketball power Silver Lake added to its legacy with a dominating 2023-2024 campaign, capping a perfect 26-0 season with a 66-61 win over Hesston in the Class 3A state championship game. Makenzie McDaniel, now a freshman at Emporia State, was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County co-player of the year while fellow 2024 senior McKinley Kruger and then-sophomore Kailyn Hanni joined McDaniel on the all-county Top 10 and five Eagles earned all-county recognition.
Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta won her third Class 4A state singles title this past fall, helping the Wildcats win the 4A team championship for the second time in three seasons. [File photo/TSN]
4. PICKING UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF -- After dominating Class 4A singles as a freshman and sophomore Hayden tennis star Ainzley Zulueta sat out her junior high school season after attending an out-of-state tennis academy. But Zulueta was back on the court this past fall, capturing her third state championship in as many tries while leading Hayden to its second team title in three seasons by a 40-28 margin over McPherson. Zulueta capped an 24-0 undefeated season without dropping a single game in either regional or state competition, posting eight straight 6-0, 6-0 victories. All six members of Hayden's team earned state medals, including a runnerup doubles finish from senior two-time state champ Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The names are well known to anyone who has followed area sports over the past several years, but a long and growing list of athletes who starred at Shawnee County high schools have made a big impact at the college and/or professional level this fall and winter.
Here's a look at just some of the stars who continue to make their fans proud:
Sophomore guard Jack Bachelor has helped Washburn University achieve a 12-0 record and a No. 2 national ranking this season. [File photo/TSN]
JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural/Washburn -- The 6-foot-2 sophomore guard has played a major role as the Ichabods are off to a 12-0 start this season while achieving a No. 2 national ranking in NCAA Division II. Bachelor, who has started all 12 games for the Ichabods, is currently averaging 12.7 points with 20 3-pointers while hitting 28 of 33 free throws (84.8 percent). Bachelor is also averaging 4.0 rebounds with a team-high 60 assists and 21 steals.
Former Shawnee Heights and Washburn standout Corey Ballentine has put together a six-year NFL career as a defensive back. [packers.com]
COREY BALLENTINE, Shawnee Heights/Washburn/Green Bay Packers --A 5-foot-11, 196-pound cornerback, the former Shawnee Heights and Washburn Univerity star has played in 11 games with one start this season for the 11-4 Packers. The sixth-year pro has played in 65 career games with 11 starts for the Giants, Jets, Lions and Packers, recording 100 tackles, including 76 solo stops with two forced fumbles and an interception.
Former Topeka West star Elijah Brooks had a career-high 29 points for Houston Christian earlier this season. [Houston Christian Athletics]
ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West/Houston Christian -- A 6-foot-4 junior guard, the former Mr. Kansas Basketball for Topeka West has appeared in all 13 games with 11 starts for the 4-9 Huskies, averaging 9.9 points and 4.1 rebounds with 25 assists. Brooks, who began his college career at North Dakota, scored a career-high 29 points earlier this season and also had a 21-point game.
Former Washburn Rural star Brooklyn DeLeye was a first-team AVCA All-American, the SEC Player of the Year and a finalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year this fall for Kentucky. [Kentucky Athletics]
BROOKLYN DELEYE, Washburn Rural/Kentucky -- The former three-sport Washburn Rural star, a 6-foot-2 sophomore outside hitter, had a huge 2024 season for Kentucky volleyball, being named the SEC Player of the Year, a first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America selection and one of four finalists for the AVCA National Player of the Year award. DeLeye helped lead the 23-8 Wildcats to their eighth straight conference championship and the fourth round (regional final) of the NCAA Tournament. DeLeye started all 31 matches, leading the Wildcats with 531 kills while also compiling 179 digs and 36 blocks.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
A 6-foot-3 junior guard, Bonner scored 42 points in two Seaman boys basketball wins on the week as the Vikings improved to 2-1 on the season. Bonner scored 25 points in a 70-50 Tuesday night United Kansas Conference home win over Lansing, hitting 10 of 17 shots from the field with five 3-pointers, and scored 17 points with three 3-pointers Friday as the Vikings took a 60-57 UKC road victory over No. 8-ranked Topeka West.
Nora Burdiek
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, was named the most valuable player in last week's Fighting Irish Classic at Chapman after averaging 20.7 points and 13 rebounds for the tournament-champion Bulldawgs. Burdiek scored 26 points in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, scored 20 points in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and had 16 points in the Bulldawgs' 65-25 win over Chapman on Saturday as Rossville wrapped up the championship.
Rylee Dick
RYLEE DICK, Rossville
A 5-foot-6 junior, Dick helped lead Rossville to three straight wins and the tournament championship in last week's Fighting Irish Classic, earning all-tournament honors. Dick scored 26 points with four 3-pointers in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, had 25 points with six treys in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and finished her week with 25 points and four 3-pointers in Saturday's 65-25 win over Chapman. Dick also averaged five assists on the week.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Boys and girls wrestlers from Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West and a girls team representing Washburn Rural combined to win 13 individual titles in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational at Highland Park.
A split team from Washburn Rural won the title in the 13-school girls division by a 128-120 margin over host Highland Park while Topeka High finished a city-best third in the 17-school boys division.
Here's a rundown of both the boys and girls tournaments:
Washburn Rural poses for a picture after winning the team championship in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational at Highland Park. [Washburn Rural girls wrestling]
Rural girls edge host Scots for team championship
Washburn Rural's two-time defending Class 6A state-champion girls wrestling team posted a pair of team championships on Saturday in two different states, posting a win in the Melvin Douglas Invitational by a 128-120 margin over the host Scots and also winning the team title in the prestigious multi-state event in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Washburn Rural got individual titles in the Melvin Douglas tourney by Jordan Shatto at 125 pounds, Reece Garrett at 145 and Janiah Matthie-Johnson at 170 while Dixie Day (120), Hayden Hedstrom (135) and Leah MacPherson (155) posted runnerup finishes.
Shatto is 4-0 on the season while Garrett is 3-0 and Matthie-Johnson 4-0.
The Junior Blues posted top-four finishes in 10 of 14 weight divisions.
Runnerup Highland Park got championships from Kimberly Rodriguez at 105 pounds, Bethanie Kagle at 110, Connie Burns at 115 and Makayla Cadet at 190.
Rodriguez is 5-2 this season while Kagle is 4-0, Burns 7-0 and Cadet 8-1.
Topeka High finished fourth as a team, getting titles from Ingrid Cabrera at 100 pounds and Jenea Bratton at 140, while Topeka West got a win from Monica Stewart at 235.
Cabrera is now 6-2 while Bratton is 6-2 and Stewart is 4-2.
Champions Stiner, Davis power High boys to third-place finish
Topeka High's boys scored 147 points on Saturday, finishing just 10 points behind Summit Christian Academy, Mo. for second while Gardner-Edgerton won the team title with 220.5 points.
Topeka High junior Jordan Stiner (left) won the 157-pound title in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High senior 157-pounder Nick Davis (top) remained undefeated on the season in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational, improving to 11-0. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Trojans got individual titles from Jordan Stiner at 157 pounds and Nick Davis at 165 while Topeka High posted top-four finishes in seven of 14 weight classes.
Davis is now 11-0 on the season while Stiner is 9-2.
Topeka High senior 157-pounder Nick Davis (top) remained undefeated on the season in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational, improving to 11-0. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Highland Park finished seventh as a team, getting an individual title from senior 175-pounder Adrian Burney, who is 5-1 on the season.
Head official Ronnie Bailey (second from right) and his officiating crew of Dan Pray, Austin Gibson, Mike Brown and Shawn Binkley worked Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational wrestling tournament. [Submitted photo]
Melvin Douglas Invitational
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
THOMAS APPUHN, Washburn Rural
Appuhn opened the 2024-2025 season with a strong performance in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Appuhn posted a fourth-place individual finish in the 200-yard medley relay and finished sixth in the 100-yard backstroke and swam on the Junior Blues' fourth-place 400 freestyle relay.
KINSER BARBOSA, Seaman
Barbosa earned second-team All-City honors last season and is one of the Vikings' top returners. In last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational Barbosa finished fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke, sixth in the 50-yard freestyle and swam on the Vikings' sixth-place 200 medley relay.
Dawson Blankenship, Topeka High
DAWSON BLANKENSHIP, Topeka High
Blankenship is a top returner for Topeka High after earning second-team All-City honors last season. Blankenship opened his 2024-2025 season with a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly and swam on the Trojans' fourth-place 200 free relay in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational.
Truman Brede, Shawnee Heights
TRUMAN BREDE, Shawnee Heights
A senior returning All-City first-teamer, Brede finished off his 2024 season with a win in the Class 5A 'B' final in the 100-yard backstroke. Brede finished second in the 200-yard freestyle, third in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 free relay for the T-Birds in the city meet and finished second in the United Kansas Conference meet in the 200 freestyle and 100 back and fourth in the 200 free relay. Brede finished third in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational in the 200 freestyle and finished fourth in the 100 backstroke.
RYAN CARSON, Hayden
Carson will be counting on to provide leadership for the Wildcats this winter after earning a spot on the All-City second team last season. Carson finished eighth in the 100-yard butterfly in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational and swam on Hayden's 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays.
Jaxon Cowdin, Topeka High
JAXON COWDIN, Topeka High
Cowdin, a senior, won his third straight city championship in one-meter diving for Topeka High last season and went on to claim his second Centennial League championship. A three-time first-team All-City honoree, Cowdin advanced to the Class 6A diving finals for the third straight year, posting a 12th-place state finish.
PALMER HESKETT, Hayden
A second-team All-City honoree last season, Heskett is one of Hayden's top returning swimmers. In last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational Heskett finished sixth in the 200-yard freestyle and sixth in the 500 freestyle while also swimming on the Wildcats' 200 medley relay and 400 free relays.
Evan Hoobler, Shawnee Heights
EVAN HOOBLER, Shawnee Heights
Hoobler, a senior, was a first-team All-City honoree last season, placing second in the 100-yard breaststroke and third in the 200 individual medley and second in the 200 free relay in the city championships and placed second in the 100 breaststroke, third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 200 free relay in the United Kansas Conference meet.
Alex Lanterman, Washburn Rural
ALEX LANTERMAN, Washburn Rural
Lanterman earned a first-team All-City berth last season with a strong performance in the city meet as Washburn Rural won its fifth straight city team championship. Lanterman placed third in the city in 200-yard freestyle and third in the 100 butterfly and was part of Rural's 'B' 400 free relay team that finished third.
Luke Lemke, Washburn Rural
LUKE LEMKE, Washburn Rural
Lemke, a senior, earned All-City first-team honors last season, helping Washburn Rural win city and Centennial League team titles and tying for third place in Class 6A. Lemke was part of Rural's 400-yard free relay team that placed second in the 6A state meet. Lemke placed second in the city meet in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke and was part of the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 200 free relays. Lemke took third in the 200 individual medley in the Centennial League meet and was part of Rural's winning 200 free and 400 free relay teams.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High, competing in the first of two back-to-back tournaments hosted by Highland Park, claimed the boys team championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational by a 177.5-153.5 margin over De Soto.
Tony Canacari's Topeka High boys wrestlers won the team championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Trojans got individual titles from sophomore Jose Gomez at 106 pounds, junior Michael Weatherly at 144, junior Brandon Blancas at 150 and senior Nick Davis at 165 while Topeka High posted top-four finishes in nine of 14 weight classes.
Gomez, Weatherly and Blancas are now 5-0 on the 2024 season while Davis is 4-0.
Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke (top) captured the 157-pound championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden junior Jude Krentz (facing) won the 175-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden finished fourth in the team standings while getting titles from sophomore Caleb Menke at 157 pounds, junior Jude Krentz at 175 and senior Hunter Diederich at 285 pounds.
Hayden senior Hunter Diederich won the 285-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Menke, Krentz and Diederich are now 3-0 on the season.
Highland Park senior Adrian Burney (top) posted a second-place finish at 175 pounds in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Highland Park finished fifth as a team, getting a second-place finish from senior 175-pounder Adrian Burney.
Santa Fe Trail took the girls team total by a 106-84 margin over Highland Park.
The Scots got individual championships from junior Connie Burns at 115 pounds and junior Makala Cadet at 235 pounds.
Burns is 5-0 on the season and Cadet is 5-1.
Highland Park will host the Melvin Douglas Invitational on Saturday.
Highland Park Invitational
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Seaman's girls basketball team opened defense of its Class 5A state championship Friday night, surviving a tough test from Piper to take a 69-67 United Kansas Conference road win.
"What a great atmosphere for the first game of the season,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "Im proud of our girls. We were tough when we needed to be and we had some kids step up and be brave.''
Junior Maddie Gragg scored 21 points to lead Seaman in Friday's 69-67 UKC win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Maddie Gragg led four double-figure scorers for the Vikings with 21 points while junior Anna Becker added 20 points, senior Jadyn Stallbaumer 14 points and senior Ava Esser 13.
Senior Anna Becker moved into the all-time career assist lead for Seaman in Friday's 69-67 win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]
Esser grabbed 10 rebounds to give her a double-double while senior Kinley Wilhelm also had 10 rebounds and Becker had eight assists and moved into the top spot on the Seaman all-time list.
The game was tight throughout, with Seaman leading 23-19 at the end of the first quarter before the Pirates used a 13-6 second quarter to take a 32-29 halftime advantage.
Seaman still trailed by a point (53-52) at the start of the fourth quarter before the Vikings outscored the Pirates 17-14 over the final eight minutes to pull out the two-point victory, hitting 8 of 8 free throws late in the game.
"Before the game we talked about our journey and taking the first step and this is a good win,'' Tinsley said.
The Vikings will be at home Tuesday to face Lansing.
Piper boys take 69-51 win over Vikings
Piper, the Class 5A boys state runnerup last season, opened its 2024-2025 campaign with a 69-51 home United Kansas Conference victory over Seaman.
Piper led 14-9 after one quarter and took control with a 19-8 second quarter, taking a 33-17 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The Pirates went on to open up a 51-30 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter before Seaman outscored Piper 21-18 the rest of the way.
Seaman got a team-high 12 points from junior KaeVon Bonner while newcomer Cameron Brian and Axton Brewer added nine points apiece.
Seaman will be at home Tuesday to host UKC rival Lansing.
