Topeka West Chargers
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park sophomore girls basketball standout Pearmella Carter and Topeka West junior basketball standout Malakyah Duncan have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Carter and Duncan over the past week:
Highland Park sophomore Pearmella Carter is the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week. [File photo/TSN]
PEARMELLA CARTER, Highland Park
Carter had 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals in a 70-22 Meadowlark Conference win over Kansas City-Schlagle on Monday and scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds (13 offensive), with 3 assists and 3 steals in a 54-42 conference win over KC-Sumner on Tuesday as Highland Park remained unbeaten on the season.
Topeka West junior Malakyah Duncan has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week. [File photo/TSN]
MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West
Duncan had 14 points and hit the game-winning free throws in Tuesday's 59-57 come-from-behind 59-57 United Kansas Conference win at Seaman. Duncan had 7 points in a 71-38 win over Leavenworth on Monday for the Chargers, who are 4-2 on the season and eighth-ranked in Class 5A by the KBCA.
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
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 Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Ranked atop Class 5A, the Seaman girls are doing everything they can to stay sharp despite the long holiday, snow and ice, and an up-and-down schedule.
Senior Ava Esser led a balanced Seaman attack with 15 points in Tuesday's 71-29 UKC win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Tuesday night the Vikings put their foot on the gas in the second half to run away from Topeka West 71-29 at Seaman.
The Chargers were within 16 points early in the second half. But Seaman turned it on and ran its record to 7-0, with all seven wins coming in the United Kansas Conference.
The defending state champs know what it takes to reach the pinnacle, and coach Matt Tinsley isn’t letting the team take its focus off the ultimate goal.
“We don’t talk about the number one ranking or anything like that, because really that doesn’t matter,” Tinsley said. “We’ve only got 20 practices before sub-state. We’ve got to make those 20 practices where we’re getting better. We can’t afford to take two steps forward and two steps back.”
The Christmas vacation, compounded by snow days, threatened to throw the plan off schedule.
“We haven’t had a lot of conditioning,” the coach said. “Just over Christmas break when I thought we were getting in shape, we had to take five days off.”
The Vikings shook off some of the rust Tuesday, getting balanced scoring up and down the lineup. Nine Vikings scored, with five players contributing nine or more points.
Leading the way with 15 points was senior post Ava Esser, who helped lead Seaman to 5A state runners-up in volleyball in the fall.
“She’s a weapon inside, who we’ve got to throw the ball to,” Tinsley said. “She showed us what she can do when she gets it down there.”
“I’m pleased by how I’ve developed, and I definitely give credit to my coaches for all that they’ve done for me and for pushing me to be the player I can be,” said Esser, who will play volleyball at Johnson County Community College upon graduation. “I try to be there for when my teammates need me. I’m more (focused) on rebounds and helping my teammates get their shots. We’re more of a guard-team, so I just try to do my part.”
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The boys basketball teams from Topeka West and Seaman couldn’t be much more evenly matched, judging by their two United Kansas Conferencee meetings this season.
Junior Malakyah Duncan (12) hit the game-winning free throws with 8.5 seconds remaining, giving Topeka West a 59-57 UKC win at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Avenging a 60-57 loss at Topeka West in mid-December, the Chargers went to Seaman Tuesday night and won in the final seconds, 59-57.
After falling into a huge hole early, the Chargers crept back, taking their first lead of the night with 1:20 left in the third period. The teams swapped leads until Seaman junior sharpshooter Landon Wiltz dropped in a shot from about 35 feet from the basket to tie it at 57-57 with 50 seconds remaining.
Topeka West junior playmaker Malakyah Duncan attacked the goal and drew a foul with 8.5 seconds left. He nailed both free throws to give the Chargers the come-from-behind win.
The win lifted Topeka West to 4-2 on the season and also in the UKC. Seaman dropped to 5-2 overall and in the conference. Seaman was ranked seventh in the latest Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Class 5A rankings, while the Chargers were eighth.
“This was huge, not just for the UKC standings but also sub-state,” first-year Topeka West coach Christan Ulsaker said. “Anytime you can notch a win against the team that you’re kind of battling for a home court (playoff) game, it’s a plus.”
A team can’t start a game much hotter than Seaman did Tuesday. The Vikings hit 10 of 13 attempts in the first period, including five 3-pointers. They bolted to a 26-12 lead that could have demoralized the visiting Chargers.
“I wanted to start hot, but that wasn’t the case,” Ulsaker said. “I told them at the end of the first quarter that basketball is a game of runs. They’ve heard it a thousand times from me that if you can withstand their runs, we’d make our own.
“Seaman is so well coached. They got some great players in (KaeVon) Bonner and (Bryer) Finley and our guys really stepped up and took it to them throughout the game.”
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Highland Park senior star Ja'Corey Robinson surpassed the 1,000-point milestone for his career Monday night with a 32-point game as the Scots rolled to an 80-29 Meadowlark Conference win at Kansas City-Schlagle.
Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson (23) scored 32 points Monday night at KC-Schlagle, surpassing the 1,000-point milestone for his career. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Mikey Williams scored 22 points Monday in top-ranked Highland Park's 80-29 romp past KC-Schlagle. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Mikey Williams backed Robinson with a 22-point night as Highland Park, top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
The Scots will be right back in action Tuesday night, traveling to KC-Sumner for a Meadowlark Conference contest.
Sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 28 points in Highland Park's 70-22 Meadowlark Conference win over KC-Schlagle Monday night. [File photo/TSN]
Carter leads Hi Park girls with 28 points in 70-22 rout over Stallions
Highland Park posted a 70-22 Meadowlark Conference win Monday night at KC-Schlagle as sophomore Pearmella Carter led the Scots with 28 points.
Senior Tahtionna Broils added 16 points and had 6 rebounds while senior De'Asia Sanders was credited with 14 assists and sophomore Majesty Grace had 7 steals as the Scots improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
Highland Park will be back in action Tuesday night, traveling to KC-Sumner for a conference game.
Senior Javian Chambers (21) scored 8 points Monday night in Topeka West's 71-38 UKC win over Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]
No. 9-ranked Charger boys roll to 71-38 UKC win
Topeka West boys basketball ended its long layoff with a 71-38 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth Monday night in the Chargers' 2025 debut.
The Chargers, ranked No. 9 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, showed exceptional balance in the win, with seven players scoring 7 or more points as West improved to 3-2 overall and in the UKC.
Sophomore Prince Lassiter led Topeka West with a game-high 11 points while junior Gad Munganga and senior Javian Chambers added 8 points piece and senior Kamoni Ford, junior Malakyah Duncan, sophomore Damon Webb and senior Jalen Foy all scored 7 points.
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
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
Playing their second game in about 19 hours, Hayden's girls rolled to a 56-37 win over defending Class 6A state champion Shawnee Mission South, with the Wildcats improving to a perfect 5-0 on the season while senior Millie Ramsey reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career.
Hayden senior Millie Ramsey scored 13 points in Saturday's 56-37 win over Shawnee Mission South, reaching the 1,000-point milestone for her career. [Hayden girls basketball]
Hayden and SM South (3-3) faced off in the Varsity 810 Showcase Saturday morning at Shawnee Mission Northwest.
Hayden, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, was led by senior Brylee Meier, who scored 18 points and connected on four 3-pointers while Ramsey added 13 points and freshman Hailey Schmidtlein 12.
Hayden played SM South on Saturday after rolling to a 61-13 home win over Wichita Independent on Friday.
Hayden's boys improved to 3-2 on Friday with a 91-21 rout over Wichita Independent.
Sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Friday's Highland Park 57-39 road win over KC-Wyandotte. [File photo/TSN]
Hi Park girls open conference play with 18-point win
Defending Meadowlark Conference champion Highland Park opened its title defense with a 57-39 road win over Kansas City-Wyandotte Friday night.
Now 3-0 overall after wins on back-to-back nights, Highland Park was led by sophomore Pearmella Carter, who scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
Sophomore Zayah Kincade added 12 points for the Scots while senior Tationna Broils scored 7 points with 10 rebounds and 5 steals.
Freshman Ciara Hartz added 8 points and 6 steals.
Senior Kaden Ballard scored 22 points with six 3-pointers in Friday's 71-55 home win over Barstow. [File photo/TSN]
Ballard, Jones power Rural to 71-55 win in home-opener
Seniors Kaden Ballard and Amare Jones combined for 41 points Friday night as Washburn Rural improved to 4-1 with a 71-55 non-league win over Barstow in the Junior Blues' home-opener.
Ballard hit 6 of 9 3-pointers to finish with a career-high 22 points and also grabbed seven rebounds while Jones added 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting from the field and grabbed five rebounds.
Junior John Hoytal scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Junior Dayne Johnson (2) scored 17 points Friday night in Silver Lake's 70-57 win over Hiawatha. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake boys take 70-57 win over Hiawatha
Junior Dayne Johnson led three-double scorers for Silver Lake in the Eagles' 70-57 home win over Hiawatha Friday night.
Johnson led Silver Lake with 17 points while senior Aemon Coffman added 15 points and senior Jared Johnson 13 for the Eagles.
Silver Lake jumped out to a 20-7 first-quarter advantage and used a 21-10 second quarter to open up a 41-17 halftime lead.
Hiawatha outscored Silver Lake 40-29 in the second half but it wasn't enough to make a serious charge at the Eagles.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights' girls had both good and not so good stretches in Friday's United Kansas Conference game at Topeka West.
But the T-Birds ended the 2024 portion of their schedule on a high note, riding a big first half to a 57-40 win over the Chargers.
Sophomore KK Emmot (1) led Shawnee Heights with 23 points in the T-Birds' 57-40 UKC win at Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"To come in on the night of Christmas break I didn't know if we would have any focus of if they would have any focus and exactly how this game was going to roll,'' Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells said. "I'm just glad that we got rolling in the first half.
"I was a little disappointed in our second half, but we just need to work on the mental part of that and not get caught up in some of the stuff that we let affect us.''
Shawnee Heights, now 3-1 overall and in the UKC, ended the first quarter with a 7-2 run to take a 15-7 advantage and outscored West 17-6 in the second quarter to take a commanding 32-13 into the locker room at the half.
Topeka West, 0-4, 0-4, came to life in the second half, however, holding Heights without a field goal in the third quarter and outscoring the T-Birds 11-5 in the stanza to get as close as 11 before trailing 37-24 at the start of the final quarter.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Veteran Shawnee Heights boys basketball coach Ken Darting has no doubt that the United Kansas Conference race, which includes four state-ranked Class 5A schools, will go down to the wire.
But Darting's No. 3-ranked T-Birds made a statement Friday night that they will be a major player in the race for the UKC championship as well as 5A supremacy with a 74-45 wire-to-wire road romp at No. 8 Topeka West.
Senior Jaret Sanchez (3) scored a game-high 25 points in Shawnee Heights' 74-45 UKC road win at Topeka West. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It was a really good performance,'' Darting said. "It's too early to say vital, but every win against each other is big because six of the nine teams can beat anyone of us on a given night.
"We've just got to stay the course and play it out.''
Now 3-1 overall and in the UKC, Shawnee Heights set the tone for the night when it jumped out to an 8-0 lead to open the game and West (2-2, 2-2) got no closer than four points over the remainder of the first half and no closer than nine after the T-Birds took a 14-point lead (33-19) to the locker room at the half.
A key point in the game came with 4:50 left in the third quarter when Heights star Jaret Sanchez picked up his fourth foul and West hit two free throws to cut its deficit to single-digits at 37-28.
But after just a minute on the bench Darting put Sanchez back in the game and the 6-foot-6 senior played a major role as Shawnee Heights turned the game into a rout, including a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter that put Heights up 65-34 and forced a running clock the rest of the way.
"(Darting) didn't really say anything,'' Sanchez said. "He trusted me to go in there and play smart and continue to play and continue to keep the energy going without fouling.''
Darting agreed.
"He's real smart and I've got trust in him,'' Darting said. "Jaret can play with four. We're going to ride it along and if he fouls out, he fouls out.''
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's girls, ranked No. 4 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, took control with a huge first half on the way to a 59-38 home non-league victory over No. 3 Shawnee Mission Northwest Tuesday night at Rural.
Sophomore Maddie Vickery scored a game-high 19 points in Washburn Rural's 59-38 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest Tuesday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural, now 4-1 on the season, jumped out to a 20-5 first-quarter lead over the Cougars and followed that up with a 19-6 second quarter to take a commanding 39-11 advantage at the half.
Northwest (2-1) outscored the Junior Blues 27-20 in the second half, but Washburn Rural was never seriously threatened.
Maddie Vickery, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, led Washburn Rural with a game-high 19 points while seniors Kate Hinck and Tenly Bunck added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Senior Tenly Bunck had 14 points with three 3-pointers in Washburn Rural's 59-38 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest Tuesday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Senior Kate Hinck scored 15 points with a pair of 3-pointers in Washburn Rural's 59-38 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest Tuesday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Bunck connected on three 3-pointers and Hinck two as five Rural players combined for eight treys.
Shawnee Mission Northwest did not have a player score more than eight points.
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
The underdog Topeka West girls scored the first basket Friday night and were still within four points of top-ranked Seaman with two and a half minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
But the rest of the night belonged to the defending Class 5A champs, with the Vikings improving to 3-0 overall and in the United Kansas Conference with an 80-33 romp past West on the Chargers' home floor.
Junior Maddie Gragg (32) scored a game-high 21 points in Seaman's 80-33 UKC win at Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman senior Anna Becker puts up a shot in Friday's 80-33 UKC win at Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"We talked about it before the game, 'What are three things that we want to accomplish this game that after the game we said we did a good job of those things?' '' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "One was running our offense, which means not settling just for any shot and I thought the girls ran their offense the best we've run so far all year, so they accomplished that.
"And we talked about limiting paint touches and (the Chargers) didn't get too many, so we handled that, and our goal was 60 percent from the field and 75 percent from the line was a goal and I thought our goals played great tonight.''
Seaman ended the first quarter with a 13-0 run and extended the run to 25 straight points with the first 12 points of the second stanza before West (0-2, 0-2) finally scored with 4:45 left in the half.
Seaman ended the half with a commanding 44-14 advantage and scored the final 13 points of the third quarter go in front 71-22 and force a running clock over the final eight minutes.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Seaman's boys started Friday night's United Kansas Conference game at Topeka West short-handed and things got worse for the Vikings when No. 8-ranked Topeka West took a nine-point lead midway through the second quarter.
Junior KaeVon Bonner scored a game-high 17 points as Seaman knocked off No. 8-ranked Topeka West 60-57 Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
But a 13-0 run to end the first half reversed the Vikings' fortunes, with Seaman never trailing again and surviving a late West rally to take a 60-57 United Kansas Conference decision over the Chargers at West.
Seaman senior Bryer Finley (2) had 13 points in the Vikings' 60-57 UKC win at Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman, which played without key injured reserves Matthew McConnaughey and Axton Brewer, got a game-high 17 points from junior KaeVon Bonner, 13 from senior Bryer Finley and 11 points from senior Dalton Smith while junior Landon Wiltz and junior Griffin Zuniga added 8 and 7 points, respectively.
"We were a little short on the bench, but the other guys just held it together enough to get it done,'' Seaman coach Craig Cox said. "It's always going to be difficult against a team like Topeka West that's going to be a active as they are with their length and athleticism.
"We had a lot of turnovers and we forced some shots, but we overcame that and we can build off of that as we move forward.''
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.
