By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
Coming off of the winter break the Topeka West girls basketball was looking for its first win of the season after building some positive momentum the previous two games.
That momentum was halted Tuesday night as the previously-winless Junction City Blue Jays were able to come from behind in the fourth quarter to keep the Chargers without a win.
“It was frustrating because we haven’t been in the situation a lot but we've got to learn how to play with a lead, and we had the lead, we had opportunities, we just didn’t finish the game,” said Topeka West coach Jeff Skar.
The 32-30 loss moved Topeka West to 0-6 on the year. As disappointing as it was for one side, it was equally important for Junction City, which moved to 1-4 on the year and hope to build momentum.
“The girls worked extremely hard over break. We had some COVID stuff, we had some sickness and the girls that were there worked extremely hard. We learned some stuff about ourselves as a team, we’re not fantastic, but to get a win feels really good,” said Junction City coach Tim Testa.
Early on the Blue Jays struggled to hold onto the ball, turning it over on the first three possessions, but were able to pull ahead early with a 3-pointer by sophomore Amyah O’Neal.
Sophomore Rebecca Bearman (45) led Topeka West with 10 points in Tuesday's 32-30 Centennial League loss to Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
Most of the Chargers' offense ran through sophomore post Rebecca Bearman, who scored three of West’s seven first-quarter points as West trailed by two.
The second quarter was highlighted by the Chargers' defense, as they held Junction City to only four points. On the other end four field goals by four players allowed them to pull ahead and take a 17-13 lead into halftime.
“Siani Sanchez, our sophomore guard, created havoc, she was active all night, created a whole bunch of turnovers with her quick hands and athletic ability. She just created a bunch of deflections and we were able to get some steals off of that,” Skar said.
Topeka West got a boost right away in the third quarter as Sanchez scored five points in the first two minutes, extending the Charger lead to nine points.
The Chargers' stout defense started to break late in the quarter as the Blue Jays scored on four straight possessions to pull within two. The stretch was capped off by sophomore Sara Rexrode, who had two baskets in the post.
Another inside basket, this time from junior Sophia Holloway, tied the game at 24 heading into the fourth.
“We are known for turnovers, I think we average 36 a game right now, which speaks to our record, but I thought the guards did a little bit better of just giving it to the bigs,” Testa said.
Topeka West got a strong start to the final frame, taking a five-point lead after a 3-pointer by sophomore Zoe Clark.
Once again Junction City’s offense came alive late, going on a 7-1 run to take the lead on another basket by Holloway with 1:33 left.
The Chargers would have opportunities late, but missed shots and turnovers spoiled the comeback as the Bluejays escaped with the victory.
Topeka West was led by Bearman, who finished with 10 points, while Sanchez added eight including two 3-pointers.
“We have had a tough time getting the whole group in practice, we were missing a couple of key players tonight … our lack of depth tonight hurt us because we wore down there at the end,” Skar said.
Rexrode paced Junction City with 12 points and Holloway and junior Ava DeGuzman each added five.
Topeka West will play again Friday, as they stay at home to take on Hayden.
JUNCTION CITY GIRLS 32,TOPEKA WEST 30
Junction City 9 4 9 8 -- 32
Topeka West 7 10 7 6 -- 30
Topeka West (0-6, 0-1) – Hopper 0-0 0-0 0, Foy 0-0 1-2 1, Sanchez 3-8 0-0 8, Foster 0-0 0-0 0, Duncan 0-3 1-2 1, Benson 1-9, 1-2 3, Clark 2-10 1-3 6, Bearman 3-11 4-8 10. Totals 9-31 7-17 30.
Junction City (1-4) – DeGuzman 2-5 1-2 5, Jeter 1-6 0-0 3, Hatcher 0-2 0-0 0, Exantus 0-0 0-0 0, Nabus 1-1 2-2 4, Harris 0-1 0-0 0, O’Neal 1-3 0-0 3, Holloway 2-3 1-2 5, Rexrode 6-12 0-3 12. Totals 13-33 9-4 32.
3-point goals – Topeka West 3 (Sanchez 2, Clark 1), Junction City 2 (Jeter 1, O’Neal 1). Total fouls – Topeka West 15, Junction City 14. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None.
