By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Two seasons ago, Topeka High's girls basketball team had its shot at the Trojans' first Class 6A title since 1982 ended by city rival Washburn Rural in the championship game.
A year ago it was COVID-19 that ended High's title hopes, with state tournaments across the state canceled after first-round games due to COVID-19.
On Friday night, a year to the day since the 2020 tournament was canceled, Topeka High will be back at Wichita's Koch Arena to continue its quest for the most cherished prize in high school athletics -- a state title.
NiJaree Canady and the Topeka High Trojans will be shooting for the schools's first girls state title since 1982 this weekend at Wichita. [File photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Down the road at Emporia's White Auditorium, Topeka West's boys will be aiming for only their third championship-game appearance and first state title in school history.
No. 2 seed Topeka High, 22-1 on the season, faces No. 3 Dodge City (21-1) in Friday's 7 p.m. semifinal, with the winner advancing to Saturday's 6 o'clock championship game at Koch to face the winner of the 3 p.m. semifinal between top seed Shawnee Mission Northwest (21-0) and No. 4 Olathe West (15-5).
Topeka West, meanwhile, has to deal with a key injury to junior Elijah Brooks as the second-seeded Chargers, 20-2 on the season, prepare to face No. 3 seed De Soto (19-3) in Friday's 7 o'clock semifinal in Emporia, with the West-De Soto winner advancing to Saturday's 6 o'clock title game to take on the winner of Friday's 3 o'clock semi between No. 1 seed Maize (21-2) and No. 4 Kansas City-Washington (10-4).
Veteran Topeka West coach Rick Bloomquist will try to lead his Chargers to the school's first boys state title this weekend in Emporia. [File photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
And although it won't be easy -- state championships never are -- I see title celebrations for both the Trojans and Chargers in their future.
Here's a brief look at all 14 state tournament final fours and how things could pan out the rest of the week.
CLASS 6A BOYS
State final -- Lawrence (20-1) vs. Campus (20-2).
State champion -- Lawrence. After knocking off three-time defending champ Blue Valley Northwest in the state quarterfinals, senior star Zeke Mayo and the Lions get through a tough 6A tournament, that any of the four remaining teams could win.
Odds and ends -- Free State (20-3) could make it an all-Lawrence final, but both the Lions and Firebirds face supreme semifinal tests, with Blue Valley North (19-3) capable of beating anybody in the state. Campus' Sterling Chapman, who has signed with Division I Tulsa, is one of the state's premier players.
CLASS 6A GIRLS
State final -- Shawnee Mission Northwest (21-0) vs. Topeka High (22-1).
State champion -- Topeka High. The Trojans have a tough road ahead, with the possibility of facing two teams that are a combined 42-1, but 6-foot junior NiJaree Canady is a difference-maker for High.
Odds and ends -- It's hard to pick against Tyler Stewart's undefeated Northwest team, led by Kennedy Taylor, while Dodge City is coming off a rout of traditional power Derby. Olathe West is the only true longshot in the field.
CLASS 5A BOYS
State final -- Maize (21-2) vs. Topeka West (20-2).
State champion -- Topeka West. Maize is definitely a tough out, but the Chargers have the firepower to go toe to toe with the Eagles.
Odds and ends -- De Soto (19-3) could win it all, with 7-footer Nate Barnhart, who is heading to Wyoming, a tough matchup for anybody in the field.
CLASS 5A GIRLS
State final -- Andover Central (23-0) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (18-2).
State champion -- St. Thomas Aquinas. Perennial champion Saints have their work cut out for them against a talented Andover Central team, but I think Aquinas gets the job done..
Odds and ends -- Salina Central and Lansing have combined for 38 victories and are capable of pulling off upsets.
CLASS 4A BOYS
State final -- Bishop Miege (20-1) vs. Augusta (17-5).
State champion -- Bishop Miege. If any school other than the Stags win the title it will be regarded as a major upset.
Odds and ends -- The semifinal game between Miege and McPherson (13-10) matches up two of the most storied programs in state. The other semifinal between Augusta and Louisburg (17-6) is a tossup.
CLASS 4A GIRLS
State final -- Bishop Miege (21-1) vs. McPherson (20-3).
State champion -- Bishop Miege. Like the Miege boys, the Stags are a huge favorite this weekend, led by McDonald's All-American Payton Verhulst.
Odds and ends -- If there's a team in the field that can challenge the Stags it's probably McPherson, which has a proud tradition of its own.
CLASS 3A BOYS
State final -- Hesston (21-1) vs. Rock Creek (22-2).
State champion -- Hesston. A Hesston-Rock Creek final could be a classic, with the Mustangs definitely capable of winning the title behind star Dawson Zenger.
Odds and ends -- TMP-Marian and Galena have combined for a 43-6 record so neither team can be taken lightly.
CLASS 3A GIRLS
State final -- Cheney (23-0) vs. Hugoton (23-1).
State champion -- Hugoton. I give Hugoton the edge in a deep, deep class.
Odds and ends -- Sabetha (22-2) has the talent to win the championship while Cheney is aiming for a perfect season.
CLASS 2A BOYS
State final -- Hoxie (24-0) vs. Hillsboro (21-3).
State champion -- Hoxie. Until somebody proves otherwise, the undefeated Indians are the team to beat.
Odds and ends -- Lyndon (19-4) has been battle-tested and is capable of a title run while Wabaunsee has put together a breakthrough campaign.
CLASS 2A GIRLS
State final -- Sterling (22-1) vs. St. Mary's Colgan (18-3).
State champion -- Sterling, by a slight margin.
Odds and ends -- Probably one of the most balanced fields, with Garden Plain (17-5) and Valley Heights (21-1) both capable of winning championships.
CLASS 1A-I BOYS
State final -- South Gray (23-0) vs. Little River (22-1).
State champion -- South Gray. A South Gray-Little River title game would be a dandy, but I give a narrow edge to the Rebels.
Odds and ends -- Ness City (17-7) and Olpe (16-3) both played tough schedules, which makes them dangerous this weekend.
CLASS 1A-I GIRLS
State final -- Olpe (23-0) vs. Norwich (19-3).
State champion -- Olpe. Hard to bet against the Eagles any time, but especially this year.
Odds and ends -- Hodgeman County (21-4) figures to be a tough test for Olpe in the semifinals while Norwich and Doniphan West (20-3) is a tossup.
CLASS 1A-II BOYS
State final -- Hanover (22-1) vs. Elyria Christian (15-9).
State champion -- Hanover. Hanover adds to its impressive athletic tradition with another title.
Odds and ends -- All three semifinalists other than Hanover have nine losses, which makes the Wildcats a decisive favorite.
CLASS 1A-II GIRLS
State final -- Central Plains (21-3) vs. Cunningham (22-2).
State champion -- Central Plains. The Oilers had their state's-longest winning streak snapped, but are still the team to beat.
Odds and ends -- Golden Plains is a perfect 24-0, so a title run wouldn't be a shock. Beloit-St. John's (19-1) has also put together an impressive season and is capable of making a run at the title.
