By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park gave itself a chance at the end of Thursday's Topeka Invitational Tournament first-round game against Wichita Southeast, but the Scots game up just short, falling 55-54 to the Buffalos at Topeka High.
Highland Park, which fell to 3-4, trailed Southeast 17-8 at the end of the first quarter, 33-24 at the half and 45-34 through three quarter, but the Scots outscored the Buffs 20-10 the rest of the way to get back in the hunt.
The Scots had an opportunity to tie the game with 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation, but a missed free throw allowed Southeast to escape with the victory.
Sophomore Kobe Smith led Wichita Southeast with 22 points.
Junior Jaun'Tario Roberts, who had missed the Scots' previous game, scored 18 points for Highland Park and senior Jahi Peppers added 14.
Highland Park will play Topeka West at 4 p.m. Friday in a consolation game in Topeka High's auxiliary gym. West dropped a 60-59 decision to Shawnee Mission North.
LANSING 65, TOPEKA HIGH 52
Lansing improved to 6-2 with a 65-52 first-round win over host Topeka High in Thursday's Topeka Invitational Tournament.
The Lions, coached by former Highland Park coach Jason Jones, jumped in front early against the Trojans, building a 16-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, a 34-22 lead at the half and a 50-34 advantage through three quarters before holding off the 1-6 Trojans the rest of the way.
Senior Peyton Basler led Lansing with a game-high 23 points while junior Joren Remington added 17 points.
Senior Isiah Esquibel scored 21 points for Topeka High while junior Jalen Smith added 15.
Topeka High will play Hayden, which dropped a 52-37 decision to Wichita East, in a 6:30 p.m. consolation game Friday in High's auxiliary gym.
Lansing will play Wichita East in a 6:30 p.m. semifinal in the main gym. Shawnee Mission North will play Wichita Southeast in the 4 p.m. semifinal.
WICHITA SOUTHEAST 55, HIGHLAND PARK 54
Wichita Southeast 17 16 12 10 -- 55
Highland Park 8 16 10 20 -- 54
Wichita Southeast (3-6) -- K. Smith 6-16 8-8 22, Pottard 3-3 0-0 7, R. Smith 1-4 0-1 2, Bikar 4-7 0-0 10, Wilson 2-5 1-2 5, Adkins 0-3 4-4 4, Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Walker 1-2 0-0 2, Barnes 0-2 0-0 0, Carter 1-1 0-0 3, Sumpter 0-0 0-0 0, Bean 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-43 13-15 55.
Highland Park (3-4) -- Peppers 4-9 6-6 14, Powell 3-14 2-3 8, Simms 1-2 0-0 3, Daniels 3-9 4-8 10, Prosper 0-0 1-2 1, Roberts 6-15 1-2 18, Kingcannon 0-4 0-0 0, Richardson 0-0 0-0 0, Kendrick 0-0 0-0 0, Adams 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-53 14-21 54.
3-point goals -- Southeast 6-16 (K. Smith 2-7, Bikar 2-3, Pottard 1-1, Carter 1-1, Adkins 0-1, Walker 0-1, Barnes 0-1); Highland Park 6-19 (Roberts 5-9, Simms 1-1, Powell 0-2, Kingcannon 0-3, Daniels 0-1). Total fouls -- Southeast 21, Highland Park 16. Fouled out -- none.
LANSING 65, TOPEKA HIGH 52
Topeka High 11 11 12 18 -- 52
Lansing 16 18 16 15 -- 65
Topeka High (1-6) -- Smith 6-13 3-7 15, McMillon 1-1 0-0 3, Wilson 0-0 0-0 0, Leesman 3-5 0-2 6, Canady 2-5 0-1 4, Esquibel 5-12 8-8 21, Kincade 0-0 0-0 0, Fulton 1-5 1-2 3, Phillips 0-0 0-0 0, Walker 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-42 12-20 52.
Lansing (6-2) -- Jackson 4-11 0-0 9, Basler 9-12 3-3 23, Benson 3-5 1-2 7, Remington 7-13 1-2 17, Crawford 2-3 2-3 6, Couch 1-5 0-0 3, Patrick 0-3 0-0 0, Allen 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-52 7-10 65.
3-point goals -- High 4-14 (Esquibel 3-7, McMillon 1-1, Smith 0-2, Fulton 0-2, Walker 0-1, Canady 0-1); Lansing 6-21 (Basler 2-4, Remington 2-7, Jackson 1-5, Couch 1-4, Patrick 0-1). Total fouls -- High 14, Lansing 15. Fouled out -- Lansing: Benson.
