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  • Tuesday/Wednesday prep BB roundup: CPLS boys ride hot start past Maranatha Academy

    Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    The Cair Paravel Lions boys basketball team never looked back after a 24-point first quarter on its way to a 69-50 victory over the Maranatha Christian Eagles on Tuesday night at Cair Paravel Latin School.

    LucasMarichal2025WF 2Lucas Marichal led Cair Paravel with 19 points in the Lions' 69-50 win over Maranatha Academy Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

    The contest started as a scoring duel between Maranatha’s Daniel Dean and Cair Paravel’s Lucas Marichal, with Dean tallying the 3-11 Eagles’ first five points as the visitors took an early 5-2 lead.

    Marichal answered with his first of four 3-pointers of the night, and following a free throw from Dean, the Cair Paravel junior made consecutive baskets to give the Lions (6-8) a 9-6 lead they would not relinquish.

    The 3-point barrage continued for the Lions, with triples from Chase Hastert and Judah Congdon before Marichal knocked down another shot from behind the arc to give Cair Paravel a 24-17 advantage after the first quarter.

    The Lions showed off their defensive prowess in the second quarter, allowing only six points off three Maranatha field goals.

    Hastert and Caleb Cleverdon hit 3-pointers in the frame for Cair Paravel, while Jase Pavlik recorded his first five points of the evening in the quarter as the Lions took a 38-23 lead into halftime.

    After the break Pavlik and Cleverdon found baskets in the first minute of the third quarter, extending the lead to 19 and forcing a quick timeout from the Eagles.

    The Lions pushed the lead as high as 21, but a pair of baskets from Dean and a 3-pointer from Joe Allen brought the deficit back to 13 as Cair Paravel held a 46-33 lead midway through the third quarter.

    Any sign of a comeback was quickly put to rest, as Marichal knocked down another 3-pointer and Blaine Durbin added a pair of baskets, with the Lions leading 55-38 after three quarters.

    Cair Paravel finished the game with a balanced offensive attack, with five points from Marichal and four from Pavlik in the fourth quarter.

    Senior Billy Lanich added a layup in the closing seconds to seal the 19-point victory for the Lions. Marichal led all scorers with 19 points for Cair Paravel.

    Pavlik recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Hastert added 10 points off the bench.

    The Lions shot just over 48 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Eagles, 34-18.

    Dean led Maranatha with 18 points on 7-10 shooting while also pulling down six rebounds. Pennbrook Shaver tallied 14 points, while center Luke Shrader scored nine points with six rebounds.

    Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer was impressed with all aspects of his team’s performance in the win.

    “I think defense always leads to offense,'' Kueffer said. "We were really focused defensively on (Maranatha’s Owen Smail and Luke Shrader), both of those guys can get 25 a night,” Kueffer said. “We really just focused on making them uncomfortable, picking them up at halfcourt, and then offensively, you don’t have anything to think about.”

    Despite a significant size disadvantage, Cair Paravel grabbed 16 more rebounds than Maranatha, and the effort did not go unnoticed by Kueffer.

    “We’re giving up a lot of size, and they play their hearts out,” Kueffer said of his squad. “Everybody has to do their part to defend and rebound. If you’re on the floor, you’re rebounding. If you’re on the floor, you’re defending, no excuses. So I was glad to see that out of everybody today.”

    Cair Paravel will be back in action on Thursday against Eskridge-Mission Valley. The Lions will look to avenge a 50-48 loss on Jan. 21.

  • Tuesday prep BB roundup: Hi Park boys survive Meadowlark Conference test with Atchison, 51-48

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Highland Park took command of the Meadowlark Conference boys basketball race Tuesday night with a hard-earned 51-48 road win at Atchison.

    MikeyWilliams2025TH 2Senior Mikey Williams led Highland Park with 17 points in Tuesday's 51-48 Meadowlark Conference victory over Atchison. [File photo/TSN]

    Top-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park, which improved to 12-0 overall and 5-0 in the conference, led 14-12 at the end of the opening quarter and 23-18 at halftime before Atchison (7-4, 3-2) cut its deficit to 39-38 at the start of the fourth quarter.

    The Scots held a 12-10 advantage over the final eight minutes to hold on for the win.

    Highland Park senior Mikey Williams scored 8 of the Scots' 12 fourth-quarter points and went 4 of 4 at the free throw line en route to finishing with 17 points.

    Senior Ja'Corey Robinson added 14 points for the Scots.

    KailynHanni2024Rossville 1Junior Kailyn Hanni (4) scored 16 points in Silver Lake's 50-49 win over Rock Creek Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

    Silver Lake girls edge Rock Creek, 50-49

    Junior Kailyn Hanni led the way with 16 points as Silver Lake improved to 9-1 with a 50-49 non-league win at Rock Creek Tuesday night.

    The Eagles trailed 15-14 after one quarter, 26-24 at the half and 42-39 at the start of the fourth quarter before Silver Lake closed with an 11-7 edge over the final eight minutes to pull out the win.  

    Taylor Zordel and Ella Bolan added 12 points apiece for the Eagles.

    Lucy Martinie led Rock Creek with 13 points and Kylee Frazee added 10.

  • A1 Lock & Key Performers Jan. 27, 2025

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    KameronBadura2024mugKameron Badura

    KAMERON BADURA, Rossville

    A senior, Badura scored 21 points Saturday as Rossville downed Perry-Lecompton 49-41 to cap off its championship run in the Valley Falls Invitational. Badura averaged 17 points in the tournament as the Bulldawgs went 3-0 on the week to improve to 8-3 on the season.

    MasonBeckermug2025 2Mason Becker

    MASON BECKER, Hayden

    Becker, a sophomore, scored 20 points with five 3-pointers on Saturday as the Wildcats won the tournament championship in the Baldwin Invitational with a 63-49 win over the host Bulldogs. Becker helped Hayden cap a 3-0 run in the tournament as the Wildcats improved to 7-5 on the season.

    KailynHannimug 3Kailyn Hanni

    KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

    A junior guard, was named the Most Outstanding Player in last week's Burlington Invitational after helping lead Silver Lake to the tournament championship. Hanni scored 22 points in the Eagles' 70-60 win over Labette County in the championship game and scored 64 points in the tournament for the Eagles, No. 3-ranked in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. 

  • A look at this week's girls midseason prep basketball tournaments involving Shawnee County teams

    Rick Peterson

    --By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Topeka West will host the 2025 Capital City Classic girls basketball tournament Thursday through Saturday, with Highland Park, Shawnee Heights, Topeka West and Washburn Rural all taking part in the event.

    PearmellaCarter2025TH 1Sophomore Pearmella Carter and the 7-1 Highland Park girls will compete in this week's Capital City Classic at Topeka West. [File photo/TSN]

    Shawnee Heights (6-4 on the season) will open the tournament at 3:15 p.m. Thursday against Blue Valley (3-7).

    City rivals Highland Park (7-1) and host Topeka West (1-8) are on the same side of the bracket with Heights and Blue Valley and will play a first-round game at 6:30 p.m.

    The Highland Park-West and Shawnee Heights-Blue Valley winners will play a 6:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

    On the other side of the bracket, Lawrence (5-4) will take on Shawnee Mission West (1-6) in a 4:45 p.m. first-round game while Washburn Rural (5-3) will face Lawrence Free State (3-6) at 8 o'clock.

    Rural is ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association while Lawrence is No. 10 in 6A.

    The Lawrence-SM West winner will face the Washburn Rural-Free State winner in an 8 o'clock Friday night semifinal.

    The tournament will conclude on Saturday, starting with the third and seventh-place games at 10 a.m. in separate gyms, followed by the fifth-place and championship contests at 11:30 a.m. in separate gyms.

    CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC

    At Topeka West
     
    Thursday

    3:15 p.m. -- Shawnee Heights vs. Blue Valley.

    4:45 -- Lawrence vs. Shawnee Mission West.

    6:30 -- Highland Park vs. Topeka West.

    8 -- Washburn Rural vs. Free State.

    Friday

    3:15 p.m. -- Lawrence-SM West loser vs. Washburn Rural-Free State loser.

    4:45 -- Highland Park-Topeka West loser vs. Shawnee Heights-Blue Valley loser.

    6:30 -- Highland Park-Topeka West winner vs. Shawnee Heights-Blue Valley winner.

    8 -- Lawrence-SM West winner vs. Washburn Rural-Free State winner.

    Saturday

    10 a.m. -- Third place (main gym); Seventh place (auxiliary gym).

    11:30 -- Championship (main gym); Fifth place (auxiliary gym).

    MillieRamsey2025TH 2Senior Millie Ramsey and 10-0 Hayden will compete this week in the Lady Cat Invitational at El Dorado. [File photo/TSN]

    Undefeated Hayden to compete in El Dorado

    Hayden, No. 3-ranked in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association and 10-0 on the season, is the top seed for the 32nd annual Lady Cat Classic in El Dorado Thursday through Saturday.

    Hayden will open its tournament bid at 6 p.m. Thursday against the host team, El Dorado, which is 1-7 on the season.

    With a win the Wildcats will advance to a 7:45 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face the first-round winner between Gardner-Edgerton (5-4) and Goddard (4-6).

    On the other side of the bracket Kapaun Mt. Carmel (7-3) will play a first-round game against Mill Valley (5-5) while Maize South (8-1) will face Augusta (3-5). Those two winners will play a 6 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

  • Friday prep BB roundup: Silver Lake boys, girls advance to Burlington title games

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Silver Lake advanced to the championship games in both the girls and boys divisions of the Burlington Invitational with Friday semifinal wins.

    DayneJohnson2024Ross 2Junior Dayne Johnson (2) scored 28 points Friday as Silver Lake advanced to the title game in the Burlington Invitational with a 97-88 triple-overtime win over Burlington. [File photo/TSN]

    KailynHanni2024Rossville 1Junior Kailyn Hanni led Silver Lake with 22 points in Friday's 50-48 semifinal win over Girard in the Burlington Invitational. [File photo/TSN]

    Silver Lake's boys needed three overtimes to outlast host Burlington 97-88 while the Lady Eagles edged Girard, 50-48.

    Silver Lake and Burlington were stll deadlocked after two overtime periods before the Eagles outscored the Wildcats 13-4 in the third OT to close out the win.

    Junior Dayne Johnson and senior Jared Johnson scord 28 points apiece to lead Silver Lake while senior Brody Deiter added 21 points.

    Silver Lake and Girard's girls were close throughout before the Eagles eked out the two-point win.

    Junior Kailyn Hanni led the Eagles with 22 points, followed by Jaylie Whitehead and Ella Bolan with 10 points each.

    Silver Lake faced Labette County in Saturday's girls final while the Eagle boys faced Ottawa.

    Ballard leads way with 20 as Rural boys advance to title game

    Senior Kaden Ballard scored 20 points with four 3-pointers to lead four double-figure scorers for Washburn Rural Friday as the Junior Blues advanced to the championship game of the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg with a 64-58 semifinal win over Webster Groves, Mo.

    Ballard was backed by senior Amare Jones with 14 points, junior Simon Rowley with 12 points and junior John Hoytal with 10.

    Webster Groves led 19-15 at the end of the first quarter before Washburn Rural (8-2) used a 21-15 second quarter to take a 36-34 halftime lead.

    Webster Groves regained the lead at 47-46 at the start of the fourth quarter but the Junior Blues closed out the game with an 18-11 fourth quarter to pull out the win.

    Rural was scheduled to take on Owasso, Okla. for the championsip at 2:30 p.m.

    Shawnee Heights roll to Viking Classic championship contest

    Shawnee Heights' boys were ahead by just five points at the end of the third quarter Friday night before taking control over the final eight minutes for a 65-51 win over Ozark, Mo. in the semifinals of the Viking Classic at Shawnee Mission West.  

    Senior Jaret Sanchez led the T-Birds with 20 points, followed by junior JaiMarion Cook with 16 points and junior Ontarius Emmot with 11.

    Heights advanced to Saturday's championship game to face Blue Valley North.

    Bulldawgs advance to tourney title game with 66-60 win

    Rossville's boys advanced to Saturday's championship game in the Valley Falls Invitational with a 66-60 win over the Northeast Kansas Nighthawks.

    Rossville got a game-high 28 points from junior Cameron Miller while senior Kameron Badura added 17 and junior Jack Donovan 14 for the Bulldawgs.

  • Saturday prep BB roundup: T-Bird boys rout BV North 68-41 to earn Viking Classic crown

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Playing in a midseason tournament championship game for the fourth straight season, Shawnee Heights' boys basketball team completed the final piece of the puzzle on Saturday, claiming the championship in Shawnee Mission West's Viking Classic with a 68-41 romp past traditional Class 6A stalwart Blue Valley North, No. 7-ranked by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.

    SHeightsboysBB2025SMW 1Shawnee Heights' boys basketball team poses for a picture after winning the Viking Classic championship on Saturday. [Submitted photo]

    JaretSanchez2024TW 1Senior Jaret Sanchez led Shawnee Heights with 21 points in Saturday's 68-41 win over Blue Valley North. [File photo/TSN]

    The No. 4-ranked (5A) T-Birds built a 14-12 first-quarter advantage and poured it on the Mustangs from there.

    Shawnee Heights used 14-5 second quarter to take a 28-17 halftime lead and outscored North 26-16 in the third quarter to turn the game into a rout.

    Heights (8-2) finished off the win with a 14-8 fourth quarter, with Blue Valley North needing a late 3-pointer to top the 40-point mark.

    "Probably one of the biggest wins at SHHS,'' said veteran coach Ken Darting, who coached five state championship teams at Silver Lake and Highland Park. "That (Blue Valley North) team is really good. Our defense took them out of everything they wanted to do. Need to build on it now.''

    Senior Jaret Sanchez led Shawnee Heights with 21 points while JaiMarion Cook added 12 points on four 3-pointers and Ontarius Emmot added 11.

    The T-Birds also got 8 points from Deacon Pomeroy and 6 from DaQuan Lee.

    SilverLakegirlsBB2025 2Silver Lake's girls basketball team poses for a team picture after winning the tournament championship in the Burlington Invitational. [Silver Lake basketball]

    Silver Lake girls claim Burlington title

    Silver Lake's girls, No. 3-ranked in Class 3A, captured the Burlington Invitational championship with a 70-60 win over previously-unbeaten Labette County.

    Junior Kailyn Hanni, who was named the tournament's most outstanding player, led the 8-1 Eagles with 22 points, backed by Savannah Wende with19 points and Jaylie Whitehead with 11.

    Labette County, No. 6-ranked in 4A, fell to 10-1.

    Hanni, who scored 64 points in the tournament, was joined on the all-tournament team by Ella Bolan.

    Silver Lake's boys also advanced to the tournament championship game, with the Eagles dropping a 67-38 decision to Ottawa, top-ranked in Class 4A and 10-0 on the season.

    Junior Dayne Johnson led Silver Lake (7-2) with 19 points while tournament most outstanding player Aiden McCullough scored a game-high 26 points for the Cyclones.

    D. Johnson, who scored 68 points in the tournament, was named to the all-tournament team along with the Eagles' Jared Johnson, who had 57 points in his three tournament games.

    RossvilleboysBB2025PL 2Rossville's boys basketball team poses for a team picture on Saturday after winning the tournament championship in the Valley Falls Invitational. [Rossville Athletics]

    Rossville boys claim Valley Falls title

    Rossville boys basketball downed Perry-Lecompton 49-41 Saturday to cap off its championship run in the Valley Falls Invitational.

    Senior Kameron Badura paced 8-3 Rossville with 21 points and averaged 17 points in the tournament for the Bulldawgs.

    Juniors Jack Donovan and Cameron Miller both added 9 points for Rossville, No. 8-ranked in Class 2A, with both Donovan and Miller being named to the all-tournament team.

  • Tuesday/Wednesday HS basketball/bowling roundup: T-Birds' Schattilly bowls perfect 300 game

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Shawnee Heights junior Henry Schattilly bowled a perfect 300 game in Tuesday's high school bowling meet at Lawrence, earning the individual title while leading the T-Birds to the team crown.

    HenrySchattilly 2Shawnee Heights junior Henry Schattilly bowled a 300 game Tuesday in Lawrence, winning the individual title with a 693 series. [File photo/TSN]

    Schattilly bowled his 300 in his second game after a first-game 182 and finished his series with a 212 to take individual honors by two pins over Ottawa's Shane Circle with a 693 series.

    The T-Birds also got a fourth-place individual finish from Caden Cochrane (680) and a fifth-place showing from Trey Donath (662) en route to the team championship by a 2,703-2,342 margin over Free State.

    Chevy Stallbaumer added a 634 series for Shawnee Heights while Donovan Davis had a 597 and Cooper Brown a 552.

    Shawnee Heights also won the girls team title in Tuesday's event by a 2,068-2,020 margin over Lawrence Free State.

    Reese Bell posted a fourth-place individual finish for the T-Birds with a 533 series.

    T-Birds sweep titles in home quadrangular

    Shawnee Heights swept the individual and team titles in Wednesday's home quadrangular at Gage Bowl.

    Junior Henry Schattilly won his second individual championship in as many days, rolling a 643 three-game series to claim top honors by five pins over teammate Chevy Stallbaumer (638).

    Trey Donath also posted a top-five finish, placing fourth with a 591 series, as the T-Birds finished first as a team by a 2,479-2,306 margin over Piper. Topeka West finished fourth as a team with a 2,197 team score.

    Shawnee Heights sophomore Addison VanMetre won the girls individual title with a 540 series as the T-Birds edged Piper by a 1,953-1,942 margin in the team standings. Topeka West was fourth with a 1,417 total.

    Heights' Sophie Scheve finished fifth individually with a 482 series.

    Manhattan wins titles in Topeka High bowling quad

    Manhattan dominated Tuesday's Topeka High bowling quadrangular at Gage Bowl, sweeping both the girls individual and team championships.

    Manhattan's boys swept the top five individual spots on the way to a 2,603-2,212 margin over Highland Park, while Topeka West (2,109) was third and Topeka High (2,030).

    Cristian Reyes led Highland Park with a 579 series while Allen McCracken had a 572 series and Aaron Poe a 565 for the Scots.

     Alec Rutschmann led Topeka West with a 556 series while Austin Mitchell paced Topeka High with a 551.

    Manhattan went one-two individually in the girls division on the way to a 1,997-1,469 margin over Topeka West in the team standings. Highland Park finished third with a 1,336 team score while Topeka High was fourth at 1,297.

    West's Kaitlyn Leeburg finished third with a 459 series while Highland Park was led by Thalia Villanueva, who finished fifth with a 434.

    Lilly Krohe led Topeka High with a 380 series.

    Lady Scots bounce back with 23-point Meadowlark Conference win

    Highland Park girls basketball, which suffered its first loss on Tuesday to USD 501 rival Topeka High, bounced back with a 61-38 Meadowlark Conference victory over Atchison Wednesday night.

    Sophomores Zayah Kincade and Pearmella Carter scored 15 points apiece to lead Highland Park, which Carter also grabbed 15 rebounds with five steals and Kincade connected on four 3-pointers.

    Highland Park improved to 7-1 with a perfect 5-0 record in the Meadowlark Conference.

    MalakyahDuncan2025Sea 1Malakyah Duncan led the way with 18 points in Tuesday's 50-49 Topeka West UKC win over Basehor-Linwood, the Chargers' fourth straight. [File photo/TSN]

    West boys tune up for tourney with 50-49 UKC win over Bobcats

    Juniors Malakyah Duncan and Keimani Paul combined for 30 points Tuesday night as No. 7-ranked Topeka West held on for a 50-49 United Kansas Conference win over Basehor-Linwood.

    Duncan scored 18 points to lead the Chargers while Paul added 12 points as West improved to 6-2 overall and in the UKC with its fourth straight win.

    West led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter and used a 16-10 second quarter to take a 26-19 halftime advantage.

    West went up 42-33 after three quarters and held on for the win after Basehor-Linwood closed with a 16-8 fourth quarter.

    Topeka West is competing Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Topeka Invitational Tournament at Topeka High.

  • A look at this week's midseason prep basketball tournaments involving Shawnee County teams

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Topeka High will host the 64th annual Topeka Invitational Tournament Thursday through Saturday, with Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West's boys teams taking part in the event.

    JaCoreyRobinson2024Wyandotte 3Ja'Corey Robinson and the undefeated Highland Park boys are the team to beat in this week's Topeka Invitational Tournament at Topeka High. [File photo/TSN] 

    Undefeated Highland Park, top-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, will open the tournament at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, with the 8-0 Scots facing Shawnee Mission North.

    Lawrence and Wichita Southeast are on the same side of the bracket with Highland Park and SM North and will play a first-round game at 5 p.m.

    The Hi Park-North winner will face the Lawrence-Wichita Southeast winner in a 6:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

    Topeka West, 5-2 entering a regular-season game Tuesday at Basehor-Linwood, will open its tournament bid at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against its United Kansas Conference rival Lansing.

    Host Topeka High (0-8) will close out the first round at 8 p.m. against Olathe East, with the High-East winner advancing to an 8 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

    The tournament will conclude on Saturday, starting with the seventh-place game at 10 a.m., followed by the fifth-place and third-place games and the championship contest at 2:30 p.m.

    TOPEKA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
     
    At Topeka High

    Thursday

    3:30 p.m. -- Highland Park vs. Shawnee Mission North.

    5 -- Lawrence vs. Wichita Southeast.

    6:30 -- Topeka West vs. Lansing.

    8 -- Topeka High vs. Olathe East.

    Friday

    3:30 p.m. -- Highland Park-SM North loser vs. Lawrence-Wichita State loser.

    5 -- Topeka West-Lansing loser vs. Topeka High-Olathe East loser.

    6:30 -- Highland Park-SM North winner vs. Lawrence-Wichita Southeast winner.

    8 -- Topeka West-Lansing winner vs. Topeka High-Olathe East winner, 8 p.m.

    Saturday

    10 a.m. -- Seventh place.

    11:30 -- Fifth place.

    1 p.m. -- Third place.

    2:30 -- Championship.

    Hayden boys set to compete at Baldwin

    Hayden will compete in the six-school Baldwin Invitational this week, opening its tournament bid at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday against Wellsville.

    Hayden will take a 4-4 record into the tournament after a tight 46-43 Centennial League loss to Class 6A Manhattan.

    The Wildcats will play Augusta at 5:30 Friday and will wrap things up on Saturday in the place games.

    The fifth-place game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the third-place game at 2:30 and the championship game at 4 o'clock.

    BALDWIN INVITATIONAL

    Tuesday

    5:30 p.m. -- Wellsville vs. Augusta, 5:30 p.m.

    7 -- Bishop Seabury vs. Baldwin.

    Wednesday

    5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Wellsville.

    7 -- Christ Prep vs. Bishop Seabury

    Friday

    5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Augusta.

    7 -- Christ Prep vs. Baldwin.

    Saturday

    1 p.m. -- Fifth place.

    2:30 p.m. -- Third place.

    4 p.m. -- Championship.

    SimonRowley2025Emp 1Junior Simon Rowley (facing) and Washburn Rural will compete in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]

    Rural boys headed to Pittsburg

    Washburn Rural, 6-2 on the season after a Centennial League win over Emporia, will compete this week in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg.

    The Junior Blues will play an 8:30 p.m. first-round game on Thursday against Joplin, Mo.

    Also on Rural's side of the tournament bracket are Webster Groves, Mo. and Branson, Mo., who will play at 7 p.m. Thursday.

    The Rural-Joplin winner will play the Webster Groves-Branson winner in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

    The place games will be played on Saturday, capped by the championship game at 2:30 p.m.

    BILL HANSON MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
     
    At Pittsburg
     
    Thursday

    7 p.m. -- Willard, Mo. vs. Pittsburg (main gym); Webster Groves, Mo. vs. Branson, Mo. (Mallatt gym).

    8:30 -- Owasso, Okla. vs. Wichita West (main gym); Washburn Rural vs. Joplin, Mo. (Mallatt gym). 

    Friday

    6 p.m. -- Owasso-Wichita West winner vs. Willard-Pittsburg winner (main gym); Owasso-Wichita West loser vs. Willard-Pittsburg loser (Mallatt gym).

    7:30 -- Webster Groves-Branson winner vs. Washburn Rural-Joplin winner (main gym); Webster Groves-Branson loser vs. Washburn Rural-Joplin loser (Mallatt gym).

    Saturday

    11:30 a.m. -- Third place (main gym); seventh place (Mallatt gym).

    2:30 p.m. -- Championship game (main gym); fifth-place game (Mallatt gym).

    JaretSanchez2025Hayden 4Senior Jaret Sanchez (3) leads Shawnee Heights into this week's Shawnee Mission West Viking Classic. [File photo/TSN]

    T-Bird boys to compete in Viking Classic

    Shawnee Heights will open competition in the Shawnee Mission West Viking Classic with a 6 p.m. Thursday quarterfinal against the host team.

    The T-Birds, ranked No. 4 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association rankings, are 5-2 on the season while SM West is 1-4.

    The Shawnee Heights-West winner will advance to a 7:30 semifinal on Friday to take on the first-round winner between Ozark, Mo. and Louisburg.

    The place games will be played on Saturday, with the title game set for 3 p.m.

  • Friday prep BB roundup: Seaman boys bounce back from loss with 84-58 romp past Pioneers

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news 

    Coming off a tough two-point home loss to United Kansas Conference and city rival Topeka West, the No. 7-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman boys bounced back with an 84-58 UKC road romp at Leavenworth Friday night.

    The Vikings improved to 6-2 overall and in the UKC as junior KaeVon Bonner and senior Bryer Finley combined for 43 points.

    KaeVonBonner2024TW 1Junior KaeVon Bonner scored a game-high 22 points Friday night as Seaman improved to 6-2 with an 84-58 road win at Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]

    BryerFinley2024TW 1Seaman senior Bryer Finley (2) scored 21 points in Friday's 84-58 win over Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]

    Bonner led the way with 22 points while Finley was right behind with 21 points.

    Junior Landon Wiltz was the third Viking in double figures with 16 points.

    No. 1-ranked Seaman girls roll to 67-14 UKC win

    The undefeated and top-ranked Seaman girls tuned up for what promises to be a big week next week with a 53-point 67-14 United Kansas Conference road win at Leavenworth Friday night.

    Junior Maddie Gragg led the Vikings (8-0 overall, 8-0 UKC) with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals while Cara Beaton had 14 points and four 3-pointers, Anna Becker 12 points, 8 assists and six steals and Jaida Stallbaumer 11 points.

    Senior Ava Esser was 2 points away from a double-double, finishing with 8 points and 10 rebounds.

    Seaman will host perennial power St. James Academy on Tuesday in a makeup game before going on the road Thursday to face No. 4-ranked De Soto.

    JaCoreyRobinson2024Wyandotte 2Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 33 points Friday night at KC-Harmon in an 89-24 Scot win. [File photo/TSN]

    Hi Park boys stay perfect with 65-point win

    Senior star Ja'Corey Robinson scored 33 points, easily out-scoring Highland Park's opponent by himself as top-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park remained undeated with an 89-24 Meadowlark Conference road win over Kansas City-Harmon.

    Highland Park scored an amazing 40 points in the eight-minute first quarter and tacked on 33 points in the second quarter to build a 73-10 halftime advantage.

    Seniors Mikey Williams and Isaiah Kelley added 12 points each as the Scots improved to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

    Highland Park will be the top seed in next week's Topeka Invitational Tournament at Topeka High.

  • A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County girls high school basketball games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    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.

  • A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County boys high school basketball games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    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.

  • Tuesday prep BB roundup: Rossville boys bounce back from loss with 65-42 romp past Riley County

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Rossville boys basketball bounced back from a Big East League loss against Hiawatha with a 65-42 home league romp past Riley County Tuesday night.

    The Bulldawgs, ranked No. 6 in Class 2A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the league with Tuesday's victory.

    BrandonMcDonnell 2Brandon McDonnell's Rossville boys basketball team improved to 5-2 Tuesday night with a 65-42 romp past Riley County. [File photo/TSN]

    Senior Kameron Badura paced three Rossville players in double figures with 18 points.

    Junior Jack Donovan added 16 points and junior Cameron Miller 13 for the Bulldawgs.

    Rossville's girls fell to 3-4 overall and 0-4 in the Big East with a 55-33 loss to the Falcons.

    MikeyWilliams2025TH 1Senior Mikey Williams scored 20 points in Highland Park's 86-42 win over KC-Sumner Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

    Top-ranked Hi Park boys keep rolling with 86-42 win

    Highland Park's boys, No. 1-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the Meadowlark Conference with an 86-42 road romp past Kansas City-Sumner Tuesday night.

    The Hi Park win was its second in as many nights and the Scots will play their third game of the week at KC-Harmon on Friday.

    Senior Mikey Williams led Highland Park with 20 points against Sumner while senior Ja'Corey Robinson added 19 points and senior Elijah Thomas 17.

    PearmellaCarter2024Turner 2Highland Park sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Scots' 54-42 win over KC-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]

    Carter posts huge double-double in Hi Park girls win

    Sophomore Pearmella Carter scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds as Highland Park improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Meadowlark Conference with a 54-42 win at Kansas City-Sumner Tuesday night.

    Carter grabbed 13 of her 20 rebounds on the offensive end and also had 3 assists and 3 steals for the Scots.

    Senior Tahtionna Broils added 8 points for the Scots.

    Piper earns home UKC sweep over Shawnee Heights

    The No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Piper boys rolled to a 67-50 United Kansas Conference victory over No. 4 Shawnee Heights while the Pirate girls, No. 5 in 5A, took a 73-49 win over the T-Birds.

    Piper's boys improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the UKC while Shawnee Heights fell to 5-2, 4-2.

    The Piper girls improved to 6-1, 5-1 while Heights dropped to 4-4, 4-3.

  • A game-by-game look at Tuesday's Shawnee County girls prep basketball games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    MillieRamsey2025WR 3Senior 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.

    NoraBurdiek2024SL 1Sophomore 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.

  • A game-by-game look at Tuesday's Shawnee County boys prep basketball games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    JamesKuta2025WR 1Senior 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.

    KaeVonBonner2024TW 1Junior 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.

    SimonRowley2025Hay 3Junior 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.

  • A1 Lock & Key Performers Jan. 13, 2025

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    KaeVonBonnerSeaman2024mug 2KaeVon Bonner

    KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

    A 6-foot-3 junior guard, Bonner scored a game-high 25 points in Friday night's 57-43 United Kansas Conference road victory at Lansing, helping Seaman improve to 5-1 overall and in the UKC.

    NoraBurdiekmug 2Nora Burdiek

    NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

    Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, scored a career-high 31 points for the Bulldawgs Friday night as Rossville (3-3) came out on the short end of a 70-62 Big East League road loss at Hiawatha.

    LoganGlinkamug 3Logan Glinka

    LOGAN GLINKA, Washburn Rural

    Glinka opened his senior bowling season in Thursday's Free State Invitational at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence with a fourth-place individual finish with a 708 series while leading Washburn Rural to a second-place team finish in the 18-school event. Glinka bowled games of 248, 247 and 213.

  • Friday prep BB roundup: Top-ranked Seaman girls improve to 6-0 with 72-9 UKC rout

    Rick Peterson

    By Rick Peterson

    TopSports.news

    Defending Class 5A girls state champion Seaman posted its sixth straight win to open its title defense Friday night, with Matt Tinsley's Vikings rolling to a 72-9 United Kansas Conference road win over winless Lansing.

    The Vikings, also 6-0 in UKC play, put the game away with an 18-1 first quarter and outscored the Lions (0-5, 0-4) by a 25-6 margin in the second stanza to take a 43-7 lead at the half.

    AnnaBecker2024TW 1Senior Anna Becker scored 21 points with 8 assists and four steals in Seaman's 72-9 UKC win at Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

    Seaman held Lansing to just two points in the second half, including a scoreless third quarter, holding a 29-2 scoring advantage after the break.

    "I thought we would be a little rusty without being able to practice,'' Tinsley said. "A concern would be timing and rhythm, but I thought we moved the ball well and got everyone involved.

    "We have a saying that it takes 10 hands to score and the girls were unselfish tonight.''

    Drake signee Anna Becker had 21 points, 8 assists and 4 steals for Seaman, top-ranked in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.

    Senior Kinley Wilhelm added 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals for the Vikings while senior Jaida Stallbaumer had 13 points and 7 rebounds.

    KaeVonBonner2024TW 1Junior KaeVon Bonner scored a game-high 25 points Friday night as Seaman improved to 5-1 with a 57-43 road win at Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

    Seaman boys improve to 5-1 with 57-43 UKC road win

    Seaman's boys improved to 5-1 overall and in the United Kansas Conference with a 57-43 Friday night conference road win at Lansing.

    The Vikings, No. 7-ranked in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, led by only a 28-27 margin at the half, but outscored the Lions (0-5, 0-4) 29-16 in the second half to pull away for the 14-point win.

    Junior KaeVon Bonner led Seaman with 25 points, 13 in the second half, while Bryer Finley added 11 points and junior Landon Wiltz 9 for the Vikings.

    Da'Quan Lee (24) led Shawnee Heights with 16 points in Friday's 72-25 UKC romp past Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]

    No. 4-ranked T-Bird boys roll to 72-25 win at Leavenworth

    Shawnee Heights, ranked No. 4 in Class 5A in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association state rankings, was never seriously threatened in Friday's United Kansas Conference game at Leavenworth, with the T-Birds rolling to a 72-25 victory.

    Heights, which improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the UKC, took control with a 16-2 opening quarter and then hit the Pioneers with a 24-8 second-quarter lick to open up a commanding 40-10 advantage at the halftime break.

    The T-Birds continued to dominate things in the second half, outscoring the hosts by a 32-15 margin.

    Heights played all 12 players that suited up, with 10 T-Birds cracking the scoring column.

    Junior Da'Quan Lee led the T-Birds with 16 points while senior Jaret Sanchez was right behind with 15 points.

    Ontarius Emmot had 9 points with a 3-pointer and a 6 of 6 night at the free throw line while Cam Ross also had nine points.

  • A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County prep basketball games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Editor's note: School closures/inclement weather have resulted in multiple postponements again Friday. Games involving Cair Paravel Latin, Highland Park, Silver Lake, Topeka High and Topeka West have all been postponed while other Shawnee County schools are scheduled to be in action.

    GIRLS

    MaddieVickery2024SMNW 4Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery leads the city in scoring with a 22.6 average. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    MillieRamsey2025SH 2Senior Millie Ramsey had 15 points and 11 rebounds in Hayden's 60-47 win over Shawnee Heights to open 2025. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    WASHBURN RURAL (4-1, 0-0 Centennial League) at HAYDEN (6-0, 0-0 Centennial League)

    Friday's game matches Washburn Rural, ranked No. 3 in Class 6A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, against Hayden, No. 3 in 4A, in what will be the Centennial League opener for both schools. Hayden opened 2025 with a 60-47 home non-league win over Shawnee Heights, with senior Norma Greco scoring 17 points, seniors Brylee Meier and Millie Ramsey 15 points each and freshman Hailey Schmidtlein 13. Washburn Rural has not played since a 59-38 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest in its final game before the Christmas break, with games against Olathe North and Junction City postponed earlier this week. Sophomore Maddie Vickery averages a city-high 22.6 points for the Junior Blues while also pulling down 9.2 rebounds per game. Game time: 6:15 p.m.

    AnnaBecker2024TW 1Seaman Anna Becker averages a team-high 18.6 points with 6.4 assists for the 5-0 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

    SEAMAN (5-0, 5-0 United Kansas Conference) at LANSING (0-4, 0-3 United Kansas Conference)

    Seaman, the defending Class 5A state champion, is top-ranked in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. The Vikings have been idle since a 53-50 United Kansas Conference win over De Soto on Dec. 20, with a Tuesday night matchup with St. James Academy postponed. Senior Anna Becker averages a team-high 18.6 points and a city-best 6.4 assists. Junior Maddie Gragg averages 13.2 points while senior Ava Esser averages 12 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Vikings. Game time: 5:45 p.m.

    ROSSVILLE (3-2, 0-2 Big East League) at HIAWATHA (3-3, 2-2 Big East League)

    Rossville has been off since a 71-61 Big East League loss to Holton on Dec. 20 while Hiawatha returned to action last Friday, falling to Holton 54-40 in a league game. Bulldawg junior Rylee Dick is averaging 24.8 points with 25 3-pointers, shooting 51 percent from outside the arc while sophomore Nora Burdiek is averaging 18.2 points and 12.2 rebounds for the Bulldawgs. Game time: 6 p.m. 

  • Multiple team, individual state champs top TSN list of Top 10 girls prep stories of 2024

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    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.

    KendraHurlaState 1Rossville 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.

    MollySpader2024wrestlingMolly 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.

    SilverLakegirlsBB2024Silver 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.

    AinzleyZulueta2024State 1Hayden 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.

  • Weekend prep BB roundup: Hayden knocks off reigning Class 6A state champ, Ramsey reaches 1,000 points

    Rick Peterson

    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.

    MillieRamsey2024SMS 1Hayden 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.

    PearmellaCarter2024Turner 1Sophomore 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.

    KadenBallard2024 3Senior 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.

    DayneJohnson2024Ross 2Junior 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.

  • Rylee Dick, Jack Donovan the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Rising Stars of the Week

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                           

    TopSports.news

    Rossville junior basketball standouts Rylee Dick and Jack Donovan 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 Dick and Donovan over the past week:

    RyleeDick2024SL 2Rossville junior Rylee Dick has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week after averaging 25.7 points with 19 3-pointers over the Bulldawgs' first four games. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN] 

    RYLEE DICK, Rossville

    Dick opened her junior season by earning all-tournament honors and helping lead Rossville's girls to the championship in last week's Chapman Fighting Irish Classic while averaging 25 points with 14 3-pointers in the Bulldawgs' three tournament games.

    Dick had another big game in Tuesday's 62-53 loss to defending Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, scoring 28 points with five 3-pointers.

    The 5-foot-6 guard was an All-Shawnee County Second 10 pick last season while also receiving all-county honorable mention in track and field. 

    JackDonovan2024SL 1Rossville junior Jack Donovan has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week after averaging 25.7 points with 11 3-pointers over the Bulldawgs' first four games. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

    JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

    A 5-foot-11 multi-sport standout for the Bulldawgs, Donovan has averaged 25.7 points while hitting 11 3-pointers as Rossville opened the 2024-2025 season with a 3-1 record.

    Donovan was an all-tournament selection in last week's Chapman Fighting Irish Classic, scoring 75 points in three games with a high of 35 points, and followed that up with 28 points and four 3-pointers in Tuesday's 79-74 win over rival Silver Lake.

    Donovan has received All-Shawnee County recognition in basketball, football and golf during his Rossville career.

     

     

Top Sports News Team

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