By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High's top-ranked girls basketball team took control early Friday night at Emporia, taking a decisive 59-42 Centennial League victory to push its winning streak to 36 games.
The Trojans, who improved to 13-0 overall and 10-0 in the league, built a 20-8 first-quarter advantage and were in control 32-13 at the half before cruising the rest of the way.
Junior NiJaree Canady led Topeka High with a game-high 20 points while senior Lilly Smith added 14 and a pair of 3-pointers and senior Jae'Mya Lyons and sophomore Kiki Smith had 12 points apiece.
Junior Gracie Gilpin scored 16 points and hit 3 3-pointers to lead Emporia, which fell to 7-6 and 4-4.
EMPORIA BOYS 52, TOPEKA HIGH 51 (OT)
Topeka High led Emporia for much of the night before the Spartans rallied to force overtime and pulled out the 52-51 Centennial League win in the OT.
The Spartans, 7-6 overall and 4-5 in the league, trailed 34-26 at the start of the fourth quarter before senior Charles Snyder (game-high 23 points) ignited Emporia's comeback.
Emporia jumped in front in the overtime but Topeka High (2-11, 2-8) had a chance to force a second OT after a long 3-pointer, but missed a free throw to give the Spartans the win.
Senior Jalen Smith paced the Trojans with 14 points while freshman BJ Canady added 12.
Senior Hunter Hines added 12 points for Emporia.
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS 59, EMPORIA 42
Topeka High 20 12 14 13 -- 59
Emporia 8 5 12 17 -- 42
Topeka High (13-0, 10-0) — L. Smith 4 4-4 14, K. Smith 5 1-4 12, Hendricks 0 0-0 0, Canady 8 4-5 20, Lyons 6 0-0 12, Thomas 0 0-0 0, Leesman 0 0-0 0, Z. Caryl 0 0-1 0, A. Caryl 0 1-2 1, Shields 0 0-0 0, Wiley 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 10-16 59
Emporia (7-6, 4-4) — Gilpin 5 3-5 16, Christensen 1 0-0 2, Adams 1 0-0 2, A. Baker 2 0-0 6, Snyder 2 1-2 5, Cooper 0 0-0 0, Peak 0 0-0 0, Stewart 1 0-0 2, Wiltz 2 2-2 6, Herfkens 0 1-2 1, Kirmer 0 2-2 2, Gutierrez 0 0-0 0, T. Baker 0 0-0 0, Garcia 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 9-13 42.
3-point goals -- Topeka High 3 (L. Smith 2, K. Smith), Emporia 5 (Gilpin 3, A. Baker 2). Total fouls -- Topeka High 16, Emporia 14. Fouled out -- none.
EMPORIA BOYS 52, TOPEKA HIGH 51 OT
Topeka High 14 10 10 11 6 -- 51
Emporia 5 9 12 19 7 -- 52
Topeka High (2-11, 2-8) -- Esquibel 2 0-0 4, Smith 6 1-4 14, McMillon 0 0-0 0, Leesman 3 1-2 7, Canady 6 0-4 12, Walker 3 0-0 6, Phillips 3 2-3 8, Cameron 0 0-0 0, Kincade 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 4-13 51.
Emporia (7-6, 4-5) -- Kirmer 2 1-1 5, Ortega 2 3-6 7, Gilpin 0 1-2 1, Hines 5 1-1 12, Snyder 9 5-14 23, Stewart 0 0-0 0, Leeds 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 11-24 52.
3-point goals — Topeka High 1 (Smith), Emporia 1 (Hines). Total fouls -- Topeka High 19, Emporia 18. Fouled out -- Phillips. Snyder.
