'We are resilient.' Here's how Highland Park is rebounding after burst pipe flooded gym
Rob Brown stands underneath the Highland Park basket directing his girls team during practice on Wednesday. The Scots are working on their rebounding skills and shot making ability.
Nick Chavez is on his knees 60 feet away from practice as orange construction cones divide the two groups at midcourt. Chavez is in charge of bringing the Highland Park court back to life.
Chavez, a project manager of Chavez Restoration, isn't someone who usually attends basketball practice. During this process, he is a much needed savior.
On Jan. 16, a pipe burst in the gymnasium of Highland Park, which resulted in flooding of the basketball court. The busted pipe occurred during record low temperatures that saw Topeka suffer 96 straight hours of wind chill at zero degrees or less.
“With all of the cold weather that we had, we unfortunately had some pipes break and water got on the gym floor,” Highland Park athletic director Boshner Whitaker said. “At the moment, it is not playable.”
Inside a Highland Park practice in their south gym
While Brown, the Lady Scots and Chavez are inside the work-in-progress gym, the boys team is down the hallway in the south gymnasium.
The old-school style gym has poor lighting and very little bleachers. The walls suffocate the sidelines as space is at a premium. Highland Park boys head coach Mike Williams is shouting instructions as the team prepares for its upcoming game.
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During a fast break drill, the ball squirts out of bounds. That doesn’t matter as the court is too small. The possession plays on as the fluid action feels more like hockey. It doesn’t deter from a competitive practice. If anything, the intensity in the practice has only grown.
“It’s a smaller court, but it is more competitive in there,” Highland Park senior Tamir Anderson said. “It is just something about the aura of the gym. It’s smaller, more cramped in.”
Highland Park is ranked in the top three of Class 5A and is in pursuit of a state championship. The Scots have been challenged by some of the state’s best teams in the regular season, but the latest test has come with the home court flooding. It is something that the team has taken in stride, Williams said.
The boys team has played just one home game and the girls team has played only two this season. Road games have become common place between the two rosters.
Ja’Corey Robinson, junior, said playing on the road and beating opponents on their home court has been a welcome surprise.
“This is nothing to me. I like playing away games.” Robinson said. “I like playing against the opposing team in their home and making all of them mad.”
Highland Park remaining 'hopeful' to play home games this year
Whitaker said he is “hopeful” the court will be ready for play when the postseason comes around. The Scots have been playing their home games at Topeka High and Topeka West during this stretch.
“Only time will tell, but we are running out of time,” Whitaker said.
In the past, Highland Park has practiced at Washburn University in preparation for the state tournament. These practices have been used to help the Scots acclimate to the college court dimensions. The state tournament is held at Emporia State University.
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The relationship that Williams has built with Washburn University makes him hopeful that the team can practice on the Ichabods' home floor in the future.
Williams said he anticipates Highland Park will play its home playoff games at either Topeka High or Topeka West if the home court is still unplayable.
“Being on the road and getting that experience, our guys are taking ownership and looking forward to that,” Williams said. “We have adopted a no-matter-what mindset.”
The flooded court is another wrinkle to this season that Highland Park has had to adjust to, but it is an issue that the team hopes will make them stronger when the state tournament arrives.
“We are resilient at Highland Park,” Whitaker said. “We will get through this and we will prevail. It’s just another day at the Park.”
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka's Highland Park basketball teams persevere amid flooded gym
