How Shawnee Heights, Highland Park boys basketball clinched sub-state titles

TOPEKA — Tears filled the eyes of Ken Darting.

The long-time coach can still be moved by amazing moments and on Friday, it was nothing short of that. Shawnee Heights defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 64-62 in overtime to secure a spot in the Class 5A State Tournament as sub-state champions.

“This is what it’s about. You are living and breathing on every pass and every shot,” Darting said.

The Thunderbirds won in the final seconds of overtime as Brennon Dodge delivered a perfect pass to Deacon Pomeroy, who put in the contested layup. The Saints’ final heave was not close as Dodge picked off the pass and hurled into the air.

Shawnee Heights secured its place in the state tournament.

“Brennon is a great player, he is the number one option most of the time. Over the years, in middle school, we played with each other, we have been building chemistry,” Pomeroy said. “I’ve always been there for him and I was happy to step up and make a play for the team.”

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The game was a battle. St. Thomas Aquinas’ largest lead was 16 points with just over two minutes left in the second quarter. The Thunderbirds were close to being out of the game as the Saints celebrated each made 3-pointer to the dislike of the nearby Shawnee Heights student section.

A switch flipped following a timeout with two minutes left in the second quarter. The Thunderbirds started to play fantastic defense — championship quality defense — yet trailed by 30-18 at half.

In the third quarter, Shawnee Heights began to change momentum with a 9-3 run to set the tone.

Pomeroy was tasked with defending St. Thomas Aquinas’ Mark Goode. The junior has offers from Northern Iowa, Akron and South Dakota State, among others. Pomeroy, an Oklahoma State baseball commit, didn’t back down.

“A lot of people probably said, ‘This guy is seven inches taller than him,’ but what they don’t know is that I’ve grown up in a competitive environment,” Pomeroy said. “I took the mindset that you can’t be soft and you can’t let him push you around.”

Pomeroy won many one-on-one battles and Goode was limited to 13 points. The defensive strength was infectious and translated to better offense as the sixth man off of the bench, Dylan Sanchez, knocked down two key triples.

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Jaret Sanchez also provided big minutes in the second half and overtime. He secured a charge as Goode plowed his way into the lane. If nothing had been called, Goode’s basket would have given St. Thomas Aquinas a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

“Defense is not a talent, it’s a heart, it’s a brain, it’s a work ethic,” Darting said. “They are totally listening to that and they just believe.”

Jaret Sanchez hit a pair of free throws to take a 55-52 lead, but St. Thomas Aquinas’ Wyatt Lewis tied the game with a corner 3-pointer to send it to overtime.

While it seemed like every player made a play for Shawnee Heights, Dodge was one of the most important factors. He led the team with 20 points, 15 of which came in the second half and overtime. Dodge also made the timely pass to Pomeroy for the game-winner.

“I saw the defense collapse on me and I saw Deacon wide open, hit him, game-winning lay-up,” Dodge said. “It’s a great feeling and I’m glad that we got the win and hope we can get it done in Emporia.”

Shawnee Heights was the underdog and Darting shared that some people even within the school didn't think it would win. That fuiled them.

“We’re family, we trust each other,” Pomeroy said. “You know that you can do anything with that and as the wins start to stack up, it starts to become reality.”

When the Thunderbirds hoisted the sub-state trophy, tears filled the eyes of Darting. This is the first time they have qualified for the state tournament since 2017 — Darting took over the next season.

“This is something that no matter what you do, you ain’t never forgetting this,” Darting said. "It’s just wonderful to see when kids get what every kid wants, but very few get.”

Highland Park also wins sub-state title

Heading 13 miles to the west, Highland Park was picking apart Bonner Springs in its sub-state championship. Inside Topeka West's gym, Highland Park dominated the Braves 80-48 to secure a place in next week’s Class 5A State Tournament.

“Nothing is given,” head coach Mike Williams said. “I think the unique thing about our guys over the course of the year is that we figured out how to play multiple different styles.”

Playing the Highland Park way is always emphasized by Williams. He wants the rock moving quickly and he spotlights unselfishness. When the Scots are a group to beat when they play like that.

It was evident those characteristics were ringing true on Friday amid many highlight dunks and deep 3-pointers. Forward Ja’Corey Robinson led all with 40 points in the win.

“In a game where everything is on the line, there is no state tournament without a sub-state championship,” Williams said. “I stressed that to our guys and I think they understood that.”

There is no rest for the weary. Williams shared he already has plans and workout schedules ready before the state tournament begins. He wants the best out of his team as the Scots have qualified for the final weekend in three straight seasons.

“Sometimes there is the coaching philosophy that at a certain time of the year, you back off and you are what you are,” Williams said. “Man, I am trying to squeeze all of the juice out of the orange. We are going to utilize the next four days.”

Friday's sub-state results

Boys

Andover 69, Topeka West 61

Highland Park 80, Bonner Springs 48

Shawnee Heights 64, St. Thomas Aquinas 62 (OT)

Girls

Washburn Rural 47, Wichita South 34

Hayden 57, Atchison County 10

Silver Lake 63, Minneapolis 34

St. Marys 48 (OT), Rossville 45

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: Inside Shawnee Heights, Highland Park boys' sub-state title victories