These are the top Topeka-area high school basketball players from the week of Jan. 8-13
TOPEKA — This winter, the Capital-Journal will showcase the top basketball performances from around the Topeka area. From securing double-doubles to scoring the winning basket, this list will showcase it all throughout the season.
If there is an athlete from the area who has made an impact this week, send nominees, with stats, to Liam Keating at lkeating@gannett.com or on X (Twitter), @liamkeating7
Boys
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Griffin Durst, Washburn Rural: The senior had one of the best games of the season for the Junior Blues. He was great in scoring through contact as he cleaned up at the rim against Topeka High. Durst scored a game-high 21 points which included a 10 point third quarter performance.
Kaden Ballard, Washburn Rural: The junior lit up the stat sheet in the first quarter for Washburn Rural. Ballard finished the game with 20 points which included 11 points in the first quarter. Ballard’s efficiency on offense allowed Washburn Rural to defeat Topeka High 89-65.
Jalen Freeman, Topeka High: The senior led the Trojans with 15 points. He scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter which included three 3-pointers.
Thursday, Jan. 11
Jacorey Robinson, Highland Park: Robinson dominated the scoresheet for the Scots as he poured in 31 points and 12 rebounds. Highland Park came away with the 111-43 win over Kansas City Sumner.
Mikey Williams, Highland Park: The junior scored 20 points in Highland Park’s win over Kansas City Sumner.
Jamon Wilson, Highland Park: The junior was the catalyst to the Highland Park offense. He finished with 13 assists to help his teammates find the bottom of the basket.
Kaevon Bonner, Seaman: The sophomore led the Vikings in scoring with 15 points, but Seaman could not get the stops down the stretch against Basehor-Linwood. The Bobcats defeated Seaman 56-51.
Jack Donovan, Rossville: The sophomore was the top scorer for the Bulldogs with 20 points. He helped Rossville dominate Valley Heights 75-43.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake: The sophomore was excellent with 19 points for Silver Lake. He helped the Eagles takedown Riley County 53-38.
Friday, Jan. 12
Jaret Sanchez, Shawnee Heights: The junior was fantastic for the Thunderbirds. He scored a team-high 15 points in a close battle against Seaman. He scored all eight of Shawnee Heights’ points in the third quarter.
Deacon Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights: The junior didn’t light up the stat sheet as he finished with just four points. But, his defensive intensity in the lane was crucial especially down the stretch. His active hands led to a steal in the fourth quarter which allowed him to throw down a break-away dunk to give Shawnee Heights momentum late in the game. The Thunderbirds defeated Seaman 54-51.
KaeVon Bonner, Seaman: The sophomore’s last second 3-pointer was in-and-out as time expired for Seaman. The shot would have sent the Vikings to overtime against Shawnee Heights, but Seaman fell 54-51. Bonner scored a team-high 13 points.
Da’Mykel Hales, Topeka High: The junior scored 16 points in the Trojans’ 63-49 win over Hayden. The win for Topeka High helped the team bounce back after Wednesday’s frustrating loss to Washburn Rural.
Connor Hanika, Hayden: The sophomore led Hayden in scoring with 10 points. He was the only one to reach double figures for Hayden as it has lost three straight games.
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Girls
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Zoe Canfield, Washburn Rural: The Kansas signee scored a game-high 17 points in Washburn Rural’s 56-26 win against Topeka High.
Maddie Vickery, Washburn Rural: The freshman continues a strong first season with the Junior Blues. Vickery scored 16 points with 10 of them coming in the second half against Topeka High.
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High: The sophomore led the Trojans with 14 points in the defeat to Washburn Rural. Marshall was excellent when bringing the ball up the court and relieving pressure against the Junior Blues defensive length.
Thursday, Jan. 11
McKinley Kruger, Silver Lake: The senior hit the magical milestone against Riley County. She scored 18 points with all of them coming from behind the 3-point line. Kruger’s outstanding night helped her reach 1,000 career points.
MaKenzie McDaniel, Silver Lake: The senior led the Eagles in scoring with 20 points as Silver Lake defeated Riley County 62-30.
Amelia Ramsey, Highland Park: The junior did not miss a beat in Highland Park’s first game since winter break. Ramsey scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Scots’ 64-23 win over Sumner Academy.
Pearmella Carter, Highland Park: The freshman continues to shoot the ball efficiently as she scored 20 points against Sumner Academy. She went 9-for-12 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.
Anna Becker, Seaman: The Drake commit led the Vikings in scoring with 20 points against Basehor-Linwood.
Taylin Stallbaumer, Seaman: The senior added 14 points to help Seaman secure a 62-42 win over Basehor-Linwood.
Rylee Dick, Rossville: The leading scorer for the Bulldogs added 18 points in Rossville’s 66-41 win over Valley Heights. Dick made four 3-pointers to highlight the win.
Friday, Jan. 12
Maddie Gragg, Seaman: The sophomore was the leading scorer in the game against Shawnee Heights. Gragg scored 19 points and snagged four rebounds as Seaman remained undefeated.
Taylin Stallbaumer, Seaman: The senior poured in 18 points and dished out seven assists in Seaman’s 69-39 win over Shawnee Heights.
Kaydence Torrez, Shawnee Heights: The junior was the leading scorer for the Thunderbirds. She scored 12 points as she was the lone player for Shawnee Heights to reach double-digit points. Shawnee Heights’ five game winning streak was snapped with a 69-39 loss to Seaman.
Lauren Sandstrom, Hayden: The star player for the Wildcats is starting to round into some excellent form. She scored a career-high 32 points in Hayden’s 61-32 win against Topeka High.
Brylee Meier, Hayden: Meier has continued to score at a high level for Hayden. Meier is receiving great looks when defenses are focusing on Sandstrom. Against Topeka High, Meier scored 15 points to push Hayden’s record to 7-1.
Keimara Marshall: The sophomore was the leading scorer for the Trojans once again. She scored 13 points in Friday’s defeat.
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: The top Topeka-area HS basketball players from the week of Jan. 8-13
