Vote now: Who is the Topeka area's high school athlete of the week for March 4-9?
TOPEKA — The state basketball tournament provided highlights from individual performances to state championship-winning teams. Saturday marked an end to winter sports and after an incredible season, let's celebrate the top basketball players from the final week of action.
Vote for the Capital-Journal’s athlete of the week for March 4-9. Voting closes at noon on Thursday.
Here are the nominees:
Zoe Canfield, Washburn Rural Basketball
The senior played her final game in the state tournament. She was vastly important in helping them reach the state championship game for the third consecutive season. Although the Junior Blues came up short, Canfield wowed the crowd with 18 points in the title game against Shawnee Mission South. The University of Kansas signee added 18 in the state semifinal overtime victory against Derby.
Maddie Gragg, Seaman Basketball
The sophomore was fearless in Saturday’s state championship game. She scored a team-high 18 points against Maize South to help the Vikings win their first state title since 1991. She showcased her outside shooting while grabbing offensive rebounds and scoring through contact. Gragg also scored 14 points in the first round of the state tournament. She was a difference-maker and a reliable source when Seaman needed a bucket.
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake Basketball
The sophomore thrived in Silver Lake’s offense throughout the year. The point guard’s confidence only grew as the wins started to stack. It all culminated with 26 points on 5-for-11 shooting in the state championship against Hesston. Hanni also was 14-for-15 from the free-throw line to ice the game and deliver Silver Lake its seventh state title in program history. Hanni had the same stat line in the first round of state and the semifinal. She scored 12 points and passed out eight assists.
Amelia Ramsey, Hayden Basketball
The junior led the Wildcats in scoring with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting in the state semifinal defeat to Silver Lake. She scored the first seven points of the game as her post presence has improved throughout the year. Ramsey was a willing runner in transition which allowed her to score easy baskets at the rim in the game, too. Ramsey also scored 20 points in the first round of state against Heritage Christian Academy.
Mikey Williams, Highland Park Basketball
It was not the weekend that the Scots expected as they finished in third place in Class 5A. But, Williams shined for Highland Park. In the semifinal defeat to Kapaun Mt. Carmet, he tied a team-high 20 points. When the team needed a basket, Williams provided a lift with his quickness into the lane and his shooting ability from beyond the arc.
Previous Winners
Dec. 4-9: Will Powell, Washburn Rural swimming
Dec. 11-16: Kendra Hurla, Rossville wrestling
Jan. 2-6: Detrick Johnson, Topeka High wrestling
Jan. 8-13: Maddie Gragg, Seaman basketball
Jan. 15-20: Imani McGlory, Topeka West basketball
Jan. 22-27: Jaxon Cowdin, Topeka High swimming
Jan. 29-Feb. 3: Nora Burdiek, Rossville basketball
Feb. 5-10: Isabel Reyes, Shawnee Heights wrestling
Feb. 12-17: Rykan Carver, Shawnee Heights wrestling
Feb. 19-24: Molly Spader, Washburn Rural wrestling
Feb. 26-March 2: Ja'Corey Robinson, Highland Park basketball
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: Vote: Who is the Topeka area's HS athlete of the week for March 4-9?
