Turner junior Cameron Bates, left, took down Tonganoxie sophomore Connor Searcy in their 195-pound match. Bates won the match on points 5-1. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Wrestlers from the seven Kaw Valley League high schools met on Saturday in Lansing to compete for the league championship. Bonner Springs won the team championship, followed by Turner in second, and Tonganoxie in third.
Turner junior Cameron Bates was recognized during the tournament for achieving his 100th career win, a fourth-round victory over Bonner Springs junior Dominick Jennings in the 195-pound weight class.
Bonner Springs junior Zane DeLeon, left, threw Tonganoxie senior Devon Duncan in their 182-pound match. Duncan won the match on a pin late in the second period. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs freshman Cruz Lara, top, got the upper hand against Lansing freshman Camden Maestas. Lara won the 106-pound match on points 8-2. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bishop Ward’s Jonathan Montoya, right, faced off with Turner’s Jeremiah Coleman in the 152-pound weight class. Coleman won the match on a pin in the second period. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs senior Adam McClure, right, pulled down Turner sophomore Joseph Castle in their 285-pound match. McClure won the match on a 2-0 decision and took third place in the class. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs sophomore Xavier Seaton, left, and Piper sophomore Tyson Lanter tried to get leverage in their match in the 120-pound weight class. Seaton won on a pin in the final seconds of the second period. Seaton placed second in the class and Lanter placed third. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Turner senior Matthew Hook, left, wrestled against Piper sophomore Jacob Swatek in the 170-pound weight class. Hook won the match on a pin early in the second period. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Basehor-Linwood sophomore Kaden Jacobson, right, wrestled Bonner Springs junior Joe Tapia in the 145-pound weight class. Jacobson won the match on points 10-6. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs junior Caleb Willis, right, caught hold of Tonganoxie sophomore Brent Caray and won on a pin in the first period of their 220-pound match. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Lansing freshman Malachi Tinnel, left, shot through to take the legs out from under Bonner Springs junior Holden Lentz in their 152-pound match. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs freshman Corbin Bell, top, immobilized Lansing freshman Lane Gates. Bell won the 126-pound match on points 7-2 and placed third in the class. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs freshman Derek Duffett, left, wrestled Tonganoxie freshman Hunter Harris in the 113-pound weight class. Duffett won the match on a pin in the second period. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Piper junior Trey Bates (11) drove the lane for a layup. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Bonner Springs boys basketball team went home from Piper High School on Friday night with a 91-73 win and sole possession of first place in the league. Fans of both teams packed the gym and contributed to a festive game day atmosphere.
Piper’s perimeter defense was fast enough to limit Bonner’s usual dribble drive penetration, so Bonner went to work elsewhere, with Joshua Williams finding opportunities in the paint and Cole Oakes scoring from long range.
Bonner Springs held the lead from the start and built an 8-point advantage in the first quarter, with Trey Bates alone scoring Piper’s 12 first-quarter points. The Braves extended their lead to 15 at the half, aided by two three-pointers from Oakes.
Keyon Thomas got freed up in the third quarter, posting 12 points on a combination of inside and outside scoring. Down by 23 at the end of the third quarter, Piper made a run in the fourth quarter, but not enough to close the large gap.
Thomas and Williams led the Braves with 24 points each. Thomas was perfect on his 10 free throw attempts. Oakes added 14 points, including three three-pointers in the first half. Brothers Trey and Tamar Bates led the Pirates, older brother Trey with 21 points and Tamar with 19.
Bonner Springs improved its record to 8-0 in the Kaw Valley League, one game ahead of second place Basehor-Linwood. The Braves will play host to the Bishop Ward Cyclones at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Piper drops to 6-3, good for third in the league. They will meet the Basehor-Linwood Bobcats at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Piper.
Bonner senior Joshua Williams (21) challenged Piper junior Braijion Barnes (4) for a rebound. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner junior A.J. Watson (1) tried to dribble around Piper junior Trey Bates (11). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)A.J. Watson attempted a short jumper in the lane over Piper junior Brandan Jackson (21). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner senior Caden Henleyt (5) looked to drive the ball inside against Piper senior Bryce Yoder (30). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Piper senior Daviance “Doc” Covington (1) tried to match Bonner junior Keyon Thomas (23) stride for stride. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Caden Henley went up for a layup. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Doc Covington escorted team manager Emma Golden as they were both announced as candidates for courtwarming king and queen. Covington was later announced as king. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)The Piper cheerleaders, in the background, reacted very enthusiastically when senior cheerleader Sophia Frick was announced as the courtwarming queen. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bryce Yoder pulled down a defensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Piper freshman Tamar Bates (12) put back a rebound. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Piper junior LaKya Leslie (24) looked for an outlet after pulling down an offensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper girls basketball team defeated Bonner Springs on Friday night, 62-28, to remain unbeaten with a 17-0 season record. Piper used its familiar formula of backcourt trapping defense and strong inside offense to overcome the Lady Braves.
Bonner point guard Hallie Hoffine had more success breaking down the Pirates’ press than earlier in the year, and Bonner was able to get a few easy baskets by passing ahead quickly. However, Piper’s size, strength and speed gave them an advantage in any formation, and the final result was still an overpowering win.
Ryan Cobbins paced the Piper attack with 16 points. LaKya Leslie added 13, and Ali Vigil 11. All three played limited minutes as head coach Shane Stout substituted heavily in the second half. Kim Whetstone was the leading scorer for Bonner Springs with 9 points.
With a 9-0 record in the Kaw Valley League, Piper holds a 2 1/2 game lead. The Lady Pirates play host to the Basehor-Linwood Lady Bobcats on Tuesday. Bonner Springs drops to 3-5 in the league (5-11 overall) and is home against Bishop Ward on Tuesday. Both games will start at 5:45 p.m.
Piper freshman Jessica Thomas (21) took a jump shot from outside. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs sophomore Kim Whetstone put up a floater in the lane. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs junior Hallie Hoffine (11) tried to keep some distance from Piper freshman Evelyn Vazquez. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Piper junior Brianna Andrade (5) went up for a shot over Kim Whetstone. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Piper sophomore Ali Vigil (25) took a three-point shot. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)The Piper cheerleaders fired up the large and enthusiastic crowd. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs freshman Keyana Cruse (21) backed in against Ali Vigil. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)LaKya Leslie looked to pass ahead to junior teammate Ryan Cobbins (23). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)Kim Whetstone attempted to bring down a rebound as Ali Vigil knocked it away. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
