Groundbreaking ceremony for Piper fire station postponed

The groundbreaking ceremony scheduled on Saturday for the new Piper fire station has been postponed because of the weather.

According to a Unified Government spokesman, the groundbreaking will take place at a later date because of the forecast of rain.

The groundbreaking date is now at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, at 2913 Hutton Road, Kansas City, Kansas. Because of construction on Hutton Road, access to the site is available only by Leavenworth Road.

Braves fall, Lady Pirates advance in state tourney

Bonner Springs guard Keyon Thomas (23) took a shot in the first quarter against Bishop Carroll. Thomas finished with 18 points on the night. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

by Wyandotte Daily Sports

The Bonner Springs Braves fell to Wichita’s Bishop Carroll Eagles on Thursday evening in the opening round of the 5A KSHSAA state tournament in Emporia.

The Braves were overwhelmed by the Eagles from the opening tip. The Eagles looked like they couldn’t miss, and the Braves shooting went cold as Bishop Carroll raced out to a 28-7 first-quarter lead.

Bonner came back with determination in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles to get to a manageable 49-37 halftime margin.

Bishop Carroll held the Braves at arm’s length in the second half, keeping them at a 15-to-20 point distance through the fourth quarter and not allowing a comeback.

Keyon Thomas led the Braves in scoring with 18 points, including 13 of 13 at the free throw line. A.J. Watson scored 16 and earned 6 assists. Richaud Docker scored 14 with 6 rebounds.

Bonner Springs finishes the season with a 20-3 record, earning the Frontier League and sub-state championships.

In other tournament action, the Piper Lady Pirates defeated Eudora 52-37 at the 4A KSHSAA state tournament to move on to the semi-finals on Friday in Salina.

Piper led from the start, opening up a 16-to-6 first-quarter lead.

The Pirates spread the scoring around, and no player scored in double digits. Grace Banes and Riley Porter each scored 9, and Riley Cobbins added 8. Banes got her points with 3-of-3 perfect 3-point shooting. Ali Vigil cleaned the boards with 10 rebounds.

The Lady Pirates will face off against the Nickerson High School Panthers at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina, Kansas.

Bonner Springs guard A.J. Watson (1) drove in the lane during the first quarter against Bishop Carroll. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

 

Bonner Springs’ Keyon Thomas (23) waved to the crowd as he walked off the court for the last time as a high school athlete. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

 

Bonner Springs guard Trent Stimac (10) blocked a shot by Bishop Carroll’s Carsen Kracht (11) in the second quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

 

Bonner Springs’  Richaud Dockery (21) drove in the lane against Bishop Carroll in the second quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

 

A large contingent of Bonner Springs fans showed up to cheer on the Braves in Emporia. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

 

Bonner Springs guard A.J. Watson (1) drove in the lane during the first quarter against Bishop Carroll. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

 

The Bonner Springs cheerleaders performed during a break in the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

 

Bonner Springs guard A.J. Watson (1) took a 3-point attempt in the fourth quarter against Bishop Carroll. Watson finished 3-5 from the 3-point line on the night. (Photo copyright 2019 by Nick Verbenec)

Piper girls 58-26 over Chanute in substate final

The Lady Pirates posed with their fans after receiving the substate championship plaque following their win over the Chanute Blue Comets. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Lady Pirates substate final game against the Chanute Blue Comets started slowly. By the midway point of the first quarter, there were only three made baskets, and the Comets looked like they had a chance. With three minutes left in the first quarter, Chanute hit a three-pointer to take a 7-6 lead.

Chanute didn’t score again until Piper had 19 more points and only three minutes remained in the first half.

The Lady Pirates went on to win the game 58-26, earning a spot in the KSHSAA 4A playoffs next week.

Piper’s defense hounded the Blue Comets ball handlers up and down the full length of the court, trapping, grabbing, stripping, or blocking everything that Chanute tried to run.

The game frustrated Chanute head coach Dustin Fox so much that he earned two technical fouls for his comments to officials, getting ejected with a minute left in the third quarter.

The Blue Comets did not lose their competitive spirit, continuing to fight for loose balls and rebounds. A noisy contingent of about 100 fans accompanied them from southeast Kansas, filling a section of the Piper field house.

Ryan Cobbins led Piper in scoring with 25 points. Ali Vigil added 10, and Grace Banes 9.

The state tournament starts Thursday in Salina. Brackets have not yet been released for the tournament.

Update: Piper will face Eudora in the first round of the 4A state tournament. The game will take place on Thursday at 6:30 PM.

Freshman Saniya Simmons (1) and Senior LaKya Leslie (24) pinned Chanute senior Shayla Bogle (24) on her own baseline. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Sophomore Evelyn Vazquez (3) and Chanute senior Rachel Jackett (5) fought over a loose ball. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Ali Vigil (25) spotted up for a three-point shot. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Grace Banes (15) took a three-point shot from the right wing. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Evelyn Vazquez was guarded on the perimeter by Chanute junior Thea Alschner (42). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Riley Porter (12) went in for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Ryan Cobbins took a short-range jump shot in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

The Piper cheerleaders performed stunts during a break. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior LaKya Leslie (24) drove for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

The Piper Lady Pirates received their substate championship plaque. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior LaKya Leslie celebrated the victory. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Saniya Simmons spotted junior Ayreona Carter in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)