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Lady Pirates top Shawnee Heights 67-35

by Brian Turrel

“A steal and a score, Evelyn Vazquez.” Piper’s public address announcer said that a lot during Wednesday evening’s girls basketball match against Shawnee Heights. The Lady Pirates won the game 67-35.

Vazquez scored 19, most of them by taking the ball away from the Lady Thunderbirds and sprinting the length of the court for a layup. The defense didn’t stop with Vazquez. A full team defensive effort smothered the Thunderbirds’ offensive prospects.

Piper did most of its damage in the first half, running up a 44-13 lead at the break and only allowing Shawnee Heights 4 points in the second quarter.

In the second half, Piper coach Shane Stout relied heavily on his reserves and practiced different personnel sets and ball handlers. With five seniors in his core rotation, Stout has some big changes to prepare for next season, even while he gears up for a long post-season run.

The game marked the return of Ali Vigil to Piper’s home court. Vigil, rehabbing after knee surgery following the state championship loss last March, saw her first game action Friday at Spring Hill. Heading into the playoffs, Vigil’s height and shooting touch will give the Lady Pirates a lot more offensive flexibility.

Vazquez’s 19 points led all scorers. Vigil and Ayreona Carter both added 12, while Grace Banes scored 11, including 3 three-pointers.

The Lady Pirates improved their season record to 14-2 (6-0 in the Frontier League). They’ll play host to Bonner Springs on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m.

Senior Ayreona Carter put up a shot in the lane. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Ali Vigil drove in for a shot at the rim. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Riley Porter ripped down an offensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Evelyn Vazquez drove in for a layup. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Ali Vigil drove along the baseline before flipping a no-look pass to Evelyn Vazquez near the three-point line. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Ayreona Carter slapped away a shot from Shawnee Heights senior Jaycee Ginter. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Grace Banes hit one of her 3 three-point baskets just before halftime. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Riley Porter slipped the grasp of the Thunderbirds’ defense on a fast break. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Trapped in the corner, senior Emma Serrano looked for an outlet. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

The Piper cheerleaders performed during a break between quarters. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Freshman Ryann Clark dribbled across the top before pulling up for a shot near the free throw line. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Washington defeats Wyandotte 62-50 in boys hoops

Washington junior Nathan Johnson took a contested jump shot. Johnson finished with 15 points in the Wildcats’ victory over Wyandotte. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Washington Wildcats won on the road against the Wyandotte Bulldogs on Friday evening, 62-50. Washington’s production of fast-break opportunities from defense contributed to their win, along with their press-breaking ability in the back court.

Washington opened strong with the first 8 points before Wyandotte got on the board, then powered their way to a 22-7 first quarter advantage.

In the second quarter, the Bulldogs started a trapping defense in the backcourt. The tactic slowed but didn’t rattle the Wildcats, who countered with a three-across press-break offense.

Wyandotte guard Torry Moore powered the Bulldogs to climb back into the game, scoring 14 in the second quarter. Twice he converted and-one foul shots off drives to the basket.

The Wildcats stretched the margin again in the third quarter, holding Wyandotte to just 6 points, and opening up an insurmountable 50-29 lead.

Wyandotte cut into the lead in the fourth quarter, getting 14 points from Adarius Hooks and putting Washington’s shaky free throw shooting to the test.

Trayon Grant led the Wildcats with 17 points. Grant was successful with quick drives to the basket, but also with well-timed interior passes to Nathan Johnson, who finished with 15. Moore led Wyandotte with 18 points, and Hooks had 14, all in the fourth quarter.

Washington’s next game is at home against Sumner Academy on Tuesday, and Wyandotte will play host to the Schlagle Stallions. Both games are on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Washington junior Trayon Grant pulled up for a short jump shot. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Washington senior De’Vaughn Brown tried to get over the Wyandotte defense. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte senior Torry Moore went up for a short range jump shot. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte senior Adarius Hooks drove in for a layup. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Washington senior Tywan Muturi hit a shot falling away from the basket. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

The visiting Washington cheerleaders kept the noise level high. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

The Wyandotte dance team performed during a break in the action. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte junior Norman Robinson drove to the basket. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

The Wyandotte band performed before the contest. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Washington senior Alton Easley put up a shot near the basket. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte senior Jehoiado Goins forced a shot up through the Wildcat defense. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte sophomore Lazel Evans looked for a gap in the Wildcat defense. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

Charlotte Davis enters KSHSAA Hall of Fame

Charlotte Davis posed with her KSHSAA Hall of Fame plaque during a presentation ceremony at Wyandotte High School. (Photo copyright 2020 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Charlotte Davis, a longtime teacher, coach and athletic director with the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, has been inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Hall of Fame.

She was honored with a reception and ceremony on Friday evening at Wyandotte High School.

Former students and colleagues lined up to speak about her years of service, frequently mentioning the combination of compassion and discipline she brought to the students in her charge. Others recalled how she thrived in a male-dominated profession, while making a path for others to follow.

Davis graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1967. She started her career as an elementary physical education teacher in the Kansas City, Kansas, district. She later worked at both Harmon and Washington high schools, before returning to Wyandotte in 1989 as athletic director. She later served as district athletic director.

Davis’s influence extended way beyond the boundaries of District 500. She served on numerous state level boards, including the KSHSAA executive board.

She earned the Athletic Director of the Year award from the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in 1998, and she served as the organization’s first woman president in 2002. She also earned the NIAAA’s State Award of Merit in 2006.