TOPEKA – Only one week remains for winter sports as state basketball wraps up this season. Last week, sub-state basketball showcased some big performances from Topeka-area athletes. The players needed their best to help punch a ticket in this week’s state tournament.
Here are the top performances from Shawnee County from March 3-9:
If a player from the area has made an impact this week, send nominees, with stats, to Liam Keating at lkeating@gannett.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter), @liamkeating7.
Jacob Deister, Hayden basketball: The senior scored a team-high 15 points in the Wildcats’ dismantling of Independence. They would go on to win 93-59 in the first round of sub-state as Diester scored 13 of his points in the first half.
Jack Donovan, Rossville basketball: It was a game-high 20-point performance for the guard as he lifted Rossville to a 64-51 win against Horton in the sub-state semifinal.
Simon Rowley, Washburn Rural basketball: The junior was everywhere on the court as he scored a team-high 23 points in the 78-50 win against Wichita West in the sub-state opener.
Jalen Foy, Topeka West basketball: The senior was clutch, scoring 19 points in the team’s 69-63 OT win over Bishop Carroll in the opening game of the sub-state tournament. It was a team-high scoring performance from Foy.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake basketball: Johnson scored 18 points in the first round of sub-state. He was crucial in helping the Eagles hang on for a 64-62 win against Osage City.
Deacon Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights basketball: The senior scored 25 points to lead the Thunderbirds to a 74-41 win over Sumner Academy in the first round of sub-state.
Trevor Christy, Hayden bowling: The senior finished in third place in the Class 4-1A State Championship. His performance helped Hayden clinch their first-ever state title as they edged Mulvane by 95 pins.
Kaden Ballard, Washburn Rural basketball: The senior solidified a spot in the Class 6A State Tournament with a 16-point performance. His team-high was crucial as the Junior Blues narrowly defeated conference foe Junction City 54-49 in the sub-state title game.
Cameron Miller, Rossville basketball: The forward scored 23 points, hitting 2-for-3 from behind the arc against Maur Hill-Mount Academy. Miller helped the Bulldawgs clinch a Class 2A State Tournament berth by winning 69-50.
Ontarius Emmot, Shawnee Heights basketball: The junior dropped 15 points over St. Thomas Aquinas in the sub-state championship. Emmot was key in the 49-42 win as he was crucial in helping the Thunderbirds clinch a spot in the state tournament.
Jalen Foy, Topeka West basketball: The senior scored a game-high 21 points to win the sub-state championship over Valley Center. Foy has been playing his best basketball at a key moment, helping Topeka West reach the state tournament.
Mikey Williams, Highland Park basketball: The senior scored a game-high 18 points as he sealed the sub-state title for the Scots. The guard was key for the Scots to continue their undefeated, 22-0, season as they beat Basehor-Linwood 53-35.
Anna Becker, Seaman basketball: The senior finished with a game-high 27 points in the Vikings’ first round of sub-state win against Topeka West. Seaman earned the 59-42 victory.
KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights basketball: The sophomore scored a team-high 16 points in the 39-32 win over Basehor-Linwood in the first round of sub-state.
Gracie Hayes, Washburn Rural basketball: The guard was on fire, hitting six 3-pointers in Washburn Rural’s 72-26 sub-state win against Lawrence Free State.
Millie Ramsey, Hayden basketball: The senior scored a team-high 17 points in the team’s 53-17 win over Chanute in the first round of sub-state.
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High basketball: The sophomore led the way with a team-high 17 points in the 44-41 first-round sub-state win against Wichita South.
Maddie Gragg, Seaman basketball: The undefeated, reigning Class 5A champions return to the state tournament thanks to Gragg’s night. The junior scored a team-high 19 points in the 55-47 sub-state championship game over Kapaun Mt. Carmel.
Brylee Meier, Hayden basketball: The Bellevue University signee tied a team-high with 12 points as she shot 5-for-10 from the field. Meier helped the Wildcats win 52-22 over Baldwin in the sub-state title game, advancing Hayden to the Class 4A State Tournament.
Maddie Vickery, Washburn Rural basketball: The Kansas State commit scored 20 points to lead the team to the Class 6A State Tournament. The Junior Blues defeated Manhattan 46-31 to win the sub-state title game.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
