By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
A quick start for Wichita Southeast Friday propelled the Buffaloes to an 89-52 win over City League rival Wichita North and secured coach Carl Taylor his 250th career win. With the 37-point victory, Taylor tied former Wichita Heights coach Goose Doughty for the City League lead in career wins.
With a win over Valley Center Thursday, Taylor can get the record all to himself and improve on his 250-105 record.
As has been the case in most games this season, the Golden Buffalo jumped on top of the Redskins quick and early, taking a 26-11 advantage after the opening period.
"That's our style," Taylor told the Wichita Eagle. "Yes, we play a fast-paced game, that's how the game should be played."
After taking a 49-29 lead at halftime, Southeast scored 19 straight points in the third period. North scored on Andre Kahmeyer's basket to start the third stanza, but was held without a point until 44-seconds were left in the period.
A balanced effort keyed the win for Southeast. Adonis Gantt and Jordan Cyphers led the way with 22 points a piece. Joe Mitchell and Taylor Salome added 12 and 11 points respectively.
Fourth-Quarter Shutout Secures Upset for Firebirds
Going into the fourth period Friday night, Shawnee Mission East appeared to be in position to knock off Lawrence Free State at home, leading 36-33. But then the unthinkable happened.
The Firebirds posted a shutout over the final eight minutes of the game, and ran away with a stunning 57-36 victory over the previously undefeated Lancers (7-1). Free State (7-2) scored 24 unanswered points over the final eight minutes in the 21-point win.
"We couldn't get going on offense, and it affected us on the defensive end," East coach Shawn Hair told the Kansas City Star. "We panicked and had total breakdowns. We've got four practices to get things turned around."
Weston Wiebe scored 24 points for the Firebirds, while holding East's Mike McRoberts to just 14 points. Craig Rosenstengle scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half for Free State.
Girls Basketball: Spani Scores Career Best 44 points
Metro Academy junior Taber Spani scored a career-high 44 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a 69-65 win over St. James Academy. The 6-1 guard's performance edged her sister Shalin's single-game record by one point.
"She is 6-foot-1 and could play on most boys teams," St. James Academy coach Greg Hoheninner told the Shawnee Dispatch. "I know she has been highly recruited and rightfully so. Bishop Miege has one loss and it was against Metro. We gave them everything they could handle; we just could not stop Taber. She scored 44 points. She can play inside or outside and it does not matter. She is very good. Whenever they needed something, they went to her."
Taber is just a junior, but will eventually join Shalin, who plays for Kansas State, at the Division I level. Spani has schools such as Connecticut and Tennessee recruiting her.
Durant Plays Above Her Age
Topeka West's Aliyah Durant is playing basketball well beyond her years.
The 5-4 freshman started school early, then skipped the first grade after she started correcting her first grade teacher. Now, the 13 year old finds herself playing varsity basketball. So far, she has played in every game and scored a career-high 10 points in one game.
The highlight of her career? Blocking a senior's shot.
Boys Basketball: Emporia Changes Offense Just in Time to Get Win
Just three days before Friday's 64-42 win at Junction City, Emporia High School coach Rick Bloomquist gave the Spartans a crash course on a three-man motion offense. Bloomquist discovered that his basketball team was full of quick learners.
"We just weren't hitting on all cylinders with our offense," Bloomquist told the Emporia Gazette. "I haven't seen comfort out of a couple people all year, and I hadn't seen balance."
Bloomquist got his balance Friday. Caydrick Bloomquist led the Spartans with 23 points. Troy Pierce, Brandon Childs and Taylor Euler all scored eight points each. Aaron Jackson was the only Blue Jay to reach double figures with 11 points.
Junction City was held to 28-percent shooting from the floor for the game.
Injury-Riddled Bluejays Fall to Manhattan
Speaking of Junction City, the Bluejays have been riddled with injuries in recent games, especially in Saturday's 45-42 loss to Manhattan.
Junction City had five players out of their lineup Saturday, but still nearly pulled off the win. The Bluejays fell to the Indians when Bryan Larsen drilled a 3-pointer with six seconds remaining in the game.
"I couldn't be more proud of them," Junction City coach Charles Glotta told the Daily Union in reference to his team's near win despite the injuries. "They battled their tails off."
