Wichita Eagle: High Schools

Join a live chat with high school sports reporter Joanna Chadwick at 1 p.m.

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:17 CDT

Valley Center soccer tops Kapaun 1-0 to remain unbeaten

Austin Colbert — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:49 CDT

Undefeated heading into Tuesday’s Class 5A quarterfinal game against Kapaun Mount Carmel, logic would lead one to believe that the Valley Center girls soccer team didn’t need much of an introduction.

But the Hornets felt differently, and approached the game as one that could finally make believers out of the rest of the state.

“That’s why we were so ready to play, because we knew that this was the win that would define us and let everyone know we are the real deal,” Valley Center goalie Elayna Coleman said. “I won’t say it was easy, but I was ready to play. Everything is easier when you are ready. Your heart is in it.”

VarsityKansas Big Show (May 20)

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:03 CDT

Longtime track announcer Don Steffens is Joanna Chadwick's guest on VarsityKansas.com's Big Show.

VarsityKansas Big Show (May 13)

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:54 CDT

Northwest softball coach Merri Copeland joins Joanna Chadwick on the Big Show.

Kapaun, Stevens win City League golf titles

Taylor Eldridge — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:09 CDT

Six years have gone by since the Kapaun Mount Carmel boys team lost a match or tournament in the City League.

Much of that success is due to having bona fide No. 1 players like junior Sam Stevens, who claimed individual honors on Wednesday at the City League tournament with a 1-under-par 71 at Auburn Hills Golf Course.

But the Crusaders have won six straight league titles because of players like Alex Graf, who completed his journey from junior varsity to finishing in second, behind Stevens, at the league tournament.

Read the transcript from Wednesday's chat with Joanna Chadwick and Suzanne Tobias on the Heights High suspension

Tue, 14 May 2013 05:35 CDT

VarsityKansas chat (May 8)

VarsityKansas Big Show (Mary 6)

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:52 CDT

Southeast athletic director and track coach Mark Lamb joins Joanna Chadwick on the Big Show.

Slain man was former South High football star

Stan Finger, Amy Renee Leiker and Tony Adame — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:41 CDT

The man whose body was found in a cotton field early Wednesday morning in southeast Sedgwick County was murdered, a sheriff’s official said Thursday.

Jordan A. Turner, 19, of Wichita, was reported missing by his father on April 6, Capt. Greg Pollock said. An autopsy was being performed Thursday.

Pollock would not discuss how Turner was killed, how long his body was in the field, or whether he was killed where he was found.

Former City League great Tyrone Phillips dies of apparent heart attack at 38

TONY ADAME — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:41 CDT

Former Northwest High running back Tyrone Phillips, who held the City League’s single-season rushing record for 14 years, died Friday morning of an apparent heart attack in Wichita, a source close to the family said. Phillips was 38 years old.

Phillips rushed for 3,968 yards in three seasons — 1990, 1991 and 1992 — leading the Grizzlies to three straight City League championships. His 1,701 rushing yards in 1991 stood as the City League record until Northwest’s Jeran Trotter broke it in 2005. Phillips was a two-time Eagle Top 11 selection in 1991 and 1992.

Brian Butler was an All-City League fullback at Northwest blocking for Phillips in the early 1990s as the Grizzlies won the school’s first league titles. Butler runs Potential Players/LIFE training and has mentored Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown and Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown.

South’s Davontae Harris finds his home

Joanna Chadwick — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:28 CDT

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

– Prayer of Serenity, Reinhold Niebuhr

Read the transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joanna Chadwick

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:52 CDT

VarsityKansas Big Show (April 16)

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:21 CDT

Bishop Carroll soccer coach Greg Rauch joins Joanna Chadwick on VarsityKansas.com's Big Show.

Read the transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joanna Chadwick

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:40 CDT

VarsityKansas chat (April 10)

VarsityKansas Big Show (April 8)

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:49 CDT

Maize baseball coach Rocky Helm was Joanna Chadwick's guest on VarsityKansas.com's Big Show.

Read the transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joanna Chadwick

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:01 CDT

The Eagle’s 2012-13 All-State boys basketball team

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:53 CDT

CLAY CUSTER

6-1, jr., Blue Valley Northwest

Stats: Custer, a two-time All-State selection and a three-year starter, led BV Northwest to its fourth straight Class 6A title game, a 25-0 record and the Class 6A title. He is 71-4 as a Husky. He averaged 22.2 points, 2.1 steals, 3.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds. Custer, who has a knack for finding his teammates, can quickly get up the floor, find the open man or pull up for a shot. Sometimes Custer didn’t score in the first quarter because his focus was to involve others. He shot 59 percent from the field, 39 percent from three, 80 percent from the free-throw line. He has made an oral commitment to Iowa State.

Bob Lutz: Semi Ojeleye becomes record holder with unassuming attitude

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:05 CDT

What can you say about Ottawa senior basketball player Semi Ojeleye that he hasn’t said about himself?

Almost everything, as it turns out. Because Ojeleye, who this season set the Kansas high school record for points in a season (952) and a career (2,763), almost always refuses to talk about himself.

He didn’t go to The Eagle’s All-State team picture this year, even though it was taken about 50 minutes from his house. He had missed three days of school because of the Class 4A tournament and was trying to get caught up.

The Eagle’s 2012-13 All-Metro girls basketball team

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:37 CDT

Read the transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joanna Chadwick

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:03 CDT

6A girls: Heights, South set up City League showdown

Joanna Chadwick — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 07:54 CST

There’s a different vibe visible with the Heights girls, and not merely because the Falcons beat Maize 48-39 Friday night at Koch Arena to put them back into the Class 6A title game with a chance to win their third straight.

Heights has lost six games this season, the most since 1999-2000. The Falcons lost a late lead to Maize in the Shawnee Heights tournament title game in January.

The Falcons’ differences from even three weeks ago are vast. They’re cleaner on defense, a greater focus on fundamentals, and a noticeably stronger mental edge.

6A girls: Defending champ Heights pulls off upset

Jeffrey Lutz — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:37 CST

Makayla Harding acted as if she received recognition for her dirty-work contributions to the Heights girls basketball team all the time.

After Heights defeated Olathe South 50-43 in the Class 6A quarterfinals on Thursday at Koch Arena, Harding expressed the humility of someone who had practiced deflecting praise.

Harding said that even though her defense as part of the Falcons’ second-half press and her six rebounds were as responsible for Heights’ win as three teammates scoring in double figures, she declined credit because she was all about team.

Pratt's Greenback named 'most unique' high school mascot in Kansas

Suzanne Perez Tobias — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:00 CST

The Pratt High School Greenback – a fierce-looking frog with a monogrammed sweater and jaunty cap – is the "most unique high school mascot" in Kansas, according to a USA Today online poll.

Now the school is competing for online votes against seven other mascots in hopes of being named the most unusual mascot in its region and then, possibly, the United States.

“We’re all pretty excited,” Curtis Nightingale, assistant principal and athletic director at Pratt High School, said Thursday.

Bob Lutz: Frankamp, North fail to dictate their terms

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:13 CDT

The basketball season that became an Ironman Triathlon for North senior guard Conner Frankamp is over. Two games earlier than expected.

Blue Valley West junk-defensed the Redskins right out of the Class 6A tournament Wednesday night at Koch Arena, 41-35. They locked a box-and-one defense on North and made the Redskins squirm from start to finish.

Frankamp had the worst night of his high school career, in more ways than one. He was hounded like he’s always hounded, only this time he didn’t hound back. He made 4 of 13 shots and 3 of 11 three-pointers.

Independent basketball players, coach help inspire each other

TAYLOR ELDRIDGE — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 06:54 CST

Get Rob Fields talking about coaching basketball and it won’t be long before he’ll swear to you that he’s seen it all.

His speciality is the rebuilding project, having never come across a destitute program that he couldn’t resurrect. His track record of turnarounds in Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and now at Wichita Independent is proven.

He’s experienced the euphoria of directing the Panthers to their first state appearance in program history, euphoria that comes less than four years after finding out his wife had cancer and then being fired from a coaching position. When Fields talks about being lucky, it’s hard to understand.

VarsityKansas Big Show (March 4)

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:04 CST

Saturday's Kansas sub-state basketball scores | Complete coverage at VarsityKansas.com

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 12:57 CST

Aces return to state tournament

Taylor Eldridge — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 08:32 CST

When East sophomore Samajae Jones enters his zone, he can’t explain what happens.

Jones entered that zone in the first half Friday against Southeast in a Class 6A sub-state final, spurring on the Blue Aces to a 60-50 victory behind his game-high 19 points.

Three straight baskets in less than 30 seconds — including a spin move that left a Southeast defender tumbling to the ground — sent the East crowd into a frenzy that continued after the game in celebration of the Blue Aces’ first state berth since 2008.

Read the transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joanna Chadwick

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:37 CST

VarsityKansas chat (Feb. 27)

VarsityKansas Big Show (Feb. 26)

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:10 CST

Andover Central's Zac Gentzler is Joanna Chadwick's guest on the Big Show.

6A wrestling: Final push pays off for Derby’s Becker

Taylor Eldridge — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:36 CST

Derby’s Ben Becker told himself he failed. He questioned whether he had it in him to win a state championship after coming agonizingly close the last two seasons.

So, Becker made a promise to himself to keep working every day until he could vanquish the feeling of past failures.

That moment came on Saturday night at Hartman Arena, when the Derby senior had his arm raised to declare him the Class 6A champion at 152 pounds.

6A wrestling: South’s Collins reaches semifinals for first time

Paige Feikert — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 07:37 CST

Wichita South’s Kalin Collins is eager to reach the final match at 160 pounds in the Class 6A wrestling tournament for one main reason — to improve on last year’s season.

Collins finished sixth at state last season, but after defeating Blue Valley Southwest’s AJ Totta 3-2 on Friday night, he advanced to the semifinals, already an improvement from sixth place.

“That’s always what it is, you want to do better than what you have before, so I’m really trying to push myself to be the best I can be,” Collins said. “I want to win it all. I’m going to do anything I can.”

Andover Central’s well-rounded Gentzler chases fourth title

Joanna Chadwick — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:07 CST

The student section at Andover Central basketball games is one of the best around. And right in front of the large, loud student section is senior Zac Gentzler, leading cheers.

In his wrestling singlet.

Gentzler (37-0 at 120 pounds) is a wrestler through and through. He started wrestling at 4 and has signed with Oklahoma State after already having national success.

Bob Lutz: Unbeaten wrestlers could be headed for another meeting

Bob Lutz — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:44 CST

Josh Goepfert has a chance this weekend to become the first Marysville wrestler to finish in the top six of four state tournaments.

There’s that. And it would be a nice accomplishment for the senior, who will wrestle in the 113-weight class in the 3-2-1A tournament in Hays.

But Goepfert doesn’t have a state championship. The past two years, he has lost to Chase County’s Trey Francka in the semifinals of state, first at 103 pounds and then at 106.

North High ready to say goodbye to its bygone-era gym

Joanna Chadwick — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:20 CST

Not much is needed to spark the flood of North High memories for Joe Stevens. A mere mention of its unique gymnasium results in an outpouring of adoration.

“I started (varsity) as a sophomore, playing with guys I used to watch, in that gym, those bleachers, those brick walls, the locker rooms, the baskets,” said Stevens, 76, who helped lead North to the 1954 Class AA basketball title and later played at the University of Wichita. “You hit me in the heart.

“It’s the same gym when I go back…. When I stand below the basket, I see the memories all come back.”

Read the transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joann Chadwick

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:18 CST

Tuesday's high school basketball scores | Complete coverage at VarsityKansas.com

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:37 CST

VarsityKansas Big Show (Feb. 18)

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:07 CST

Join a live chat with high school sports reporter Joanna Chadwick from 1-2 p.m. today

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:03 CST

VarsityKansas Chat (Feb. 13)

Join a live chat with high school sports reporter Joanna Chadwick from 1-2 p.m. today

Tuesday's high school basketball scores | Complete coverage at VarsityKansas.com

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:26 CST

VarsityKansas Big Show (Feb. 11)

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:33 CST

East High swimmer Jake Spitz joins Joanna Chadwick on the Big Show.

Friday's Kansas high school basketball scores | Full coverage at VarsityKansas.com

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:43 CST

Bob Lutz: A legend watches one in the making

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 07:36 CST

For almost 34 years, I have told anybody who would listen that Ricky Ross is, without a doubt, the greatest City League basketball player.

Two state championships. McDonald’s All-American. Ross was such a great scorer, passer and rebounder.

But now there is doubt. Thanks to North senior guard Conner Frankamp, who blitzed East with a 48-point performance Tuesday night to add to his ever-growing legend, Ross as the greatest in City League history isn’t such a slam dunk.

Read the transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joanna Chadwick

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:20 CST

Tuesday's high school basketball scores | Complete coverage at VarsityKansas.com

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:38 CST

VarsityKansas Big Show (Feb. 4)

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:29 CST

Andover Central boys coach Jesse Herrmann is Joanna Chadwick's guest on the Big Show.

Vote for the high school basketball student section videos at VarsityKansas.com

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 15:12 CST

Friday's Kansas high school basketball scores | Full coverage at VarsityKansas.com

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 08:49 CST

Concussion symptoms bringing fewer doubters among high school athletes

Joanna Chadwick — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 13:10 CST

Collegiate junior Jordan Hull suffered three concussions in the past year and a half. Two, including her most recent during a basketball game on Jan. 4, were sports-related. The quick succession of concussions frightened her and she now wears padded headgear to protect herself.

North senior Conner Frankamp was scared about his future when he fell face-first to the basketball court on Jan. 18 and suffered his second concussion in the past three seasons.

The increased awareness of concussions and the unknown nature of long-term effects have resulted in little resistance from athletic trainers, athletes and parents about precautions, and even missed games and practices.

Read a transcript from Wednesday's live chat with Joanna Chadwick

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:51 CST

VarsityKansas Big Show (Jan. 28)

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:48 CST