Topeka West advances past Seaman in sub-state
TOPEKA — Topeka West’s Jalen Foy slashed and dashed his way to the rim in the first half against Seaman on Tuesday. He created contact and finished for the and-1 to add to Topeka West’s lead. As he stepped to the free-throw line, he produced a huge smile with his teammates. The Chargers were in sync.
“I feel like our year has been a little shaky, but now I think we have our groove together,” Foy said. “We know what we’re doing now and how to make a big run.”
Foy led the way with 20 points in Topeka West’s 65-45 win in the first round of sub-state. The Chargers emphasized attacking the rim and moving without the ball according to head coach Rick Bloomquist. It was a formula that worked well, especially in the fourth quarter.
Topeka West led Seaman 45-39 entering the fourth quarter. Instead of shooting deep shots, the Chargers stormed the paint. Foy was active in the final period along with Keimani Paul, who scored 18 points. Topeka West went on a 15-1 run to open up the scoreboard and secure the win.
“We responded to their run and made a run back,” Bloomquist said. “Team chemistry is the number one most important part of any team. The lightbulb has switched on for some of these kids.”
After the game, Foy said the difference came down to the Chargers’ trust in each other. That wasn’t always the case this season amid some tough defeats. Bloomquist has seen the transition, too. The team plays together more and trusts the process.
“Chemistry, we got our chemistry right,” Foy said. “We had to stay after practice longer to get our chemistry right.”
Seaman’s Holden Finley and KaeVon Bonner each scored a team-high 12 points in the defeat. They made the game interesting as they trailed 45-42 in the first minute of the fourth quarter. That was the closest Seaman could manage before the Chargers’ big run. Seaman made just one field goal in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter.
The loss to Topeka West marked Seaman’s third defeat against the conference rival this season. It also means the end of the road. The Vikings end the year with a 9-12 record as seniors Jack Unruh, Braden Champan, Justin Phillips and Finley finish their careers.
Topeka West advances to the substate championship game. They will go on the road and face defending state champion no. 3 Andover (16-4) on Friday. This will be the first meeting between the two squads. The Chargers and Trojans do not share a common opponent from the regular season either.
Results from Tuesday’s first round of sub-state Boys
Topeka West 65, Seaman 45
Highland Park 85, Turner 43
Shawnee Heights 63, St. James Academy 40
Cair Paravel 38,
North 51
Girls
Jefferson County
Washburn Rural 61, Wichita Northwest 24
Topeka High 43, Manhattan 62 Hayden 84, Bishop Ward 12 Rossville 38, Riley County 28 Silver Lake 74, Marysville 48