It was a strong start to the 2024 portion of the schedule for the Emporia High basketball teams Tuesday in Topeka for their Centennial League openers against Hayden.
The Emporia High girls avenged an early loss to Hayden with a 54-40 victory over the Lady Wildcats. Hayden’s only lead was 2-0 and Emporia High took the lead and never gave it back. The Lady Spartans led 11-6 after the first quarter and 23-15. Hayden pulled within five at 27-22 in the third and a 9-0 run pulled Emporia High’s lead to 14. The Lady Spartans led by as many as 20 in the game.
Senior Addie Kirmer led Emporia High with 26 points on 8 of 12 shooting and 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. Lexsey Dewitt with 11 points.
Emporia High girls coach Carolyn Dorsey said the Lady Spartans played tough.
Emporia High is now 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in the Centennial League.
In the boys’ game, the Spartans snapped a two-game skid with a 58-42 victory over the Wildcats. After the game was tied at six after an and-one from River Peters, Emporia High took the lead for good and never relinquished it. The Spartans led 14-9 after one and had a 31-21 lead at halftime. Hayden pulled within four at 37-33 late in the third quarter, but a 3-point play by freshman Harry Trelc pushed the lead to seven, 40-33, heading to the fourth. Hayden pulled within six early fourth, but the Spartans pulled away and led by as many as 18.
Peters led Emporia High with 21 points. It was Peters’ fifth game scoring at least 20 or more points. Sheldon Stewart had 11 points. Trelc scored a career-high eight points, while Nolan Jacob added a career-high seven.
Emporia High boys coach Lee Baldwin said it was a team effort to get a tough road win.
Emporia High is now 5-2 on the season and 1-0 in the Centennial League. Both teams will host Topeka High on Friday at Spartan Gymnasium. Girls tip at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow. The RV-Doc Pregame Show will begin around 5:40 p.m. on KVOE.
Other area scores
Osage City 53, Central Heights 18 (girls)
Central Heights 40, Osage City 39 (boys
