Kansas City Star: High School

O'Hara wins with touchdown in final minute

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

O’Hara quarterback T.J. White had flashbacks to last year, to the Celtics’ season-ending one-point loss in the first round of the playoffs. It was a feeling he didn’t want to repeat. “I was just determined,” he would say afterward.

Photos | High school postseason action

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:14 CST

Blue Springs' dramatic 23-21 win over Rockhurst on Friday night set the tone for football quarterfinals in Kansas and Missouri. The postseason continues this weekend in Missouri for soccer, and swimming and diving. Follow along in Varsity Zone

Gaines leads Fort Osage past Raymore-Peculiar

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Fort Osage coach Ryan Schartz calls E.J. Gaines the best football player he’s had come through the program, and on days like Saturday, it’s easy to see why. Despite being limited to four carries in the first half as host Raymore-Peculiar held a significant advantage in time of possession, Gaines finished with 168 rushing yards and three touchdowns while leading a second-half surge for the Indians.

Raytown South advances to state semifinals on fluke final play of game

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

NIXA, Mo. | With only seven seconds remaining it appeared that Raytown South’s quarterfinal game with the Nixa Eagles would need overtime to determine a winner. That was moments before one of the most improbable plays in the program’s history would send the Cardinals to the Class 5 state semifinals with a 21-15 victory Saturday over the Eagles.

Hogan Prep can't make up early deficit in loss to Maryville

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

MARYVILLE, Mo. | An early surge by Maryville proved too much for Hogan Prep to overcome in a 35-32 loss in the Class 2 quarterfinals Saturday. A couple of turnovers led to an early 21-0 lead for the Spoofhounds, 12-1. An onside-kick recovery, a long drive and an interception return for a touchdown had Maryville leading by three touchdowns with 2:12 left in the first quarter.

High school sports

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Missouri quarterfinals Saturday’s results

Kearney clobbers Harrisonville in quarterfinal showdown

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Kearney relied on a familiar formula Saturday in a quarterfinal showdown at home against Harrisonville. The defense dominated and the ground attack continually grew stronger as the Bulldogs rolled to a 41-0 rout. “Our defense — what can you say about the last two games?” Kearney coach Greg Jones said. “We’ve shut out two incredible teams and they’ve given us great field position. The defense is just playing incredible right now, and we all know that defense wins championships.”

O'Hara outlasts Pleasant Hill 50-49 in Class 3 quarterfinal

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Pray. It was the only thing O’Hara running back Raphael Spencer could think to do. He was 3 yards from converting a two-point attempt. Get in, win the game. Get stuffed, go home. “I just prayed: ‘God, please help me,’ ” Spencer said. “I was so nervous.”

Last-second field goal lifts Blue Springs past Rockhurst

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Blue Springs running back Darrian Miller was quickly met by the Rockhurst defense near the line of scrimmage, but he just kept churning his legs, trying to drive himself forward as the momentum of the play carried him toward the sideline. The Wildcats’ season depended on it.

Blue Valley edges BV Northwest in Kansas 6A playoffs

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

The magic continues for the Blue Valley Tigers. The Tigers took the lead on a 25-yard touchdown pass from senior Anthony Abenoja to junior Jacob McDermott with 6 minutes, 48 seconds to play and then held on for a 17-14 victory over Blue Valley Northwest in a Kansas Class 6A quarterfinal playoff game at Blue Valley.

Olathe North gets revenge, Franklin gets record

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

It was a rematch of last year’s Kansas 6A state quarterfinal, but the games could not have been more different. Olathe North survived a fourth-quarter shootout in a 41-28 victory Friday over Lawrence Free State, ending the Firebirds’ bid to return to Topeka for the 6A title game and exacting a measure of revenge.

St. Thomas Aquinas rips Shawnee Heights

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Receiver Shane Nachbar knew he had to make something happen for St. Thomas Aquinas. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t do anything in the first half. He knew that wasn’t good enough, not with the season on the line and the Saints tied with Shawnee Heights after two quarters. So, when quarterback Richard Davila threw Nachbar the football for the first time in the second half, Nachbar made sure no one tackled him, running into the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown.

Gardner Edgerton rolls in Class 5A playoffs

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Before the game, Gardner Edgerton sprinted onto the field out of a giant inflatable helmet, while rock music blared on the speakers and multicolored fireworks exploded in the sky. Yet the most impressive and electrifying aspect of Friday night unfolded on the field moments after the pregame introduction ended.

Miege grounds out 35-7 win over Louisburg

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Bishop Miege rammed, rocketed and ran away with a 35-7 victory against Louisburg on Friday night. Louisburg entered the game outscoring its opponents 66-0 during the first two rounds of the Kansas Class 4A playoffs. However, it took Miege less than 2 minutes to put an end to that. Jake Taylor wrapped up a fumble by the Wildcats on the game’s opening kickoff, setting the Stags up with a very short field.

A few days later, Aquinas' soccer state title is still sweet

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

On the heels of winning its seventh straight state championship and completing its first undefeated season since 1994, the St. Thomas Aquinas High School boys soccer team moved to No. 2 in the ESPN Rise national rankings. The Saints, 21-0, are behind only undefeated St. Ignatius out of Ohio, which was set to play in its state final Friday night. Meaning there was still a chance as of late this week that Aquinas could finish atop the national rankings.

Miege soccer team comes up one win short

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Bishop Miege High School’s memorable soccer season brought it one win shy of a state title. The quest ended last Saturday in Topeka with a 2-0 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the Kansas 5A championship game. Emotions were evident among the team on the field afterward, but Bishop Miege coach Joe Huppe reminded his players that they had achieved plenty in returning the program to the state finals, accomplishing what no Stags team had since 2000.

St. James Academy soccer program ‘has taken off'

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

It wasn’t long ago that St. James Academy’s boys soccer was just a budding program trying to establish itself. Indeed, the Thunder’s reputation and stature has grown mighty quickly.

Blue Springs, Rockhurst meet in state quarterfinal game

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Take it from Liberty football coach Joel Wells. The meeting between Blue Springs and Rockhurst tonight in the Missouri Class 6 quarterfinals should be a clash between an ignitable offense and hellacious defense. Wells should know. Just last Friday his Blue Jays faced Rockhurst in the first round of the playoffs and two weeks before that, Wells coached against Blue Springs. Unfortunately for Wells, Liberty lost both games, but now he can offer a rich perspective on what fans can expect when these classic rivals meet tonight at Dasta Memorial Stadium.

Bolivar denies Pembroke Hill in state soccer quarterfinals

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Pembroke Hill’s streak of five consecutive appearances in the boys soccer state semifinals ended Thursday night along with Bolivar’s decadelong wait to return to the state tournament. Bolivar defeated Pembroke Hill in a shootout, 2-1 (penalty kicks), in Missouri Class 2 quarterfinal play at Harrisonville Middle School and advances to play Notre Dame Cape Girardeau next Friday.

Smithville's season ends on late Helias goal

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

The Smithville’s boys soccer team came within 3 minutes and 28 seconds of forcing overtime Thursday against Jefferson City Helias in Missouri Class 2 state quarterfinal action at Blue Springs South’s Larry Stewart Memorial Stadium. But a controversial no-call on a ball near the end line led to the only goal, a strike by Helias junior Blake Wenzel in the 77th minute, which advanced the Crusaders to the state tournament with a 1-0 win.

Five things to watch in Kansas football sectional playoffs

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

in Kansas football sectional playoffs 1 Underdog Firebirds hope to spring another upset

High school athletes of the week

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Emilio Quezada •SCHOOL: St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Pius X soccer team reaches state semifinals

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

St. Pius X’s soccer team advanced to the Missouri Class 1 state semifinals for the second consecutive season with a 2-1 victory Thursday night against Sacred Heart. Warriors coach Todd Ashby said a berth to the Final Four was his team’s goal all year long.

Friday night sights

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Blue Valley senior Anthony Abenoja has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the Kansas City area, passing for nearly 5,000 yards over the last two seasons. He leads a Tigers team that started 1-6 before righting its season. Blue Valley has won three straight lopsided games and will face Blue Valley Northwest in a Kansas 6A sectional matchup tonight. 1. You guys started 1-6 this year, and that surprised a lot of people outside the program. What was the mood or reaction in the locker room?

High school sports

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Missouri quarterfinals Today’s games at 7 p.m.

Lee's Summit North's Beal wins Evelyn Gates Award

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Unlike many of her volleyball peers who have become elite players after starting in the sport at a young age, Lee’s Summit North High School senior Marianne Beal has a different story. It was the first day of school her eighth-grade year when several friends convinced Beal how fun it would be to try out for the team. Beal was simply following along that day, and now it is Beal who is being honored as recipient of the Evelyn Gates Award. The award, given to Beal on Thursday at her school, honors the top volleyball player in the Kansas City area, as selected by coaches.

SM South's Spradling signs with K-State

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

High school students aren’t always so resolute about such things, but Shawnee Mission South basketball standout Will Spradling has known for a while what he wanted to do after graduation. He was going to play college basketball, and from the moment he made up his mind a year ago, he was going to play for Kansas State.

Hickman Mills' Harrington signs with Louisville

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

The scene inside the Hickman Mills High School media center Wednesday afternoon looked familiar. There was a white and orange sheet cake that read: Congratulations. There was an ecstatic mother, always the first to applaud. The room was full of students, administrators and district employees, all gathered to honor the best girls basketball player on the team.

Grain Valley relies on ground game to beat Hickman Mills 51-34

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Grain Valley coach Forrest Rovello knew what his Eagles had to do. It was the third quarter of the Eagles’ Missouri Class 4 regional playoff game against Hickman Mills on Wednesday night, and two back-to-back touchdowns had just cut Hickman Mills’ deficit to two points.

Wednesday's playoff highlights

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

At HARRISONVILLE 50, GRANDVIEW 8: Sam Cooper ran for Harrisonville’s first touchdown, threw for the second and ran for the next two. At KEARNEY 63, WESTPORT 7: Kearney’s Dillon Brink carried the ball just seven times, but he scored touchdowns on five of those runs.

High School Football Top-5

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:15 CDT

2009

High school football polls

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:15 CDT

The Star’s top five rankings

Weather plays havoc with high school postseason matches

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:15 CDT

The scene at the Indian Creek Racquet Club on Saturday afternoon resembled how tennis might be played at the North Pole. Girls with hopes of advancing to the Kansas 6A state championships next weekend played matches while decked out in sweat suits, with bulky layers under their tennis skirts. A scattering of fans huddled under hoodies and headbands.

Falcons strike late in 34-30 win over SM East

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:15 CDT

Just when you thought Olathe South couldn’t make things any more interesting, they pulled off another come-from-behind victory. This week, the Shawnee Mission East Lancers fell victim to the comeback kids.

High school golf, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, results

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:15 CDT

Thursday’s result Schlagle 29, Pembroke Hill 22

SM East's Fotopoulos wins singles, BV North wins team title at Aquinas

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:15 CDT

As she took the court Tuesday at the Plaza Tennis Center, Shawnee Mission East standout Mimi Fotopoulos had yet to lose so much as a single game — let alone a set — in a dominant start to her sophomore season. The highly regarded 15-team St. Thomas Aquinas Tennis Invitational, though, seemed sure to provide a test for Fotopoulos, the Kansas 6A state runner-up last season.

Top high school players in town for KC Prep National Invitational

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Just a couple of summers ago, before hearing their names called as the NBA’s top draft picks, Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose came to the same Shawnee gym that rising Raytown South freshman Ishmail Wainwright is playing in this week. And just like Wainwright, whose AAU team plays in the eighth annual Price Chopper KC Prep National Invitational, they could not help but sneak peeks at all of the college recruiters in the stands.

Lee's Summit North's Marlborough is All-Metro soccer player of the year

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Reflecting upon her high school soccer career — where she finished as Missouri’s all-time leading scorer — Lee’s Summit North’s Morgan Marlborough doesn’t narrow things down to one specific special goal. It is not the memory of scoring one of the record-breaking 69 goals she notched during her senior season. Nor is there one specific highlight among the 232 career goals she scored in her four years. Instead, she points to the moment she advanced to the Missouri Class 3 state championship match in June.

All-Metro girls soccer team

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

FORWARDS •Shea Groom, Liberty, sophomore. Finished her season with 38 goals and 13 assists. She was voted the Missouri Class 3 offensive player of the year by coaches.

Top talent expected for first Hoop City Classic

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

On the eve of the first Hoop City Classic, Todd Hensley could barely contain his excitement. That’s saying a lot, considering Hensley has been putting on AAU tournaments like this for years. But he insists he has reason to believe that this one could be special.

Rockhurst's McGee wins award as area's top prep golfer

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:15 CDT

Michael McGee walked back inside the doors of Rockhurst on Tuesday, a little sunburned from playing a full round of golf but ready for his close up in a full suit and tie. McGee wasn’t expecting such a homecoming this soon after graduating. But as the Kenneth Smith Award winner, given to the area’s top male golfer, he returned to Rockhurst to accept the honor in front of family and friends.

The Star's top high school stories of 2008-09

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:15 CDT

Jumpin’ James White captured the attention of hundreds every time he pulled off his sweats, revealed his baby blue Grandview High uniform and approached the towering bar set at the Missouri Class 4 state high jump championships. The coaches stopped walking behind the chain link fence, and the fans who packed the stands in the Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City turned their attention to the corner end zone. Athletes — the best in the state who themselves were competing for gold medals — joined in with the rhythmic clapping to cheer on White. Everyone wanted to watch history unfold.

High School Baseball Soccer

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:15 CDT

In Fenton, Mo. At Anheuser-Busch Center Saturday’s championship Incarnate Word 2, LS North 1 (IW wins on penalty kicks). IWA (Dailey). LSN (Stevenson). Records: IWA 16-5, LSN 25-3. Penalty kicks: IWA: Vogt 1; Skirvan 1; Gravlin 1; Iffrig 1; Mottl 1. LSN: Cross 0; Corder 1; Stephenson 1; Stout 1; Malborough 1.

High School Baseball Soccer

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:15 CDT

At Meador Park, Springfield Today’s semifinals DeSoto vs. LS North, 10 a.m. Rock Bridge vs. Ft. Zumwalt South, 1 p.m.

High School Baseball Soccer

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:15 CDT

At Meador Park, Springfield Friday’s semifinals DeSoto vs. LS North, 10 a.m. Rock Bridge vs. Ft. Zumwalt South, 1 p.m.

High School Softball Track and Field

Sun, 31 May 2009 22:15 CDT

At Twin Oaks Complex, Emporia Saturday’s semifinals St. Marys 10, Pittsburg Colgan 3 Humboldt 9, Salina Sacred Heart 2

St. James Academy girls win 5A-1A state soccer title

Sat, 30 May 2009 22:15 CDT

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. | Rachel Weimer would say afterward how this has been a frustrating season for her at times. How she had struggled to finish scoring opportunities.

Blue Valley West girls win state title

Sat, 30 May 2009 22:15 CDT

TOPEKA | Jordan Jackson did a little bit of everything in her final appearance for the Blue Valley West girls soccer team during the Kansas 6A state championship game Saturday at Hummer Sports Park.