High school sports notebook

Barton lands 2 Lions

Lawrence High boys basketball center John Schneider has signed a letter of intent with Barton County Community College.

Schneider quietly emerged as a go-to-player in crunch situations. He led the Lions in blocks (30), while averaging just over 13 points and a team-high six rebounds per game.

He also played an integral role in leading the Lions to an astonishing turnaround from 6-10 to an appearance in the Class 6A state championship in March.

In addition, Lawrence High senior Danielle Bird, who led the LHS girls to the 2007-08 state championship, signed with Barton County, as well.

Firebirds make choices

Free State High also had its share of signings in recent weeks, with three members of the FSHS basketball program announcing their colleges of choice.

Journal-World all-area player of the year Weston Wiebe will attend Independence Community College, while his running mate, guard Kris Wilson will attend Neosho County Community College.

On the girls’ side, guard Sarah Craft, who missed a good chunk of the season after tearing her ACL, signed with Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Barnstorming tonight

Although the hoops season ended more than a month ago, the Lawrence High gym will be the hotspot of town tonight, as the Kansas Barnstormers Tour makes a stop at LHS.

Tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game will feature a cast of KU seniors – Russell Robinson, Darnell Jackson, Sasha Kaun, Jeremy Case, Rod Stewart and Brad Witherspoon – against an all-star team of area high schoolers.

Tickets are still available and will cost $10 at the door or can be purchased at the LHS business office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An autograph session will run prior to the game and will last from 5:30 to 7:15.

A portion of the proceeds from the game will benefit the Devin McAnderson Medical Fund, which supports the mounting medical bills of the LHS alum and assistant coach who is battling a rare blood disease.

Swimming signees

On Tuesday, three LHS swimmers signed letters of intent to swim at the collegiate level. Hannah Buchner signed with Williamette University, Alex Boyer signed with Carthage (Wis.) College and Zach Henderson signed with St. Cloud State University.

In addition, Aquahawks Caitlin Gallagher (UConn) and Maddie Glass (Delta State) recently signed with colleges, as well.

Wellsville senior inks

Wellsville High senior Sara Calvert signed a letter of intent to become a member of the Ottawa University track and field team.

Firebirds 6th; Lions 8th

In final Sunflower League softball standings, Free State tied for sixth with a 6-5 record while Lawrence High shared eighth with a 3-8 mark.

Free State senior pitcher Catherine Smith finished fifth in the league in both earned-run average (1.44) and strikeouts (94). Firebirds’ senior shortstop Kayley Lane was among the league leaders in doubles with eight.

The agony of victory

It’s amazing how quickly elation can turn into agony. Lawrence High junior Taylor Seratte experienced that firsthand last week at the Class 6A regional tennis meet at LHS.

About an hour after Seratte and doubles partner Ryan Abbott won their second-round match, securing them a spot in this year’s state tournament, Seratte reluctantly realized it would require at least another two hours to play out the meet.

“I’m really regretting winning that second-round match,” Seratte said. “These better be pretty awesome state T-shirts.”

Seratte and Abbott took fourth at regionals and lost in the first round of state.