photo by: Contributed photo

Free State's wrestling team placed ninth at the Husky Invitational at Blue Valley Northwest on Saturday. Senior Lou Fincher won his weight class to lead the Firebirds to a top-10 finish.

Free State wrestler Lou Fincher added some more hardware during an impressive final campaign with the program.

On Saturday, Fincher finished first in the 132-pound weight class at the Husky Invitational at Blue Valley Northwest. Fincher won all four of his matches, including three by fall, to improve his record to 17-6 on the year.

Fincher defeated Cayden Hughbanks of Maize by fall in the championship match, which earned him a trip to the top of the podium. Fincher’s performance helped the Firebirds place ninth at the event out of 23 teams with a team score of 179. Maize won the whole event by scoring 421 points as a team.

FSHS had five other wrestlers earn a trip to the podium at the meet. Caleb Streeter notched third in the 138-pound weight class. Eric Streeter (113 pounds) and Ezra Birdashaw (120 pounds) both placed fifth in their respective weight class. Matthew Marcum finished sixth in the 152-pound weight class, while Nolan Bradley came in seventh in the 106-pound weight class.

In girls wrestling, Madyson Gray continues to have a flawless season for the Firebirds. She placed first at the Wichita Heights Invitational, which improved her record to 15-0 on the season.

Lawrence High, meanwhile, placed 16th as a team during Saturday’s meet at Blue Valley Northwest. Kevin Honas led the way with a runner-up finish, losing by decision in the championship match of the 120-pound weight class.

Trey Medina registered third in the 152-pound weight class for the Lions. Hunter Girard secured seventh in the 113-pound weight class, while Jack Elsten claimed eighth in the 106-pound weight class.

Free State and Lawrence will square off in the City Showdown at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at LHS.

Husky Wrestling Invitational

Saturday at Blue Valley Northwest

Team scores: 1. Maize 421; 2. Seaman 260.5; 3. Mill Valley 242; 4. Pleasant Hill 237; 5. Blue Valley West 208.5; 6. Blue Valley NW 197.5; 7. Hutchinson 185.5; 8. Bonner Springs 184; 9. Free State 179; 10. Blue Valley 164.5; 11. Marion 156; 12. Topeka high 145.5; 13. Turner 143.5; 14. Heritage 122; 14. Olathe East 122; 16. Lawrence 120; 17. Leavenworth 111; 18. Raytown South 88; 20. Jayhawk Linn 71; 21. SM West 49; 22. SM Northwest 18; 23. Blue Valley NW 17.

FSHS results

106: Nolan Bradley placed 7th

Champ. Round 1 – Nolan Bradley (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Nolan Bradley (Lawrence-Free State) over Trevor Andrew (Bonner Springs) (Inj. [time])

Quarterfinals – Eddie Hughart (Shawnee-Mill Valley) over Nolan Bradley (Lawrence-Free State) (Dec 4-1)

Cons. Round 4 – Nolan Bradley (Lawrence-Free State) over Thomas Peterson (Overland Park-Blue Valley Northwest) (Fall 0:50)

Cons. Round 5 – Corbin White (Mound City-Jayhawk Linn) over Nolan Bradley (Lawrence-Free State) (Dec 6-2)

7th Place Match – Nolan Bradley (Lawrence-Free State) over Jack Elsten (Lawrence) (Dec 6-1)

113: Eric Streeter placed 5th

Champ. Round 1 – Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Cody Hughbanks (Maize) over Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) (MD 9-0)

Cons. Round 2 – Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Cons. Round 4 – Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Sam Imes (Shawnee-Mill Valley) (Dec 5-4)

Cons. Round 5 – Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Hunter Girard (Lawrence) (Dec 6-4)

Cons. Semis – Luke Olsen (Overland Park-Blue Valley West) over Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) (Dec 7-0)

5th Place Match – Eric Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Marcus Wilson (Raytown South) (Dec 13-7)

120: Ezra Birdashaw placed 5th

Champ. Round 1 – Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Cole Moberly (Shawnee-Mill Valley) over Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) (Dec 11-5)

Cons. Round 2 – Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Cons. Round 4 – Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) over Mateo Reyes (Heritage) (MD 12-3)

Cons. Round 5 – Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) over Joey Nichols (Overland Park-Blue Valley West) (Dec 4-2)

Cons. Semis – Nicky Gutierrez (Kansas City-Turner) over Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 3:58)

5th Place Match – Ezra Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) over David Rivera (Pleasant Hill) (Dec 4-2)

126: Ben Mellenbruch placed 11th

Champ. Round 1 – Gaven Hiler (Marion) over Ben Mellenbruch (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 3:20)

Cons. Round 1 – Ben Mellenbruch (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Cons. Round 2 – Ben Mellenbruch (Lawrence-Free State) over Justin Dooley (Overland Park-Blue Valley West) (Fall 2:00)

Cons. Round 3 – Ben Mellenbruch (Lawrence-Free State) over Gadge Angus (Raytown South) (Fall 2:16)

Cons. Round 4 – Alec Eldredge (Hutchinson) over Ben Mellenbruch (Lawrence-Free State) (MD 10-2)

Cons. Round 5 – Jacob Bradley (Olathe East) over Ben Mellenbruch (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 3:20)

11th Place Match – Ben Mellenbruch (Lawrence-Free State) over Willie George (Leavenworth) (Fall 3:43)

132: Lou Fincher placed 1st

Champ. Round 1 – Lou Fincher (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Lou Fincher (Lawrence-Free State) over Christopher Sebelski (Raytown South) (Fall 0:54)

Quarterfinals – Lou Fincher (Lawrence-Free State) over Jace Tapia (Bonner Springs) (Fall 2:42)

Semifinals – Lou Fincher (Lawrence-Free State) over Garrett Lyons (Pleasant Hill) (Dec 6-0)

1st Place Match – Lou Fincher (Lawrence-Free State) over Cayden Hughbanks (Maize) (Fall 2:11)

138: Caleb Streeter placed 3rd

Champ. Round 1 – Caleb Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Garrett Seely (Mound City-Jayhawk Linn) (Fall 1:34)

Champ. Round 2 – Caleb Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Bennett Blake (Maize) (Fall 2:30)

Quarterfinals – Caleb Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Gabriel Hughes (Overland Park-Blue Valley) (Fall 0:55)

Semifinals – Byron Kirkwood (Kansas City-Turner) over Caleb Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 5:03)

Cons. Semis – Caleb Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Brandin Andrew (Bonner Springs) (Fall 4:54)

3rd Place Match – Caleb Streeter (Lawrence-Free State) over Daniel Boose (Shawnee Mission West) (Fall 2:21)

145: Zach Shepley placed 14th

Champ. Round 1 – Zach Shepley (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Luke Hyland (Overland Park-Blue Valley) over Zach Shepley (Lawrence-Free State) (MD 14-1)

Cons. Round 2 – Zach Shepley (Lawrence-Free State) over Garrett Torres (Overland Park-Blue Valley Northwest) (Dec 8-6)

Cons. Round 3 – Nick Carlson (Olathe East) over Zach Shepley (Lawrence-Free State) (MD 11-1)

Cons. Round 4 – Zach Shepley (Lawrence-Free State) over Malakyah Hill (Shawnee Mission Northwest) (For.)

13th Place Match – Napoleon Cox (Leavenworth) over Zach Shepley (Lawrence-Free State) (MD 17-3)

152: Matthew Marcum placed 6th

Champ. Round 1 – Matthew Marcum (Lawrence-Free State) over Andrew Dahl (Shawnee Mission Northwest) (Fall 2:21)

Champ. Round 2 – Matthew Marcum (Lawrence-Free State) over Bryce Goswick (Overland Park-Blue Valley) (SV-1 9-7)

Quarterfinals – Matthew Cutshall (Topeka) over Matthew Marcum (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 5:14)

Cons. Round 4 – Matthew Marcum (Lawrence-Free State) over Lane Thompson (Mound City-Jayhawk Linn) (Fall 4:25)

Cons. Round 5 – Matthew Marcum (Lawrence-Free State) over Shane Daniels (Bonner Springs) (Fall 4:53)

Cons. Semis – Ryan Volland (Pleasant Hill) over Matthew Marcum (Lawrence-Free State) (MD 8-0)

5th Place Match – Matthew Cutshall (Topeka) over Matthew Marcum (Lawrence-Free State) (MD 11-2)

182: Titus Birdashaw placed 10th

Champ. Round 1 – Titus Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Elijah Barron (Topeka) over Titus Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 1:26)

Cons. Round 2 – Titus Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) over Mechia Marks (Kansas City-Turner) (Dec 7-1)

Cons. Round 3 – Titus Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) over Emmanuel Woods UNA (Shawnee Mission Northwest) (Fall 4:27)

Cons. Round 4 – Nicholas Schwarz (Overland Park-Blue Valley Northwest) over Titus Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 2:43)

Cons. Round 5 – Titus Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) over Tate Meyer (Lawrence) (Dec 5-2)

9th Place Match – Abraham Duval (Marion) over Titus Birdashaw (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 3:58)

195: Cole Rorick placed 14th

Champ. Round 1 – Cole Rorick (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Tyler Robinson (Leavenworth) over Cole Rorick (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 1:15)

Cons. Round 2 – Cole Rorick (Lawrence-Free State) received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Dorian Hippen (Hutchinson) over Cole Rorick (Lawrence-Free State) (Fall 0:44)

Cons. Round 4 – Cole Rorick (Lawrence-Free State) over Parker Jackson (Topeka) (Fall 4:06)

13th Place Match – Jaxson Thomas (Topeka-Seaman) over Cole Rorick (Lawrence-Free State) (Dec 2-0)

LHS results

106: Jack Elsten (15-11) placed 8th

Champ. Round 1 – Jack Elsten (Lawrence Lions) 15-11 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Nakaylen Shabazz (Maize Eagles) 18-7 won by fall over Jack Elsten (Lawrence Lions) 15-11 (Fall 1:41)

Cons. Round 2 – Jack Elsten (Lawrence Lions) 15-11 received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Jack Elsten (Lawrence Lions) 15-11 won by fall over Alex Smith (Topeka High Trojans) 10-9 (Fall 2:11)

Cons. Round 4 – Jack Elsten (Lawrence Lions) 15-11 won by decision over Justin Kruse (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 19-12 (Dec 4-0)

Cons. Round 5 – Ben Darling (BV West Jaguars) 23-7 won by fall over Jack Elsten (Lawrence Lions) 15-11 (Fall 3:41)

7th Place Match – Nolan Bradley (Law Free State Firebirds) 10-7 won by decision over Jack Elsten (Lawrence Lions) 15-11 (Dec 6-1)

113: Hunter Girard (9-9) placed 7th

Champ. Round 1 – Hunter Girard (Lawrence Lions) 9-9 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Hunter Girard (Lawrence Lions) 9-9 received a bye

Quarterfinal – Zach Boucher (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 19-10 won by fall over Hunter Girard (Lawrence Lions) 9-9 (Fall 4:41)

Cons. Round 4 – Hunter Girard (Lawrence Lions) 9-9 won by fall over Luke Heimer (Heritage High Eagles) 4-11 (Fall 0:19)

Cons. Round 5 – Eric Streeter (Law Free State Firebirds) 9-11 won by decision over Hunter Girard (Lawrence Lions) 9-9 (Dec 6-4)

7th Place Match – Hunter Girard (Lawrence Lions) 9-9 won by fall over Kyle Knight (Turner Bears) 1-3 (Fall 0:22)

120: Kevin Honas (17-5) placed 2nd

Champ. Round 1 – Kevin Honas (Lawrence Lions) 17-5 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Kevin Honas (Lawrence Lions) 17-5 won by fall over Lain Anderson (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 7-11 (Fall 0:23)

Quarterfinal – Kevin Honas (Lawrence Lions) 17-5 won by fall over Joey Nichols (BV West Jaguars) 18-17 (Fall 0:26)

Semifinal – Kevin Honas (Lawrence Lions) 17-5 won by fall over David Rivera (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 18-12 (Fall 0:58)

1st Place Match – Keton Patterson (Maize Eagles) 14-5 won by decision over Kevin Honas (Lawrence Lions) 17-5 (Dec 6-0)

126: Zach Razak (4-12) placed 14th

Champ. Round 1 – Zach Razak (Lawrence Lions) 4-12 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Jacob Bradley (Olathe East Hawks) 21-9 won by fall over Zach Razak (Lawrence Lions) 4-12 (Fall 1:24)

Cons. Round 2 – Zach Razak (Lawrence Lions) 4-12 won by fall over Gabe Ingalls (Turner Bears) 0-6 (Fall 1:44)

Cons. Round 3 – Willie George (Leavenworth Pioneers) 1-6 won by decision over Zach Razak (Lawrence Lions) 4-12 (Dec 11-9)

Cons. Round 4 – Zach Razak (Lawrence Lions) 4-12 won by fall over Grant Sasenick UNA (BV West Jaguars) 1-8 (Fall 0:41)

13th Place Match – Dylan Massey (Mill Valley Jaguars) 2-6 won by fall over Zach Razak (Lawrence Lions) 4-12 (Fall 2:26)

132: Daniel Parrish (5-11) placed 14th

Champ. Round 1 – Daniel Parrish (Lawrence Lions) 5-11 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Garrett Lyons (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 23-4 won by fall over Daniel Parrish (Lawrence Lions) 5-11 (Fall 0:56)

Cons. Round 2 – Daniel Parrish (Lawrence Lions) 5-11 received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Dakota Douglas (Hutchinson Salthawks) 14-13 won by decision over Daniel Parrish (Lawrence Lions) 5-11 (Dec 9-6)

Cons. Round 4 – Daniel Parrish (Lawrence Lions) 5-11 won by fall over Christopher Sebelski UNA (Raytown South Cardinals) 9-17 (Fall 4:52)

13th Place Match – Max Garrelts (BV Northwest Huskies) 10-13 won by decision over Daniel Parrish (Lawrence Lions) 5-11 (Dec 7-3)

145: Josh Jewsome (0-4) place is unknown

Champ. Round 1 – Connor Padgett (Maize Eagles) 20-6 won by fall over Josh Jewsome (Lawrence Lions) 0-4 (Fall 2:00)

Cons. Round 1 – Josh Jewsome (Lawrence Lions) 0-4 received a bye

Cons. Round 2 – Derek Mackey (Heritage High Eagles) 21-7 won by tech fall over Josh Jewsome (Lawrence Lions) 0-4 (TF-1.5 3:15 (16-1))

152: Trey Medina (13-4) placed 3rd

Champ. Round 1 – Trey Medina (Lawrence Lions) 13-4 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Trey Medina (Lawrence Lions) 13-4 won by fall over Cypress Boyd (Raytown South Cardinals) 4-5 (Fall 0:19)

Quarterfinal – Ryan Volland (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 19-4 won by decision over Trey Medina (Lawrence Lions) 13-4 (Dec 4-2)

Cons. Round 4 – Trey Medina (Lawrence Lions) 13-4 won by fall over Edward Thomas (BV Northwest Huskies) 19-12 (Fall 2:13)

Cons. Round 5 – Trey Medina (Lawrence Lions) 13-4 won by fall over Bryce Goswick (Blue Valley Tigers) 24-9 (Fall 0:53)

Cons. Semi – Trey Medina (Lawrence Lions) 13-4 won by fall over Matthew Cutshall (Topeka High Trojans) 20-3 (Fall 3:36)

3rd Place Match – Trey Medina (Lawrence Lions) 13-4 won by decision over Ryan Volland (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 19-4 (Dec 9-4)

160: Tucker Corbin (3-6) placed 13th

Champ. Round 1 – Tucker Corbin (Lawrence Lions) 3-6 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Carson Wheeler (Maize Eagles) 22-1 won by tech fall over Tucker Corbin (Lawrence Lions) 3-6 (TF-1.5 2:09 (16-1))

Cons. Round 2 – Tucker Corbin (Lawrence Lions) 3-6 received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Cameron Robinson (Turner Bears) 15-12 won by fall over Tucker Corbin (Lawrence Lions) 3-6 (Fall 0:40)

Cons. Round 4 – Tucker Corbin (Lawrence Lions) 3-6 won in sudden victory – 1 over Nicholas Mironov (BVNW Husky JV) 9-15 (SV-1 2-0)

13th Place Match – Tucker Corbin (Lawrence Lions) 3-6 won by fall over William Goldman (Blue Valley Tigers) 7-16 (Fall 1:18)

170: Dominic Parton (1-3) placed 15th

Champ. Round 1 – Dominic Parton (Lawrence Lions) 1-3 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Brodie Scott (Mill Valley Jaguars) 24-4 won by fall over Dominic Parton (Lawrence Lions) 1-3 (Fall 0:35)

Cons. Round 2 – Dominic Parton (Lawrence Lions) 1-3 received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Donavan Davis (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 14-15 won by fall over Dominic Parton (Lawrence Lions) 1-3 (Fall 2:46)

Cons. Round 4 – Mason Weathers (Hutchinson Salthawks) 7-4 won by fall over Dominic Parton (Lawrence Lions) 1-3 (Fall 0:46)

15th Place Match – Dominic Parton (Lawrence Lions) 1-3 won by fall over Terry Vester (Raytown South Cardinals) 1-8 (Fall 1:25)

182: Tate Meyer (2-7) placed 12th

Champ. Round 1 – Tate Meyer (Lawrence Lions) 2-7 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Levi Allen (Hutchinson Salthawks) 25-4 won by fall over Tate Meyer (Lawrence Lions) 2-7 (Fall 0:21)

Cons. Round 2 – Tate Meyer (Lawrence Lions) 2-7 received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Tate Meyer (Lawrence Lions) 2-7 won by fall over Vortec Price (Raytown South Cardinals) 1-5 (Fall 4:18)

Cons. Round 4 – Malique Washington (Olathe East Hawks) 20-9 won by fall over Tate Meyer (Lawrence Lions) 2-7 (Fall 0:44)

Cons. Round 5 – Titus Birdashaw (Law Free State Firebirds) 5-7 won by decision over Tate Meyer (Lawrence Lions) 2-7 (Dec 5-2)

11th Place Match – Corbin Purdum (Heritage High Eagles) 20-8 won by fall over Tate Meyer (Lawrence Lions) 2-7 (Fall 2:27)

195: Ebin Banman (0-2) place is unknown

Champ. Round 1 – Brooks Lowe (BV West Jaguars) 14-3 won by fall over Ebin Banman (Lawrence Lions) 0-2 (Fall 0:17)

Cons. Round 1 – Ebin Banman (Lawrence Lions) 0-2 received a bye

Cons. Round 2 – Drew Waldron (BV North Mustangs) 7-6 won by fall over Ebin Banman (Lawrence Lions) 0-2 (Fall 1:30)

220: Ronston McKinney (2-4) placed 14th

Champ. Round 1 – Ronston McKinney (Lawrence Lions) 2-4 received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Gabe Cornett (Turner Bears) 11-6 won by fall over Ronston McKinney (Lawrence Lions) 2-4 (Fall 0:35)

Cons. Round 2 – Ronston McKinney (Lawrence Lions) 2-4 received a bye

Cons. Round 3 – Gabe Peterson (BV Northwest Huskies) 25-14 won by fall over Ronston McKinney (Lawrence Lions) 2-4 (Fall 0:37)

Cons. Round 4 – Ronston McKinney (Lawrence Lions) 2-4 won by medical forfeit over Marques Cook (SM Northwest Cougars) 4-10 (M. For.)

13th Place Match – Samuel McDowell-Driskell (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 8-11 won by fall over Ronston McKinney (Lawrence Lions) 2-4 (Fall 2:44)

Eudora girls win Tonganoxie tourney

The Eudora girls basketball team won all three of its games by double digits to come away with a title in the Tonganoxie Invitational.

EHS (9-1, No. 7 in Class 4A) completed the impressive run with a 57-40 victory over Sumner Academy in the championship on Saturday. It came one day after the Cardinals claimed a 54-44 victory over De Soto in the semifinals. Eudora opened the event with 53-28 win over Bishop Ward.

As a result, plenty of Eudora players received recognition after the tournament was over. Harper Schreiner was named the most valuable player in the tournament, while Jayla Pierce was picked for most inspirational player. Seniors Reagan Hiebert and Riley Hiebert both made the all-tournament girls team for Eudora.

The other three area squads finished off the event with a win on Saturday as well. The Tonganoxie girls basketball team (2-9) recorded a 47-42 win over Metro Academy in the seventh-place game. On the boys side, THS (7-4) secured a 57-44 win in the fifth-place game and Eudora (5-5) earned a 78-68 victory in the seventh-place game.

Morgan Brusven of Tonganoxie made the all-tournament girls team. For the boys, Tonganoxie’s Elijah Tyner was recognized as the most inspirational player in the event. Heston Robbins of THS and Justin Fawcett of EHS also made the all-tournament team.

Girls results from Saturday

Championship game: Eudora 57, Sumner Academy 40

Third-place game: De Soto 47, Bonner Springs 27

Fifth-place game: Wamego 60, Bishop Ward 40

Seventh-place game: Tonganoxie 47, Metro Academy 42

Boys results from Saturday

Championship game: De Soto 68, Metro Academy 54

Third-place game: Olathe West 74, Wamego 37

Fifth-place game: Tonganoxie 57, Bonner Springs 44

Seventh-place game: Eudora 78, Maranatha 68

Bishop Seabury places 4th, Baldwin claims 7th in Baldwin Invitational

Bishop Seabury’s boys basketball team ended the Baldwin Invitational with an overtime loss, while Baldwin capped the weekend off with a win.

For the second season in a row, BSA placed fourth in the event after dropping 70-63 decision to Louisburg in overtime. Joao Carlos Ramirez led the team with 21 points in a losing effort, but a trio of teammates joined him in double figures. Zach Bloch (11), Stavian Jones (10) and Luke Hornberger (10) all chipped in for the Seahawks (7-2, No. 1 in Class 2) on the offensive end.

Baldwin, meanwhile, scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to earn a 65-55 win over Bishop Ward in the seventh-place game on Saturday at BHS. Andrew Washee led the Bulldogs (2-9) with 18 points in the win. Jordan Barth finished with 17 points, while Matthew Garber added 14 points.

Both Ramirez of BSA and Barth of Baldwin were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts in the event.

Saturday results

Championship game: Augusta 54, JC Harmon 46

Third-place game: Louisburg 70, Bishop Seabury 63

Fifth-place game: Wellsville 52, Anderson County 48

Seventh-place game: Baldwin 65, Bishop Ward 55

Veritas boys place 6th, Bishop Seabury girls place 8th in McLouth Invitational

The Veritas boys basketball team dropped a 65-59 decision to Jefferson West in the fifth-place game of the McLouth Invitational on Saturday.

VCS made a late charge with an 18-point effort in the fourth quarter, though giving up 35 points in the opening period was enough to doom the Eagles. VCS (7-11) went 1-2 in the event, which included a 62-60 victory over Riverside in the second round of the consolation bracket.

Will Rau ended the tournament with a 37-point performance for the Eagles. He went 16-of-21 from the floor, while recording six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the loss. He was ultimately named to the all-tournament team.

On the girls side, Bishop Seabury lost all three of its games to place eighth in the McLouth Invitational. BSA dropped a 41-28 decision to McLouth in the seventh-place game, which came one day after its 37-21 loss to Kansas City Christian in the second round of the consolation bracket.

Baldwin girls roll past Louisburg

In non-tournament action, Baldwin’s girls basketball team cruised to a 67-46 win over Louisburg on Saturday. The Bulldogs (9-1, No. 4 in Class 4A) scored in double digits in all four quarters, including a 21-point outburst in the second period.

There was plenty of balance in Baldwin’s latest win, as five different players reached double figures. Josie Boyle led the way with 17 points and Riley Smith recorded 14 points. Karly Neufeld finished with 12 points, while Anna Burnett and Jenna Harvey each added 10 points.

Baldwin will travel to Hayden at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Sophie DeWitt signs to ESU

Lawrence High senior Sophie DeWitt made her collegiate plans official last week.

DeWitt signed her national letter of intent to run track for Emporia State. She announced her verbal commitment on Jan. 15, and then inked her intentions just five days later. In addition to running cross-country and track for LHS, DeWitt is also a member of the girls basketball team.

Lawrence’s girls basketball team will be back in action on Thursday in the Firebird Winter Classic at Free State. LHS will square off with Derby in the opening round.