Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Twombly In Fifteen Wrestlers To Watch

TopSports.com listed their 15 Shawnee County wrestlers to watch this year.  Among the 15 is Sam Twombly,  Rossville senior.   Twombly placed fourth in Class 3A-1A at 152 pounds last season while posting a 19-5 record. Twombly earned first-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors as a junior. Twombly is currently ranked third in 3A-1A at 152 pounds by the KWCA.

Others picked by the web site are:  Mason Boce, Corey Catron, Colby Hurla, Kew Lacock, Barrett Leitz.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

RHS Girls Basketball Schedule

Home Games Are in Bold Type.

12/7 at Bishop Ward 
12/10 at Chapman Tournament, TBD 
12/11 at Chapman Tournament, TBD 
12/17 vs. Atchison
1/4 at Silver Lake
1/7 at Riley County 
1/11 vs. Rock Creek
1/13 vs. Valley Heights
1/14 vs. St. Marys
1/25 at Jefferson County North Tournament
1/28 at Jefferson County North Tournament 
1/29 at Jefferson County North Tournament 
2/1 at St. Marys 
2/4 at Wabaunsee
2/8 at Osage City 
2/11 vs. Silver Lake 
2/15 vs. Wabaunsee
2/18 vs. Riley County 
2/22 at Rock Creek

Rossville Girls Basketball Outlook

Last season: 5-14

Top returning players: Kinsey Perine (So, G, 10.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.2 apg), Emma Mitchell (So, F, 11.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

Other returning players, players that could contribute: Briar Gillum (Sr, F, 6.6 rpg), Kinley Porter (So, G), Caylee Douglas (Sr, G)

Ninth-year head coach Michael Bell: We look to build and get better every day. Low numbers out for basketball but we do have quite a bit of experience coming back. Last year with COVID was a mess, we are looking forward to getting back to normal. We want to play fast but under control. I really look for us to take some significant strides this year. Our top three scorers and rebounders are back from last year, we will be led by Perine and Mitchell. 

RHS Boys Basketbball Schedule

Home Games Are in Bold Print.

12/7 vs. Bishop Ward, Irish Classic Tournament 
12/10 at Chapman vs. Sacred Heart, Irish Classic Tournament
12/13 at Wamego 
12/17 vs. Atchison 
1/4 at Silver Lake
1/7 at Riley County 
1/11 vs. Rock Creek
1/13 vs. Valley Heights
1/14 vs. St. Marys 
1/18 at Oskaloosa Tournament, TBD
1/21 at Oskaloosa Tournament, TBD
1/22 at Oskaloosa Tournament, TBD
2/1 at St. Marys
2/4 at Wabaunsee
2/8 at Osage City
2/11 vs. Silver Lake 
2/15 vs. Wabaunsee
2/18 vs. Riley County
2/22 at Rock Creek

Rossville Boys Basketball Outlook

Last season: 1-20

Top returning players: Guard Kade Perine (6.2 PPG, 1.8 APG, 2.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG), Guard Aiden Garcia (4.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG), Center Brody Lietz (4.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 40% eFG%) 

Other returning players, players that could contribute: Center Raphael Cooney (3.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Guard Camden Horak, Forward Avery Crosswhite

4th year head coach Eammon Bradley: We will be a very young team. We have a large freshman class coming in with some talent and they will most likely have to contribute at the varsity level, ready or not. They will be helped by some returners though. Guys like Kade Perine, Brody Lietz, and Raphael Cooney have all had pretty good offseasons and some sophomores like Camden Horak and Avery Crosswhite will have to step in and compete for varsity time. We are looking forward to the challenge of competing with such a young group, but its a challenge our kids are ready for. 

Basketball Season Begins Dec. 7

 Click on image to enlarge.


Monday, December 6, 2021

Amanda and Caila Hill In Dec 4 KWU Game

Kansas Wesleyan (9-3) lost to Tabor College (8-2) on Dec. 4  having a season low production  of only 48 to Tabor's 58.
Amanda Hill had 10 pts, and 9 rebounds.
Caila Hill had 2 pts, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists in 24 minutes of playing time.

 

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Amanda and Caila Hill In KWU Win

Amanda Hill #34

Kansas Wesleyan U. defeated Sterling College 85-82 in Overtime on Dec. 2, 2021.
Amanda Hill scored 18 pts and had  7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists.
Caila Hill had 4 pts, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal, and 1 assist in 27 minutes on the court. 

Friday, December 3, 2021

RHS & RJHS Closed Friday For Covid (Updated)

Fifty-two RHS and RJHS students in quarantine per CJ Online.

 https://www.wibw.com/2021/12/03/rossville-schools-closed-friday-due-covid-outbreak/

For more complete coverage,  go to:

 https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2021/12/03/covid-19-forces-closing-two-schools-rossville-kansas-shawnee-county-topeka-area/8852225002/

Community Support High On Dawgs

 By Reina Flores

Published: Dec. 2, 2021 at 7:14 PM EST|Updated: 21 hours ago

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Three trophies. One community.

“It’s crazy to see how much of a community Rossville has behind its sports and how much they support all of us, it truly makes my heart so happy to just see the community come together and support us,” said Senior Vanesa Quinones.

Rossville’s football team won the 2A state championship in dominating fashion, but they weren’t the only “dawgs” barking for victory.

“Cheer just won and then dance got third, it was super close for state dance we were only 1.73 points away from that title, and for cheer, we won by 11 points so we cleaned house on both,” said Cheerleader, Jalyn Davis.

“We were crying, we were bawling we were so excited,” said Head Coach, Kelcy Hammer.

The feeling was mutual, at a football game, the football players, the cheerleaders, and the dancers go hand in hand--

“Every Friday night the cheerleaders after every touchdown our boys score our cheerleaders do jumping jacks, thousands of jumping jacks because the boys just ran the score up so those girls were conditioned, they get the crowd hyped up and the dance team provides great entertainment at half time,” said RHS assistant cheer coach, Amanda Davis.

Behind the three new trophies, is the dedication of athletes who balance practice and school.

“Our kids are just driven in anything that they do they want to be the best, they want to be on top of everybody they just work hard at everything they do,” said Hammer.

Senior Corey Catron says part of what pushed these teams to success was the continued support from the Rossville community.

“The community is just unmatched and just walking out of the locker room before the game and just hanging out with the tailgaters right there is just unbelievable, something I will remember forever.”

Services For Officer Kerry Dick

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (WIBW) - Memorial services have been scheduled for a late Rossville Police officer who died from natural causes.

The Rossville Police Department says memorial services for Officer Kerry Dick, who died on Monday due to natural causes, will be held at Rossville High School at 800 Main St. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11.

Officer Dick had worked for RPD as a part-time officer since September 2007. He previously worked with the Wamego Police Department.

Donations for Officer Dick can be made in his name to Concerns of Police Survivors. To make a donation, click HERE.

The services for Dec. 11 were postponed.

Coach Hammes A Perfect Fit

 Why Rossville football coach Derick Hammes is a perfect fit: 'Coaching was an extension of the game'

Topeka Capital-Journal


Seth Kinker

Rossville’s success on the gridiron continued this year as they won another state title, its fifth since 2014, all under ninth-year head coach Derick Hammes. 

Hammes didn't take over a bare cupboard when he came to Rossville, inheriting a roster that had gone 11-2 the prior year under Steve Buhler.

Buhler coached at Rossville from 1998-2012 with a 119-55 record in his 14 years, going to the post-season in 13 while posting eight or more win seasons in nine of those years. 

But Hammes took a consistent regional and substate reaching football team — coming from Washburn Rural where he coached from 2006-2012 — and got Rossville over the hump.

"We were right there knocking on the door all those years," said athletic director Curt Brecheisen. "I think his attention to detail in the weight room and classroom, details of the kids and what they’re doing and how they’re doing, I think that’s what helped him kick the door in.

"Paying attention to all the little things that he’s been notorious for since he got here."

Hammes entered this year with an 83-15 record and state titles in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020, adding 13 more wins as the team went undefeated for the fourth time since he's come to Rossville.

We talked to current and former players, assistant coaches and administration about what Hammes has brought to Rossville since arriving in 2013.

Hammes loved sports ever since he was a kid, whether it was playing football in the backyard, playing baseball or shooting hoops in a friend’s driveway. 

As Hammes got older, he didn’t know what he was going to do but credits his football and basketball coach for pushing him toward college while also letting him know he had the talent to compete at that level as well.  

He played football for four years at Emporia State but had coaching on his mind even then.

"I figured out that I couldn't play forever and that coaching was an extension of the game," said Hammes.

On his recruiting trip with coach Larry Kramer, he told Kramer he would like an opportunity to be a student or graduate coach to get his career started. 

Kramer promised Hammes that opportunity would be available to him.

When he began his post-playing career as a student coach in 1993, it brought back his love of sports as a kid. 

"I had a ball in my hand, was participating and playing, and it goes back to it was an extension of playing," said Hammes. "I still felt like I was a part of the game. I think that's when I knew that this was a career that was right for me.

“I never felt like I was going to a day of work. I always felt like I was doing something that I enjoyed."

Hammes credits his high school basketball and football coaches and Kramer as influences. Two more men made an impact as well.

"My time with Tom Stringer at Hayden was very important," said Hammes. "I learned from him how to run a program, how to handle people and make players feel good about their roles. I think that's one of the things that he did really well.

"The late Dave Bassore was very instrumental for me. He taught me a majority of the X's and O's that I know. I've had a lot of people that have shaped me and I'm pretty grateful to all of them."

An opportunity at Rossville 

After student coaching at Emporia State, Hammes had coaching jobs in Hayden and Kansas City before heading to Washburn Rural. 

Hammes saw Rossville as a great opportunity, a program with longstanding tradition. 

"I didn't know if it was possible for me,” said Hammes. "It's been a good fit.”

On Hammes' first day, he brought the team into the gym and explained his goals. 

Those goals were to win a league championship, beat their rivals, be district champions and be state champions.

"Those goals have never changed," said Hammes on Tuesday.

“Sitting in the meeting, I can still remember that,” said Gabe Marney, who played at Rossville from 2012-2015. “He laid his line, his expectations, I could tell right when he got in, he had that drive we needed.”

Tucker Horak, who played from 2012-2015, said the team didn't know what to expect.

"He showed up on his first day and explained to us what his goals were with us," Horak said. "It really got us all excited." 


Horak credited the seniors and his older brother Thatcher's class, juniors at the time, for helping make the transition.

"Those two classes set an example for how it's all right for change to come in, to accept it and welcome it," said Thatcher Horak, who played from 2011-2014 and has been an assistant coach for Rossville for the past five years.

Torrey Horak, senior quarterback and younger brother of Thatcher and Tucker, was in the fourth grade when Hammes arrived. He remembers his brothers' first practices with the new coach.

"They said it was different," said Torrey. "Not in a good or bad way, it was just different from coach Buhler. They seemed to like it and trusted him."

Hammes vision for a program

Hammes made it clear he took over a program in very good condition. He said the kids were winners and the program could’ve sustained itself with the athletes they had and those coming up.

He did bring his own vision of what a program should look like.

"He's very process-driven as a coach," said Thatcher. "When he first he got here, it was, 'How could he take something that’s really good and make it great?'”

Hammes said his vision for a program is one that has a level of discipline and toughness and for him, that started in the weight room.

"I think it's the strength and conditioning part of it where you get to be around the kids’ day to day, and that you get to establish the kind of culture that you want,” said Hammes. “That's the way I went about building the program and the culture that we have right now." 

“I never felt like I was going to a day of work. I always felt like I was doing something that I enjoyed."

Hammes credits his high school basketball and football coaches and Kramer as influences. Two more men made an impact as well.

"My time with Tom Stringer at Hayden was very important," said Hammes. "I learned from him how to run a program, how to handle people and make players feel good about their roles. I think that's one of the things that he did really well.

"The late Dave Bassore was very instrumental for me. He taught me a majority of the X's and O's that I know. I've had a lot of people that have shaped me and I'm pretty grateful to all of them."

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Amanda And Caila Hill In KWU Win

Kansas Wesleyan defeated Southwestern College 69-55 on Nov, 30.
Amanda Hill had 14 pts, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal.  Caila Hill had 2 pts and 1 reound.

All-County Football Teams

 The All-County football team for 2021 has been selected by the Capital-Journal.

1st team 

Quarterback: Torrey Horak (Senior, Rossville), Carter Brian (Senior, Cair Paravel), Camden Barta (Senior, Seaman).

Running Back: Tylan Alejos (Senior, Topeka High), Jarin Sanders (Senior, Shawnee Heights), Corey Catron (Senior, Rossville).

Offensive Line: Joe Otting (Junior, Hayden), Danny Saili (Senior, Topeka High), Shane Sexton (Senior, Washburn Rural), Orrin Busenitz (Senior, Shawnee Heights), Jacob Carver (Junior, Rossville), Brody Leitz (Senior, Rossville), Garrett Peery (Senior, Shawnee Heights), Tristan VandeVelde (Senior, Silver Lake).

Defensive Back: Callen Barta (Sophomore, Seaman), Landon MacEwan (Senior, Washburn Rural), Ja’Laveyn January (Senior, Shawnee Heights), Kade Perine (Junior, Rossville).

Defensive Line: Matthew Etzel (Senior, Shawnee Heights), Danny Saili (Senior, Topeka High), Tristan VandeVelde (Senior, Silver Lake), Austin Fagar (Senior, Washburn Rural), Preston Gillen (Senior, Silver Lake), Mshewe Hale (Sr, Rossville).


2nd Team

Wide Reciever: Jacob Malcom (Sophomore, Shawnee Heights), Jayden Moore (Sophomore, Shawnee Heights), PJ Vargas (Senior, Seaman), Evan Will (Sophomore, Cair Paravel), Tre Richardson (Junior, Highland Park), Kamryn Kaniper (Junior, Silver Lake), Tegan Kippes (Senior, Rossville), Kade Perine (Junior, Rossville), Simon Everhart (Sophomore, Cair Paravel).

Offensive Line: Mahliq Jackson (Sophomore, Rossville), Kobe Jordan (Senior, Seaman), Barrett Leitz (Sophomore, Rossville), Logan Cox (Junior, Seaman), Zach Franco (Junior, Washburn Rural), Sean Miller (Junior, Washburn Rural), Gavin Zuperku (Junior, Shawnee Heights), Diego Ruiz (Senior, Shawnee Heights.

Defensive Back: Camden Barta (Senior, Seaman), Casen Stallbaumer (Senior, Seaman), Simon Everhart (Sophomore, Cair Paravel), Tyler Gilchrist (Senior, Hayden) Robby Bolin (Senior, Washburn Rural), Tegan Kippes (Senior, Rossville), Daigan Kruger, (Senior, Silver Lake), Jaye Jones (Junior, Shawnee Heights), Isiah Kincade (Sophomore, Topeka High), Kade Brown (Senior, Rossville).

Defensive Line: Brody Gormley (Senior, Seaman), Ian Brian (Sophomore, Cair Paravel), Christian Gonzales (Sophomore, Shawnee Heights), Kaelin Rice (Senior, Hayden).

Linebacker: Bryson Vawter (Junior, Seaman), JC Cummings (Junior, Hayden), Connor Conklin (Senior, Washburn Rural), Logan McDaniel (Senior, Topeka High), Alex Dittman, (Sophomore, Shawnee Heights), Kale Frehe (Senior, Silver Lake), Raphael Cooney (Senior, Rossville).

Kicker: Pedro Arrantes (Senior, Rossville), Gavin Wilhelm (Senior, Seaman).

Honorable Mention 

Trent Gentry, Senior, Rossville.

Trenton Barker, Senior, Rossville.