Sports

GEHS vs Lawrence It was Senior Night this past Friday when the Lady Blazers tipped off against the potent high-powered shooting of Lawrence High ,who brought in a 15-4 record. Seniors Brenley Cunningham, Riley Pemberton, Abri Leiker, and Olivia Hinck all started the game alongside freshman phenom Landri Schaffer. During a frustrating six game losing streak, the Lady Blazers were also a little shorthanded as starter Aaliyah Moss and reserve Aaliyah Green were unavailable to play. In front of a great and energetic crowd, the Lady Blazers got off to a great start opening up a 9-5 lead early in the first quarter, but then a barrage of 3 point baskets from the Lady Lions guards quickly erased the early lead and took a 21-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Blazers continued to battle with an even 12-12 during the second quarter, down 8 at half 33-25. The pace slowed a little in the third, but the Lady Lions were able to extend their lead by 3 as they continued to ride hot shooting from behind the arc by #11 Brynnae Johnson, who was 3/7 from 3 and had 22 points. There was never any quitting from the Lady Blazers though as they continued to show their identity which is to scrap, fight, and claw for every loose ball. Forcing some key turnovers sparked a record setting 68 steal on the season, Sr. Brenley Cunningham became GEHS’s all-time steals leader for a single season which helped a 11-3 run where the Lady Blazers came within 3 points of the lead 47-50. Unable to convert and the next possession and fight the clock, the Lady Blazers were forced to foul to extend the game, unfortunately falling 49-57. The Lady Blazers were led in scoring by Landri Schaffer who led all scorers with 27 on 12/26 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals. Abril Leiker added 8, Cunningham with 5 including a 3 to cut the led to 3 in the fourth quarter.

The Forensics team was in competition this weekend at Spring Hill. In Dramatic Interpretation Sophia Krauskoph took 5th place, Kate Miller took 4th place and Oliver Carter placed 3rd. In DUO Interpretation team of Brooks and Jones took 5th place and the team of Carriger and Burnside placed 4th. In Prose Sophia Krauskoph placed 6th. In the Program of Oral Interpretation Colt Chadoin placed 7th, Von Finkenbinder placed 4th and, qualifying for state, Kaila Burnside placed 1st. In Impromptu, Captain Ellie Parks qualified for state by placing 1st.

The Varsity Blazers ended their season with a 52-59 loss at #3 ranked (16-4) Olathe West. The team battled and started finding their identity as the season progressed; including close losses to several teams still playing this weekend to go to the state tournament. The players started to buy into roles and style of play to really compete against the better teams in the league.

Man, talk about an emotional rollercoaster of a weekend. Ups and downs for girls, ups and downs for boys. However, we are all proud of our guys and their finishes at the state tournament. We brought 10 boys down to the tournament where nine won at least one match. five of our qualifiers were seniors which means we return wifth five wrestlers who have won a match at state going into next year, which is great momentum in early tournaments. After a great first round, the quarterfinals and semifi-nals were not the kindest to the Blazers as all qualifiers ended up on the backside headed into day two. We knew that we had to do some damage to bring home medals like we wanted. Everyone except Ty and Alonzo had to win two matches in a row on Saturday to earn a medal. We ended up dropping three more wrestlers in that opening round, leaving six left for medals as we headed into the “blood round” aptly named for it being an intense round of either medal or go home. We went an amazing 4/4 in the blood round medaling all six of the remaining wrestlers. Therron Meade, Kasen Smith, and Roman Clouse all earned their first state medals during this round. Overall, I think it was a good tournament as we finished 9th in team standings and reached a school record six medalists. Three of which return to us next season. Ty Hammers was our highest placer taking 3rd place! A special shoutout to the managers for all the hard work they put in this season as they are truly irreplaceable, and Bobbi Smith who helped put food together for all of our wrestlers for every tournament and match day during the season! Without the support of the Blazer community, this year wouldn’t have been as successful.

Two students have qualified to compete in the State journalism competition. Madeline Clark qualified in both Editorial Cartoon and Digital Illustration Alyssa Huffmaster qualified in both News Page Design and Advertising Design.

USD 231 is closing schools for Wednesday, Feb. 15 in order to allow their students, families and staffs to enjoy the Chiefs Superbowl LVII victory win, celebration and parade in downtown Kansas City.

Behind standout performances from seniors Shelby Davis and Kaira Mannio, the Gardner Edgerton High School girls wrestling claimed a 45-36 home dual win against Spring Hill on GEHS Senior Night at Gardner Edgerton High School Gymnasium Friday evening.

The Gardner Edgerton High School boys basketball team delivered a dominating defensive performance in the 2nd half Friday night, as the Trailblazers drubbed visiting Shawnee Mission North, 5528, at Gardner Edgerton High School Gymnasium.