[ AREA HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Feb 22, 2001 by BRENT MAYCOCK Capital-Journal

Girls basketball --- Silver Lake improved to 18-1 and wrapped up the Mid-East League title with wins over Northern Heights (68-44) and St. Marys (65-31). Whitney Pegram had 18 points and 15 rebounds against the Bears, while Amanda Yates (13), Mindy Pfannenstiel (12) and Tara Hamilton (11) also reached double-figure scoring. Yates and Pegram both had 17 against Heights, while Jessi Rakestraw led the way with 19 points. Lake hosts Wabaunsee in its 3A sub-state opener Monday.

Wrestling --- Three out of four Eagles will be making the trip to the state meet in Hays after qualifying at Saturday's regional. Nick Hamilton improved to 29-3 by winning the 125-pound class, beating Effingham's Ryan Weber 8-5 in the finals. Jared Rakestraw (119) and Joey Brewster (160) each took third.

St. Marys

Boys basketball --- St. Marys fell to Silver Lake 62-61 and is the fifth seed at the Royal Valley 3A sub-state, traveling to Wabaunsee on Tuesday.

Girls basketball --- The Bears lost to Silver Lake 65-31 on Tuesday, but still will be the third seed at the Royal Valley 3A sub- state, hosting the regional hosts on Monday.

Wrestling --- Adam Teske and Brandon Colson each fell one win short of qualifying for state at the Silver Lake 3-2-1A regional. Teske dropped a 6-3 decision to Royal Valley's Josh Keehn in the 119- pound consolation semifinals, while Colson was pinned by Wathena's Jeff Marschel at 135 pounds.

Valley Falls

Boys basketball --- The Dragons moved within a win of capturing its second straight Delaware Valley League crown, beating Jackson Heights 56-53 on Tuesday. Valley Falls (19-0) is one game ahead of Oskaloosa and the two will play Friday in the season finale.

Girls basketball --- Wins over Pleasant Ridge (53-46) and Jackson Heights (24-18) evened the Dragons' record at 10-10 overall and 4-4 in the league. Crystal Beecham socred in double figures in both wins. Valley Falls ends the season at Oskaloosa and opens 2A sub-state play Tuesday at Troy.

Wabaunsee

Boys basketball --- Wabaunsee beat Onaga 64-59 behind four players in double figures, pushing their season mark to 11-8. The Chargers will host St. Marys on Tuesday in 3A sub-state play.

Girls basketball --- Onaga beat Wabaunsee 44-35, dropping the Chargers to 1-18 overall. Wabaunsee travels to Silver Lake on Monday to open sub-state play.

Wrestling --- Wabaunsee picked up three state qualifiers at the Silver Lake 3-2-1A regional and took 10th as a team. Freshman Chris Eberwein reached the heavyweight championship match, but was pinned in the first round by Effingham's Brandon Speer. Ben Eberwein lost a narrow 3-2 decision in the 189-pound semifinals and wound up fourth, while Steven Hurla took third at 145 pounds.

Jacob Simon was the only other Charger to win a regional match, falling one win short of qualifying. Simon dropped a 9-6 decision to Sabetha's Cory Tinklin in the 215-pound conosolation finals.

Other Big Seven League

Boys basketball --- Nemaha Valley wrapped up the league crown with Tuesday's 42-36 win over Sabetha. The Panthers are 13-0 in league play with games against Riley County (non-league) and Hiawatha remaining.