TEAM: Cair Paravel Lions/Lady Lions

CLASSIFICATION: 2A

LEAGUE: Flint Hills (new in 2024-25)

COLORS: Red & Gray

SOCIAL MEDIA: @CPLSAthletics on Twitter

2024-25 SCHEDULE:

12/5-7 Burlingame Tournament
12/10 vs Lyndon
12/13 vs Northland Christian
12/20 vs Chase County
1/7 at Wabaunsee
1/10 vs Mission Valley
1/14 at Osage City
1/17 vs West Franklin
Week of 1/20 Tournament at Emporia
1/28 at Centralia
2/4 vs Maranatha Christian
2/7 at MDCV
2/11 at Cornerstone Family Schools
2/13 at Council Grove
2/20 vs ACCHS

Flint Hills League game

GIRLS

HEAD COACH: Jaley Barkley (1st year)

2023-24 RECORD: 6-16

2023-24 IN REVIEW: The Lady Lions had hoped to make some strides last season with a veteran roster, but instead saw their win total decrease by one from the season prior. A breakout season from freshman Becca Gateley, who was a second team All-League pick in the Kaw Valley League, was a bright spot.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: The big story for Cair Paravel girls basketball this season is about their new head coach – one of the youngest varsity coaches in any sport, in any state. Jaley Barkley, a member of Cair Paravel’s class of 2022, decided to hang up her sneakers after two seasons playing basketball at Sterling College. Upon her return to Topeka and her enrollment at Washburn University, the head coaching job at her alma mater opened up, and she accepted, telling the Topeka Capital-Journal, “I am really excited for the new challenge to come from player to coach. I am ready for what God has in store and I’m ready for a great season with them.” The 20 year-old Barkley will be coaching a young team this season as they embark on their first year in the Flint Hills League. Both coach and players will look to grow together throughout the year.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: (Coach Barkley did not respond to our request for additional information.)

BOYS

HEAD COACH: Chip Kueffer (2nd year, 12-9)

2023-24 RECORD: 12-9, 6-4 in Kaw Valley League

2023-24 IN REVIEW: The Lions made forward progress in their third year as a KSHSAA member, increasing their win total by four from the previous season thanks to a solid cast of seniors and some star-level play from junior Jace Pavlik, who was a second team All-League performer in the Kaw Valley League. It was a promising debut for first-time head coach Chip Kueffer that saw the Lions win six of their final eight regular season games before falling in round one of sub-state to Jefferson County North.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: It will be a younger squad for Kueffer in year two, but he’ll have a pair of seniors upon which to build a solid foundation. The first is Pavlik, who averaged 13 points, three assists and three steals per game last season. The second is Ben Roeder, who missed his entire junior year with an injury but returns to provide game-changing abilities on offense and defense. The only other returning starter for Cair Paravel is junior sharpshooter Lucas Marichal, who canned 43.5% of his threes last year. Kueffer is excited about the promise of his underclassman group, particularly freshmen Chase Hastert and Blaine Durbin. If they can come along quickly in support of the talented veterans on the roster, the Lions can make more strides forward this season.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “CPLS is losing a talented and experienced class of seven seniors who all contributed on varsity last season. There are three players returning who scored a varsity point last season. But, the Lions are looking to reload with a tough and hungry group. The team will be leaning heavily on our seniors to lead the way!” – Chip Kueffer

–Dan Lucero

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