TEAM: Highland Park Scots/Lady Scots

CLASSIFICATION: 5A

LEAGUE: Meadowlark Conference

COLORS: Green & Red

SOCIAL MEDIA: @ParkRunnin (Boys) and @HPCoachRob (girls) on Twitter

2024-25 SCHEDULE:

12/6 at Shawnee Mission West (GIRLS)
12/10-13 Shawnee Mission East tournament (BOYS)
12/19 at Turner (GIRLS)
12/20 Wyandotte (girls away, boys home)
1/3 at Topeka High
1/7 Schlagle (girls home, boys away)
1/10 at Atchison
1/14 at Sumner
1/17 Harmon (girls home, boys away)
1/23-25 Topeka Invitational (BOYS)
1/30-2/1 Capital City Classic (GIRLS)
2/4 at Washington
2/5 vs Topeka West
2/7 Wyandotte (girls away, boys home)
2/11 Schlagle (girls away, boys home)
2/18 vs Atchison
2/21 Sumner (girls home, boys away)
2/25 Harmon (girls away, boys home)
2/28 vs Washington

Meadowlark Conference game

GIRLS

HEAD COACH: Rob Brown (4th year, 37-27)

2023-24 RECORD: 14-6, 9-1 Meadowlark Conference

2023-24 IN REVIEW: The Lady Scots followed up their breakout 2022-23 campaign with another solid season and another Meadowlark Conference championship. Even though the roster suffered some in-season losses due to injury and transfer, coach Rob Brown’s veteran nucleus proved their success is built on a solid foundation. Post player Pearmella Carter exploded onto the scene as a freshman, becoming the team’s go-to scorer as the year went on and claiming the conference’s Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors, while senior guard Angelique Gowan-Britt was the Defensive Player of the Year and Brown was Coach of the Year to sweep the league’s honors. The season ended in disappointment, however, when the Lady Scots were upset by Pittsburg in the first round of sub-state, denying them a return to the state tournament. 

2024-25 OUTLOOK: Four starters return for Brown’s Lady Scots this season, led by Carter, who averaged a double-double last year (18 points, 10 rebounds) and imposed her will on games. Senior guards Tahtionna Broils and Deasia Sanders anchor the backcourt. Sanders missed the final 11 games last season due to injury but was averaging nearly five steals per game before she was lost. Broils averaged 10 points and six rebounds per game. Senior KJ Rice is the fourth returning starter, and Koralee Jones also started games at a forward spot last year. Brown is high on a collection of sophomore guards that includes Alieah Austin, Miluv Cosey, Majesty Grace, and Topeka High transfer Zayah Kincade. This Lady Scots team should have plenty of depth and multiple ways to score, either creating transition offense with their pressure defense out front or getting the ball to Carter in the low post and letting her dominate. Highland Park will be the favorites for a Meadowlark Conference three-peat and will hope to get back to Emporia for another State appearance.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “Our coaching staff has put in a lot of work collectively to get our girls better on and off the court and we truly believe we have a chance to have a special season.” – Rob Brown

BOYS

HEAD COACH: Michael Williams (7th year, 95-42)

2023-24 RECORD: 23-2, 12-0 Meadowlark Conference (5A State 3rd place)

2023-24 IN REVIEW: The Scots brought back more hardware from the 5A state tournament in Emporia, but for the second straight year, a heartbreaking semifinal loss to the eventual state champions meant it wasn’t the trophy they most desired. An overtime defeat to Kapaun Mt. Carmel left Michael Williams’ charges short of their ultimate goal, but a win over Maize South in the consolation game ended another great season on a winning note. Highland Park ran roughshod over the Meadowlark Conference and have not lost a game in two seasons in the league, and lost only to Wichita Northwest in the Topeka Invitational championship game during the regular season. Star junior JaCorey Robinson was the conference Player of the Year, and junior guard Mikey Williams, coach Williams’ son, was the Defensive Player of the Year.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: Michael Williams believes this Highland Park team might be his best in seven seasons at the helm. It all starts with Robinson, who committed to play at Austin Peay this summer. The returning All-State selection, who averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds last season is a high-flyer, a play-maker, a shot-eraser – everything you want in a player. He excelled on the summer circuit this season and can be even better as a senior. Mikey Williams stars on both ends of the floor as well, averaging 18 points per game and hitting 65 three-pointers last year. Jamon Wilson is back to run the point as the third senior returning starter. You can’t understate the hunger of this proud program and this veteran group of players to get over the hump and bring back the first place trophy this season.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “The Highland Park tradition looks to continue with this season’s team. Coming off of three straight trips to the Kansas Class 5A State Tournament and back to back 3rd place finishes, and returning three of the most experienced players in the entire state, the Runnin Scots are looking to get over the hump this season. We will play a much more competitive non-conference schedule  this season that will definitely give them the needed preparation to make another to Emporia. It’s been an amazing honor to lead the Runnin’ Scots, and this year’s team is potentially our best.” – Michael Williams 

–Dan Lucero

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