TEAM: Topeka West Chargers/Lady Chargers

CLASSIFICATION: 5A

LEAGUE: United Kansas Conference

COLORS: Purple & White

SOCIAL MEDIA: @TopekaWestAthle on Twitter

2024-25 SCHEDULE:

12/6 at De Soto
12/13 vs Seaman
12/17 at Piper
12/20 vs Shawnee Heights
1/7 vs Leavenworth
1/10 vs Basehor-Linwood
1/14 at Seaman
1/17 vs Turner
1/21 at Basehor-Linwood
1/23-25 at Topeka Invitational Tournament (BOYS)
1/24 at Shawnee Heights (GIRLS)
1/30-2/1 Capital City Classic (GIRLS)
1/31 at Shawnee Heights (BOYS)
2/5 at Highland Park
2/7 vs Piper
2/11 at Lansing
2/14 at Leavenworth
2/18 vs De Soto
2/25 at Turner
2/28 vs Lansing

United Kansas Conference game

GIRLS

HEAD COACH: Angie Ketterman (2nd year, 8-13)

2023-24 RECORD: 8-13, 7-9 in United Kansas Conference

2023-24 IN REVIEW: Despite a tumultuous offseason that led to a coaching change less than a month before the start of the season, the Lady Chargers continued trending upwards, with interim coach Angie Ketterman guiding them to one of their best seasons in years. Topeka West clearly separated itself from the bottom of the United Kansas Conference, though their results against top teams like Seaman and De Soto showed they still have a way to go to catch the leaders. Still, this is a program heading in the right direction after a long period of struggle, and with Ketterman having taken the reins full-time and a much more stable transition to this coming season, optimism can continue to grow.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: Last year’s Lady Chargers were a young bunch, and they’ll hope to reap the benefits of that this season with four starters and three other contributors from last year returning. Prime among them is junior guard Imai McGlory, who averaged 14 points per game in an impressive sophomore season. Sophomore Aveah McGlory and junior Teairra Gonzalez also return in the backcourt, and physical junior forward Addaline Hall is the team’s leading returning rebounder, averaging over six boards per game. Junior Breonnah Keeling will provide some much-needed size inside. Senior Callie Jones and junior Izzy Kutina offer depth at the guard spots. The United Kansas Conference will be tough once again, but the Lady Chargers still have room to grow as a team, and the goal of a first winning season in almost two decades is a reasonable one to set.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “The girls have been putting in a lot of work this off-season, and there is much excitement about this coming year. The girls are looking forward to building on what they got going last year.” – Angie Ketterman

BOYS

HEAD COACH: Christian Ulsaker (1st year)

2023-24 RECORD: 14-8, 11-5 in United Kansas Conference

2023-24 IN REVIEW: At their best, last year’s Topeka West Charger boys were capable of beating just about anybody. Consistently finding that form, however, proved to be a challenge for such a young, yet gifted, squad. A five-game winning streak at the end of January gave hope that the Chargers had found their footing, but one-sided losses to eventual state qualifying teams Piper and Shawnee Heights set them back. In the end, the Chargers battled the defending state champions from Andover to the bitter end before falling in the sub-state championship game.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: After 13 seasons spent turning Topeka West basketball from also-ran to contender, Rick Bloomquist stepped aside following the 2023-24 season, and the sidelines won’t quite be the same without his signature big-game purple blazer. The Chargers went outside the program for his replacement, hiring Christian Ulsaker, who helmed the Wabaunsee program for the last five seasons and guided them to a runner-up finish at state in 2021. A former McPherson Bullpup and Washburn Ichabod, Ulsaker takes over a team with all five returning starters from last year. Senior Jalen Foy led the Chargers with 13.5 points and four assists per game last season, and is joined at guard by fellow senior Ja’Vian Chambers. 6’6” junior Keimani Paul averaged 11 points per game last year and is joined in the frontcourt by 6’7” senior Kamoni Ford. Junior wing Malakyah Duncan has boundless potential. If last season’s experience helps this group find steady, consistent play, the sky is the limit for this Charger team.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “The UKC is one of the top basketball leagues in the state this year. We feel that if we can win our league we will be prepared for any team we will see in the postseason. We enjoy the high expectations that we have put on ourselves. Now we have to go out and prove to everyone we are a team that can meet our goals.” – Christian Ulsaker

–Dan Lucero

To read more Pigskin & Hoops previews, click here to return to the table of contents.