Lizzy Wendell

SCHOOL: Blue Springs

YEAR: Senior

SPORT: Basketball

It’s been quite the week for Wendell, who notched her fifth consecutive 20-point game Wednesday in a win against previously unbeaten St. Thomas Aquinas, a victory that came in the semifinals of the Blue Valley North KAMO Tournament. Wendell also scored a career-best 31 points in a win Friday against Parkway South, the state’s sixth-ranked team, including 21 in the first half. Blue Springs is 12-2 heading into tonight’s championship game against BV North.

Sam McDowell, smcdowell@kcstar.com

Nathan Butler

SCHOOL: Leavenworth

YEAR: Senior

SPORT: Wrestling

Butler, who is FloWrestling’s No. 8-ranked heavyweight in the nation, handed Topeka senior Will Geary his first defeat in nearly two years Jan. 9 in a dual at Topeka High. Butler, 27-0, is ranked No. 1 in Kansas Class 5A and Geary is ranked first at Class 6A. Butler, a two-time state champion who signed with Stanford in November, trailed 3-1 early in the third period before rallying for a 6-3 win with an escape, a takedown and a two-point near fall.

| Tod Palmer, tpalmer@kcstar.com

Sam McDowell, <a href="mailto:smcdowell@kcstar.com">smcdowell@kcstar.com</a>