SM Northwest 79, SM South 68 (boys)

Ethan Taylor picked a great time for his return.

The 7-foot-1 junior returned from an injury that saddled Taylor for four games, and helped the Cougars to a 79-68 win on Friday night over district rival Shawnee Mission South in a battle of the top two ranked teams in Kansas Class 6A. Taylor finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the victory. Northwest, ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, went 2-2 in his absence.

The Raiders (13-1) entered the contest undefeated and ranked No. 2 in Class 6A, but the defending Kansas Class 6A champion Cougars roared from the outset in front of a packed house at Northwest. The Cougars opened with an 18-13 start, then standout guard Keaton Wagler was fouled on a 30-foot attempt as the first-quarter buzzer sounded. The senior canned two free throws for a 20-13 margin after the first stanza.

South drew to 38-33 at halftime, led by Max McKenna's team-high 18 points, while Drake DeBaun added 16 in the contest.

But the Cougars got rolling behind 16 points in the period from Wagler, as the Illinois commit eventually netted a game-high 26 points. The lead ballooned to 72-55 with 4:13 left, as Taylor scored eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.

"When we have Keaton and Ethan playing at a top level, and everyone is contributing too, we feel pretty good about our chances," head coach David Birch stated. "We were happy to have Ethan back, but it was a total team effort tonight."

Tyler Salmon (12), Van Collins (11) and Aiven Riley (10) also scored in double digits for Shawnee Mission Northwest, now 10-3 overall.

Park Hill South 58, Blue Valley North 51 (girls)

Addison Bjorn capped a memorable week in style.

Bjorn, Park Hill South's standout junior forward, helped boost the Panthers to the North Kansas City Invitational title in a 58-51 win over Blue Valley North on Friday night.

Bjorn scored a game-high 25 points and was named co-Most Valuable Player with teammate LaNicia Parker, who scored her 1,000th point on Wednesday night. Parker finished with 14 points in the win.

But it was Bjorn stealing the headlines in Wednesday's win over Oak Park with her first career dunk in a high school game. The day before? Being honored at the Win For KC Awards alongside Caitlin Clark at the T-Mobile Center.

On Friday night, Bjorn jumpstarted the Panthers with 17 first-half points to build a 38-22 halftime lead. Blue Valley North, ranked No. 3 in Kansas Class 6A, whittled the margin in the second half behind 21 points from Aubrey Shaw and 16 points from Kansas commit and McDonald's All-American Jaliya Davis.

But the Panthers, ranked No. 2 in Missouri Class 6 and undefeated at 20-0, kept the Mustangs at an arm's distance.

"Addison, LaNicia and the team has enjoyed quite the week, that's for sure," stated Park Hill South head coach Josh Dorr. "This is a tough tournament to win, and helps get us ready for the final stretch before the postseason."