By Dustin Armbruster

Hays 55 – Bishop Carroll 38

Just 12 points were scored between Hays and Bishop Carroll over the first quarter of their sub-state championship game Friday night.  Carroll led 7-5 after the first holding the Indians to just a pair of Brady Werth free throws and a Jordan Windholz three.

It was the defense that helped Hays High get a big half time lead holding the Eagles to just one second quarter point.

The Indians still trailed 8-7 in the second quarter when Werth threw down a two handed dunk followed by a Kyler Niernberger traditional three point play to spark a 14-0 run to close the first half.  Hays led Bishop Carroll 21-8 at half time.

The Indians run continued into the second half when Nierenberger found Werth for an alley-oop slam to open up a 14-2 run putting Hays up 35-10 midway through the third quarter.

The Hays lead never shrunk below 17 points as the Indians took the 55-38 victory and punched their ticket to the 5A state basketball tournament for a second consecutive year.  The 5A boys quarterfinals will be held next Wednesday at the Expo Center in Topeka.

Werth and Windholz led the Indians in scoring with 15 each.  Bishop Carroll (8-14) was led by Patrick Carney and Connor Evans each with 11.

Hays is 22-0 and will be the either the #1 or #2 seed at state as Lansing also finished 22-0.  A coin flip will determine the seeds.

Topeka Highland Park and Goddard Eisenhower will be the #3 and #4 seed.  Each team finished 21-1.

Wichita Heights will be the five seed at 18-4.

KC Washington will be the six seed at 17-5.

Salina Central is the seven seed at 13-9.

St. Thomas Aquinas will be the eight seed at 12-10.