By Dustin Armbruster

#1 McPherson 57 – Hays 46

The Hays High Indians took on number one and undefeated McPherson on Saturday night for the sub-state championship. The game was held at Hays High, the Indians though being the two seed were the visitors for the game. Hays both wore the black road jerseys and sat on the bench opposite of a normal night.

The Indians took early leads of 3-0 and 6-3 on three pointers by Isaiah Nunnery and Keith Dryden. McPherson then went on a 9-0 run to go up 12-6. Hays trailed 14-10 after one quarter following an Isaiah Nunnery contested lay up.

The Indians had a chance to take the lead back down 15-13 but had a three pointer rattle half way down and out. McPherson used that rebound to start a 8-0 run to go up by ten. Hays hit two more three pointers to cut leads of 10 down to 7, but never got any closer in the second half. The Indians trailed 32-19 at half time. The Indians already had their game average of 13 turnovers by halftime.

Highlights

Hays never cut the McPherson lead below 11 in the second half. Hays trailed 45-33 after three quarters. McPherson went to a very deliberate offense in the fourth quarter limiting the Indians chances to score. Hays trailed by 11 with 3:50 to go in the game, but never got any closer, falling 57-46.

Coach Rick Keltner

The Indians end their year at 14-8. McPherson is 22-0 and has won 37 consecutive games. The Bullpups will be no worse than the #2 seed at state. Isaiah Nunnery led the Indians with 19. Brady Werth scored 10. Werth graduates as the Indians all time leading scorer with 1139 points, rebounder at 604, and collected 233 blocks.