By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
GIRLS: Salina Central 63, Hays 35
Hays traveled to Salina on Tuesday night to take on the Central Mustangs. The match-up had three of the four featured team ranked in the state. The Salina Central girls was ranked #2 in 5A this week. The Salina Central boys entered #4 in 5A and the Hays High boys #6 in 4A-1.
The Lady Indian defense tried to do enough to slow down a high scoring Central team in the first half but couldn’t get their offense in gear. Hays managed just two points in the first quarter trailing 12-2 after the first eight minutes. Hays started hitting shots in the latter half of second quarter only to be matched by the Lady Mustangs. Hays made their last three field goals of the half after starting 2-20 and trailed 26-14 at the mid-game break.
Highlights
Hays fell behind by 17 in the opening moments of the third quarter but put together their best run of the game cutting the lead down to 8 after scoring nine straight points. Hays had four more opportunities to cut into a 33-23 score but scored just one points. Central led by 14 after three quarters at 38-24. The Lady Mustangs exploded for 25 fourth quarter points to pull away with a 63-35 win.
Coach Kirk Maska
Hays drops to 6-9 on the year. Salina Central improves to 13-2.
BOYS: Hays 64, Salina Central 53
Neither Hays or Salina Central led by more than four points in the first half as they played to a 26-22 Hays advantage at half time. Each team led by four points with Central taking an early 4-0 lead followed by two Hays four point leads at 24-20 and 26-22. Central led by three after the first quarter 17-14. The Hays defense clamped down allowing just five second quarter points while scoring 12. The Indians closed the second quarter on a 8-2 run on a three pointer from each Isaiah Nunnery and Ethan Nunnery and then two free throws from Ethan.
Highlights
Hays used a pair of 9-2 runs in the third quarter to build a 17 point lead late in the third quarter. Central would knock a basket down at the buzzer to cut the lead down to 15 at 47-32. The Hays Indians turned the ball over nine times in the fourth quarter to allow Salina Central to close the gap. Central used a 9-0 run over two minutes of the fourth quarter to get with in five at 56-51 with ninety seconds remaining. Hays scored immediately off of the basket by Salina Central to push the lead back up to seven and hit four of six free throws and a layup over the final 1:30 to secure the 64-53.
Coach Rick Keltner
Hays pushes their record to 13-2. Salina Central falls to 11-4.
Isaiah Nunnery scores 16 to lead the Indians. Shane Berens scores 14 all in the second half. Drew Young added 13.