By Dustin Armbruster
Hays High returned to Western Athletic Conference play for their final three games of the season taking on Garden City on Friday night. The evening was also the finale to Indian Call for Hays.
Hays 40 – Garden City 25
It wasn’t senior night, that comes next Tuesday, however Haley George decided to start the celebration a little early. George tied her career high of 12 points over the first nine minutes of the game helping Hays build a 16-2 lead early in the second quarter.
Garden City outscored Hays 7-6 in the second quarter but never got closer that eleven. Hays allowed just four first half field goals on their way to a 20-9 half time lead. The only scare of the second half came when Talyn Kleweno took a hard spill on a layup with contact and grabbing her left knee and ankle. She did not return to the game.
Highlights
Garden City cut into the Hays lead at 20-13 with back to back field goals to start the second half to get the closet they would be all night. Hays responded with a 9-0 run to build their lead to a game high 16 with less that 2:30 remaining in the third quarter. Hays was never threatened in the fourth quarter, leading wire-to-wire for the 40-25 victory.
The 25 points is the fewest Hays has allowed in any game this season. The Lady Indians improve to 7-11 and 2-4 in conference play. Garden City falls to 6-13 and 0-7.
Coach Kirk Maska
Hays was led by the first career double-double of Hailey George 16 points and 11 rebounds. George tied her career high in rebounds and set a career high in points.
Hays 74 – Garden City 50
If three pointers are your game, Hays High School was the place to be on Friday night. Hays and Garden City combined for fourteen three balls in the first two quarters. Hays made eight, led by the four of Drew Young. Garden City hit six by four different players.
Highlights
The two traded baskets to start the game resulting in a 8-7 Garden City lead. Hays then hit three consecutive three pointers, finishing the quarter on a 9-1 run and led 16-9. The two teams continued to trade shots in the second quarter. Hays led once by ten but that was short lived as their lead sat between four and seven points for most of the quarter. Hays settled for a five point lead at halftime 34-29.
The separation in the game came in the third quarter. Hays had the only points of the third quarter more than midway through on four free throws. With 3:20 left in the quarter Hays ignited. The Indians hit four of their next five shots to turn those four free throws into a 16-0 run. Garden City scored just two points on a pair of free throw with :36 showing on the clock. Hays led 51-31 after the 17-2 quarter.
Coach Rick Keltner
The Indians were never threatened in the fourth quarter behind the 13 fourth quarter points of Isaiah Nunnery. The Indians cruised to a 74-50 victory. The #7 Indians improve to 15-3 and 5-1 in the WAC. Garden City drops to 5-14 and 0-7. It was the third win for Hays over Garden City this season.
Isaiah Nunnery led the Indians with 20. Drew Young scored 16 and Shane Berens added 14. Nunnery moved to 13th all time scoring with 733 points. He is now also 2nd in career steals moving past the 151 of Troy Applegate and Marcus Watts.
Next up for Hays is Senior Night on Tuesday against Dodge City.