By Dustin Armbruster
For the second year in a row, the Hays High Indians opened up play in one of the toughest sub-states in class 4A-1 against the Buhler Crusaders. Hays at 16-4 and Buhler at 15-5 claimed the two and three seed. McPherson entered post-season play at 19-1 as the one seed taking on fourth seeded Ulysses at 6-14.
Hays could not have drawn up a more picture perfect first quarter. Behind 12 first quarter points on four three point field goals from Isaiah Nunnery, Hays ran out with a 19-0 lead after the first eight minutes. Hays pushed the lead up to 21 points on three occasions in the second quarter.
Highlights
Buhler didn’t score their first points until the 6:40 mark of the second quarter on a pair of free throws. The Crusaders missed their first eleven shots before getting a field goal with 4:05 left in the first half.
Hays took a 32-12 lead to the half time locker room. Some where in the locker room momentum shifted.
Buhler stormed out of the half time break with a 8-0 run forcing a Hays time out at 32-20. Buhler ended hitting 10 of the first 13 shots of the second half getting back within two at 36-34. The Crusaders had a chance to take a lead on a three at that point but came up short. Hays ended the third quarter with a Maddux Winter three point play to go up five 41-36.
Like they did in the third quarter, Buhler started the fourth quarter with a run. This time a 6-0 run gave the Crusaders their first lead at 42-41 with 5:34 left in the game. Hays responded to the deficit with a seven point run to go up 48-42 over the next sixty seconds. Buhler twice got back to within a point. With the Indians leading 50-49, Drew Young stuck a three from the top of the key, giving Hays a two possession lead rest of the way.
Coach Rick Keltner
Hays hit just enough free throws and one field goal over the final 1:30 to secure a 60-53 victory. Isaiah Nunnery scored a game high 26. It his his fifth consecutive game scoring 20 or more points. Maddux Winter added ten in the victory.
Hays improves to 17-4 on the year. Buhler ends their season at 15-6. Hays will play the winner of McPherson/Ulysses on Saturday evening for a berth in the 4A-1 state tournament.