Tuesday night’s games between Hays and Abilene featured all four teams with double digit wins. The Hays boys entered ranked 8th in 4A-1 and the Abilene girls at #7 in 4A-1.
Girls
Hays 57 – #7 Abilene 31
The Hays High Lady Indians hit shots early and often against the state ranked Cowgirls during the first four minutes of the game. Coupled with great defense, Hays ran out to a 15-0 lead after the first four minutes. The Lady Indians hit four three pointers during the games opening run. Hays led 19-2 after one quarter and 29-11 at halftime. Abilene managed just two first half field goals. Ten of their eleven first half points came from leading scorer Sydney Burton.
Highlights
Hays continued to stifle the Cowgirls through the third quarter. The Lady Indians increased their lead to 27 on two occasions and entered the fourth quarter leading 46-22. Hays led by less than 20 points in the second half just one time on their way to a 57-37 win. The Lady Indians shot 42% from the field while allowing just 23% from Abilene.
Coach Haley Wolf
Brooke Denning established a new career high with 18 points. Jaycee Dale added a season high 14. Hays improves to 11-6 on the year. #7 Abilene falls to 12-6.
Boys
Abilene 66 – #8 Hays 62
Hays and Abilene play contrasting styles of basketball. Through the first eight minutes the slower pace of the Cowboys won out with Abilene taking a 15-8 lead after a 10-0 run. Hays didn’t score for the final 3:45 of quarter after lead 8-5. Hays sped the pace of the game to the tune of a 12-2 run that gave the Indians the lead back at 20-17. Hays hit eight three pointers in the first half but trailed at halftime 28-26.
Highlights
After Abilene scored the first two points of the second half the Indians hit three consecutive three pointers to take a 35-30 lead. During that stretch Hays established a new school record for made three pointers in a season. A record that was at 189. Hays would still lead 37-33 with 5:19 left in the third quarter following an Ethan Nunnery basket. The Indians though went on their second long scoring drought of the game as they did not score for the remainder of the quarter. Abilene took advantage on a 15-2 run taking a 45-37 lead to the fourth quarter.
Abilene pushed lead to ten twice before Hays clawed back to 56-52 with 1:16 remaining but would get no closer. The Cowboys made eight of their final twelve free throws over the final two minutes to win 66-62.
Coach Rick Keltner
Ethan Nunnery scored 18 in the loss. Cole Murphy added 15. The Indians established a new record in made three point field goals, breaking the record of 189 set by the 1995-1996 team. Hays now has made 193 three pointers on the season.
#8 Hays falls to 11-6. Abilene improves to 12-6.
Hays is at home Friday to resume Western Athletic Conference play versus Garden City.