Girls
Hays 73 – Salina Central 65
Strong runs to open the game and close out the first half propelled Central to a 39-26 lead at the break. The Mustangs started on a 7-1 run over the first minute of the game. They ended the second quarter on a 15-4 run over a 5:30 minute span. Just before the end of first half run, Hays had closed the game down to a two point deficit at 24-22. Hays trailed Central 39-26 at halftime.
Highlights
Like a switch was flipped at halftime, Hays opened up the second half on a 20-2 run to take the first lead of the game. The Indians scored the first seven points of that run in the the first minute of the second half. Salina Central called time out and scored a basket only to see Hays run off 13 more points and take their first lead of the game at 46-41. Hays led 48-45 heading into the fourth quarter.
Central tied the game at 48 and took a lead at 51-50. It would be their final lead of the game. Tied at 53 the Indians scored the games next seven points to lead 60-53. Central answered back with six in a row to get within only to have Hays score six in a row themselves. The Indians led 66-62 before getting a Savannah Schneider field goal to go up by six and the Indians made five of their final six free throws to win 73-65.
Coach Alex Hutchins
Savannah Schneider scored a career high 26. Jaycee Dale has now scored in double figures in five straight contests after scoring 15. Brook Denning scored then, all in the second half.
Hays improves to 8-3 and has won five in a row and seven of eight games. Salina Central falls to 7-5.
Boys
#7-5A Salina Central 52 – Hays 39
The boys game was tied early at five points a piece. Hays fell 5-0 and then answered with a three from Braiden Meyers and a field goal by field goal by TJ Nunnery. Central then ended the first quarter on a 14-3 run to lead 19-8. Hays cut a 13 point lead down to seven on back to back threes from Meyers at 23-16. The Indians had the ball down seven but could not score. Central ended the second quarter on a 9-2 spurt and led 32-18 at halftime.
Highlights
Hays scored the first five points of the third quarter getting back within nine but Central answered with eight points of their own to take their largest lead of the game at 40-23. Over the next 5:00 minutes Hays had the best stretch of basketball leading into the first basket of the fourth quarter. A 12-2 run cut the 17 point deficit down to seven with 7:20 left in the game. Central scored a three pointer on the ensuing possession to lead again by 10. The Indians went scoreless on their next eight possession down by 10 and did not score for the next 3:30. Central closed the game outscoring Hays 52-39.
Coach Rick Keltner
Hays falls to 6-5 as Braiden Meyers ties his career high with 12. Tradgon McCrae added 11 in the loss. #7-5A Central improves to 10-2 on the year.