The Hays High Indians traveled to play a pair of state ranked Abilene teams on Tuesday. It was the first of two meetings between the two schools as they will meet again on February 22nd in Hays.
Girls
#5-4A Abilene 62 – #10-5A Hays 48
Abilene led the entire first quarter after Hays missed their first three shot attempts. Down 10-4, Tasiah Nunnery scored five straight points to get the Indians within a point at 10-9 with 3:35 left in the quarter. Hays would not score for the next 7:15. During the drought Abilene scored 11 points and went up 21-9. Hays scored seven straight points and had the ball down 21-16 but turned if over and did not score for the final two minutes of the half. Abilene added two free throws for a 23-16 half time lead after going scoreless for just over four minutes.
Highlights
Trailing by 11 early in the fourth quarter, Hays played their best basketball over the next 63 seconds. A 12-0 run gave Hays their first lead of the game at 28-27 with 4:47 left in the third quarter. The lead lasted just eight seconds. Abilene made a pair of free throws at 4:39 mark to take the lead back and start a 9-0 run. Abilene never trailed again. The Indians started the fourth quarter down four and had the ball three times but did not score. Abilene shot 28 fourth quarter free throws making 17 of them to win 62-48. Overall the Cowgirls made 28 of 46. Hays made 11 of 16.
Coach Alex Hutchins
Hays falls to 11-6 as Savannah Schneider scores 19 and Brooke Denning adds 12. Abilene improves to 15-2. The two teams will meet again to end the regular season in Hays on February 22nd
Boys
#6-4A Abilene 53 – Hays 49
Hays opened the game making their first three shots and their first two free throws to take a 9-1 lead. Abilene bounced back with a 10-3 run of their own, to be answered by an Indian 11-3 spurt and then a Cowboy 10-2 run. Everything done through two quarters left Hays with a 35-32 advantage with both teams shooting 50% or higher.
Highlights
Hays pushed their third quarter advantage to a game high nine points at 44-35 with 2:05 left and led 46-39 after the third. Abilene had one more run in them and it lasted the entire fourth quarter. The Cowboys outscore Hays 14-3 in the fourth to win 53-49. Hays held their lead until Abilene edged ahead for the first time with 3:38 left in the game.
Coach Rick Keltner
Hays falls to 9-8 on the year as TJ Nunnery scored 15 and Cade Swayne tied a career high 13. Abilene improves to 14-3. The two teams will square off on February 22nd to end the regular season.