By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER

Wichita Heights 51 – Hays 49

The Hays Indians’ shooting touch that eluded them all state tournament long finally returned in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, it came too late in the Indians 51-49 loss to Wichita Heights in the third place game.

Hays and Heights were tied at three, five and ten. Hays’ final lead cam with 1:00 left in the first quarter at 12-11, but the Falcons scored less that ten second later to go up 13-12 and never trailed again.  The Indians fell behind by seven at half time and trailed 42-32 with 6:40 to go in the game.

That is when the Hays shooting touch returned. Hays cut the Heights lead down to a single possession on four occasions, the last of which came at 50-49 on a Jordan Windholz three pointer with 9.8 seconds remaining in the game. Heights made one of two free throws to go up two giving Hays one more chance at the win, but a twisting falling away three from Windholz came up short.

Hays shot 15 of 42 from the field and 9 of 26 on three’s.  Windholz led the Indians with 19 and Lane Clark scored 11.  Heights shot 17 of 47 and 3 of 10 on three’s.

The Indians finish 23-2 on the year and set a school record for number of wins in a single season.