Hays High boys place 3rd; girls 5th at the Hays City Shootout

JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Hays High Indians used a strong second half to pull away from the Garden City Buffaloes on their way to a 55-38 win and third place at the 33rd annual Gerald Mitchell Hays City Shootout Saturday afternoon in Hays.

Hays High 55, Garden City 38
The Hays High Indians and the Garden City Buffaloes traded basketball back-and-forth for much of the first quarter with Hays High leading 12-11 after one thanks to a Laken Jacobs three-pointer. Garden City took a 16-14 lead on a Garrett Dole three-pointer but that would be the last time they would have the lead.

Drew Younger hit two free throws to tie the game at 16 and Xander Swayne gave Hays the lead for good at 18-16 on a late second quarter layup. Hays led at the break 21-19.

Early in the third quarter Isaiah Nunnery hit back-to-back three pointers putting Hays up 11 at 33-22. Nunnery led all scorers with 21.

Highlights

Hays led by 11 after three and while Garden City cut the deficit to nine a couple of times to start the fourth Hays closed the game on a 16-8 run and picked up the 55-39 win.

Nunnery scored in double-figures in the final two games of the tournament and averaged 14 points through three games. Shane Berens and Drew Young also chipped in eight apiece as Hays moves to 2-1 on the season.

Rick Keltner Post-game Interview

Newton 60, Hays High 41
The Hays High Lady Indians couldn’t overcome a quick start and dominant inside play from Newton falling in the third place game 60-41.

Newton opened the game on a 15-4 run with Payton Roberts scoring the first eight points of the game for Newton. She had 13 in the first quarter and finished with 31 to lead all scorers.

After being outscored 15-6 in the first quarter Hays answered back, outscoring Newton 16-8 in the second quarter and finishing the quarter on a 12-2 run cutting the halftime lead to three at 25-22.

Highlights

But that was as close as the Indians would get. Newton started the second half on a 15-1 run to go up 17 and they led 45-27 after three.

Hays did rally within 10 twice in the fourth quarter but couldn’t overcome the large deficit as they fell 60-41.

Talyn Kleweno led the Indians with 10 points and Mattie Hutchison and Haley George each scored seven. The Indians fall to 1-2 with the loss and finished fifth.

Kirk Maska Post-game Interview