Hays High resumed Western Athletic Conference play on Friday night hosting Garden City. The Lady Indians entered the night tied with Liberal, who was idle, at the top of the conference standings. The Indians entered undefeated in the WAC play.
Girls
Garden City 50 – Hays 36
Like they did on Tuesday night, Hays jumped out to a big lead over the first four minutes of the game. The Lady Indians made five for their first seven shots on their way to a 12-2 lead over Garden City. Hays could not add to the lead though, missing their last 19 of the half. Garden City outscored Hays 12-2 over the final 12:10 of the first half to tie the game at 14 by halftime.
Highlights
Things were no better for Hays in the third quarter. Garden City pushed their advantage up to eight following a 10-3 run, taking a 29-23 to the fourth quarter. Hays closed the deficit down to five points in the fourth quarter but missed a three pointer to get closer. Garden City made 14 of 21 fourth quarter free throws to beat Hays 50-36.
The long drought from first quarter to third quarter for Hays went 13 minutes where the Lady Indians missed 20 consecutive shots.
Coach Kirk Maska
Savannah Schneider led the team with 11 points. Garden City’s Josie Calzonetti scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. She was 13-14 from the free throw line.
Hays falls to 11-7 and 4-2 in the WAC. Garden City improves to 6-13 and 2-5.
Boys
Hays 52 – Garden City 50
Hays and Garden City played to a 23-23 tie through a back and fourth first half. The Indians led just one time at 6-5. Garden City answered quickly with a 14-6 run. The run ended in the second quarter giving Garden City a 19-12 lead, their biggest of the first half. The Indians fought back for a 11-4 run that tied the game at halftime.
Highlights
Garden City started the second half on a 7-0 to go up 30-23. The Indian offense finally gained traction going on a 19-2 run that built Hays their first ten point lead of the night at 42-32. Hays held a ten point lead once again with 5:30 left in the game at 50-40. Garden City kept the Indians scoreless for nearly the remainder of the game. During the dry spell the Buffaloes went on a 10-0 and tied the game with :26.6 left on a free throw. Hays set up their final play as Kyler Koenke hit Cole Murphy on a baseline back cut for the game winning shot with :03.1. Garden City’s half court heave came up short and Hays took the win 52-50.
Coach Rick Keltner
Cole Murphy scored a game high 18 points all in the second half. Ethan Nunnery added 11 points. Dylan Ruder scored a career high nine off the bench. Kyler Koenke had a career high ten rebounds.
Hays improves to 12-6 on the year and is 6-0 in the WAC with two games remaining. The Indians have a two game lead on Garden City who is now 11-8 on the year and 5-2 in conference play.
Hays will host Dodge City on Tuesday for Senior Night.