HAYS HIGH 59 KEARNEY 42 (boys)
After a thrilling overtime win to get into the Hays City Shootout championship game, the final game had much less drama as Hays High beat Kearney 59-42. There were four ties in the first quarter and tied at 11 after the first eight minutes. The Indians opened the second quarter on a 15-3 run to go up 26-14 and the Indians were never threatened rest of the way. Hays allowed just four first half field goals, but Kearney made 11 of 13 free throws to stay within eight points at the break.
The Indians allowed only two third quarter free throws and outscored Kearney 12-2. Hays shot 46% from the field and out rebounded the Bearcats by seven. Kearney made just nine field goals with five of them coming in the final five minutes of the game. Kearney went 5-25 behind the arc.
Brady Werth broke his career high for a second consecutive game dropping in 15 points. Jordan Windholz scored 10, all in the fourth quarter.
Nick Petz, Lane Clark, and Brady Werth were all named to the all-tournament team. Lane Clark was also named the Mikey Steinert Most Inspirational Player.
This was Kearney’s last appearance in the Hays City Shootout as the state of Nebraska will be doing all of the basketball scheduling.
HAYS HIGH 37 DESOTO 33 (girls)
The Hays High Lady Indians overcame a sluggish game to beat DeSoto in the third place game on Saturday afternoon during the Hays City Shootout. The Indians made just eight field goals and shot just 25 times in the game. But Hays was 21-27 from the free throw line and made 10 of 12 over the final three minutes of the game to seal the victory. The Indians never trailed in the game, but Kearney did tie the game with 3:2o remaining. No Lady Indian scored in double figures, however seven different players scored in the victory.
Hays moves to 2-1 to start the season. Their lone loss in the tournament was to Newton, who went on to beat Kearney in the title game.
Hays High will make their only road trip of the pre-Christmas schedule on Thursday as they travel to Colby in a rematch of the first round games. Tipoff is set for 6:00.