By Dustin Armbruster

Girls Dodge City 38 – Hays 18

The Hays High seniors played the final home game of their careers on Tuesday night. Three girls and eight boys were honored between the varsity games against Dodge City. Audra Schmeidler, Nicole Dinkel, Haley George, Isaiah Nunnery, Drew Young, Dylan Davis, Maddux Winter, Laken Jacobs, Keith Dryden, Marcus Altman and Luke Nansel took to the Hays High hardwood for a final time.

Neither Hays or Dodge City put their best half of basketball together combining for 20 points and 32 turnovers. Hays trailed 6-0 before getting on the board in the first quarter with 1:20 left. The Lady Indians trailed 6-2 after the first quarter and 8-4 in the early stages of the second. Dodge City finished the second quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 16-4 half time lead.

Highlights

Dodge City continued to pull away in the third quarter hitting all four of their three point attempts after going 0-5 in the first half. After three quarters Dodge City led 36-11. Hays outscored Dodge City 7-2 in the fourth quarter and lose 38-18. For Hays it was the fewest points they had scored on the season.

Coack Kirk Maska

Hays falls to 7-12 overall and 2-5 in the WAC. Dodge City wraps up the conference crown for a second consecutive year at 7-0 in the WAC and 14-5 overall for the #8 team in 6A. The Red Demons have won 17 consecutive Western Athletic Conference games.

Boys Dodge City 70 – Hays 64

Hays came out firing from behind the three point arc hitting four in the first quarter. Three of them were from Isaiah Nunnery which pushed him to 101 career made three point field goals. Hays held their biggest lead of the first half at the end of the first quarter 15-8.

Dodge City answered the Indians big first quarter with their own 11-0 run to start the second quarter. The run ended in a 19-15 lead for Dodge City. Hays retook the lead on a Dylan Davis basket at 20-19. Hays though would go scoreless over the last 3:20, while Dodge City scored only two points, from the free throw line, over the final 5:00 to take a 21-10 lead at half time.

Highlights

Dodge City continued their hot run through the third quarter out-scoring Hays 27-17. Dodge City hit 10 of their 11 shots in the 3rd and 15 of 17 in the second half. After Hays tied the game at 26, Dodge City used 11-3 run to build their lead to eight and push it up to 14 late in the third quarter. Hays entered the fourth quarter trailing 48-37.

Dodge looked like they put the game away mid way through the fourth quarter building a 57-41 lead. Thats when Isaiah Nunnery came to life. After scoring 14 in the first three quarter, Nunnery scored 18 in the fourth for a game and career high 32. The Indians got the lead down to five but never any closer, losing 70-64.

Hays was led by the 32 of Isaiah Nunnery. Drew Young scored 12. Dodge City had four in double figures led by Bryce Unruh with 17.

Coach Rick Keltner

Hays falls to 15-4 overall and 5-2 in the conference. Dodge City is now 10-9 and 5-2 in conference play. There is now a three way tie for first place in the WAC as Liberal lost at home to Garden City 57-54 in overtime. Liberal falls to 5-2 in conference play. The three way tie will be decided on Thursday and Friday. Dodge City travels to Liberal on Thursday. Hays is in Great Bend on Friday.

By Dustin Armbruster

Hays High returned to Western Athletic Conference play for their final three games of the season taking on Garden City on Friday night. The evening was also the finale to Indian Call for Hays.

Hays 40 – Garden City 25

It wasn’t senior night, that comes next Tuesday, however Haley George decided to start the celebration a little early. George tied her career high of 12 points over the first nine minutes of the game helping Hays build a 16-2 lead early in the second quarter.

Garden City outscored Hays 7-6 in the second quarter but never got closer that eleven. Hays allowed just four first half field goals on their way to a 20-9 half time lead. The only scare of the second half came when Talyn Kleweno took a hard spill on a layup with contact and grabbing her left knee and ankle. She did not return to the game.

Highlights

Garden City cut into the Hays lead at 20-13 with back to back field goals to start the second half to get the closet they would be all night. Hays responded with a 9-0 run to build their lead to a game high 16 with less that 2:30 remaining in the third quarter. Hays was never threatened in the fourth quarter, leading wire-to-wire for the 40-25 victory.

The 25 points is the fewest Hays has allowed in any game this season. The Lady Indians improve to 7-11 and 2-4 in conference play. Garden City falls to 6-13 and 0-7.

Coach Kirk Maska

Hays was led by the first career double-double of Hailey George 16 points and 11 rebounds. George tied her career high in rebounds and set a career high in points.

Hays 74 – Garden City 50

If three pointers are your game, Hays High School was the place to be on Friday night. Hays and Garden City combined for fourteen three balls in the first two quarters. Hays made eight, led by the four of Drew Young. Garden City hit six by four different players.

Highlights

The two traded baskets to start the game resulting in a 8-7 Garden City lead. Hays then hit three consecutive three pointers, finishing the quarter on a 9-1 run and led 16-9. The two teams continued to trade shots in the second quarter. Hays led once by ten but that was short lived as their lead sat between four and seven points for most of the quarter. Hays settled for a five point lead at halftime 34-29.

The separation in the game came in the third quarter. Hays had the only points of the third quarter more than midway through on four free throws. With 3:20 left in the quarter Hays ignited. The Indians hit four of their next five shots to turn those four free throws into a 16-0 run. Garden City scored just two points on a pair of free throw with :36 showing on the clock. Hays led 51-31 after the 17-2 quarter.

Coach Rick Keltner

The Indians were never threatened in the fourth quarter behind the 13 fourth quarter points of Isaiah Nunnery. The Indians cruised to a 74-50 victory. The #7 Indians improve to 15-3 and 5-1 in the WAC. Garden City drops to 5-14 and 0-7. It was the third win for Hays over Garden City this season.

Isaiah Nunnery led the Indians with 20. Drew Young scored 16 and Shane Berens added 14. Nunnery moved to 13th all time scoring with 733 points. He is now also 2nd in career steals moving past the 151 of Troy Applegate and Marcus Watts.

Next up for Hays is Senior Night on Tuesday against Dodge City.

By Dustin Armbruster

Hays High returned to Western Athletic Conference play on Friday night with their longest road trip of the season. For the Lady Indians Friday night was a chance to move into a tie for third place in the WAC and surpass their win total from the previous season. For the Indians Friday was an opportunity to put two games between themselves and the rest of the conference for the league crown.

Girls: Liberal 42 – Hays 38

Hays took their only lead of the first half with a Haley George basket with 5:50 left in the first quarter. It was the only basket of the first eight minutes for Hays. Liberal scored the next nine points to take 9-2 lead.

The Lady Indians cut the Liberal lead down to three at 9-6 and had three chances to score but missed two shots and turned over the ball. Liberal responded with a 7-2 run to build their biggest lead of the first half at 16-8. Hays scored the final four points of the half to make the score 35-23.

Highlights

Hays and Liberal traded baskets and free throw for the first six minutes of the third quarter leaving Hays down 25-21. Liberal seized control of the game with a 13-2 run that extended into the fourth quarter with a three pointer to take 38-23 advantage.

Coach Kirk Maska

Hays went on their best run of the game with nine straight points to get the lead down to 38-32. Hays held Liberal with a basket on their next five trips, but Hays could not take advantage. Hays did get within five at 39-34 with 1:20 left, but could not get any closer. Liberal hit three of their final four free throws to win 42-34.

Hays falls to 6-10 on the year and 1-4 in conference. Liberal is 9-7 and 3-2. The Lady Indians were led by Audra Schmeidler’s double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds. It is her fourth double-double of the season and eighth of her career.

Boys Liberal 57 – Hays 51 3OT

Liberal held an early 5-4 lead over the Hays High Indians over the first three minutes of the game. An 8-2 run by the the Indians built their biggest lead of the first quarter at 12-7. Liberal though had an answer in the form of a 9-2 run that lasted into the second quarter and gave the Redskins a 16-14 lead. Hays responded with a run of their own, this time a 7-1 to build their biggest lead of the first half at 23-17. Liberal responded with a three to cut the lead at 23-20 for the half time score.

Highlights

Hays pushed their lead to six after three quarter and scored a basket in the first ten seconds of the fourth quarter to build the biggest lead of the game at eight, leading 33-25. Liberal regained the lead with nine straight points, seven of them from the free throw line. Trailing 34-33, Hays got five straight points from Shane Berens to take a four point lead. The Indians led 40-37 in the final minute of the game, but missed the front end of two one-and-one free throw opportunities to build the lead. Liberal got a three point with six seconds remaining and took a timeout allowing Hays to set up a final play. A Drew Young lay up came off the rim, but was tipped up and in by Isaiah Nunnery. The shot though was ruled to be after the buzzer and the game went to overtime.

Coach Rick Keltner

Tied at 43 in the first overtime, Hays missed four free throws over the last 1:25 and Liberal missed a three to win at the buzzer. Hays led twice in the double overtime period only to fall behind 49-47 inside of two minutes. Hays tied the game at 49 with 1:40 remaining. Liberal worked down the remaining time in double OT but missed shot again at the buzzer.

In triple overtime Hays took a 51-50 lead with 2:50 remaining, but that would be their final points. Liberal finished on a seven point run taking the win at 57-51.

Hays was led by the 12 of Keith Dryden. Shane Berens and Isaiah Nunnery scored 11, Nunnery added a game high 10 rebounds for the double-double. Marcus Altman scored a career high 10, all in the first half.

The Indians shot 41% for the game making 21 of 51 shots while Liberal was 17 of 48 for 35%. Hays was out shot at the free throw line 29-8. Hays was 1-8 while Liberal made 19 of 29.

Hays falls to 13-3 on the year. Liberal is now 12-4. The two are now tied at 4-1 in conference play with three games remaining for each. The Indians are the #6 team in 4A-1, it was their third straight game against a ranked 5A opponent. Liberal was #6 entering the game. The Indians are home versus state ranked Abilene on Tuesday.

By Dustin Armbruster

A third Hays High Indian signed his letter of intent to play football for the Tigers of Fort Hays State University on Friday. Isaiah Blackmon said the disappointment of seeing his senior season come to a close was replaced by realization that he still had a chance to play football after talking with the coaches at FHSU. Blackmon spent parts of the last two seasons as a starter on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Isaiah Blackmon

As a running back, Blackmon rushed for 625 yards on just 155 carries and scored nine touchdowns. Blackmon was also a key blocker in the passing attack. Defensively he totaled 124 tackles, ten for loss, in his career. Blackmon’s career numbers include two sacks, caused four fumbles and recovered two.

He ranked 8th in the Western Athletic Conference in tackles and second in forced fumbles. He was given Honorable Mention status by the WAC coaches his senior season.

Coach Randall Rath

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post

GIRLS: Salina Central 63, Hays 35
Hays traveled to Salina on Tuesday night to take on the Central Mustangs. The match-up had three of the four featured team ranked in the state. The Salina Central girls was ranked #2 in 5A this week. The Salina Central boys entered #4 in 5A and the Hays High boys #6 in 4A-1.

The Lady Indian defense tried to do enough to slow down a high scoring Central team in the first half but couldn’t get their offense in gear. Hays managed just two points in the first quarter trailing 12-2 after the first eight minutes. Hays started hitting shots in the latter half of second quarter only to be matched by the Lady Mustangs. Hays made their last three field goals of the half after starting 2-20 and trailed 26-14 at the mid-game break.

Highlights

Hays fell behind by 17 in the opening moments of the third quarter but put together their best run of the game cutting the lead down to 8 after scoring nine straight points. Hays had four more opportunities to cut into a 33-23 score but scored just one points. Central led by 14 after three quarters at 38-24. The Lady Mustangs exploded for 25 fourth quarter points to pull away with a 63-35 win.

Coach Kirk Maska

Hays drops to 6-9 on the year. Salina Central improves to 13-2.

BOYS: Hays 64, Salina Central 53
Neither Hays or Salina Central led by more than four points in the first half as they played to a 26-22 Hays advantage at half time. Each team led by four points with Central taking an early 4-0 lead followed by two Hays four point leads at 24-20 and 26-22. Central led by three after the first quarter 17-14. The Hays defense clamped down allowing just five second quarter points while scoring 12. The Indians closed the second quarter on a 8-2 run on a three pointer from each Isaiah Nunnery and Ethan Nunnery and then two free throws from Ethan.

Highlights

Hays used a pair of 9-2 runs in the third quarter to build a 17 point lead late in the third quarter. Central would knock a basket down at the buzzer to cut the lead down to 15 at 47-32. The Hays Indians turned the ball over nine times in the fourth quarter to allow Salina Central to close the gap. Central used a 9-0 run over two minutes of the fourth quarter to get with in five at 56-51 with ninety seconds remaining. Hays scored immediately off of the basket by Salina Central to push the lead back up to seven and hit four of six free throws and a layup over the final 1:30 to secure the 64-53.

Coach Rick Keltner

Hays pushes their record to 13-2. Salina Central falls to 11-4.

Isaiah Nunnery scores 16 to lead the Indians. Shane Berens scores 14 all in the second half. Drew Young added 13.

By Dustin Armbruster

A pair of Hays High Indians signed their letter of intent to play football with Fort Hays State University on Friday. Maddux Winter and Brayden Delzeit will each continue their playing careers in the same stadium they played their home games, Lewis Field Stadium. Both cited the opportunity to play for an up and coming program in the MIAA was a big drawing point.

Coach Randall Rath

 

Maddux Winter isn’t sure where what position he will find himself at the collegiate level. But that isn’t anything new. Winter spent time at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver and linebacker…all during his senior season alone. The two time Western Athletic Conference Honorable Mention, ranked fourth this past season in the WAC with 88 tackles, was second with three fumble recoveries and first in interceptions with four. He also recorded eight tackles for loss.

Maddux Winter

 
Winter finished his career with 122 tackles, five interceptions, one blocked punt, three fumble recoveries, a blocked punt and a defensive touchdown. He recorded a career high 20 tackles during his final game versus McPherson.

Brayden Delzeit was a first team selection for the Western Athletic Conference this past season after earning honorable mention status is junior year. Delzeit finished his career with 81 tackles, 14 for loss, recorded five sacks, forced two fumbles ans recovered one. He was seventh in the WAC his senior season with 11 tackles for loss and eighth in sacks with three.

 

Brayden Delzeit

 
Delzeit was also a three year starter on the offensive line at center. He said it was extra work in addition to practice that helped him get to the collegiate level. Delzeit says the plan as of now is for him to compete on the defensive side of the ball. He is currently battle a knee injury that is keeping him off the wrestling mat where he was a state qualifier last season.

Both Winter and Delzeit are three sport athletes at Hays High School. Winter is a starter on the 12-2, #5 Hays High Indian basketball team and is also part of the track team. Delzeit qualified for state wrestling at 220 bpunds his junior year and earned Honorable Mention status in baseball last spring.

By Dustin Armbruster

Delayed by two days, Hays High and Salina South finally got onto the hardwood after mother nature nature dropped seven plus inches of snow on Hays.

Girls Hays 46 – Salina South 38

The Lady Indians smothered South defensively over the first twelve minutes of the game holding the Cougars to just 2 of 18 shooting. Hays used their defense to create a 10-6 lead after one quarter. The Lady Indians then boosted their lead to nine at 17-8 following a 7-2 run over the first four minutes of the second quarter. South owned the final four minutes of the second quarter though making three field goals and hitting two of three free throws to cut the Hays lead down to 20-16.

Highlights

Hays pushed their lead up to twelve twice in the second half including the third quarter break of 42-30. South like they did in the second quarter made a push. The Cougars hit their first five shots of the fourth quarter to cut the Hays lead down to three at 36-33 with just under two and half minutes remaining. Hays solved the Cougars full court pressure in time to make three layups and four of eight free throws to secure the 46-38 win.

Coach Kirk Maska

Savannah Schneider came off the bench to score a game high 12. Nicole Dinkel added 11. Hays improves to 6-8, matching last year’s win total. South falls to 5-8. The Cougars were led by Allie Valdez with 12.

Hays 52 – Salina South 46

Hays High couldn’t buy a field goal in the first half making just 2 of their first 19 attempts before making their last three to close the first half. On the flip side South made four of their first five and built their lead as high as nine on two occasions. With South leading 20-11, Hays scored the final four points of the first half to trail 20-15.

Highlights

The Indians used those last four points of the second half combined with the first seven of the second half to take their first lead of the game 22-20. The two teams traded baskets over the next five minutes before Hays built at three point lead with four seconds left in the third quarter. South’s Jacob Marcotte nailed a half court shot to tie the game at 31 through three.

South the scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to grab a 36-31 lead. Hays tied the game at 36 and 38 all before South took a two possession lead 42-38 with 3:30 remaining. Hays scored the next five points to regain the lead at 43-42 on a Drew Young three pointer. Jacob Marcotte gave the Cougars their final lead at 44-43 with 1:42 remaining on a pair of free throws. Hays used a 9-2 run to close the game hitting their final four free throws and win 52-46.

Coach Rick Keltner

Hays was lead in scoring by Drew Young with 16. Trace Kochevar matched him with 16 for Salina South and Dylan Becker added 10.

Hays improves to 12-2 on the season and is ranked #5 in class 4A-1. Salina South drops to 9-4 and is ranked #5 in 5A.

By Dustin Armbruster

The Hays High Lady Indians looked to build some momentum for February as they took on Shawnee Mission South in the fifth place game of the Mid-America Classic in McPherson on Saturday.

Neither team could gain traction in the first quarter resulting in a 7-5 Hays High lead after 4:00. South got on the game’s first run scoring eleven straight points for a 16-7 lead early in the second quarter. Hays would tie the game up at 16 with a 9-0 run of their own with 6:15 remaining before Hays. The Raiders finished the half outscoring Hays 8-2 to take a 28-22 lead.

Highlights

The second half started out promising for the Lady Indians getting within one point after a Talyn Kleweno three pointer and a Haley George basket. Hays had two chances to take the lead trailing 28-27 but couldn’t grasp the opportunity. South scored the next six points to go back up by eight and led rest of the way, winning 63-45.

The Raiders who average 23% on three pointers made 10 of 18. Hays was led by Talyn Kleweno with 10 points. Shawnee Mission South got 24 from Madi McAvoy and 16 from Clara Sitas. Both players made four three point field goals.

Coach Kirk Maska

The Lady Indians drop to 5-8 and will play Salina South on Tuesday. Shawnee Mission South wins back to back games for the first time this season and is 4-9.

By Dustin Armbruster

Hays and Dodge City met up for the second time in just six day. Both times in Dodge City. This time though at Dodge City and the game counted for the Western Athletic Conference standings. The first go around Hays pulled away late in the fourth quarter winning by sixteen points and claiming fifth at the Dodge City Tournament of Champions.

Hays High started the game out with a rare four point play from Maddux Winter on the Indian’s first possession. Like the first game between the two, the first half would be designed by runs. The Red Demons used a 6-0 run to take a two point lead at 6-4. Hays closed the first quarter with three straight three pointers, including a buzzer beater from Laken Jacobs to give Hays a 17-10 lead.

Highlights

Dodge City used a 12-3 run over the first 4:30 of the second quarter to reclaim the lead at 22-20. But again this was a game of runs. Hays responded with a 15-5 run to push their lead to eight at 35-27. Two late free throws from Dodge City cut the half time lead down to 35-29.

Hays held Dodge City scoreless for nearly the first three minutes of the third quarter building their lead to 14 twice and led 47-36 after three quarters.

Hays pushed their to 14 with 2:40 remaining after Dodge City went to fouling the Indians. Keith Dryden made five of six free throws to push the Hays lead back to fourteen with 2:40 remaining in the game. Dodge City had one last push in them cutting the Hays lead down to three on two occasions, the last one with forty seconds remaining at 56-53. Hays hit six of their next eight free throws claiming a 62-59 win after a half court three pointer from Dodge City at the buzzer. Hays made 13 of 16 free throws int he fourth quarter.

Coach Rick Keltner

Hays moves to 11-2 on the season and 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. Dodge City falls to 5-7 and 1-2.

Hays was led by Drew Young with 12 and Keith Dryden scoring 11. Dryden was 9-12 from the free throw line.

By Dustin Armbruster

Lieacha Cook wanted the ability to excel in both athletics and academics in the college. That opportunity presented itself with an offer from Bethel College. It is an opportunity the senior defensive soccer player signed up for on Friday afternoon. Bethel head coach Anthony Turini believes that Cook can make an immediate impact on his Threshers team as she will be on of the most athletic players on the team as soon as she steps foot on campus.

Lieacha Cook

Cook joins former Hays High Indian Lacey Pfannenstiel who is a sophomore at Bethel.

The Indians head coach Jim Maska praised Cook’s work ethic to become a better player over the year. Maska also added that he views Cook more like a player/coach because of her ability to lead the way on the field.

Indian Soccer Coach Jim Maska

Cook still has one more season to compete in soccer as a Hays High Indian this spring. One that she says the goal has been set to make the state tournament.

By Dustin Armbruster

After a eight day break the Hays High Lady Indians got back to action, traveling to the 21st Annual Mid-America classic in McPherson. Hays drew the 8-1 Olathe East Hawks in the first round. The Hawks came in ranked 7th in 6A, their only loss coming to Missouri’s Kickapoo High School.

Scoring was at a premium in the first half. Hays took their only lead of the first quarter at 2-1 with a Haley George basket. The field goal came with 4:55 in the first quarter. Olathe East wouldn’t get their first field goal until the 2:50 mark to grab a 3-2 lead. East turned that basket into a 14-1 run and built their lead to 12 midway through the second quarter.

Highlights

Talyn Kleweno more than double the Indians first quarter output with a four point play in the second quarter. It would be the Lady Indians only points of the second quarter and the Indians trailed at halftime 17-7.

Hays twice cut the lead down to seven points in the third quarter following at three pointer from Audra Schmeidler and a basket from Kallie Leiker. East though responded with a 15-3 run to close the quarter taking a 34-15 lead. The Hawks would cruise through the fourth quarter claiming the 44-20 win.

Coach Kirk Maska

Hays falls to 4-7 on the season and plays either Manhattan or Andale in the consolation semi-finals. Olathe East is now 9-1.

By Dustin Armbruster

Hays 59 – Dodge City 43

Hays and Dodge City play twice a season in Western Athletic Conference play. The two got a taste of those two match-ups when they played for 5th place in the Dodge City Tournament of Champions.

Hays scored the first two points of the game only to have Dodge City rattle off three consecutive three pointers to take a 9-2 lead. Hays then went on their own 11-0 run to grab their biggest first half lead at 13-9. The Red Demons would respond with their own 14-3 run to take another seven point lead early in the second. Hays closed the first half out scoring Dodge City 12-4 to take a one point lead at half time 28-27.

Highlights

Dodge City would strike first in the second half to claim their last lead of the game at 29-28. Hays again went on a run. This time a 13-5 run put the Indians up after three quarters 41-34. After Hays High built a 12 point fourth quarter lead, the Red Demons cut the lead down to seven with 5:20 remaining. Hays had one more run remaining, putting the game away with a 13-4 run for the final score of 59-43.

Highlights

Hays put four in double figures. Isaiah Nunnery scored a career high 16, moving him to 17th in career scoring. Shane Berens and Drew Young each scored 12. Berens added a career high 12 rebounds for a double-double and Young added also set a career high with 8 rebounds. Keith Dryden scored 11. Each of the eight players that saw action for Hays High scored.

The Indians are 10-2 on the season now. Dodge City drops to 5-7. The two will meet again this coming Friday in Dodge City for a conference game.

By Dustin Armbruster

The Hays High Indians had little time to dwell on Thursday night’s loss to Wichita East, as they took on the Hutchinson Salthawks Friday at the Dodge City Tournament of Champions. Less than 18 hours after the loss Hays found themselves back on the court.

Hays burst out of the gates to a 13-0 lead on five points from each Drew Young and Shane Berens and capped by a Keith Dryden two handed dunk over the first four minutes of the game. Hays led after the first quarter 21-4.

Highlights

Hays pushed their lead to 41-18 at half time on the strength of three point shooting. Hays made seven second quarter field goals. Six of the made shots were three pointers.

Hays hit four more three pointers in the second half to push lead as high as 39 at the final buzzer 71-32. The Indians made 13 three pointers and shot 57% from the field for the game. Drew Young and Isaiah Nunnery each made four three pointers, Ethan Nunnery made three, Keith Dryden and Shane Berens added one apiece.

Coach Rick Keltner

Shane Berens scored a game high 18, Drew Young 16 and Isaiah Nunnery 15.

Hays improves to 9-2 on the season. Hutchinson drops to 1-9. The Indians will play the winner of Dodge City and Leavenworth at 2:30 Saturday.