By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post Sports
HAYS - Hays High heads back to the state tournament in back-to-back season for the first time 1995-96 with a 55-37 victory over Andover Central.
Andover Central (14-11) jumped out to a 5-2 lead in a little under the first three minutes of the game. Hays bounced back with a big first quarter run. The full run totaled 16-4 for an 18-9 advantage with 1:05 left in the quarter. The Zoe Winter and Morgan Armbruster combined for five points to give the Indians a 7-5 advantage. With the score tied at seven Hays (23-1) launched into a 8-0 spurt.
Molly Buckles got the run going with a two-point bucket. Haley LaBarge and Jenna Schmeidler followed with a pair of traditional three point plays for a 15-7 edge with two minutes left in the quarter.
Central got a bucket which was followed by a Schmeidler second traditional three point play at 18-9. The Jaguars were game though hitting consecutive threes to close the first quarter at an 18-15 score.
They followed that with the first two field goals for the second quarter to complete a 10-0 run that boosted the Jaguars to a 19-18, ninety seconds into the second quarter. Winter put Hays back on top 20-19 a minute later. Tied at 20, Armbruster knocked in two free throws for a led the Indians would never give back.
Leading by two, Hays got the second of three, three pointers from Armbruster for a 29-24 advantage. Winter scored the final three points of the half for Hays and the Indians led 32-26 at half.
Highlights
Hays never trailed in the second half. The Jaguars got within four points on two occasions. The second at 36-32 with 3:15 left in the third quarter was the closest Central would be rest of the night.
Schmeidler wrapped a pair of two point field goals around an Armbruster three for a 43-32 lead after the third quarter.
The Hays defense tightened as well after the 36-32 scored. The Indians didn't allow Central to score for the next 9:30 seconds. During that time Hays went on a 17-0 run for a 53-32 advantage with 2:30 left in the game.
Winter scored six of the Indians first eight points of the fourth quarter as Hays pulled away for a 55-37 victory.
Coach Len Melvin
Schmeidler led all scoring with 16. Winter grabbed her sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and a career high 14 rebounds. Armbruster scored 11 off the bench and Molly Buckles added 10.
Hays will play on Wednesday in the first round of the 5A State Tournament. The location and time is yet to be released by KSHSAA.
The Indians set a school record for wins in a season at 23.
Rupp 0, Schmeidler 16, Humphrey 0, LaBarge 3, Cunningham 0, Armbruster 11, Turner 0, Newell 0, Harrington 0, Buckles 10, Winter 15.