Hays High returned to Western Athletic Conference play on Friday by hosting Great Bend.
Girls
Hays 44, #9 Great Bend 37
Hays saw three second half leads of seven points disappear but was able to rebuilt their advantage each time to beat #9 Great Bend 44-37.
Hays never trailed after taking the lead at 13-12 mid way through the second quarter. It took nearly half of the first quarter for either team to score. The Panthers took the first lead at 3-0. That was quickly followed by five straight points by Hays.
Great Bend trailed by two points entering the second quarter but scored five straight to take the lead back at 12-9 with 4:05 left before halftime. The Panthers would only score one point rest of the half. Hays High used the time to go on a 9-0 which was part of a 11-1 run to close out the first half with a 20-13 advantage.
Great Bend scored the first six points out of the locker room before Hays rebuilt the lead to seven at 26-19. The Panthers responded with seven straight to tie the game at 26. The last points of the quarter came on a Zoe Winter three pointer to beat the buzzer and affording the Indians a 29-26 lead.
Hays never led Great Bend take the lead in the fourth quarter. The Panthers closed within one at 34-33 with 4:30 remaining. Hays though closed the final 3:30 by outscoring Great Bend 10-4 for a 44-37 victory.
Hays was led by a career night from sophomore Zoe Winter who scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, both career highs. Katie Linenberger scored 14. Great Bend's Sadie Spray led the Panthers with 16.
Hays improves to 7-5 and how is 3-0 in WAC play. Great Bend falls to 10-4, 1-1.
Boys
Hays 59, Great Bend 47
Hays only trailed once on their way to a hard fought victory over Great Bend 59-47.
Great Bend scored the first two points of the game when Hays responded with six straight points. The Indians never trailed again. Hays led 13-8 after one quarter and then 15-10 early in the second.
Great Bend tied the game at 15 with five minutes left before halftime. The Indians immediately launched into a 13-2 run that ended the first half. That run pushed Hays to a 28-17 advantage at the break.
The lead continued to grow in the second half for the Indians. Their game high 19 point advantage came at 38-19 with 4:10 left in the third quarter. Great Bend wouldn't go away thought. They Panthers ended the third quarter on a 12-5 run that closed the Indian lead down to 43-31.
The Panthers continued to chip away at their deficit and eventually pulled within five points at 50-45 with 1:10 remaining. The Indians though outscored the Panthers 9-2 over the final minute to win 59-47.
Hays had four players in double figures. Trey Oakley scored a career high 15. Jack Weimer and Kyzer Fox each added 12. Dawson Ruder dropped in 10 points. Great Bend was led by sophomore Ian Premer at 31 points.
Hays improves to 7-5 and 3-0 in conference play. Great Bend falls to 9-5 and 0-2.
The Indians remain at home next Tuesday as they host Scott City.