By Dustin Armbruster
Hays Post Sports
HAYS - Hays High had no troubles advancing to the sub-state championship game with an 80-18 win over Topeka West on Wednesday evening.
Molly Buckles knocked down the first points of the game before the Chargers tied the game at two. Jenna Schmeidler gave the the Indians the lead for good on a three pointer as they scored the next eleven points for a 13-2 lead at the 4:40 mark of the first quarter.
West scored at 16-6 before the Indians launched into another run. This time a 13-1 run to close the first quarter meant Hays led 29-7. Five different players scored during that quarter closing run. Kinslee Newell beat the first quarter buzzer for the final two points of the frame.
Newell scored the first basket of the second quarter for a 31-7 lead. West made their only three of the game for a 31-10 score at the 4:30 mark of the second quarter. They didn't score for the next eleven minutes. Hays added 30 points to the scoreboard over that same time period.
A 12-0 run closed the first half. Zoe winter hit a three, Morgan Armbruster hit one of her five made three pointers, Haley LaBarge knocked in back-to-back field goals and Schmeidler finished it off with a steal and layup at 43-10 right before halftime.
Highlights
Hays stole the ball on the first possession of the second half and were off and running again. The Indians scored the first 18 points of the third quarter to complete their 30-0 run at 61-10 with two minutes remaining the quarter. The Hays defense yielded one field goal in each the second and third quarter. The Indians led 64-12 at the end of three quarter.
A running clock fourth quarter didn't slow down the Indians as they outscore the Chargers 16-6 for the 80-18 victory. It is the most points scored by Hays over the last 19 years, which is as far back as current records show.
Coach Len Melvin
Hays totaled 26 assists on 31 made field goals, season highs in both categories.
The Indians play Andover Central (14-10) in the Saturday's sub-state championship game at 5:00. The Jaguars beat Hutchinson 35-31.
Rupp 6, Schmeidler 15, Humphrey 0, LaBarge 4, Koerner 2, Cunningham 6, Armbruster 15, Turner 15, Newell 7, Harrington 0, Buckles 4, Winter 6.