Hays finally got their season going in 2025 after Mother Nature postponed the first two contests last week. The first of two make-up game took place in Emporia on Tuesday not.
Girls
#6 Hays 66 - Emporia 12
Hays outscored Emporia in all four quarters on their way to a 66-12 win and in the process picked up their seventh win in seven tries this season.
Emporia hit a three pointer to open the game before Hays went on a 21-0 run over the next six minutes. Emporia shot just two field goals in the first quarter and took seven total shots through the first half. The Indians knocked down a shot at the end of the first quarter for a 23-4 lead.
Hays outscored Emporia 19-4 in the second quarter and 19-2 in the third for a 61-10 lead. The running clock fourth quarter still saw the Indians outscore the Spartans 5-2 for the 66-12 victory.
Highlights
Hays allowed just 12 field goal attempts and forced 36 turnovers. Hays let go of the ball just seven times to match a season low. The Indians also shot a season high 56%.
Coach Len Melvin
Hays improves to 7-0 while Emporia falls to 0-5. The Spartans graduated 12 seniors following a fourth place finish at 5A state last year.
The Indians travel to Garden City Friday to resume Western Athletic Conference play.
Jenna Schmeidler 10; Annie Humphrey 3; Katie Linenberger 10; Molly Martin 16; Kenlee Winter 4; Morgan Armbruster 3; Jaysa Roa 0; Kinslee Newell 2; Riley Dreher 5; Molly Buckles 4; Zoe Winter 6; Liz Cunningham 0; Rylen Harrington 2; Haley LaBarge 1.
Boys
Emporia 41 - Hays 36
Hays had was outscored by eight in the fourth quarter falling 41-36 on the road Tuesday.
There weren't many points in the first half but Hays had more than half of them leading 18-14. Emporia led by two points twice before Hays used a 9-0 run that led to a 11-4 lead midway through the first quarter.
The Indians didn't score for the next six minutes but only allowed four points during the same stretch. Hays rebuilt their lead to 18-12 and had the ball inside two minutes remaining in the first half. Emporia closed the gap down to 18-14 at halftime.
Highlights
Hays had a pair of seven point leads in the third quarter but never advanced the lead from that point. The Indians led 25-18 with 3:36 left in the third. That lead was followed by six straight turnovers. Despite that Hays led 25-22 going to the fourth quarter.
The Indians opened up the fourth quarter with a three pointer to take a 28-22 advantage. Hays didn't score for the next 6:08 when they made a pair of free throws with 1:02 left in the fourth, cutting the lead down to 34-30.
A pair of three pointers by Hays wrapped around a single free throw make brought Hays within one point at 37-36 with 11 seconds remaining. The Spartans cashed a pair of free throws to lead by three and Hays turned the ball over one more time. Two more Emporia free throws made the difference at 41-36.
Coach Sean Dreiling
Hays falls to 3-4 on the season. Emporia is now 4-2.
The Indians travels to Garden City on Friday.
Carter Lang 0; Johnny Cano 8; Trace Jacobs 0; Cooper Lindenmeyer 0; Trey Oakley 9; Tiger Johnson 12; Izaac Fox 5; Dawson Ruder 2.