By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
COLBY - Two undefeated teams entered the championship semifinals in the Colby Orange & Black Classic Friday afternoon. Only Hays remained that way after a 74-72 overtime victory that gave Wellington their first loss.
Wellington led for the entire first half. Hays tied the score at five in the first quarter just over two minutes into the game. The Indians though went scoreless for the next 3:35 and fell behind 11-5.
Hays once trailed by a single possession several different times in the first quarter before Wellington took a 16-12 lead after the first eight minutes.
Wellington held three different six point leads early in the second quarter and led by nine at 26-17. The Crusaders' biggest lead came at 30-19 with three minutes remaining before halftime and led 36-25 at the midgame break.
Highlights
Wellington took their biggest lead of the game early in the third quarter on a free throw at 37-25. Hays spend the next ten minutes chipping away at the lead.
The Indians trailed 40-29 midway through the third quarter when they took a chunk out of the lead outscoring Wellington 10-2. That run pulled Hays within a single possession at 42-39. The Crusaders pushed the lead back to six with a three pointer and led by four heading to the fourth quarter 47-43.
Hays took their first lead with 5:30 to go in regulation during another 10-2 run. Hays never trailed again. Wellington tied the game at 55 with 4:42 left before Hays scored the next eight points for a 63-55 edge with 2:40 remaining.
The Indians though scored just one point rest of regulation and Wellington ended the game on a 9-1 run to tie the game with 1:05 left. Wellington got the final look of regulation but the shot from just outside the block was blocked and the game went to overtime tied at 64.
Hays led by five twice in overtime at 71-66 and 73-68. The final five point lead with 1:17 on the clock proved to be just enough. Wellington scored four straight points over the next 25 seconds to pull within one at 73-72. The Crusaders had a chance to take the lead but couldn't connect on a shot. A final Hays free throw and steal in the final four seconds kept Hays undefeated with the 74-72 win.
Coach Len Melvin
Hays(11-0) will face either Colby or Beloit in the championship game at 4:00 on Saturday. It is the Indians second championship appearance. Their other title game was in 2019 during their first visit to the Orange & Black. Wellington(10-1) plays for third place at 1:00.
Val Norwood, a Lindenwood signee, led Wellington with 22. Jenna Schmeidler and Molly Martin each scored 19. Katie Linenberger recorded a double-double at 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Janna Schmeidler 19; Annie Humphrey 0; Katie Linenberger 15; Molly Martin 19; Kenlee Winter 4; Morgan Armbruster 2; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 3; Lynsi Kanak 2; Molly Buckles 0; Zoe Winter 10.