Jan 05, 2022

Hays sweeps Pratt on the road

Posted Jan 05, 2022 3:50 AM

Hays High opened the 2022 portion of their season with a trip to Pratt on the first day of school.

Girls
Hays 47 - Pratt 44

Hays opened the game on a 13-0 run through the first seven and a half minutes of the game. The Greenbacks' first points came with twenty-three second left in the first quarter. The Indians then went cold from the field missing their first twelve shots of the second quarter and went scoreless for 7:20.

Pratt used the time to take the lead on a 14-0 run. Hays took the lead back on a pair of free throws at 15-14, Pratt hit a three for a 17-15 advantage before Hays hit a layup with five seconds left in the half for a 17-17 tie heading into the locker room.

Highlights

The two teams were tied a total of five times and exchanged the lead eight times by the end of the game. Hays took a nine point lead early in the fourth quarter with a pair of free throws to cap an 11-1 run after trailing 24-23. Pratt bounced right back with a 12-2 sprint of their own to capture the lead at 37-36 with 3:54 left in the game. 

Claire Humphrey gave the Indians the lead with three of four free throws and then broke a 39 all tie with two more tosses with 2:04 left. The Indians never trailed again. Pratt hit their seventh and final three pointer with :40 left to draw within two at 44-42. The Indians made three of their final six free throws to keep the Greenback at arms length for a 47-44 victory.

Coach Len Melvin

Molly Martin scored a team high and career high 14. Seven different players scored for Hays. Gabby Gatlin scored a game high 19 and teammate Lexi Walker hit six three pointers for 18 points for Pratt.

Hays improves to 3-3 on the year. Pratt falls to 4-3.

Boys
#8 Hays 56 - Pratt 45

Hays and Pratt never gained much separation from each other through the first two quarters. Both teams led by three in the first quarter and were tied at 12 after the first eight minutes. Hays built their first two possession advantage at 22-17 midway through the second quarter before Pratt trimmed it back to 24-22 by halftime.

Highlights

Pratt tied the game at 24 and 26 points out of the halftime locker but never gained the advantage. Hays gained their first significant gap in the game on a 10-1 run late in the third quarter, leading 41-32. Pratt had one last chance to pull off a fourth quarter comeback with four minutes left. Hays was called for a technical foul, but Pratt scored just one of the two free throws and turned the ball over on their ensuing possession while Hays led 49-42.

The Indians made all of their six free throw attempts over the final minute to secure a 56-45 victory.

Coach Alex Hutchins

Jace Linenberger led three in double figures at 20 points. Noah Weimer scored a career high 13 and Carson Kieffer added 12. The Indians made 20 of 25 free throws. Pratt was led by Karter Hoeme with 18.

Hays improves to 5-1 and will host Liberal on Friday.