By Dustin Armbruster
Hays Post Sports
HAYS - The Hays High Indians held Eisenhower scoreless for the final 4:15 of the game in a 66-51 victory to advance to the sub-state championship game.
The Tigers scored first and took what turned out to be their only lead of the game at 2-0. Dawson Ruder scored Hays' (19-4) next eight points on what turned out to be a big night from the senior.
The Indians pushed their advantage to nine in the first quarter before settling for a 16-8 lead after eight minutes.
Hays held three different ten point leads in the second quarter. Trey Oakley provided the first two at 18-8 and 21-11 on five of his 12 points. Miles Day provided the final ten point lead of the quarter on a three pointer with 1:30 left before halftime. The Tigers responded with five points in the final thirty seconds. The second of the two field goals went through the net as time expired for a 29-24 halftime score.
Highlights
Eisenhower never took the lead in the second half, but they threatened to. Hays led by two possession for a vast majority of the third quarter. The Tigers tied it in the final minute of the third quarter on back-to-back field goals for a score of 43-43. Oakley nailed a pair of free throws to give the Indians the edge at 45-43 entering the fourth quarter.
Eisenhower once again tied the game 45 with the first points of the fourth quarter. That is when Ruder took over again, scoring seven of his career high tying 35 points for a 52-45 Indian lead.
The Tigers pushed back one final time with six consecutive points and made the game a point affair at 52-51 with 4:15 remaining. It was the final time Eisenhower scored.
Hays scored the games' final 14 points. Izaac Fox led off with a pair of free throws followed by four straight points by each Ruder and Brody Harmoney, who scored in double-figures for the second time this season at 10 points. Ruder provided the final four points all from the free throw line for the 66-51 victory.
Coach Sean Dreiling
The 35 points that Ruder scored puts him three behind Brady Werth for most points in a career. Ruder currently has 1,136. Ruder added 11 rebounds to his stat line for his sixth double-double of the season. He has scored 68 points and grabbed 26 rebounds in the last two games.
The Indians advance to the sub-state championship game where they will face the fourth seeded Topeka Seaman Vikings (20-4) who defeated Valley Center (10-14) at home 73-51. That game will take place at 6:00.
Pfeifer 1, Homeier 0, Oakley 12, Harmoney 10, Fox 4, Smalley 0, Day 4, Ruder 35.