Hays High capped a five game homestand by hosting Garden City on Friday night.
Girls
#4 Hays 63, Garden City 29
There wasn't much that went wrong for Hays High on Friday night. The Indians used a 10-0 first quarter run and a season high nine three point field goals to win 63-29 over Garden City.
The Indians and Buffaloes each hit a pair of free throws in the first ninety seconds for the only tie in the game. Hays scored the next ten points of the game, six from the free throw line, to lead 12-2. Garden City was only within single digits twice more, the last at 16-8 with 1:15 left in the first quarter.
Hays led 18-8 after one quarter. The Indians pushed their advantage to twenty two different times in the second frame. A 7-2 run and 9-0 run in put Hays up 20 for the first time at 34-14. Hays led 36-19 heading into halftime.
Highlights
Hays was never threatened in the second half. Garden City went to a zone defense in the third quarter. The Indians responded by making five of a season high nine threes against that defense.
Hays took a 55-28 lead into the fourth quarter. A three pointer ten seconds into the quarter started the continuous clock fourth quarter at 58-28. The Indians' final points came two minutes later. It was a momentous three points.
Molly Martin hit a left wing three to hit 1,000 career points on the nose. It was a fitting moment on her 131st career made three, a category she also is at the top of the career mark.
Jenna Schmeidler led the was with 21, her third straight games scoring more than 20. The Indians hit all twelve of their free throws.
Coach Len Melvin
The victory guarantees Hays(18-0, 6-0) a minimum share of the Western Athletic Conference title. It is the first time since 2002 and 2003 the Indians have won back-to-back crowns. Garden City(11-8, 4-3) falls out of contention for the WAC crown.
Jenna Schmeidler 21; Annie Humphrey 0; Katie Linenberger 10; Molly Martin 16; Kenlee Winter 5; Morgan Armbruster 3; Jaysa Roa 0; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 2; Molly Buckles 2; Zoe Winter 4; Liz Cunningham 0; Rylen Harrington 0; Haley LaBarge 0.
Boys
Hays 57, Garden City 33
Hays used two first half runs to build a double-digit first half lead on their way to a 57-33 victory over Garden City.
The Indians scored the first seven points of the game and never trailed. Hays was up 11-2 and had chances to take a their first double-digit lead but didn't convert. Garden City scored the game's next seven points to pull within two at 11-9. It was the closest the Buffaloes got all night.
Hays hit a three late in the first quarter for 14-9 lead heading to the second. It was a six point ball game at 20-14 when the Indians went on their best run of the game. A 15-0 run fueled by Garden City turnovers ballooned the Hays lead to 35-14. The Buffaloes went 4:40 without any points and finally found the net at 35-16 with forty seconds left before halftime.
Highlights
Neither team could get into a groove in the second half. Hays outscored Garden City 11-8 in the third and 11-9 in the fourth for the 57-33 victory. The Indians did lead at one point in the fourth quarter by 30 points at 57-27.
Coach Sean Dreiling
Hays(11-7, 5-1) shot over 50% in the game and for the fifth time this season. Garden City(4-15, 2-5) could not pickup back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Hays keeps pace, one game back of Great Bend in the Western Athletic Conference. They also remain in the hunt for a top eight seed in 5A West postseason.
Hays travels to Dodge City on Tuesday for their final road game of the regular season.
Carter Lang 0; Johnny Cano 11; Trace Jacobs 2; Cooper Lindenmeyer 2; Brogan Albers 0; Trey Oakley 7; Tiger Johnson 11; Brody Harmoney 5; Izzac Fox 13; Noah Smalley 0; Brecken Otte 0; Dawson Ruder 6; Alex Loving 0; Dalton Schmidtberger 0.