Hays High opened their first appearance at the KSHSAA State Basketball Tournament since 1996 with a game against St. Thomas Aquinas. The trip was short lived as the Indians fall 51-48.
The Saints jumped out to a 10-2 lead over the first six minutes of the game. Hays scored hit a three in the final minute of the first quarter that sparked an 11-0 run that gave the Indians a lead at 13-10 with 4:35 left in the second quarter.
Hays pushed their lead up to eight at 21-13 with ninety seconds left before halftime. Aquinas ended those ninety seconds with a 6-2 spurt which included their only field goal of the second quarter as time expired. Hays took a 23-19 lead into halftime.
Highlights
Hays quickly built their lead back to eight at the beginning of the third quarter at 27-19. The Indians were quickly saddled with foul trouble. Over the next three minutes the Saints went on an 11-0 run to regain the lead at 30-27. The two teams traded blows over the remaining three minutes of the quarter and settled on a 38 all tie heading to the fourth.
Each team possessed the lead in the fourth. Hays led 45-43 and 48-46 but each time the Saints answered on their next possession. The final points for Hays came with 2:15 left in the game. Aquinas scored just three, but it was enough for the victory.
Hays got one last opportunity with seven second remaining but couldn't get a clean look away to tie the game falling 51-48.
Coach Len Melvin
Jenna Schmeidler 18; Katie Linenberger 3; Molly Martin 21; Kenlee Winter 0; Zoe Winter 3; Annie Humphrey 2; Morgan Armbruster 0; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 0; Molly Buckles 1.