By Dustin Armbruster
Hays Post Sports
St. George, KS - The Hays High Indians took to the floor for the championship semifinals of the Flurry on Flush Tournament at Rock Creek High School on Friday.
Girls
#2-3A Silver Lake 62 - #4-5A Hays 41
Silver Lake was in control for most of a 62-41 victory over Hays in a state ranked semifinal showdown.
Silver Lake led by five early at 5-0 and 7-2. Hays responded with a 7-0 that established the Indians first lead of the game at 9-2. The team would trade the lead back and forth for the next ninety seconds. Hays led 13-12 with 1:30 left in the first quarter.
The next three minutes belonged to the Eagles. Silver Lake scored six points to end the first quarter and another six to start the second quarter for a 24-13 lead.
Hays cut the deficit down to six just one minute later. It was the closest the Indians would get rest of the afternoon. The Eagles closed the final five minutes of the first half with a 13-4 run for a 37-22 advantage.
Highlights
The Indians scored the first five points out of the locker room and had a chance to get the game back to a single digit contest but turned the ball over. Trailing 39-27, Hays had the ball four times with the chances to cut into the lead but turned it over each time.
Hays trailed 50-36 after three quarter and mustered just five fourth quarter points losing 62-41.
Coach Len Melvin
Silver Lake (6-0) made nine three point field goals in the game and 15 of 18 free throws. Hays (6-1) was held to their lowest point output of the season.
Hays will play in the third place game at 12:00 on Saturday. Hertz pregame will begin at 11:40.
Rupp 3, Schmeidler 8, Humphrey 3, LaBarge 0, Armbruster 3, Turner 0, Newell 2, Buckles 12, Winter 11.
Boys
Hays 56 - #1-3A Hesston 54
Hays never trailed but still needed a tip-in just before the game's final buzzer to win 56-54 over Hesston.
The Indians and Swathers were tied four times in the first quarter. A three pointer to beat the first quarter buzzer boosted Hays to a 12-9 lead.
Slowly during the second quarter Hays built their edge. The Indians made their final six field goal attempts of the first half. They once again beat the quarter buzzer with a three pointer their biggest lead of the first half at 30-21.
Highlights
Hays looked like they might run away with the game in the third quarter. The Indians built their lead to 13 points at 40-27 with 4:47 left in the frame. Hesston held the Indians scoreless over the next 3:36 of the game and cut seven points off the lead at 40-34.
Hays led by seven entering the fourth quarter and spend the next four minutes increasing the lead to 12 at 52-40. The Indians, however, went cold again.
Hays' twelve point lead came with 4:38 left. The next points for the Indians went through the net with :49.1 left. Hesston chipped away at the lead the whole time and got within two points at 54-52 then stole the ball.
The Swathers scored with ten seconds remaining to tie the game. Hays elected not to take a timeout. Trey Oakley found Dawson Ruder near the rim. Ruder's shot fell just short but Oakley followed in the miss with just before time expired for the 56-54 victory.
Coach Sean Dreiling
Hays (5-1) shot 56% from the floor and made 6 of 13 three pointers. Hesston (5-1) shot 51% and hit 5 of 12 three point attempts.
Hays will play for the championship of the Flurry on Flush tournament at 4:30 on Saturday. Hertz pregame will begin at 4:10.
Pfeifer 2, Homeier 3, Oakley 13, Harmoney 7, Fox 8, Smalley 6, Otte 0, Ruder 17, Loving 0.