Hays finished the month of January with home games versus Salina Central on Friday evening.
Girls
#5 Salina Central 64 - Hays 43
The Hays High Indians never had the lead against Salina Central on Friday night. The Indians closed within one point twice in the first quarter at 8-7 and 12-11. Hays trailed 19-15 after the first quarter. During the first eight minutes the Indians made six of ten, but then in the second quarter made just two of ten baskets to trail at halftime 33-23.
Highlights
Salina Central made their first five shots of the second half while Hays missed their first eight helping the Mustangs extend their lead out to 25 points. Hays found some offense in the fourth quarter to keep the game around a twenty point affair, eventually falling 64-43.
Coach Len Melvin
Hays falls to 4-9 on the year. Morgan Engle and Jersey Johnson each scored 10 points. Aubrie Kierscht led the Mustangs with 28 points as Salina Central improves to 10-2.
Boys
#1 Hays 47 - Salina Central 46
It couldn't get much worse in the first half for Hays against Salina Central. The Indians had more turnovers than their per game average during the first sixteen minutes and shot just six of twenty from the floor to trail Salina Central 32-13 at the break.
Highlights
However, things couldn't get much better in the second half. The Indians scored 23 third quarter points to force their way back into the game. Hays made six of their first seven shots of the quarter and eventually pulled within five at 39-34 with 1:15 left in the third and trailed by six entering the fourth quarter.
Hays pulled within two at 45-43 with 4:00 left. The Indians missed a three for the lead with three minutes left. The Mustangs missed the front end of a one and one with 1:24 remaining giving the Indians a chance. Dalyn Schwartz hit both sides of a one and one with :53 left. Salina Central hit one of two free throws with ten seconds remaining leaving the door open for Carson Kieffer to score his second field goal of the night giving Hays their only lead of the game 47-46 as time expired.
Coach Alex Hutchins
Schwarz scored 16 and Jace Linenberger added 11. Hays improves to 13-0. Salina Central was led by 26 points from Reed McHenry and the Mustangs fall to 4-8 and continue to play one of the toughest schedules in the state.
Hays goes on the road Tuesday and travels to Scott City.