By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
HAYS - Hays High hosted a pair of state ranked McPherson teams on Tuesday night. The boys team for McPherson entered as the #1 team in 4A while the girls checked in at #5. The Hays boys entered the rankings for the first time at #10 in 5A.
Girls
Hays 44, McPherson 41
Hays High used an 11-0 third quarter run to grab the lead for good over state ranked McPherson on their way to a 44-41 victory.
Neither team held much of a first half advantage as the score was tied four times and the lead exchanged on seven occasions. The Indians scored six straight to grab a 6-3 advantage before the Bullpups fired back with a 10-3 run to lead by four points. The last points of the quarter belonged to Hays to close their first quarter gap down to 13-11.
Hays trailed by a first half high five points in the second quarter before scoring six straight to grab the lead at 19-18. The teams traded the lead the next three possessions. Five quick points by Hays put the Indians up 26-24, but McPherson beat the second quarter buzzer with a 24 foot three pointer for a 27-26 halftime advantage.
McPherson scored the first five points of the third quarter for a 32-26 advantage, their largest lead of the game. The Bullpups didn't score for the remaining 5:45 of the quarter. Hays scored 11 straight points to lead 37-32 into the fourth.
Hays never trailed in the fourth quarter but it wasn't easy to take the win. Hays built their lead to seven with 2:20 remaining at 41-34 but couldn't take advantage of having the ball up by that score. McPherson was able to hit a pair of field goals to get within two points at 41-39 with one minute to go. McPherson did get the ball down two but turned it over. Hays made three of four free throws in the final 25 seconds to win 44-41.
Molly Martin led all scoring with 18. Zoe Winter recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Hays improves to 10-5 while McPherson drops to 11-4.
Boys
McPherson 56, Hays 45
#1-4A McPherson outscored #10-5A Hays 27-15 in the second half on their way to a 56-45 victory.
Things couldn't have started better for the Indians, scoring the first eight points and forcing a McPherson timeout. Hays would build their advantage as high as nine points in the first quarter at 16-7. The Indians had the ball but couldn't score at the rim. McPherson trimmed five points off the lead by the end of the quarter leaving the Indians leading 16-12.
Hays again was able to push the lead to seven and eight points on several occasions. The last was 27-20 with 4:20 left before halftime. The Indians didn't score for the next 3:50. The Bullpups went on a 9-0 run to take their first lead at 29-27. Hays would be the team to score last in the first half and grab a 30-29 halftime lead.
Hays opened the second half with a three pointer, taking a 33-29 advantage. The Indians again went on a long scoring drought. It took Hays 5:25 to score again. However the next four points by Hays the lead again at 37-36. McPherson scored the final four points of the third quarter and led by three heading to the final frame.
Hays fell behind by six early in the fourth but fought back to get within one point at 46-45 with 3:19 left. Hays though never scored again and the visiting Bullpups took a 56-45 win home with them.
Hays made a season high nine three pointers on the night but shot just 6-14 at the free throw line. The Indians average 68% on the season. McPherson came in averaging 69 points per game.
Edwin Muller scored a team high 13 and Dawson Ruder added 10. McPherson was led by Kyden Thompson at 18 points.
Hays falls to 9-6. McPherson is undefeated at 15-0.
The Indians resume Western Athletic Conference play on Friday with a trip to Liberal.