Hays High returned to Western Athletic Conference action by hosting Garden City on Friday night. It was also Indian Call for the home team as well.
Girls
Garden City 36- #10 Hays 60
Hays scored a season high point total and matched their season low in turnovers as they cruise past Garden City 60-36. The game was tied twice in the first four minutes at two and seven. Hays led 10-9 with 2:50 left in the first before going on a 13-0 run that last into the second quarter. The Buffaloes went scoreless for seven minutes.
Once the Indians took a double digit lead in the second quarter they never led by less than twelve rest of the night and had a 29-12 advantage at halftime.
Highlights
The two teams traded baskets to open the second half before a 11-4 run by Hays gave the Indians their first twenty point lead. The lead continued to expand in the fourth quarter to thirty points which started a continuous clock for the remainder of the game.
Hays outscored Garden City in each of the four quarters, winning 60-36. Their previous season high in points had been 58 versus Dodge City.
Coach Len Melvin
Hays was led by Molly Martin's game high 14. Aleyia Ruder and Jillyan Sheldon scored 9 each. Carly Lang put up 8 points and 10 rebounds. Jersey Johnson, who was crowned queen during Indian Call between games, scored 7. Garden City was paced by Aileen Becerril with 12.
#10 Hays improves to 12-6 and 4-2 in conference play. Garden City falls to 3-16, 1-5.
Boys
Garden City 37 - #3 Hays 56
Garden City hit their first shot of the game for a 3-0 lead after the opening possession. Hays responded with a 12-2 run and grabbed two nine point leads in the first quarter before settling for an 18-11 lead through the first eight minutes.
The Indians built a pair of double digit leads before Garden City pulled within six at 24-18. The Indians ended the quarter with a Jace Linenberger three point play and a Carson Kieffer three pointer for a 30-18 halftime lead.
Highlights
The Indians' advantage never dipped below 13 in the second half. Hays did lead by 18 at 41-23 before Garden City made a short run of 7-2 but was never closer than 43-30 rest of the game.
Hays led by 15 entering the fourth quarter and quickly added their advantage with a 9-0 run. The Indians outscored Garden City in every quarter on their way to a 56-37 victory.
Coach Alex Hutchins
Jace Linenberger recorded his third straight double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Linenberger moved to 9th all-time in rebounds passing Bill Giles (1977) and has grabbed 427 boards. Carson Kieffer scored 15.
#3 Hays improves to 17-1 and is 6-0 in conference play. Garden City drops to 9-10, 2-4.
Hays will Dodge City for Senior Night next Tuesday and finish the regular season a Great Bend on Friday the 25th.