Lady Demons fight off late Hays rally, boys undone in 2nd half
HAYS–Hays’ boys shot better than 76% in the second half Friday, and they pulled away for an easy 56-33 win over Dodge City, but the Lady Demons denied what would have been a game-winning 3-pointer by the Lady Indians in the final seconds to hang on for a 37-36 victory at Hays.
In the boys game, both teams shot below 26% from the floor in the first half, and the two teams combined for only 29 points at the break, with Hays holding a small 16-13 lead. But everything changed in the second half, and the Indians only missed five shots, finishing an astounding 16-for-21 in the final two quarters. Most of those makes were on layups, as the Indians failed to make a 3-pointer in the entire game.
Jack Weimer’s game-high 22-point performance stole the show for Hays.
For Dodge City, the same second-half turnaround didn’t happen, and they finished the contest below 28% total from the field and a paltry 4-of-19 from the 3-point line. They also committed 17 turnovers, which Hays turned into 15 points.
Victor Brito had one of the best games of his varsity career with 10 points and four rebounds on 3-for-3 shooting.
The Red Demons fall to 5-10 (1-3 WAC) with the loss and return to action Friday, Feb. 10 when they host Colby. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
In the girls game, Dodge City built an 11-point lead in the third quarter before, much like the thrilling win at Garden City Tuesday, beginning to collapse.
The Demons were outscored 12-4 in the final quarter, but the Lady Indians didn’t get the result they wanted from Kenlee Winter’s open 3-pointer from the left wing just ahead of the buzzer.
Dodge City made just 2-for-17 from the 3-point line in the contest and only 3-of-11 at the free throw line. But they made up for that with 15 offensive rebounds, which led the way to 14 second-chance points.
Easha Potts notched a double-double for Dodge City Friday with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Becca Unruh chipped in 10 points.
The Lady Demons improve to 7-8 (3-1 WAC) with the win and return to action Friday, Feb. 10 when they host Colby. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
