Hays girls overpower Panthers
BY JIM MISUNAS
HAYS – It’s developed into a familiar script for the Great Bend girls – outmanned, outplayed and a running clock.
The Hays High Indians overpowered the Panthers 60-29 in Friday’s Western Athletic Conference basketball game behind a perfect mix of inside and outside shooting.
Great Bend (1-15, 0-5 WAC) has lost 12 consecutive games heading to a road game Friday at Garden City. The 18th-seeded Panthers are assured of competing in a play-in game in the 5A post-season playoffs.
Jenna Mauler converted four 3-pointers and led the Panthers with 15 points. The Panthers trailed 38-17 at halftime.
The Indians (11-4, 4-1 WAC) outscored the Panthers 21-12 on 3-pointers and muscled up inside against the shorter Panthers. Savannah Schneider led the Indians with 16 points and Jaycee Dale (13) and Brooke Denning (11) scored in double figures.
“We had our opportunities. We had kids who stepped up and competed,” said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. “It was a physical game. At times, we felt like we were getting steamrolled.”
Every time, the Panthers hesitated to make a play or stop an offensive threat, the Indians capitalized.
“We’re being indecisive about what we’re doing,” Minton said.
Tasiah Nunnery, Kaylie Leiker and Denning each converted a pair of 3-pointers. Denning drilled the game-winning shot against Garden City Saturday.
The Indians defeated the Panthers 79-44 and 64-41 in earlier meetings this season.
Great Bend 8 9 6 6 – 29
Hays High 18 20 12 10 – 60
GREAT BEND (1-15, 0-5)—Mauler 5 1-3 15, Kaylee Unruh 2 0-0 4, Sydney Unruh 0 0-3 0, Warren 1 0-2 2, Latham 0 2-2 2, Smith 0 4-4 4, Herter 0 2-2 2, Totals 8 9-16 29
HAYS HIGH (11-4, 4-1)—Schneider 5 5-5 16, Dale 4 3-4 13, Denning 3 3-3 11, Nunnery 2 2-2 6, Leiker 3 0-0 8, Robben 1 0-0 2, McCrae 1 0-1 2, Flax 0 2-2 2, Totals 19 15-17 60
3-pointers—GB 4 (Mauler 4); HH 7 (Dale 2, Leiker 2, Denning 2, Schneider 1)
