Late free throws key Indians
BY ALEX HAMMEKE
Special to the Tribune
HOISINGTON – A 40-foot 3-pointer by Hoisington’s Holt Hanzlick was too little, too late.
No. 6 ranked 5A Hays High survived the Cardinals’ upset bid 64-63 in overtime by grabbing two game-clinching offensive rebounds off missed free throws.
Hays High’s Jason Krannawitter scored the inaugural points of the overtime period, while Hoisington would turn the ball over via Drew Nicholson's offensive foul. Hoisington's Bralen Thompson tied the score at 60. Hoisington had a chance for the lead, but was voided off a Mason Haxton charging call drawn by Dalyn Schwarz.
Jace Linenberger split two charity shots for a 61-60 lead, and Hoisington turned the ball over. Krannawitter converted a second free throw for a 62-60 lead and Noah Weimer grabbed the rebound. Krannawitter missed two free throws. Dalyn Schwarz grabbed another offensive rebound and sealed the game with two free throws.
“We knew it would be a dogfight, and we also knew that it would be two really good basketball teams hitting the floor.” Hoisington High head coach Kyle Haxton said.
Carson Kieffer sparked the Indians with 19 points and Krannawitter added 16 points.
Drew Nicholson scored 25 points and Mason Haxton (12) and Holt Hanzlick (10) scored in double figures. The Indians switched from post players guarding Nicholson in the first half to perimeter players drawing the assignment after intermission.
Hoisington (4-1) led 48-41 after three quarters.
T.J. Nunnery opened up the fourth quarter with a score, only to be responded with a bucket from Nicholson. Hays would cut the lead to four again through a Krannawitter 3-pointer.
Hays brought the game within two points with five minutes to go, and Krannawitter converted a pair of free throws for a 52-52 tie.
Mason Haxton scored four straight points, but Krannawitter cut it to a 1-point game with a signature 3-pointer. Cardinal Chase Robinson scored in the paint, but Carson Kieffer's corner three tied it at 58.
Hays played not to lose and held the basketball for 90 seconds. T.J. Nunnery stepped over the line on his one-on-one free throw shot. Hoisington turned the ball over in the final seconds for overtime.
Hays High 17 14 10 17 6 – 64
Hoisington 21 16 11 10 5 – 63
HAYS HIGH (4-0)—Kieffer 8 0-2 19, Krannawitter 5 3-5 16, Oakley 1 0-0 3, Nunnery 2 1-3 5, Weimer 1 0-0 2, Linenberger 1 5-7 7, Schwarz 5 2-2 12, Totals 23 11-18 64
HOISINGTON (4-1)—Nicholson 8 6-6 25, Thompson 2 0-0 5, Leyton Haxton 2 0-0 6, Mason Haxton 4 3-3 12, Woydziak 1 0-0 3, Chase Robinson 1 0-0 2, Holt Hanzlick 4 0-0 10, Totals 22 9-9 63.
3-pointers—Hays 7 (Krannawitter 3, Kieffer 3, Oakley 1); Hoisington 9 (Nicholson 3, Hanzlick 2, L. Haxton 2, Thompson 1, Woydziak 1)
