HAYS – In most cases, a basketball team must maintain possession of the basketball to call an offensive timeout.
That rule didn’t apply when Hays High’s Molly Martin lost control of the basketball with the Indians up 43-38. Nevertheless, the Indians were granted a timeout without possession just as Great Bend Panther Sadie Spray headed downcourt with the basketball for a potential layup.
Panther Makenzie Premer converted a basket for a 43-38 score when the Indians benefited from the favorable timeout. The Indians iced the victory with four free throws.
Hays High's Martin had all the offensive answers with a game-high 18 points that sparked the Indians’ 47-40 Western Athletic Conference victory. Martin started the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer and a pair of steals and layups for a 43-36 lead.
The Panthers rallied from a 32-25 deficit when Kara Feist hit a 3-pointer and Feist and Ellegood followed with baskets. However, both Feist and Cassie Ellegood missed free throws for potential back-to-back 3-point plays.
Feist scored a career high 11 points and converted a trio of 3-pointers to lead the Panthers. Sadie Spray, averaging 18 points, was limited to seven points by exceptional Indian defense by Carly Lang. Emilee Hall and Ellegood added six points apiece.
"Lang tried to lock Sadie Spray down and they sagged in the paint off her drive," said Great Bend coach Cindy Beck.
Like Groundhog Day, the Panthers played with exceptional offensive and defensive effort, but came up short again.
"We didn't get the win on the scoreboard. But that's our best basketball game we've played in a couple of weeks," said Great Bend coach Cindy Beck. "We're right there so many times, and haven't been able to get over the hump. Now, we've hit the point where it's win or go home."
The Panthers earned a favorable postseason matchup. No. 12 seed Great Bend (7-13, 1-7 WAC) plays at No. 5 Hutchinson High (15-5) in Tuesday's 5A substate. Hutchinson beat the Panthers 45-33 Jan. 13, but lost all-league point guard Josie McLean to a knee injury Tuesday. Great Bend's girls won last year's rematch 56-53 after Hutchinson won 58-43 last year.
Beck appreciates the fact the Panthers go back to work after each loss.
"I don't want to accept losing and none of them will either," she said. "It's disappointing. I wish I could take that hurt away. We came out tonight with attitude and effort. We had girls step up."
Hays point guard Lang ked the Indians’ offense with seven points and several nifty assists. Jillyan Sheldon powered inside for nine points. Kinley Winter added seven points.
Great Bend 8 12 12 8 – 40
Hays High 9 17 10 11 – 47
GREAT BEND (7-13, 1-7)—Kara Feist 4-8 0-0 11, Spray 3-11 1-2 7, Ellegood 3-5 0-1 6, Hall 2-8 2-2 6, Premer 2-5 0-0 4, Thexton 2-5 0-0 4, Nicholson 0-0 2-2 2, Totals 16-42 5-7 40
HAYS HIGH (13-7, 5-3)—Martin 5-13 7-9 18, Sheldon 4-5 1-3 9, Kinley Winter 2-5 3-4 7, Lang 2-3 3-4 7, Linenberger 3-6 5 0-0 6, Humphrey 0-2 0-0 0, Melvin 0-3 0-0 0, Totals 16-36 14-20 47
3-pointers—GB 3-13 (Feist 3-6, Thexton 0-1, Hall 0-2, Premer 0-2, Spray 0-2); H 1-11 (Martin 1-6, Lang 0-1, Humphrey 0-2, Melvin 0-2)
5A WEST GIRLS
1—Wichita Carroll 18-2 vs. 16 Goddard 5-15; 8 Hays High 13-7 vs. 9 Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel 12-8
2—Andover High 18-2 vs. 15 Topeka West 6-14; 7 Goddard Eisenhower 14-6 vs. 10 Salina Central 10-10
3—Emporia 16-3 vs. 14 Newton 7-13; 5 Maize South 15-5 vs. 11 Salina South 8-12
4—Andover Central 15-5 vs. 13 Valley Center 7-13; 5 Hutchinson High 15-5 vs 12 Great Bend 7-13
(x-Arkansas City 4-16; x-Maize High 3-17; x-eliminated from postseason play)
