By JAYCEE DALE
The Hays High School boys’ basketball team made a statement in their first postseason game Tuesday night against Arkansas City.
The Indians reached Friday’s title game against rival Great Bend with a 42-26 victory over Arkansas City at the HHS gym.
Hays High started slowly, allowing Arkansas City to move out to a 9-0 advantage early.
That eventually left HHS in a 13-2 hole after the first quarter.
The Indians closed the gap heading into the second half, trailing 17-16 at the break.
A spurt to start the third quarter gave the Indians a 21-17 lead. HHS allowed only three points in the third quarter.
Hays High led by 13 in the last few minutes, and the Indians pulled out the 16-point win against the Bulldogs to advance.
Dalyn Schwarz led the Indians with 11 points, and Dylan Ruder followed with nine.