By JAYCEE DALE
With a championship title from last weekend’s Orange and Black Classic in Colby under its belt, the Hays High School boys’ basketball team showed no signs of a letdown Tuesday night against Pratt at the HHS gym.
The undefeated Indians needed just a little more than the first quarter to match Pratt’s offensive output the entire game, easily defeating the Greenbacks 74-29.
Hays High, No. 1 ranked in Class 5A for the second week in the KBCA poll, bolted out to a 26-3 advantage after the first period and never looked back.
Pratt tried to stay within range in the second quarter, scoring 19 points. But the Indians maintained a comfortable 46-22 advantage at halftime.
Once the third quarter started, Hays High left no doubt with another dominating defensive performance. The Indians outscored the Greenbacks 23-5 to pull ahead 69-27 entering the final eight minutes.
Hays High was able to go deep into its bench in the final period, but still only allowed Pratt to manage two points in the quarter.
Jace Linenberger led the Indians with a double-double, 15 points and 11 rebounds. Dalyn Schwarz followed with 14 points, Carson Kieffer came in with 11 and Jordan Dale helped out with 10.
Hays High, which improved to 12-0, hosts Salina Central on Friday. The Mustangs and Indians, along with Salina South and Great Bend, are in the same sub-state tourney this year.
Junior varsity game
Hays High 55, Pratt 31
