By JAYCEE DALE
On paper, the ranking for each time made it appear to be a close contest. But in reality, the Hays High School boys’ basketball team rolled to another Western Athletic Conference title after a 59-43 win over Dodge City on Tuesday at the HHS gym.
Hays High entered the game No. 3 in the lastest poll in Class 5A, while the Red Demons were No. 3 in Class 6A.
Hays High struggled offensively in the first quarter and trailed 12-7 after the first eight minutes.
But the Indians brought the heat in the second quarter. HHS was able to tie the game at 16 with a Jordan Dale conventional three-point play. Hays High then went on an 11-0 run, going into the half ahead 27-16.
Hays High never gave up the lead in the third quarter. The Indians were able to keep a nine-point lead to end the quarter, 42-33.
Hays High took a 10-point lead early in the final period and never let Dodge City back into the game.
During the game, Carson Kieffer was able to score 15 points and became the career assist record-holder with 368.
Jace Linenberger led the scoring with 26 points and 16 rebounds. He became the sixth person in school history to have 900 points and 400 rebounds in his career.
Dale also added 12 points in the HHS win.
Hays High (19-1) will host Arkansas City (3-17) in a first-round game of the Class 5A sub-state tourney at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the HHS gym. A victory in that game would move the Indians into the sub-state title game Friday against either Maize South (15-5) or Topeka-Seaman (13-7).
