By JAYCEE DALE
After stealing one in the final seconds at Dodge City, the Hays High School girls’ basketball team fell victim to the same thing happening to them Tuesday.
The Red Demons got a late bucket to secure a 41-40 victory at the HHS gym.
It was all Hays High in the first quarter as the Indians built a 7-1 advantage after using stifling defense.
Dodge City came out with more fight in the second quarter and tied the game at 13 with three minutes to play in the half.
A late 3-pointer by Dodge City was able to push the Red Demons to a 20-18 advantage at halftime.
Hays High never led in the third quarter, but Dodge City never could comfortably distance itself. Hays High trailed by as many as six to end the quarter, 28-22.
Hays High battled with Dodge City the entire fourth quarter, making the game come down to the wire. Jersey Johnson hit two free throws, tying the game. A few seconds later, HHS took a two-point lead.
Dodge City snuck back ahead by one with only 32 seconds remaining. Freshman Molly Martin was fouled with seven seconds remaining, giving HHS a 40-39 lead.
Dodge City made it down the court with two seconds left before calling a timeout. The Red Demons’ inbound play was successful, giving the visiting team the one-point win on the road.
Hays High (12-8) will host Maize South (11-9) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the HHS gym in the first round of the Class 5A sub-state tourney. A victory would put the Indians in the title match of the sub-state against either Salina Central (20-0) or Newton (2-18).
