EMPORIA, Kan. - The Hutch High girls’ comeback effort fell a little short on Thursday night in the opening round of the 50th annual Glacier’s Edge Classic.
The Salthawks fell behind by 20 at halftime, 36-16. The Salthawks trimmed the Panther lead to 15 in the third quarter, but ended up losing their fourth game of the season, 55-43.
The Panthers swarming defense produced quick Salthawk turnovers and allowed Derby to get a quick 10-0 lead in the opening minutes. Hutch ended the first half with 16 turnovers and committed three more at the start of the second half to allow the lead to grow to 39-16, but then the Salthawks started to break the Panther press and get to the free throw line to outscore Derby 14-9 by the end of the third quarter to trail 45-30.
Hutchinson could never trim the lead to single digits in the final period bud did outscore the Panthers 13-10 in the fourth quarter.
Salthawk coach Kalen Hilst was proud of his girls’ effort.
“Our lack of depth hurt us again tonight, but we play with the hand we are delt,” Hilst said. “I'm proud of how the girls fought back and showed what they were capable of in the second half."
Derby would substitute sending five players in every couple of minutes to keep fresh legs in the contest to press the Salthawks.
Macayla Askew was Derby's leading scorer with 15, Madison Smith with 13, but a big performance by freshman Aysia Fox highlighted the night off the bench with seven points. Jaden Wilson added seven, along with Kyler Demel's five points.
Hutchinson was paced by three players in double figures led by Kaia Smith with 13 points, Azariah Dawes scored 12 and Grace Posch with 10. Kohlbie Craft added five and Ava Crown scored three.
Derby (7-1) advances in the winner's bracket and will play #2 seed Emporia (8-2) in the late game on Friday. Emporia defeated Wichita Southeast 62-27. Hutchinson (5-4) will fall to the consolation bracket and play Wichita Southest (4-7) at 4:45pm on Friday night.
That game will be broadcast on KWBW Radio (1450am/98.5fm) with pregame starting around 4:30pm. The game will also be streamed on the NFHSNetwork Hutch High Channel as well as on the Emporia High School Spartan YouTube Channel.