By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Hutch High Salthawk boys lost Saturday 53-37 to Lawrence Free State in Lawrence in a Class 6A substate final.
"I told Coach Miller on the way up here, this isn't the last one of these we're going to play in," said assistant Joe Hammersmith. "I think this program is really continuing to grow."
Hutch High was right with the Firebirds at the end of one quarter and led 8-7. As good as the Salthawk shooting was on Wednesday at home, they had trouble putting the ball in the hole in quarter number two and trailed at the half 21-13.
The third quarter is when Free State really stretched it out, outscoring Hutchinson in that frame 17-7 for a 38-20 lead and then they kept the Salthawks at a distance in the fourth and the Firebirds won 53-37.
Unfortunately, coach Brian Miller wasn't able to watch the close of the game with his squad as he received two technical fouls following a hard foul on an attempted dunk by Khalil Mendoza at the 3:53 mark of the 4th quarter.
Nic Lange came in and hit what would have been Mendoza's free throws, but Jordan Brown made all four technical tosses for the Firebirds and Hutchinson never was able to get closer after that.
Hutch High ends their season at 12-10. Free State advances to the 6A state tournament with a record of 21-1.