HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — The Hutchinson High boys basketball team delivered one of the biggest surprises of the McPherson Invitational Tournament, knocking off top-seeded Topeka Seaman 53-51 in the first round.
The Salthawks, facing the tournament’s No. 1 seed and the No. 2-ranked team in Class 5A, traded leads with the Vikings throughout a tightly contested game before making the decisive plays down the stretch.
Seaman led 14-11 after the first quarter, but Hutchinson answered with a strong second period to edge ahead 25-24 at halftime. The teams remained locked in after the break, each scoring 12 points in the third quarter, with the Salthawks clinging to a 37-36 lead entering the final period.
Hutchinson finally created separation late when Draydon Hippen drilled a 3-pointer with 40 seconds remaining, giving the Salthawks their largest lead of the afternoon at five points. Seaman standout senior KaVon Bonner responded with a field goal at the 29-second mark to cut the deficit to three.
Danny Boone then sealed the upset at the free-throw line, hitting 1 of 2 with five seconds left. Bonner’s desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer missed, securing the victory for Hutchinson.
Lamar Govain led the Salthawks with 21 points, while Hippen added 15. Seaman was paced by Bonner with 16 points and Landon Wiltz with 14.
In other first-round games, Derby pulled away from Lawrence Free State in the second half for a 70-58 win, Wichita Bishop Carroll defeated St. James Academy 54-48, and Overland Park Blue Valley rolled past host McPherson 81-51.
Hutchinson is scheduled to face Derby in the championship bracket at 1 p.m today, while Seaman and Free State were set to meet at 10 a.m.
McPherson tournament officials canceled all Saturday games due to an expected winter storm across Kansas. The postponed boys games, along with the girls McPherson Classic contests, will be played next Saturday.
