HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Derby Panther girls came to the Salthawk Activity Center Tuesday night and came away with a win in convincing fashion 51-34.
Hutch High jumped out to a quick 6-4 lead midway through the first quarter but then Derby really turned up the defensive pressure forcing Hutchinson turnovers and getting banked in three pointers offensively to pull away and cruise to the win.
Derby held the Salthawks allowing only Kaia Smith and Grace Posh to register baskets in the first half. Smith had 12 points and Posh 2 at the intermission break.
"That is the best defense we will see all year" 2nd year Hutch High head coach Kalen Hilst stated on his post-game coaches show. "We've just got to get better and not turn the ball over as much" he added.
Derby, with a very young team just kept coming in waves. Macayla Askew led the Panthers in scoring with 12. The Panthers had very even scoring up and down the roster. Freshman Alex Dinsmore scored 9 and Aysia Fox added 7.
Hutchinson was led in scoring by Smith with 20 and Posh with 7.
The Salthawks are off until next Monday night when they travel to Maize South for a make-up game with the Mavericks that was postponed from January 7th. Later next week they will participate in the McPherson Invitational Tournament. The bracket for that tournament should be released soon.