SALINA, Kan. - The Hutchinson Salthawks split a pair of games with the Salina South Cougars on Tuesday night at the South High School Gym. Hutch High Girls got a win in overtime 48 – 41, while the Salthawk boys are still in search of the their first win of the season dropping the decision to the Cougars 64-45.
In the girl’s game, the let early in the first quarter 11-7, but tailed by 5 at halftime. Hutch came out strong to to start the second half, but trailed going into the final quarter 37-33, before holding the Cougars to only 2 fourth quarter free throws. Tina Robertson hit a huge trey from the right hand quarter to tie the score with 25 seconds to go at 39-39. Hutchinson controlled the overtime period with good free throw shooting and key baskets to win 48-41. Mekenzie Hefley, who recorded eight of her 21 points in the opening quarter was the leading scorer for the Salthawks. That is a season high for the Salthawk senior.
The Cougars fall to 4-3 overall. Hutchinson climbs to 4 – 2. Hutchinson travels back to Salina Friday to play at Salina Central.
A miss on the front end of a 1-and-1 by the Cougars in the final minute was followed by a 3-pointer from Hutchinson’s Tina Robertson to send the game into overtime. It was all Salthawks after that as the visitors put the game away in the four-minute extra period.
Hutchinson’s 6-foot-1 senior McKenzie Hefley proved too much to handle inside, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds. But, it was Robertson’s 11 points and 8 rebounds off the bench that helped get the win.
In the boys game, Hutchinson got a good effort from 6-foot-8 senior Weston Kraus, who finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. But, he was the only player in double figures as the Salthawks were held to 30.3 percent shooting. Hutchinson shot 1-14 in the first quarter and allowed the Cougars to open on a 14-1 run after Hutch had taken the lead at 1-0.
Hutchinson out rebounded the Cougars by a wide margin, but just couldn't get shots to fall.