GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawks opportunity to return to Emporia and the class 5A State Tournament came to an end in Great Bend Friday night as the Panthers answered a late Salthawk run to defeat the Salthawks 69-54.
Great Bend returns to the state tournament for the first time in 14 years.
The contest looked like it would be a low scoring affair in the first quarter as Hutch tied it up 2-2 with 4:39 to go in the first quarter before Great Bend went on a 8-0 run to lead by six at the half 23-17.
Hutchinson defeated Great Bend back in January 71-61, but Great Bend had the Salthawks number this night to win their eight straight game and punch their ticket to Emporia.
Hutchinson (16-6) was led by junior guard Terrell King's 21 points along with senior Jax Heneha's 16 points. Taishaun Govain and Devon Spiller each had six points each. Tai Clark added two and Julian Smith was held to three points.
Hutch cut the lead to 11 late in the contest but a missed three point attempt by Spiller led to another Panther run with sophomore Ian Premer leading the way with 23 points for high point honors. Great Bend's Maddox Spray scored all of his 21 points in the second half. Jacob Hall added 13 for the bulk of the Great Bend scoring. Hutchinson was 5-of-13 at the line, while Great Bend went 24-for-31 in the win.
Hutch High's six seniors consisting of Daylee VanSyckle, Julian Smith, Devon Spiller, Jay Lewis, Tai Clark and Jax Heneha have seen a lot of wins over their four years at Hutch High, pus two trips to state before the possible return was cut short by Great Bend.
The Panthers (17-5) draw the top seed and undefeated Maize South Mavericks on Wednesday at a time to still be determined in Emporia.
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