HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Salina South spoiled Pack the SA.C night at Hutchinson High School on Friday, rallying late in both games to sweep the Hutchinson High Salthawks in a dramatic doubleheader.
In the girls contest, Hutchinson appeared in control for most of the night, leading from the opening tip until the final minute. But Salina South delivered the decisive blow late, knocking down a kick-out 3-pointer by Cougar Senior Brylee Moss with less than 50 seconds remaining to stun the Salthawks 42-40.
Hutchinson struggled to answer in the closing moments, as South’s late surge flipped a game the Salthawks had paced throughout. The Cougars’ timely perimeter shooting proved to be the difference, snapping Hutchinson’s momentum in front of a packed home crowd.
The boys game followed a similar script, with Salina South erasing a halftime deficit to pull away in the second half for a 53-48 victory.
Hutchinson led by seven at the break, but the Cougars seized control coming out of the locker room. Salina South erupted for an 18-5 advantage in the third quarter, fueled by a decisive 15-2 run that turned a close contest into a South lead they would not relinquish.
Senior guard Easton Wilcox led the charge with a career-high second half. Wilcox scored all 17 of his points after halftime, drilling four 3-pointers to spark the Cougars’ comeback. South doubled its first-half scoring in the third quarter alone and held Hutchinson to just five points in the frame, taking a 36-30 lead into the fourth.
The Salthawks stayed within striking distance down the stretch, trailing by four or five points for much of the final stanza, but could not put together a late rally. Once South gained the lead, the Cougars maintained their composure and closed out the win at the free-throw line and with steady defense.
With the sweep, Salina South left Hutchinson with a pair of hard-earned victories, while the Salthawks were left searching for answers after letting two home games slip away in the closing minutes.
The salthawks now take to the road for the remaining part of January as they travel to Valley Center and great bend next week prior to mid-season tournaments at McPherson and stand alone girls and boys games at Derby.
The next home game for the Salthawks will be on February 10th vs Valley Center.