By GLEN GRUNWALD
Hutch Post
DERBY, Kan. —
On February 1st, Derby beat the Hutch Salthawks 73-44 on the Salthawks home floor. On Friday night, The Hutch High girls played hard and just about pulled off the win coming close, but lost to Derby 39-31.
Derby enjoyed a strong 1st quarter leading 14-6 at the end of the first frame. The panthers extended the lead to 7 at intermission 22-15. But Hutch made the 2-3 zone defense work keeping Panther junior Addy Brown to only two points at the half. The Panthers Maryn Archer led Derby with 12 first half points.
Hutchinson got a quick 3rd quarter start from senior Gracie Keeler with 2 quick baskets to cut the lead to three and Hutch outscored Derby in the 3rd quarter 9-6 to make it a four point game going into the 4th with Derby leading 28-24.
Derby got going with two Addy Brown free throws plus a Tatum Beottjer basket and 1 with 4:07 to go, then a gutsy three pointer with a minute to go to extend the lead to eight and end the game with the score 39-31.
Derby ends the season with a 19-1 record and the AVCTL Division I title. This match up was the closest of all their wins this season as a scrappy bunch of Salthawks (16-4) made it interesting.
The Hutch High girls will host Manhattan at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to open substate play.