HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk girls advanced to their sub-state championship game to be played at Andover Central on Friday with a 32-24 victory over Great Bend at the Salthawk Activity Center on Tuesday night.
The Hutchinson defense held Great Bend to only 4 first quarter points. It was a low scoring affair with both teams using smothering zone defenses throughout the night with Hutchinson also switching at times to man-to-man and full court pressure. Hutch led 12-9 at the half.
The Salthawks pulled away in the third quarter when sophomore Kaia Smith came off the bench and scored 11 third quarter points including three long distance treys to expand the Hutchinson lead to 25-17.
Great Bend threw up a triangle and two defense much of the second half by guarding Aliyah Green and Grace Posch man-to-man which left Smith wide open on several shots and she made the most of it.
Hutchinson was led by Kaia Smith with 13, Aliyah Green 8, Grace Posch 6, Mya Thompson 3 and Hannah Ames scored 2.
Thompson, Green and Ames were strong defensively with several key rebounds, blocks and steals. Hutch outrebounded the Panthers 24-17. Hutch held Great bend to 7 out of 30 shooting for 23.3% from the field.
Emilee Hall led Great Bend in Scoring with nine points, Sadie Spray had six.
Great Bend finishes the season 7-14.
Hutchinson (16-5) advances to play Andover Central (16-5) in Andover Friday night at 7 p.m. for the chance to advance to the class 5A tournament in Emporia next week.
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