ANDOVER, Kan. (AP) — The season came to a close Wednesday night for the Hutchinson Salthawk girl's as they dropped a tightly contested 35-31 decision to the Andover Central Jaguars in sub-state play.
In a game where neither team could create much separation, Hutchinson battled throughout but cold shooting and costly turnovers proved to be the difference in the four-point loss.
Andover Central struck first, jumping out to a 4-1 lead in the opening quarter. The Salthawks responded with their best stretch of the night, going on a 12-2 run to seize momentum and take a 15-13 lead into halftime.
The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets and the score tied on several occasions. Neither squad could build a comfortable margin as defensive pressure kept scoring at a premium.
With the game hanging in the balance in the final minute, Andover Central made the key plays down the stretch and pulled away in the final 20 seconds to secure the 35-31 victory.
Senior Ava Krone led Hutchinson with 11 points in her final game as a Salthawk, while freshman Danea Morgan added 10.
The loss ends Hutchinson’s season at 11-12.
Andover Central improved to 14-10 and advances to the sub-state championship game. The Jaguars will travel to Hays on Saturday to face the Hays Indians, who advanced after defeating the Topeka West Chargers. A trip to the Class 5A state tournament will be on the line.
On a side note, after Wednesday’s sub-state loss by the Hutchinson Salthawks girls basketball team, a long run behind the microphone also came to an end for local sportscaster Glen Grunwald.
Grunwald concluded a 42-year broadcasting career following the Salthawks’ 35-31 season-ending defeat to the Andover Central Jaguars in Andover.
Grunwald had served as the voice of the Salthawks since 2019 and had been involved with Hutchinson High game-day broadcasts since 2010, calling countless football and basketball contests during that span.
While stepping away from his regular play-by-play duties, Grunwald will not be completely leaving the broadcast booth. He plans to continue assisting with coverage of the annual NJCAA Men's Basketball Championship in Hutchinson and will remain available to fill in as a backup sportscaster for KWBW Radio and events coordinated through the Kansas State High School Activities Association as needed.
Grunwald’s voice has been a familiar part of Hutchinson sports for decades, and his contributions to local broadcasting and coverage of Salthawk athletics have left a lasting mark on the community.