MCPHERSON, Kan. - While the Hutchinson Salthawk Boys Basketball team definitely played better than in the first round loss to Blue Valley West of the McPherson Invitational Tournament, so did the Wichita East Blue Aces as East rallied back in the second half to edge the Salthawks 61-58 on Friday afternoon in McPherson.
Hutchinson jumped out early and at one time enjoyed a 10 point 2010 lead midway through the second quarter, but the last minute of play before halftime, the Blue Aces went on a five point run to cut the half-time Salthawk lead to three at 28-25.
The Salthawks had an opportunity to send the game into overtime but Terrell King's three point attempt was a little wide right at the buzzer.
Hutch High was lead by super sophomore Lamar Govain with 15 points, King had 14 points, Levi Kepler had one of his best games as a Salthawk with 11 rebounds and 7 points. Taishaun Govain also contributed 7 points.
In other scores from the MIT Championship bracket, Blue Valley North defeated St. James Academy 57-46 and the host team McPherson Bullpups edged Shawnee Mission East in Overtime 66-64.
Hutchinson will now face Manhattan at 11am on Saturday morning as the Indians were defeated in the consolation bracket semi-finals by Lawrence Free State 52-40.