HUTCHINSON, Kan.—Both of the Hutchinson High Salthawk basketball teams got wins over the visiting Maize Eagles on homecoming night at the Salthawk Activity Center on Friday, with the Salthawk Girls (12-4) slipping past Maize 32 to 28 and the boys winning the late game in fine fashion 62 to 49.
The two wins set up a show down in Maize on Tuesday night as Hutchinson travels to Maize South on Valentine's Day to take on the Mavericks.
GIRLS RECAP
The Salthawk girls started the night without one of their main players with Grace Posch sidelined with a turned ankle that she hurt in practice on Thursday. They also ended the night without their point guard Josie McLean as she had to leave the game with a possible concussion that happened on a baseline drive in the second half.
In addition to being without two of their starters, Hutch went scoreless in the 3rd quarter and only led by 1 point, 22 to 21 going into the final period. Things looked very bleak for the Salthawks, but that is when senior forward Libby Jackson took over by knocking down a trey from the right corner, then scoring an basket while being fouled for an and one late in the 4th. Jackson scored all of her 7 points in the 4th quarter and the Salthawk girls went on to hold the Eagles to only one basket in the final stanza to win 32 to 28.
Hutch was led in scoring by McLean with 11, Aliyah Green had 9, Jackson 7 and Hannah Ames scored 5.
Maize was led by Brynley Smith with 13, Mattie Brownell had 10, Maggie Salsbury chipped in 4 and Adley Pierce had 1.
BOYS RECAP
Julian Smith knocked down a guarded three point shot right before the half to tie the game at 28, then Hutchinson used a 22 to 9 run in the 3rd quarter to take control of the game and cruise to their 16th win of the season 62 to 49 over the Maize Eagles Friday night.
Hutchinson found themselves in a little foul trouble in the second half, but got solid play from Devon Spiller off the bench to help get the win.
Wade Meyer had another solid night to lead the team in scoring with 17. Garrett Robertson had 12 points, while Terrell King went 8 for 9 at the foul stripe in the second half to finish with 11. Nic Lange scored 8 including a key offensive rebound and put back in the low block that he scored on and was fouled to finish a three-point play at the line. Julian Smith ended the night with 5 points as did Dauntay King. Spiller also had 3 points on a key old fashioned three point play in the second quarter.
This win sets up a key matchup on Tuesday at Maize South as the Salthawks have defeated the Mavericks twice. Those are Maize South's only 2 losses on the season to this point. Maize South got by Andover Central 51 to 49 in a close game on Friday night.
It will be a good matchup on Tuesday in Maize. Coverage begins on KWBW with the girls pregame at 5:45 p.m.