DODGE CITY, Kan.-It was the 21st time that the Hutchinson Salthawks had played in this prestigious basketball tournament over it's 80 year history. Touted as the longest continuous running basketball tournament west of the Mississippi, the 80th edition final day did not disappoint as the Hutchinson Salthawks outlasted the Maize South Mavericks 67 to 56 in the Championship game on Saturday night at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City.
Hutchinson had only won this tournament two other times an that was back in the 1980's when Dan Justice brought back Championship wins to the Salt City by winning the crown in 1982 and again in 1986, plus Hutch was 3rd in 1984. Coach Phil Anderson's 2002 team was close but ended up getting edged by Wichita East 57 to 55.
But this Salthawk team is special. Going into this game, playing a team that they had just played and beat two weeks earlier, they knew Maize South would be a challenge. But this Salthawk team just finds a way to win.
Hutch trailed early in the contest 3-0 after a Michael Kates 3 pointer from the right wing, but the Salthawks sharp shooting senior guard Garrett Robertson answered with 1 of his 4 first half long range bombs to tie it up and Hutch never looked back. The Salthawks got a lift right at the end of the first quarter when Terrell King was able to score on a lay up just as time expired to give Hutch a 17 to 14 lead at the end of the first half.
The Salthawks extended the lead to 30 to 26 at the half. The saw each team score 3 field goal apiece with Hutch going 6 of 8 from the line and the Mavericks shooting 5 of 8 gave the Salthawks a slight 5 point lead at 42-37 lead.
Maize South turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter putting the Salthawks at the line on numerous occasions, but Terrell King, Wade Meyer, Dauntay King and Nic Lange came through shooting 13 of 16 combined plus 4 field goals to come away 67 to 56 winners.
Hutch was led by Garrett Robertson led the scoring with 19 points and Terrell King scored 17 points. Wade Meyer scored 12 points including going 8 for 8 from the line. Nic Lange had 10 second half points, Julian Smith had 3 points while Dauntay King added 5 points and Devon Spiller added a key 4th quarter lay up for his only 2 points.
Maize South was paced by Jaylen Maeze's 23 points with 14 of 18 free throws. Michael Kates had 20 points, Tatem Steinhoff 7, Tory Homan 6 and Isaiah Atwater was held to 2 points in the loss.
Things got interesting in the 4th quarter after Garrett Robertson fouled out on a technical foul, but Lange and Terrell King picked up the load in the 4th quarter to give Hutchinson the Championship.
Saturday's appearance in the Championship Game was only Hutchinson's 5th appearance since the Salthawks started attending the TOC in 1957. Hutchinson now has 3 Championship trophy's from the TOC and this one was special.
Hutchinson (11-0) now travels to Derby (8-3) who placed 4th in the TOC losing to Junction City 65-59. That game will be at Derby at 7:30pm next Tuesday.
Maize South (9-2) hosts Goddard on Tuesday.
Dodge City TOC Results:
Consolation Bracket Final:
Wichita Bishop Carroll 66, Shawnee Mission South 64
Consolation 7th place Final:
Dodge City 58, Newton 56 in 3ot's
Championship Bracket 3rd place game:
Junction City 65, Derby 59
Championship Bracket Final:
Hutchinson 67, Maize South 56