The Hays High boys left all the drama for Friday night. Propelled by a 15-3 run in the second quarter, the championship game in the Hays City Shootout was never really in doubt.
Kearney, who was the two time-defending tournament champions, played Hays to an 11 all tie after one quarter. But then came that aforementioned 15-3 run to open up the second quarter and give Hays a 12 point lead.
The Bearcats cut the lead to eight at the break.
But unlike against Newton the night before, where Hays blew a double digit lead and needed some late heroics to squeak out a win, on Saturday the Indians put Kearney away in the second half. The host school out scored the Bearcats 12-2 in the third quarter and opened up a 20 point lead in the forth, before head coach Rick Keltner emptied his bench. The Indians won their own tournament for the first time since 2009, with a 59-42 victory over Kearney.
"We had 15 guys that played this weekend," said Keltner. "It's early, we just gotta keep working hard to be a good team. I've really been pretty pleased with our body language for the most part. I think we have some guys that are figuring it out."
Completely different kind of game in the girls final. Newton appeared to have its game with Kearney in hand. Leading by seven after the first quarter, and 11 at the break.
The Lady Railers watched the lead balloon to 17 at the end of three and 22 with six minutes to play. Then the Lady Bearcats went on a 19-1 run to close within four. But the hole was just too deep. Newton hit its free throws down the stretch and eeked out a 50-45 victory to take home the girls title.
