The Hays High boys were stunned on Tuesday at rivals Great Bend, but suffering their first loss of the season may have awakened the Indians.
It's not that Garden City isn't a good team, quite the opposite. The Buffaloes came into Friday's game in Hays at 7-2 and riding a three game winning streak.
And the game started good for GC, they took a four point lead early and it was just a one point game after one quarter. But the Indians went on an 11-2 run in the second quarter and were able to open up a 13 point lead at the half.
The second half was all Hays. The Indians, lead by 28 points from sophomore Brady Werth stretched the lead to 16 after three quarter and then stretched it out even more in the forth, to make it a 74-54 final.
Things got a little chippy in the second half, with each team being charged with a pair of technicals.
"I've got a lot of respect for Garden City, their players and coaches," said Indians head coach Rick Keltner. " We played well. We were coming off a loss that was very disappointing. We came out and responded think you hope you will when your team loses a basketball game."
Hays played every player that dressed varsity. The Indians improve to 8-1 on the season. Garden City falls to 7-3.
In the girls game, it was pretty much the complete opposite. The Lady Indians also trailed by just one after the first quarter, but Garden City behind Johna McClellan stretched the lead to six at the break.
GC pushed its lead to 10 after three quarters, and continues the push the game out of reach, winning by a 49-31 final.
The Lady Buffs improve to 9-1 on the season. Hays falls to 4-5.
