Hesston continues title defense with defeat of Hugoton

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - The Hesston Swathers continue their bid for back-to-back Class 3A State Championships after defeating the Hugoton Eagles 46-34.

The two teams met in the quarterfinal match-up of the second-seed Swathers and seventh-seed Eagles.

After the first quarter, neither team had broken away from the other with Hesston holding only a 9-8 lead. Both teams attempted five three-point shots. Hugoton’s Ryle Riddlesperger sank two of his shots while Ty Schroeder made one for Hesston.

The Hesston defense held Hugoton to only five points in the second quarter. Once again, the Swathers scored nine points and took an 18-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Hugoton could not find an offensive solution in the third quarter and trailed 30-21 at the end of the quarter.

The Eagles had their best scoring quarter in the fourth adding 13 points to the score. Hesston countered with 16 points including seven from Nick Arnold.

The Eagles turned the ball over a total of 21 times. Hesston only committed 13 turnovers and stole the ball 11 times.

Hugoton shot 40% from the field making 12 of 30 shots and going six of 17 from behind the arc. Carson Bennett led all scorers with 18 points. Ryle Riddlesperger added 13.

Hesston made 41.5% of their field goals, 17 of 41 shots. They made six three-pointers on 15 attempts. Brayden Schilling led the Swathers in scoring with 13 points. Cason Richardson added 12.

“Hesston is one of the best teams in the State,” said Hugoton Head Coach Trey O’Neil. “We battled and could not get over the hump. That’s just credit to them. They are a long, physical, athletic, well-coached team. They got a real chance to repeat as champs.”

“They really packed it in, and we weren’t going to get anything real easy inside,” said Hesston Head Coach Greg Raleigh. “We survived and get to play on Friday.”

Hesston will face TMP-Marian in the State Semifinal again for a second straight season Friday evening.

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