Hesston stuns Southeast of Saline, will play for third straight title

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - After three thrillers to open the day of semifinals games at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, the final bout with Hesston and Southeast of Salina had a lot to live up to.

It did, and then some.

Hesston came back from a halftime deficit, and knocked off the Trojans with Micah Dahlsten hitting a game winning lay-in with four seconds on the clock. The senior took the in bound the length of the floor with 9.3 seconds to work with, getting past the defense to break a 51-51 tie.

But the Trojans had time left. 4 seconds to use, and out of a timeout they created a good look. Luke Gebhardt’s shot over a defender came about as close as it gets for a ball to not go through the net, twice hitting the inside of the iron before bouncing out, and the Swathers came out ahead, 53-51.

The win is one that returns the favor of Hesston’s lone loss this season, the Trojans knocked off the Swathers in the season opener 56-46 and Hesston has not lost since.

Jake Proctor led Hesston with 15 while Lane Magill had 11. Eli Sawyers led all scorers with 27 for SES, 22 of those coming in the first half on 9/11 shooting.

Hesston, in its first year under coach Garrett Roth, will now play for a shot at their third consecutive 3A title. Greg Raleigh retired last spring after guiding the team to back to back championships.

Roth will now lead the Swathers into a game with Marysville, who upended unbeaten Galena in overtime earlier Friday.

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