Thursday, August 31, 2006

Cats will try to use balance against Blues

Hayden coach Chris Hansen doesn't mind his team shooting 3- pointers. In fact, he encourages several Wildcats to take the open trey.

Hansen's goal has been to develop an effective inside attack to compliment the Wildcats' outside game.

"We've got some people who can shoot the ball from the 3-point line," Hansen said. "I think what we're trying to do is to make sure that we don't rely on that to win.

"We don't want to have to depend on the ball going in from the 3- point line for us to have a chance to win."

The Wildcats, who play a a 7:30 Centennial League game at Washburn Rural tonight, found the balance they were looking for Friday night, snapping a two-game losing streak with a 68-64 overtime victory over Shawnee Heights.

Senior Taylor Hill keyed the Wildcats' attack, scoring a career- high 28 points, including four 3-pointers and a variety of inside shots, while also grabbing 12 rebounds.

"He shoots it very well from the perimeter obviously, but he's 6- foot-4 and can score inside some, too," Hansen said of Hill.

Senior John Hoytal also had a big game inside for the Wildcats, scoring 18 points, including the final four points of the game. Junior Joe Hennes helped Hayden's cause as well, coming up with some big rebounds and defensive plays down the stretch.

"We talked at halftime about playing defense every possession like it meant something, and I think we did that, particularly the last seven minutes of regulation (after losing guard Jerad Head to fouls), and I thought we were really good defensively in overtime, too."

Friday's win improved Hayden's record to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the Centennial League heading into tonight's game against a Washburn Rural team that is still looking for its first victory.

The young Junior Blues are 0-6 overall and 0-2 in the league after a 64-42 loss to Seaman on Friday night.

Gabe Wiechman paced Rural with 11 points against the Vikings.

Tonight's boys game will follow a girls game at 6 between Rural (4- 2, 2-0) and Hayden (2-5, 0-2).

Washburn Rural has won four straight games, including a 67-46 win over Seaman on Friday. Senior All-State guard Jeneka Joyce has scored 38 points in her two games since returning from a knee injury, including 21 points against Seaman. She has six 3-pointers.

Hayden is fighting a three-game losing streak, including a 40-31 loss to Shawnee Heights Friday. The Wildcats have been solid defensively, but have not scored more than 32 points in their last three games.

Other city games

SEAMAN (5-2, 2-1) at

EMPORIA (7-1, 3-0)

Emporia continues to roll, posting back-to-back wins over Highland Park and Lincoln (Neb.) Northeast on Friday and Saturday. Idaho signee Bret Wise scored 23 points in the Spartans' 68-50 victory over Highland Park and scored 35 in a 74-67 win over Lincoln-Northeast. Seaman also is playing well, winning three in a row and five of six. The Vikings routed Washburn Rural 64-42 Friday night, with Tanner Shaw scoring 16 points, Matt Tinsley 13 and Dustin Bates 10 points. GAME TIME: 7:45 p.m.

GIRLS: Seaman (4-3, 2-1) dropped a 67-46 decision to Washburn Rural on Friday, snapping a three-game Viking winning streak. Whitney McDaniel led Seaman with 12 points against the Junior Blues. Emporia (6-1, 2-1) blasted Highland Park 62-14 Friday, led by Ashley Ohlman with 14 points, Katie Harper with 12 and Aralee Patton with 10. GAME TIME: 6 p.m.

MANHATTAN (3-4) at

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (5-2)

The T-Birds will be trying to bounce back from a heartbreaking 68- 64 overtime loss at Hayden. Although Jesse Schmidt scored 22 points and C.T. Bryant 20 for the T-Birds, Heights still succumbed to the Wildcats down the stretch. Manhattan is coming off a 66-61 loss to Junction City. The Indians lost despite getting 18 points from Darrell Smith, 16 from Gilbert Riddick and 12 from Andy Knopp. GAME TIME: 7:45 p.m.

GIRLS: Shawnee Heights (5-1) has won three in a row, including a 40-31 win at Hayden on Friday night. Maggie Diehl, who has cracked double figures in five of six games, led the T-Birds with 17 points against Hayden, while Dani McHenry added 10 points, including an 8- of-10 performance at the free throw line. Manhattan (3-4) is coming off a 50-48 loss to Junction City. Erin Kennedy led the way against Junction with 14 points. GAME TIME: 6 p.m.


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