THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Conway High School Athletics

Having already played Salina Central this season, and competed well in a 10-point loss, the Hutchinson High girls knew exactly what Central would do, especially on defense. Central’s pressure defense causes even top teams to wilt and crack. Hutchinson did well against the Mustangs’ relentless swarming the first time, but not Friday at the Salthawk Activity Center. Seventeen first half turnovers destroyed any chance Hutchinson had, as Salina Central rolled to a 50-31 win. “They didn’t do anything different,” Hutchinson coach Casey Stiggins said. “They competed and played harder than we did at the start of the game. We showed some fight in the second half, but I was disappointed we didn’t come out with intensity to begin the game.” Central scored the first nine points, and soon led 12-2 late in the first quarter. When Elisa Backes scored with 3:31 left before halftime, Central led 21-5. The Salthawks made just two first-half field goals and scored two second-quarter points. They finished the half with 17 turnovers. “We kept them from what they wanted to run,” Central coach Chris Fear said. “I was very pleased we were able to come out with that kind of energy.” When Hutchinson did break down Central’s defense in the first half, the Salthawks created many good shots. But they missed most, including a couple of uncontested layups and a few open jump shots. “We missed a lot of easy shots, and we had so many turnovers,” Stiggins said. “I think we counted at halftime that we missed seven 3-to-5 footers. But that’s been a common theme all year, and that’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job as coach getting them prepared for games.” The second half improved at times for the Salthawks. They scored 24 points after just seven in the first half. Junior forward Kasey Hazell, after spending the first half in foul trouble, scored eight points and added six rebounds. Hutchinson also had contributions from several reserves, as six players off the bench scored, led by six points from sophomore forward Jayla Bynum. THE QUICK HIT KEY STAT: Hutchinson had 17 first-half turnovers, compared to just seven first-half points. THE TURNING POINT: Hutchinson had a smidgen of momentum at the end of the first quarter, trailing Central 12-5 but holding Central to one basket in the final 5:13. Central, however, started the second quarter strong with a 9-0 run, for a 21-5 lead. The Salthawks mustered just two second-quarter points. PLAYER OF THE GAME: Central’s Selah Merkle aided Salina Central’s strong first half, as she scored all six of her points early, and she added three steals. She also finished with a game-high nine rebounds. HE SAID IT: “We were more focused the first time we played them. They hit us with an initial run, got up seven or eight, but we settled down. We didn’t have the turnovers we had tonight.” – Hutchinson coach Casey Stiggins, comparing Friday to the first meeting with Central, a 10-point Central win. UP NEXT: Salina Central (12-2) will head Tuesday to Derby, while Hutchinson (5-9) travels the same night to Salina South.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Conway High School Athletics

CENTRAL TURNS UP THE PRESSURE ON HUTCH

BRAD HALLIER

The Hutchinson News | 2/3/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Katy Kildee