By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
SALINA -- The Hayden girls basketball team pulled away from Clay Center Thursday in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament, 56-44, to advance to a semifinal date with Bishop Miege, winners of the last five 4A championships.
Hayden girls basketball coach Carvel Reynoldson talks to his Wildcats during Thursday's 56-44 Class 4A state tournament win over Clay Center. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
The Tigers gave Hayden all they could handle for the first two periods.
Senior post Raegann McDonald accounted for 12 of Clay Center’s 24 points prior to intermission. Hayden clung to a 26-24 lead at the break, prompting some defensive changes.
“They played a great first half,” Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said of Clay Center. “They did a great job posting us up. So, we made an adjustment on how we were going to guard (McDonald). And I think it helped.
“Of course, it always helps to hit shots and we were able to find people under the basket.”
Making a big impact in the second half was Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein, who scored 12 of her 16 points after halftime. She was disruptive on defense and got loose in the open court.
“She’s the heart and soul of our defense, and offensively she’s just a little bit different,” Reynoldson said of Schmidtlein. “She can break out in transition.”
“Honestly, I felt lots of nerves. But coach said, ‘Just go have fun out there.’ Our mindset is just to go out and play with everything you’ve got,” Schmidtlein said of her first exposure to state tournament basketball.
Senior Millie Ramsey (right) led Hayden with 17 points in Thursday's 56-44 Class 4A state tournament win over Clay Center. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Leading Hayden with 17 points was senior Millie Ramsey, followed by Schmidtlein’s 16. Seniors Brylee Meier and Norma Greco added 13 and 10, respectively.
Schmidtlein has been watching the Hayden Wildcats for years. Her sister, Riley, was a 2022 graduate. Hailey Schmidtlein understands the rich tradition of the Hayden program.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Schmidtlein said. “Like, it’s insane from watching my sister play and now I’m the one on the court. It’s just a crazy feeling.”
The freshman praised her older teammates, particularly the four seniors.
“They’ve not only been great leaders, but they’ve taught me how to be a leader,” Schmidtlein said. “They’ve shown me so much love and support, being a freshman starting with four seniors. They don’t treat me any different.”
Now Hayden advances to take on Bishop Miege in the 8 p.m. Friday game at Salina’s Tony’s Pizza Event Center. Miege turned a close first half against Eudora into a rout, winning 68-35 in the late game Thursday.
“I hate to feel like we’re taking (the opening round game) for granted,” Reynoldson said. “I think everybody’s been telling (our girls) how good they are and saying, ‘Can’t wait for Miege.’ And we can’t think that way, because it’s a gift to be here and (our girls’) hard work is why we’re here and we need to enjoy it.”
Friday’s first girls semifinal game pits top-seeded Wellington against fifth-seeded Buhler at 4 p.m.
HAYDEN GIRLS 56, CLAY CENTER 44
Clay Center 12 12 7 13 -- 44
Hayden 12 14 12 18 -- 56
Clay Center (17-6) – McGee 1-3 1-2 4, Edwards 3-15 4-4 11, Crimmins 2-6 0-0 4, Johnson 1-3 1-1 3, McDonald 5-12 7-9 17, Craig 0-0 0-0 0, Liby 0-0 0-0 0, Lipker 2-4 1-2 5. Totals: 14-43 14-18 44.
Hayden (21-2) – Schmidtlein 6-11 4-5 16, Ramsey 7-12 3-4 17, Reid 0-2 0-0 0, Meier 4-11 2-2 13, Greco 3-10 2-4 10, Walter 0-1 0-0 0, Foster 0-0 0-0 0, Huscher 0-0 0-0 0, Watts 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-47 11-15 56.
3-point goals – Clay Center 2 (McGee 1, Edwards 1), Hayden 5 (Meier 3, Greco 2). Total fouls – Clay Center 14, Hayden 17. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None.
