By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Macy Smith and Carly Stuke’s combined 34 points helped lead the Wildcats past upstart Highland Park, 65-33, in Friday’s Centennial League girls matchup at Hayden, with Hayden bouncing back from a 26-point loss to unbeaten Topeka High a night earlier.
Smith, a senior, had 18 points, all in the first half, and set the tone for the game with her two 3-point shots, going two of three from the freethrow line and controlling the fastbreak tempo of the game.
“I had a lot of fun yesterday (against Topeka High),'' Smith said. "I felt like I had a lot of power coming into tonight’s game and we got a great win.
“I was out for half of the season last year and since then I felt like myself and the team are much better. We’re growing together and playing our best as a team.''
Hayden's girls basketball team talks things over on the court during Friday's 65-33 home Centennial League win over Highland Park. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Senior Stuke also had a stellar offensive night, finishing the game with 16 points. All of Stuke's points came from aggressive drives to the paint, with Stuke going eight of 10 from the floor.
“We got a lot of easy shots down early,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "I thought we pushed the ball down the court well. We put ourselves in good situations.''
Hayden’s 21 points in the first quarter came from a variety of different players and areas of the court.
Besides Smith’s eight points, Reagan Huscher, Brylee Meier, Norma Greco and Stuke had a combined 13 points.
The remainder of the half would remain in complete control of the Wildcats, who pushed their lead to 27 points at the half.
Unlike the previous night against Topeka High, Hayden was able to come out of the halftime break and put points on the board.
Even with tough defense from the Lady Scots’, Stuke was able to put up six quick points in two minutes.
Hayden was able to rest some key starters in the middle of the third quarter before they head into their three-game schedule next week at the Wellsville Invitational Tournament.
Despite the lopsided loss, Highland Park got great production from Amelia Ramsey, Aisya Taylor, and Victoria Reed, with the Scot trio combining for 26 points.
Hayden (5-3, 5-3) will take on Baldwin City in the first round of the Wellsville Invitational Tournament. Highland Park (1-10, 0-10) will also start tournament play next Thursday.
HAYDEN GIRLS 65, HIGHLAND PARK 33
Highland Park 5 10 10 8 – 33
Hayden 21 21 16 7 – 65
Hayden (5-3, 5-3) – Smith 7 2-3 18, Stuke 8 0-1 16, Meier 3 1-3 7, Huscher 3 0-0 6, Greco 2 0-0 5, Sandstrom 2 0-0 4, Schmidtlein 2 0-0 4, Grunert 1 1-2 3, Reid 1 0-0 2.
Highland Park (1-10, 0-9) – Taylor 5 (1-2) 11, Reed 3 (3-5) 10, Ramsey 2 (1-4) 5, Sanders 2 (0-1) 5, Gonzales 0 (2-2) 2.
3-point goals – Hayden 3, Highland Park 3. Total fouls – Hayden 12, Highland Park 7.
