By JUSTIN BURKHARDT
TopSports.news
It might have been cold outside, but it definitely was not cold inside the Ken Bueltel Center Tuesday as the Class 4A No. 1-ranked Hayden girls would go up against Topeka High.
Freshman Hailey Schmidtlein (2) tied for game-high honors with 19 points in Hayden's 55-49 win at Hayden Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Millie Ramsey had 11 of her 17 points in the second half in Hayden's 55-49 win over Topeka High. [File photo/TSN]
And although the Wildcats would trail much of the game, Hayden took control down the stretch to pull out a 55-49 Centennial League victory.
The Trojans would get off to a hot start by going up 15-11 to end the first and the game would go back and fourth but ending the first half would be all Trojans.
The Trojans were led by sophomore guard Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton, who scored 11 of her 19 in the first half.
After making some changes at halftime Hayden would finish the third quarter still trailing 42-40 but would out-score the Trojans 14-13 in the third and 15-7 in the fourth to pull out the 6-point win.
The Wildcats got big nights from freshman Hailey Schmidtlein, who would tie for game-high scoring honors with Rayton with 19 points, and senior Amelia Ramsey, who would score 17 points with 11 of those coming after halftime.
“This was a hard fought game, they have a lot of talent and their two guards were hot and they have added some things down low,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "They will be a tough out for anybody come postseason. I was really proud of our girls for coming back and getting the win.
“Hailey allowed us to get out in transition, Millie did what Millie does. She is a force in the paint, gets offensive and defensive rebounds, has a soft touch around the rim. Brylee (Meier), Norma (Greco) and Bella (Reid), all our seniors played really well tonight.”
Greco transitioned over to point guard at the start of the year and has been a huge defensive player as she learns the ropes of PG, forcing 23 steals in the last five games.
“She plays really good defense, and she is really improving at getting us into offense,” Reynoldson said.
The Wildcats will host Emporia on Friday while the Trojans will host Manhattan as they will look to snap a three-game losing streak.
HAYDEN GIRLS 55, TOPEKA HIGH 49
Topeka High 15 14 13 7 -- 49
Hayden 11 15 14 15 -- 55
Topeka High School (9-7, 2-4) -- Rayton 7-17 0-0 19, Caryl 3-7 4-4 10, Marshall 3-4 2-2 8, Benning 4-6 0-0 8, Short 2-6 0-0 4. Totals 19-40 6-6 49.
Hayden (9-7, 2-4) -- Schmidtlein 8-14 1-3 19, Ramsey 8-12 0-0 17, Meier 4-13 2-3 10, Greco 2-6 0-0 6, Reid 0-1 1-2 1, Watts 1-1 0-0 2, Huescher 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-48 4-8 55.
3-point goals -- Topeka High 4 (Rayton 4), Hayden 5 (Greco 2, Schmidtlein 2, Ramsey). Total fouls -- Topeka High 11, Hayden 6.
