BY JIM MISUNAS 

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Western Athletic champion Hays High strung together three brilliant streaks to steamroll Great Bend's girls 68-29 to clinch its second consecutive unbeaten Western Athletic basketball title.

Returning 5A state qualifier Hays (21-1, 8-0 WAC) has won 27 consecutive Western Athletic games.

The Indians started by scoring the game's first 14 points. After Panther Alex Mayers scored, the Indians reeled off 13 points. Stevie Mayers' basket was followed by a 14-0 scoring burst for a 41-4 lead.

Panther Chayla Prendergast delivered the highlight of the night with a banked-in 3-pointer to end the first half. The Panthers' secondary highlight was outscoring the Indians 15-14 in the third quarter.

Great Bend (4-18, 1-7 WAC) was paced by senior Alyssa McCauley with seven third-quarter points. Senior Night also paid tribute to Katherine Mazouch, who hit a 3-pointer, and Denver Ringo who scored two points after getting poked in the eye.

"Our seniors are smart and determined young ladies," said Great Bend coach Jade Winter, who coached her final game. "Alyssa stepped up as a leader. She brought her composure every night. Katherine Mazouch is our great vocal leader who encourages our younger players. Denver always has a good attitude and put in work to get better." 

Hays High's Zoe Winter converted 9 of 13 field goals for 19 points. Standout guard Jenna Schmeidler contributed 12 points and several steals and assists. The Indians score inside and outside and play effective pressure defense.

The Indians converted 7 of 16 on 3-pointers with Morgan Armbruster converting a trio. Winter anchored the inside scoring. Hays converted 22 Panther turnovers into transition scores.

Great Bend (4-18, 1-7 WAC) ends the season without postseason play.

Hays 21 20 14 13 — 68

Great Bend 2 5 15 7 — 29

HAYS (21-1, 8-0)—Winter 9-13 (1-1) 0-0 19; Schmeidler 5-13 (2-7) 0-0 12; Rupp 3-4 (1-1) 0-0 7; Humphrey 1-2 0-0 2; LaBarge 3-5 1-2 7; Cunningham 0-2 0-0 0; Armbruster 3-7 (3-4) 0-0 9; Turner 3-6 (0-3) 0-0 6; Harrington 1-2 0-0 2; Buckles 2-6 0-0 4; Totals 30-60 (7-16) 1-2 68 

GREAT BEND (4-18, 1-7)—McCauley 3-9 (1-4) 0-0 7; Meredith Mazouch 1-6 (1-2) 3-4 6; Hogan 1-3 (0-1) 0-0 2; Chayla Prendergast 1-6 (1-1) 0-0 3; Alex Mayers 2-12 (0-4) 0-0 4; Katherine Mazouch 1-6 (1-1) 0-0 3; Stevie Mayers 1-4 0-0 2; Ringo 1-1 0-0 2; Totals 11-44 (4-12) 3-4 29

5A WEST GIRLS 

HAYS—1—Andover High 21-1 vs. 16—Arkansas City 6-17; 8—Salina Central 13-10 vs. 9—Salina South 13-10

ANDOVER—2—Hays High 21-1 vs. 15—Topeka West 6-16; 7—Andover Central 13-10 vs. 10—Hutchinson 11-11

MAIZE—3—Maize South 19-4 vs. 14—Valley Center 7-16; 6—Goddard Eisenhower 15-7 vs. 11—Topeka Seaman 10-12

WICHITA—4—Kapaun Mt. Carmel 17-6 vs. 13—Emporia 7-15; 5—Wichita Carroll 15-7 vs. 12—Goddard 8-12 

ELIMINATED—17—Great Bend 4-18; 18—Newton 1-22