Hugoton’s Hot Start Leads Eagles Past Liberal

Hugoton came out gunning, took control of the game, then withstood a furious Liberal rally to hold off Liberal 55-52 Tuesday night at the Big House in Liberal.  It’s Hugoton’s first win over the Redskins since 2013 in the Colby Orange and Black Classic.  Liberal had won four straight in the series.

Hugoton started fast as guards Wyatt Angell and Sawyer Harper came out firing as the Eagles landed their first three 3 pointers.  Hugoton led 6-0 and 10-4 before leading 12-7 after one.  Hugoton led 28-13 in the second quarter as Liberal struggled mightily on offense.  The Eagles led 28-15 at halftime.  The Eagle lead was 18 ad 33-15 before Liberal used a trapping full court press and went on a 29-12  run to cut the lead to one a 45-44 with 4:10 to play.  The Eagles scored the next seven to lead 52-44.  Liberal again rallied to cut the lead to 52-49 and 54-52 with 14.6 second left.  Liberal had the ball down 55-52 with five seconds remaining but a well guarded three point attempt by Hunter Hatcher was wide of the target.

Liberal was 5-28 from three point range and shot 31 percent from the field while Hugoton hit 50 percent of their shots. Angell and Harper had 15 a piece for HHS.  Jayce Korf had nine.  Hunter Hatcher had 12 for the Redskins.  Alex Lopez, Fabian Lopez, and Syris Dunlap had nine a piece.

Liberal is 1-1 and #6 class 3A Hugoton is 3-0.  Liberal plays at Olathe West Friday at about 7:45 on 1270 and kscbnews.net.  Hugoton hosts Dodge City Tuesday.