South Gray, Hanover claim 1A

Eagle staff

Published March 13 at 1:04 a.m. | Last updated March 13 at 1:22 a.m.

South Gray won its second Class 1A girls championship in three seasons, defeating Argonia 57-51 in overtime Friday at Gross Coliseum in Hays.

Kayla Thomas scored two of her 10 points from the free-throw line with 55 seconds remaining in overtime to give South Gray the lead. After Argonia missed two shots, South Gray's Brigit Hesser was fouled while rebounding the ball. She hit two more free throws to push the game out of reach.

South Gray's Hannah Thomas hit two free throws with 3.5 seconds to play in regulation to force overtime.

Mikayla Skidmore scored 18 for South Gray (28-0), which lost in the title game last season.

Ashton Stansbury, 14 points, and Allison Brewster, 13, led Argonia (27-1), which had its best finish in school history.

Hanover defended its boys state championship, beating South Gray 58-49 as four Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Connor Hynek's 15 points.

Hanover jumped to a 21-7 lead en route to the school's fourth boys basketball title. South Gray outscored Hanover 36-26 in the second half, but the Rebels could not come close enough.

Chase Clancy scored 28 for South Gray.

Baileyville defeated Quinter 48-38 to win the third-place boys game.

Ryan Huerter and Taylor Heiman each scored 12 for Baileyville.

Zach Nemechek recorded a double-double (10 points and 14 rebounds) for Quinter.

The defending girls champion St. John Tigers rallied from Thursday's loss to finish in third place — the third straight year the Tigers have taken home a trophy.

Teresa Wade scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds for St. John, which stopped St. Paul 43-35.