By John Mesh
The Hutchinson High School girls and boys basketball teams split contests with the Arkansas City Bulldogs Friday night at the Salthawk Activity Center.
The Hutchinson Salthawk boys defeated Arkansas City 68-35 and the Hutchinson girls lost a heartbreaker to Arkansas City 41-39.
Both Hutchinson varsity teams are 3-1. The Ark City girls are 4-0 and the Bulldog boys are 0-4.
The Hutchinson boys led at halftime 34-18 and 56-24 after three quarters. Hutchinson won the fourth quarter 12-11.
Because the Salthawks’ lead reached the 30-point mark, the fourth quarter was played with a running clock.
Tashaun Govain led the Salthawks in scoring with 17 points. Terrell King added 12, Lamar Govain 10 and Danny Boone 10.
“It was good to get all of the guys into the game,” said Hutchinson High School boys basketball coach Bryan Miller. “The press turned them over in the second quarter.”
The Hutchinson varsity girls led 11-7 at the end of the first quarter and 20-14 at halftime. Arkansas City outscored the Salthawks 13-7 in the third quarter to tie the score at 27-27. Hutchinson had a 24-16 lead in the third quarter.
Kaia Smith led the Hutchinson Salthawk girls with 20 points. Grace Posch added 8.
“We lost a heartbreaker tonight to a great 4-0 Ark City team going into break by two points,” said Hutchinson High School girls basketball coach Kalen Hilst. “The last three minutes of the third quarter killed us as they went on an 8-0 run.”
Three Ark City Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Saliyah Henderson-Johnson with 14 points. Kierslynn Waggoner and Savannah Phillips both scored 12.
Ark City connected for seven 3-pointers, including six in the second half. Henderson-Johnson hit four 3-pointers.
The Salthawk teams played their final games before the Christmas break.
Hutchinson returns to action in 2025 with road games Jan. 7 at Maize South and Jan. 10 at Salina South.
The first home dates after the Christmas break are Jan. 17 against Great Bend and Jan. 21 against Derby.
The Hutchinson freshman girls basketball team lost to Arkansas City 53-51.
Buhler girls, boys sweep Mulvane
The Buhler High School girls and boys basketball team swept Mulvane Friday night at Jim Baker Fieldhouse in Buhler.
The Buhler girls defeated Mulvane 67-59 and the Crusader boys won 62-57.
The Buhler Crusader girls led 21-11 at the end of the first quarter, 42-21 at halftime and 59-41 at the end of the third quarter.
Both teams scored 8 points in the fourth quarter.
The Mulvane boys led 8-6 at the end of the first quarter, 27-26 at halftime. Buhler outscored Mulvane 15-4 in the third quarter to take a 41-31 lead.
Mulvane outscored Buhler 26-21 in the fourth quarter to cut Buhler’s final margin to 5 points.
Haven Wildcat girls, boys roll past Belle Plaine
The Haven High School varsity girls and boys basketball teams swept Belle Plaine Friday night at the Belle Plaine gymnasium.
The Haven girls led at halftime 36-13 and defeated Belle Plaine 60-24. The Wildcats improved to 6-0.
Sienne DeFrain led the Wildcats with 20 points and 6 steals. Avery Brawner scored 19 points.
The Haven varsity boys won their game 74-16 and are 6-0.
The Haven junior varsity boys and C team boys also. The Haven JV boys are 6-0 and the Haven boys C team is 2-0.
The Haven junior varsity girls won their game and also improved to 6-0.
Halstead girls, boys sweep Smoky Valley
The Halstead girls basketball defeated the Smoky Valley Vikings 50-32 and the Dragon boys won 69-57 Friday night at the Halstead High School gymnasium.
The Halstead girls led Smoky Valley 19-0 at the end of the first quarter, 38-12 at halftime, 44-23 at the end of the third quarter.
In the varsity boys game, Halstead trailed Smoky Valley 13-12 at the end of the first quarter and 32-27 at halftime.
Braxton Creed of Halstead reached the 1,000-point milestone Friday night. Creed ended the game with 21 points.
Halstead outscored the Vikings 28-14 in the third quarter to take a 55-46 lead. The Dragons won the final frame 14-11.
Inman basketball teams take pair from Wichita CCA
The Inman girls and boys basketball teams swept Wichita Central Christian Academy Friday night at home.
The Inman boys won 59-44 and the Inman girls routed Wichita CCA 63-29.
The Inman boys led 12-10 at the end of the first quarter, 27-21 at halftime and 45-33 at the end of the third quarter. Inman outscored the Wildcats 14-11 in the fourth period.
The Inman girls led 19-11 at the end of the first quarter, 40-17 at halftime and 53-23 at the end of the third quarter.
Area girls basketball scores
Arkansas City 41, Hutchinson 39
Buhler 67, Mulvane 39
Conway Springs 60, Fairfield 36
Halstead 50, Smoky Valley 32
Haven 60, Belle Plaine 24
Hutchinson Central Christian 59, Caldwell 15
Inman 63, Wichita Central Christian 29
Marion 41, Sterling 37 (Thursday)
Wichita Defenders 42, Reno County 40 (Thursday)
Area boys basketball scores
Buhler 62, Mulvane 57
Halstead 69, Smoky Valley 57
Haven 74, Belle Plaine 16
Hutchinson 68, Arkansas City 35
Hutchinson Central Christian 52, Caldwell 21
Inman 59, Wichita Central Christian 44
Salthawk football players earn postseason honors
Nine Hutchinson High School football players combined for numerous postseason honors.
The Salthawks posted an 8-3 record before losing to Hays High in the Kansas Class 5A state quarterfinals.
No. 2 Terrell King sr. — 1st team defensive back KSHSAA Covered, Kansas Football Coaches Association, Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle.
No. 11 Jackson Anderson Jr. — honorable mention linebacker KSHSAA Covered, Wichita Eagle.
No. 18 Carter Morgan sr. — 1st team linebacker Sports in Kansas and Wichita Eagle, HM linebacker KSHSAA Covered.
No. 20 Taysen Runyon sr. — 1st team kicker Wichita Eagle, HM specialist KSHSAA Covered and Sports in Kansas.
No. 28 Kade Smith sr. — 1st team running back KSHSAA Covered, Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle.
No. 44 Skylar Ray sr. — HM defensive end KSHSAA Covered, Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle.
No. 55 Jaiden May sr. — HM defensive line Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle.
No. 57 Kaleb Cape sr. — HM offensive line KSHSAA Covered, Wichita Eagle.
No. 60 Taylor Riemen so. — HM offensive line Wichita Eagle.
Salthawk boys swimmers 2nd at Garden City Invitational
The Hutchinson High School boys swim team placed second at the Garden City Invitational Friday.
Gadren City won the team title with 427 points, followed by Hutchinson with 310.5, Dodge City 184.5, Great Bend 146 and Liberal 97.
Salthawk varsity boys wrestlers down Dodge City
The Hutchinson High School wrestling team defeated Dodge City 53-18 in a dual Thursday at the North Gym.
The Hutchinson girls wrestling team lost 64-12 to the Red Demons.
Senior Kade Smith, ranked No. 1 in Kansas Class 5A boys at 157 pounds, posted his 100th career victory.
Sophomore Max Harris, who wrestle for the Salthawks at 150 pounds, was named the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association Boys Wrestler of the Week.
Harris was the most outstanding wrestler at the Colby Invitational. Harris posted a win against the current No. 1 in Kansas Class 321A (No. 2 All-Class).
Salthawk varsity boys will compete Saturday at the Emporia Winter Classic.
The Hutchinson girls and junior varsity boys compete Saturday at the Rose Hill Tournament.
2025 Salt City Raceway (State Fairgrounds track) schedule released
April 25 – Heartland Modified Tour + URSS Sprint Series
May 9 – Thunder Through the Plains Rebel Late Models & URSS Sprint Car
Series
May 23 – IMCA Points Season Opener
May 30 – ASCS National Sprint Car Series + TBD
June 20 – IMCA Points Race
July 18 – USAC Silver Crown Salt City 100 Qualifying Night + IMCA Points
Race, URSS Sprint Car Series
July 19 – USAC Silver Crown Salt City 100 + URSS Sprint Car Series
Aug. 22 – Rebel Late Model Series + IMCA Points Race
Aug. 23 – Rebel Late Model Series + TBD
Sept. 19 – IMCA Final Points Race
Oct.10 – ASCS National Sprint Car Series
Oct. 11 – ASCS National Sprint Car Series