By Moses Leos III.
Twenty-six days and a polar vortex separated the first and second rounds of the Hays/Lehman boys basketball rivalry series. Hays High prevailed in game one, winning 64-35.
Despite weather pushing round two and senior night to Saturday at Bales Gym, the outcome remained the same. Hays’ predominant outside presence and rebounding was too much, as the Rebels led wire to wire, defeating Lehman 62-44.
Hays began the game with an 8-3 lead before the Lobos closed within three at 10-7.
Rebel head coach Robert Lucero took to his bench, calling in senior Chris Gonzalez, who had an immediate impact.
Hays Rebel senior point guard Stephen Ayala (11) attacks the rim during the second round of the Hays/Lehman rivalry series at Bales Gym on Saturday. A consistent offensive effort, along with key rebounds helped Hays defeat Lehman 64-35. (Photo by Lincoln Ramirez) |
Gonzalez scored ten points in the final two minutes of the quarter, nine from the three-point arc. His play spurred a 12-3 run, as the Rebels gained separation, leading 22-10.
He said some pre-game advice served him well.
“Before the game, someone told me not to think; just shoot (the ball),” Gonzalez said. “That’s what I did.”
Hays pulled away in the second with the help of senior guard Stephen Ayala, who scored ten points in the period. He led Hays with 12 in the ballgame, helping the Rebels take a 40-22 lead at halftime.
Ayala said consistency in using the dribble drive was a key factor in his success. That was an adjustment made after the first round, where Hays settled for too many threes.
“If you can move the ball and get into the paint, good things usually happen,” he said.
On the opposite side, the Lobos also labored to generate offense, unable to work the ball inside the paint early in the game.
Defensively, the Lobos struggled to identify and rotate to the open shooter, according to head coach Thomas Acker. Hays guard play forced the team to forgo its high pressure defense.
Lehman also couldn’t match the Rebels physicality on the glass. Lehman was outrebounded 15-9 in the first half, 29-18 in the ball game. Rebounding woes compounded the Lobos’ issues in the crosstown contest.
“If you are not going to rebound the ball – and you give good teams second chances – you are going to have a tough night,” Acker said.
Senior post Kraig Shields said execution was an issue for the Lobos. It changed in the second and third quarters, as the Lobos looked to Shields, who finished with a game high 15 points.
“It felt good. My shot was on,” he said. “I was taking shots I knew I could make.”
But it wasn’t enough, as the Rebels held off Lehman for the win.
Lucero was pleased with the team’s entire contribution.
“When you leave the gym, and you know every kid that works hard is able to play in the game and contribute against their rival, you feel happy those kids can show what they can do in front of their community,” Lucero said.
Senior night was bittersweet for the Hays seniors. It was also a huge moment for their first year head coach, who lauded their leadership.
“(The seniors) made it easy on me on my first year here, by buying in and working hard and setting the example for younger players,” Lucero said. “I owe them in making my first job such an easy transition.”
