Hatcher Boys Show the Way in Hugoton

On a night when Liberal’s three pointers and free throws weren’t falling, Liberal found a way to win a basketball game.  The Skins won 48-43 in front of a packed house at Hugoton Friday night.   The Redskins were 9-19 at the foul line and 1-17 from three point range in the win.  Lee and Hunter Hatcher had 16 a piece in the win.

The Redskins led 9-8 after one quarter and 19-18 at the half.  The Eagles led 29-25 in the third and led 31-29 at the end of three.  Liberal turned the game when Malcolm Wiltshire got a steal and a lay up.  He was fouled on the play and a Hugoton player was whistled for a technical.  That gave Liberal a 39-34 lead.  Braxton Hyde’s left win three gave the Redskins a 42-36 lead with 3:30 to play.  It was Liberal first made three after missing the first 17.  Hugoton clawed back and cut the lead to 44-42 with 2:02 to play.  But Liberal made enough free throws down the stretch for the win.

Lee Hatcher equaled his career high with 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds.  Hunter Hatcher had 16.  Both teams shot 35 percent.  Jayce Korf and Sawyer Harper scored eight a piece.

Liberal and Hugoton split the season series.  The Redskins are 7-7 and Hugoton is 8-3.  Liberal plays at Great Bend Friday night at about 7:45 on 1270 and kscbnews.net.  Hugoton plays at Ulysses on Tuesday.