Cards Advance in RPAC Tournament
Win Over Wallace Puts Cards in Semifinal against Dundy-County Stratton
by 1st-Year Reporter Blaine Richter

Hayes Center boys basketball team took on the Wallace Wildcats in quarterfinals of the Republican Plains Activities Conference tournament action on Tuesday, January 27 at Maywood. The Cards came out on top after going into halftime down by one. The Cards came out in the second half though and put the game away 56-31.

“After a very poor first half, we played much better in the second half. We stepped up our intesity and defense after halftime,” said Head Coach Louis Cuellar.

Keifer Messersmith led the Cardinals in scoring by putting up 18 points. Luke Clifford knocked down 12 and Matt Gohl dumped in eight more. Alex Wach swished two three-pointers for six points while Tyler Cliffored, Tyler Rehbein, and Michael Bishop added three, three, and two points respectively.
Evan Messersmith led the Cards in assists by dishing out three while Keifer Messersmith and Brian Christener each handed out two.

Gohl and Tyler Clifford led the Cardinals in rebounding, each pulling down seven boards. Keifer Messersmith and Micheal Bishop grabbed four each.

“We played well overall but we had a pretty slow first half. We played much better in the second half though,” said senior guard Evan Messersmith.

For the Wildcats, Shawn Christenson led their scoring by putting up 13 points. Sean May added on seven while Brendon Clough made four.

The Cardinals will play the in RPAC semifinal on Friday, January 30, against theDundy County-Stratton Tigers. Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m.