EMPORIA – Bulldogs like to dig holes sometimes, but starting a basketball game down 10 points is hole that is tough to come out of.
The Anderson County Bulldogs’ dreams of winning a game at the 4A Division II State Tournament came to an end Thursday night as they ran in to the freight train that is Hugoton High School’s boys basketball team. The Eagles came in to the tournament as the second seed and proved their ability with a sound demolishing of the Bulldogs at White Auditorium in Emporia.
The Bulldogs slow start was in part to a stout Eagle defense that only allowed five field goals in the first half. The Bulldogs did not hit their first field goal until the 4:37 mark of the first quarter. The Eagles’ hot shooting got them out to a 38-17 lead at the half and it only got worse from there for Anderson County.
The Bulldogs managed a better second half, shooting 41%, but the Eagles shot 54% again in the second half which lead to a 36-point victory. The Bulldogs had one player in double digits as Chase Ratliff scored 15 points while Trevor Johnston helped out with 9 for the night. Hugoton had four players in double digits as Zack Leiniger led all scorers with 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Anthony Kinser scored 16 while Wade Heger added 14 and Colby Korf dropped 10 points for the Eagles in a winning effort.
The Bulldogs’ season comes to an end with a 10-13 record while Hugoton moves on the 4A Division II Semifinals.
