As everyone got there first look at the boys basketball team for this winter in its 73-51 defeat to Kearney in the first round of the Hays City Shootout on Dec. 1.

The team had two juniors and three sophomores starting and only have four people that had any varsity experience in sophomores Lane Clark, Jordan Windholz, Kyler Neirnburger and Kade Parker, each of which only saw a sparing amount of time last season in blowout games.

Fielding such a young team proved to be tough in the first game as it only manage to get one lead in the game when junior Derek Bixenman hit a deep three pointer to make the score 3-2.

Kearney controlled the rest of the game in route to its victory as Hays kept the game within 15 points until the end of the game as Kearney managed to pull away for its big victory.

Throughout the game Hays took multiple three-pointers in an attempt to get back into the game, but could never manage to get right back in it.

The boys will play Colby at the Felten Middle School gym Friday, Dec. 2, in the second round of the Shootout.

13kgriffin@usd489.com