The boys basketball team struggled at the Dodge City Tournament of Champions as the team finished last going 0-3.
Dodge City was the first opponent it played with a final score of 43-36. The Indians led 29-24 going into the fourth quarter before being outscored 17-7.
Junior Derek Bixenman led the team in scoring with 14 points, while freshman Brady Werth led the team in rebounds with 9.
The second round game was against St. James Academy. The final score of the game was 49-28, with Hays being outscored in every quarter.
Bixenman led the team in scoring again with 12 points and fellow junior David Cardinal led the team in rebounds with 6.
In the 7th/8th place game the boys played Ulysses in a tight 40-38 loss. The Indians led going into the fourth quarter for the second time in the tournament, 34-26. Ulysses then outscored Hays 14-4 in the final quarter of play.
Bixenman led in scoring once again with 16 points and Werth had 9 rebounds for the second time in the tournament.
For the tournament Bixenman averaged 14 points.
The next action for the boys basketball team is Tuesday, Jan. 31 against Salina South.
13kgriffin@usd489.com