For the better part of two quarters Tuesday, the Hays Rebel boys basketball team had the state-ranked Judson Rockets sweating an early playoff exit. 

But inconsistent Rebel rebounding, paired with a sluggish second half offense, gave an explosive Judson lineup enough fuel to speed away with a 78-66 win Tuesday, ending Hays’ upset bid and its 2020 campaign.

Hays (21-11) clung to a 48-46 advantage late in the third frame before Judson slammed on the throttle and used a 14-4 run to build a 60-...