Broncbusters’ Guards Prove Too Much for Pratt, Secure Fifth Straight Win
Garden City Community College mens basketball team hosted Pratt Community College on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Conestoga Arena in Garden City, Kan. The Busters defeated the Beavers 82 - 66. Photo Credits; Adam Shrimplin, Shrimplin Photography
GARDEN CITY, KS. – Brody Robinson said on opening night that he would take Hartford transfer Braxton Jones over any shooter in the NJCAA.
Jones said Sunday that Robinson is the best point guard that he’s played with.
The two together create a one-two punch that the Jayhawk Conference has had no answer for, so far.
The Garden City Broncbusters won their fifth-straight game, defeating the Pratt Beavers, 82-66, at Conestoga Arena on Sunday. The guards combined for 53 points, with Jones pouring in a career-high 29.
“Honestly, teammates finding me again, they do it every time.” Jones said. “In terms of point guards, Brody is the best point guard I’ve ever played with.”
The Broncbusters (6-2, 3-0 KJCCC) brought intensity immediately, scoring 10 points off five Beavers’ turnovers to open the ballgame. Garden City did excellent on turnovers throughout, finishing with 22 points on 15 Pratt turnovers.
Jones came out hot, hitting five of his first seven shots to boost Garden City’s lead to 26-16. Jones, who led Garden City in scoring in five straight games, finished with 16 first half points.
“Braxton hit some big shots,” head coach Rusty Elmore said. “He’s just a bucket… if he’s confident, he’s pretty sure he’s going to make it.”
The Beavers also found really good guard play in the first half from Kayvontay Williams, who contributed a team-high 22 points in the win.
The second half saw Garden City execute on second-chance points. GCCC out-reboudned Pratt (2-5, 0-3 KJCCC) by nine in the victory, including 12 offensive rebounds. Charles Chukwu was a big help, finishing with eight points and a career-high 12 boards.
“I thought Charles was way better in the second half, he was a factor down low,” Elmore said. “I’m super proud of our guys, to come in and be 3-0 in the league is a big deal.”
GCCC pulled away late, with Jones scoring the final five to seal the victory. It was Jones’ best performance, just besting his previous career-best of 28 against Sterling College JV.
It was the sixth time this season that he had led GCCC in scoring this season, but Jones knows the work can’t be done without Robinson’s play complimenting him.
“We both can create space for each other,” Jones said. “I can go to the basket and find him, he can go to the basket and find me. We both can score at any time.”
The Broncbusters close November on the road against the No. 24 Cloud County Thunderbirds. Tip is slated for 8:00 P.M. – or 20 minutes following the conclusion of women’s basketball – on 99.9 ‘The Rock’ on Wednesday night.
