Champions in Colorado; Lady Buffs Beat Palmer Ridge to Clinch Cougar Tip-Off
Garden City High School defeated the Palmer Ridge Bears, 40-39, on Saturday at Coronado Main Gym in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Colorado Springs, CO. – It takes a lot to form a culture in a program. It takes effort, determination, buy-in, and some big wins to turn a program into true contenders.
Garden City got all of that in their three-day tournament in Colorado, and got a trophy to boot.
The Garden City Lady Buffs won the girls’ side of the Cougar Tip-Off Gauntlet, defeating the Palmer Ridge Bears, 40-39, at Coronado High School on Saturday. The Buffaloes led for the vast majority of the game, hanging on late to secure the tournament.
“It took grit, hunger, these girls never gave up” head coach, Jacob Miller, said. “I’m a tough guy to play for, and these girls showed their toughness.”
The Buffs’ defense has been strong all tournament, and played their best defensive quarter to open up day three. Garden City held Palmer Ridge to just four points in the first eight minutes, all coming from junior guard, Sofia Romero.
The Buffaloes (3-0) got seven of their first nine points in the paint, taking a 9-4 lead in the first.
Garden City’s offense played up-tempo throughout the second quarter, and to great effect. GCHS scored 16 points in the second quarter, boosted by seven points from junior guard, Hailey Brown.
Brown posted a career-best 11 points in the victory.
The Buffaloes took control in the third quarter, stretching their lead to 13. The quarter was all K.J. Pinchon, who scored six of GCHS’ 13.
“I tell myself that I can’t do anything without my team,” Pinchon said. “When I’m playing my best game, so are they. It pushes me to keep scoring.”
The sophomore finished with a season-high 13 points in the victory. Pinchon finished in double-figures in all three games in Colorado Springs;
Last season, Palmer Ridge (2-1) turned a 10-point deficit around, winning the 4th quarter, 22-9. It was a game that Garden City lost by one possession, and those same demons began to resurface in the final eight minutes.
The Buffaloes didn’t hit a field goal in the fourth quarter, committing costly turnovers as the Bears edged closer and closer. PRHS would bring the game within three inside the final minutes, putting the pressure on Garden City.
GCHS came through in the end, getting just enough. It was their least experienced players in Freshman Maya Korf and new varsity newcomer Brown who would hit three free throws, helping the Buffaloes hold on.
“We all encourage [Hailey],” Miller said. “We’re all in this together. The biggest thing for these girls is confidence.”
Demons exercised, silverware secured.
And there’s more to come.
The Lady Buffs return to the Garden for their home opener on Thursday to open up the Roundball against the Altus Bulldogs. Coverage begins at 6:10 P.M. on 99.9 ‘The Rock’, with tip slated for 6:30.
