Jones’ Career Night Aids Garden City to Explosive Victory

GARDEN CITY, KS. – Head coach Rusty Elmore described guard duo Brody Robinson and Braxton Jones as ‘fire and ice’ before the season. In the moment, it wasn’t sure which one was supposed to be fire, and which one was supposed to be ice.

Wednesday night’s game showed everything. Robinson, cool as a cucumber, finding teammates for easy buckets. Jones, a flamethrower, seemingly incapable of missing from the floor.

The Garden City Broncbusters won their first game of 2024, defeating the Seward County Saints, 102-83, from Conestoga Arena. Both teams were incredible offensively, each shooting over 46.5 percent from the field, 42 percent from three, and at least 71 percent from the line.

Garden City had Jones, who scored over 20 points for the eighth time this season, producing a career-high 33 points.

“[Braxton’s] one of the best shooters in the country, I’ll put him against any shooter in the country,” Robinson said. “That dude’s a beast, we go at it every day in practice, and no matter what, that’s my brother.”

The Hartford transfer got his buckets from all over the floor. He started the game hitting mid range jump shots before attacking the basket for layups. He really caught fire from three, going four-of-eight from distance.

He wasn’t the only Broncbuster to have a big night on Wednesday. Six different Garden City (9-5, 5-3 KJCCC) players finished in double-figures, including Thomas Tut’s 17 points and Charles Chukwu’s 16.

The biggest surprise came from a player who wasn’t even expecting to play this season. Freshman Elijah Roberts, who was initially planning to redshirt the 2023-24 season, was called into action for his NJCAA basketball debut.

Roberts provided a key spark off the bench, scoring 11 points and cashing three triples in his Broncbusters debut.

“He stepped in like a veteran tonight,” Broncbusters’ head coach Rusty Elmore said. “He’s an unbelievable, great kid, who works his tail off in practice, so it was good to see it.”

The key at the heart of the whole offensive masterpiece was Robinson. Seward County (3-9, 1-6 KJCCC) had no answers for his playmaking. For the third straight game, Robinson delivered double-digit assists, dishing 13 helpers. His style of play was contagious for the Broncbusters, who recorded 24 assists as a team.

“Just knowing I can affect the game in multiple ways, not just scoring. That’s not what my game’s all about,” Robinson said. “Just to make the right plays, make winning plays.”

Garden City advances to 8-0 in regulation when finishing with 16 or more assists this season.

The Broncbusters have now won three games in a row dating back to December, looking to improve to four as they travel to Coffeyville to face the Red Ravens on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 15 minutes following the conclusion of the women’s game, on 99.9 ‘The Rock’.

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