Lady Buffaloes Defeated by Reigning State Champions

GOODLAND, Kan. – The Buffaloes held their own on Tuesday night, against one of Kansas’ elite programs.

The Garden City Lady Buffaloes lost to the Goodland Cowgirls at Max L. Jones Field House, 45-30. Goodland has won each of the last two Class 3A State Championships, yet Garden City won two of the final three third quarters.

“It looked like we were playing basketball again,” Jacob Miller, Garden City head coach, said. “The last four games, it felt like we weren’t. A couple of shots didn’t go our way… but I was extremely proud of how our girls played.”

Garden City has now lost its last five games after an unbeaten start to 2023.

The Buffaloes (5-5, 0-2 WAC) were punched in the mouth to open up the game. The Cowgirls ended the first quarter scoring the last nine points, taking a 15-4 lead after the first frame.

Sophomore Libby Cure hit two three pointers in the first half, helping Goodland (10-2, 2-1 GWAC) to a 12-0 run over the course of the first half.

The Buffaloes found resolve towards the end of the first half, bringing the game within 10 at the break. Myah Korf swished the Buffs’ first three of the game, finishing the first half with a team-high five at the break.

“We were making the right passes, making the right reads, attacking again,” Miller said. “The shots just didn’t fall tonight.”

Turnovers in the second half proved too much for GCHS to overcome. Goodland stretched their lead to as large as 21, with senior Jaxi Mitchek scoring on consecutive possessions late.

Mitchek scored 18 points, right behind her season average of 18.8 points.

While Goodland’s leading scorer delivered, Garden City’s struggled. K.J. Pinchon, who scored a then-career-high 17 points against Goodland last season, was held without a point in Tuesday’s loss.

“Extremely surprised, and it’s okay,” Miller said. “It’s part of the marathon, it’s part of the growth process.”

Senior Miraya Martinez led Garden City in the second half, scoring 10 points. Martinez delivered seven points in the final eight minutes to lead GCHS in scoring for the first time in her career.

“She’s a senior, it’s what we expect,” Miller said. “[Miraya] helped pick up the scoring for us.”

Garden City continues its three game road trip in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Saturday against the Mount St. Mary’s Rockets. Coverage can be found on 99.9 ‘The Rock’.

Audio Recap