Robinson’s 44 Points Leads Garden City Past Pratt
Brody Robinson (#55) attacks the basket for Garden City. The Garden City Community College Broncbusters defeated the Pratt Community College Beavers, 98-76. Photo Credits; Adam Shrimplin, Shrimplin Photography
PRATT, Kan. – Assistant coach Mike Harmon’s jaw dropped, motioning to fellow coaches Jack Galazka and Jaxon Autry.
“He has what?” Garden City guard Braxton Jones exclaimed.
The reactions of the bench were ones of shock, awe, and disbelief. All for one man’s historic performance.
Guard Brody Robinson scored a career-high 44 points on Wednesday night, leading the Garden City Broncbusters to a 98-76 victory over the Pratt Beavers at Dennis Lesh Sports Arena. Robinson’s performance was one point off Garden City’s program record, set back in 1971.
“I’m glad he’s on my team. That’s a special, special young man,” head coach Rusty Elmore said.
The historic night became reality late in the second half. The game tight, the Broncbusters ahead by three, Robinson went on to score 13 straight points in 3:01. The sophomore nailed five consecutive field goals, including three straight three-pointers, to build the lead to 14.
The Chattanooga transfer made it 40 at the line with 1:38 to go. Robinson then capped it off in one of the most emphatic ways possible; nailing an and-one over Pratt’s T.J. Nunnery, completing the three-point play, and being subbed to a standing ovation from his teammates.
“The good thing about it, we had times where we struggled to get stops and get buckets,” Elmore said. “He just put us on his back.”
It’s a tough game to not highlight how well that Garden City (14-7, 10-5 KJCCC) did outside of their No. 55. The other guards joined in the fun as well. The aforementioned Jones and Elijah Roberts each swished three triples, as GCCC led by six at the break.
Roberts finished Wednesday with a career-high 15 points, all coming on three-pointers.
The Broncbusters shot 60.3 percent as a team, going 18-of-27 from the line, and were a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line.
“I wish we could bottle some of that up,” Elmore joked. “We’ve been putting in a lot of time, we make them hit 200 [three pointers] a day. I think you’re seeing the fruits of our labor.”
Pratt (6-14, 4-11 KJCCC) played a fine game themselves, recording 17 offensive rebounds in the losing effort. DePaul transfer Zion Cruz and Bubba Russ led the way for the Beavers, each scoring 18 points.
Garden City takes on Cloud County on Saturday, a key battle between fifth and sixth place in the conference. Coverage on 99.9 ‘The Rock’ begins following the conclusion of women’s basketball, which tips off at 2:00 P.M.
Rusty Elmore interview
