Buffaloes, Munoz, Start Hot in Win over Laverne (Ok.)

GARDEN CITY, Kan. – Head coach Luke Swedberg would have to make their matchup with Laverne feel like a track meet, to counteract LHS’ size and physicality.

If Thursday night’s game was a track meet, the first quarter was played at a Usain Bolt-level pace.

The Garden City Buffaloes dominated the opening eight minutes, holding onto a double-digit lead for the majority of their 58-49 victory over the Laverne (Ok.) Tigers at Conestoga Arena. Garden City jumped out to a 22-4 advantage, never letting the lead slip below nine points.

“I thought we got off to a great start. We played at our pace, we got our shots,” Swedberg said. “I thought the first quarter was great.”

The quarter was the second-most points that the Buffaloes (5-8) had scored in a frame all season. Four different Buffs got on the scoreboard.

Garden City came out hot from the opening tip. Six seconds after center Thomas Longa won the opening tipoff, Emilio Zundt set up Brody Burns for a left corner three to take the lead. It was one of four threes hit by GCHS in the first half.

“It’s always great when shots go in early,” Swedberg said. “It makes the defense expand, and we want to make them rotate from there.”

Burns hit four threes in the game, closing with 13 points.

Laverne (8-8) had no answers for Garden City guard Raul Munoz in the first half. Munoz was the engine for the Buffaloes early, scoring nine of GCHS’ 22 in the opening quarter.

Munoz would pour in six more throughout the game, closing with a career-high 15 points. Munoz is now averaging 11.7 points in his last three home games, breaking double-figures for the second straight contest in Garden City.

“Raul’s always been a great decision maker. Raul’s one of those guys that always makes the right play for the team,” Swedberg explained. “He had a couple of really nice takes to the basket.”

Thursday marked the first time that the junior guard led Garden City in scoring this season.

The Tigers hung with the Buffaloes throughout, but could never make a consistent push. The Buffaloes spread out their scoring in the second half, with Zundt and Daniel Monarrez each hitting key fourth quarter shots.

Tayte Dome led Laverne with a game-high 20 points.

The Buffaloes continue their three-game homestand back at The Garden against the Life Prep Academy Fire on Friday night. Coverage will be on 99.9 ‘The Rock’, immediately following girl’s basketball’s 6:00 P.M. tip.

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