Lady Busters Back to Winning Ways

GARDEN CITY, Kan. – The results weren’t there, but the process was. Garden City had some of its best practices, grew in maturity, and worked extremely hard, even during its eight-game skid.

Saturday afternoon, it all clicked. The relief of the young Busters’ squad at the horn made the moment.

The Garden City Lady Broncbusters ended its losing streak, defeating the Cloud County Thunderbirds, 80-65, at Conestoga Arena. The Broncbusters celebrated their first victory since December 9th.

“It’s been a long haul for them, and I’m glad for them,” Greg Franklin, Garden City head coach, said about his players. “They’ve worked and tried to get better, and I appreciate their effort.”

Garden City (11-10, 6-10 KJCCC) got an immediate production from their leading scorer. C.C. Driessen started hot, making each of her first three buckets.

The Broncbusters were killed on the glass at Pratt, and made an immediate improvement on the boards to open up Saturday. GCCC had four offensive rebounds in the first quarter, leading to five points at the end of the frame for forward Antonicia Moultrie.

Cloud County (12-8, 8-8 KJCCC) had no answers for Garden City defensively. The Lady Busters hit seven of their 11 second-quarter shots, building their lead to as much as 12 in the first half.

“We settled in, took some really good shots,” Franklin said. “Shots that we want to take, not shots they’re telling us we have to take.”

The Thunderbirds’ lone source of offense was Josephine Igherighe, who showed no signs of letting up in the second half. The sophomore scored 26 points on Saturday, delivering 14 in the first half and 12 in the second.

The Broncbusters’ bread and butter during their 10-2 start was getting points of turnovers, and their third quarter defense sparked a key seven consecutive points. Garden City scored four straight on Cloud County giveaways, then Maya Nieto’s corner three made it a 17-point advantage going into the fourth quarter.

“This is the way we have to play,” Franklin said. “For us to be successful, you have to give a little something right now.”

Garden City hosts Cowley on Wednesday, looking for the sweep against the Tigers. Coverage on 99.9 ‘The Rock’ begins at 5:10 P.M., tipoff at 5:30.

Head coach Greg Franklin