Lady Busters Stifle Seward for Key Road Win
Garden City Community College womens basketball team played on the road vs Seward County Community College on Saturday February 17, 2024 in Liberal, Kan. The Lady Busters defeated the Saints 57 - 48. Photo credits; Adam Shrimplin, Shrimplin Photography
LIBERAL, Kan. – Garden City has done a lot of growing up here in 2024. It was baby steps to begin the year; finding ways to play together again, staying out of foul trouble, learning how to process losses in January.
February has been a different story. This Lady Broncbusters team has grown up fast; processing zones, adjusting at halftime, and finding ways to score at all levels.
It’s led to a complete turnaround for this team.
The Garden City Lady Broncbusters ended its three-game road trip strong, taking down the Seward County Lady Saints, 58-47, at The Greenhouse on Saturday. Garden City held Seward County to just 24 points in the first three quarters.
The game marked the second-fewest points scored by Seward under new head coach, Will Marchino. It was also the fewest points given up by the Broncbusters in a Jayhawk Conference game under their new head coach, Greg Franklin.
“I thought our focus was a lot better, and we actually executed our scout,” Franklin praised. “It was one of those things that, maybe, the kids are getting it.”
The Broncbusters (14-11, 9-11 KJCCC) emerged late in the first quarter, scoring nine straight points to take an 11-2 advantage. Guards Stevi Yancy and Maya Nieto connected on three-pointers from each wing to help balloon the lead out early.
Seward County (14-11, 10-9 KJCCC) turned the ball over six times in the second quarter, with C.C. Driesen recording three first-half steals. The Broncbusters forced 11 first-half turnovers, taking a 23-18 lead into the break.
The third quarter was one of Garden City’s best, going on an 8-0 run out of halftime. Driessen and Yancy delivered layups in transition to boost the lead to 11.
“We were able to get them to turn the ball over, that was the big thing,” Franklin said. “We did a nice job of getting up the line and denying the ball. Our kids rotated, covered, and dropped. It was a team effort there.”
GCCC scored just three points in transition in the first half, yet delivered eight fast break points in the third quarter. Boxer Conley’s runout layup boosted the lead to 17 going into the final frame.
Seward put their offense in a rhythm in the final 10 minutes, but it was too little, too late for the Saints. SCCC scored 24 points in the final frame after scoring 24 points in the first 30 minutes. GCCC committed nine fourth-quarter turnovers to end the contest.
“We have our moments… where we don’t really understand,” Franklin said. “That’s something you have to go through, it’s a process.”
Garden City improved to 4-1 in February with the win.
The Lady Busters will look for its fifth win in six games on Wednesday against the Coffeyville Red Ravens. Coverage on 99.9 ‘The Rock’ begins at 5:10 P.M. on the American Implement Pregame Show, tipoff at 5:30.
Greg Franklin interview
