Dodge City Falls in Both Games at Undefeated Central Plains

Claflin, KS (westernkansasnews.com)  The Dodge City Red Demon Basketball team is hopeful they found the light at the end of the tunnel.  The Red Demon stepped down to play 2A powerhouse Central Plains (both teams 7-0) last night and despite two losses Dodge City is confident they can potentially build upon the lessons learned to achieve even greater success later in the season.

Girl Game–Central Plains 55, Dodge City 45

 Girls Highlights

For the Lady Red Demons (5-3) they had too big of a hole to dig out of in trailing 37-18 at half.  Taylor Rolfs a signee at Fort Hays dominated going four of seven from beyond the three point line in finishing with 27 points and 13 rebounds.  Kylee Kasselman finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.

On a brighter note, Dodge City won the second half outscoring the Lady Oilers 27-18.  At one point the Lady Red Demons pulled to within six before losing a little steam late.  Jessie Harshberger had 21 points reaching the 20 point mark for the fourth time this year going an amazing 5/12 from beyond the arc.  Tia Bradshaw had 13 points and 8 rebounds coming back nicely from a couple of rough games where she went a combined 4-11 from the field. 

Dodge City never could hit their shots consistently going 27 percent from the field at 16/59.  The good news is that the Dodge City defense forced 20 turnovers and limited Central Plains to only 3-15 from the field in the second half, while the Lady Red Demons doubled that amount in going 9/32 in the second half.

 Post-game comments from Dodge City Girls Coach Kelley Snodgrass

With the win on their home floor Central Plains, the two time defending state champions in 2A have a 58-1 record over their last two and a half seasons.  Dodge held in there against a team that outscores their opponents on the average 60-27.

Boys Game–Central Plains 62, Dodge City 43

 Boys Highlights

While the Lady Red Demons surged in the second half of their game, there was no such luck for the boys in losing 62-43.  Three starters for Dodge City were hampered with foul trouble throughout the night and Noah Williams picked up his fourth foul early in the second half and had to sit the rest of the game.

 Even in the loss, senior Eric Reid showed the fire that will hopefully propel him to a great second half.  Reid knocked down 6/8 three point attempts and finished with a season best 18 point performance.  Reid unfortunately was the only sparked for the Dodge City offense.  Two things hampered their attack.  First Dodge City was outrebounded by Central Plains 31-15 and the Red Demons just did not break the zone with the precision passing they have displayed over the last few games.

Michael Ryan led the Oilers with 23 points, Alex Barton finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Dodge City Boys Coach Dennis Hamilton

The Red Demons return to WAC play Friday when they travel to Liberal.  Pre-game coverage begins at 5:45, girls tip at 6 on Z98 and westernkansasnews.com.