Red Demons Drop Openers in Junction City

Junction City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) A new look Dodge City Red Demon basketball team opened the season on the road in Junction City and despite some successes, both boys and girls squads took home losses.

Girls Highlights Junction City 46, Dodge City 43

 

The Red Demon girls started slowly as Junction City dominated the boards in the first half with second chance opportunities to open up a 28-15 lead and 30-18 at half.

Dodge started their comeback in the third quarter going on a 15-5 run and stepping up on their defense to pull within two.  Down by two with 26 seconds left, freshman Chidera Okoro traveled against a defender in the low post while going for the tying layup.  For the Demons that was their best opportunity late in falling 46-43.

Ashley Nelson began her senior season at Dodge City with a bang torching the Blue Jays for 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals in the loss.  Tia Bradshaw on the other hand struggled going 1-12 from the field, but made up for it in other ways going 6-6 from the free throw line and finishing with five steals.

A trio of Junction City players made the difference for the Blue Jays.  Da’Shawn Battiste scored 10, Alana Kramer nearly had a double-double of nine points and nine rebounds and Ally McKenzie dropped in 8 points and 9 rebounds for a team that went 3-18 last year, but captured their first win over Dodge in six tries all time.

DCHS Coach Kelly Snodgrass Post-game Comments

 

Boys Highlights Junction City 48, Dodge City 32

 

The Dodge City boys hung around, but slowly lost ground after finishing the first half tied at 11.  The Red Demons despite shooting a poor 26 percent had a successful debut from sophomore guard Noah Sowers.

Sowers only hit 2-10 shot, but his gritty play earned him trips to the free throw line in finishing with 10 points and 9 rebounds.  DCHS lost the services of post player Justin Schowengerdt five minutes into the game, but two other players picked up the slack.

Chris Baker showed the type of range that can stretch out the defense at 3-4 beyond the arc for 12 points, while Dawson Williams hit the boards hard in collecting 8 rebounds. 

Junction’s length and athleticism caused Dodge some problems.  As a team the Blue Jays outrebounded the Demons 36-29.  A.J. Range had a 12 point, 15 rebound night.  Lonnie Autry chipped in with a dozen points of his own for the Blue Jays.

DCHS Coach Dennis Hamilton’s Post-game Comments

 

Dodge City returns to the court next Friday when the Demons take on Hereford, Texas.  Girls tip-off at noon with the guys at 1:30.