Collins prolific in losing effort

Final Highlights: GCCC vs. Hutch

Wichita, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-Most people don’t remember losing efforts. But in Shauqunna Collins case, Friday afternoon’s showing will be etched in the memory of Region VI basketball fans for a long time to come. 

Despite Collins 28-point outburst, third-ranked Hutchinson was too much in the end, putting the Busters away late 68-56 in the Region VI semifinals at the Charles Koch Arena. 

“We can’t play average and expect to win,” Head Coach Nick Salazar said before the game. “No disrespect to Dodge City, but they’re not in the same class as Hutch.”

Not many teams are. And despite being heavy underdogs, Garden City (18-14) came out firing-building an early 5-0 lead. The Lady Blue Dragons (31-0), as they always seem to do, responded with a 25-10 run-building a 10-point advantage at the under 10-minute timeout. 

But as she did the entire afternoon, Collins kept her team afloat-scoring 15 first half points-pulling her team within one at the break. 

Garden City kept it close for much of the second half with some circus shots by the sophomore transfer from Saginaw Michigan, but Jamie Patrick, who scored just four points in the first 20 minutes, lit up the box score in the second half-drilling three, back-breaking 3-pointers. She finished with a team-high 15 points. 

Briana Starks, who opened the game by hitting her first four shots, netted 12 points for the Dragons, who punched a ticket to their fourth straight conference championship game. 

Jasmine Christmas scored 11 points for the Lady Busters while Loysha Morris added seven. 

All-Jayhawk West Freshman of the Year Kalani Purcell tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds; her 14th double-double of the season.

Notes: This was the third straight year Garden City was knocked out in the Region VI semifinals.

Final Stats: GCCC vs. Hutch