Dodge City boys claim Fifth Place in Goodland

(Courtesy of Dodge City High School Athletic Department)

GOODLAND, Kan. — The Dodge City Red Demons continue to find their identity as a team.  A third tough game in Goodland may have given Head Coach Shane Traughber some insight into what that identity may be as once again his team found a way to secure a win in a close game.  The Demons finished the weekend at (2-1) with a 55-50 win over McCook (NE) that wasn’t decided until the last minute.

Matt Friess continued to show his ability to score at the buzzer as his put back at the end of the first quarter gave the Red Demons an (11-8) lead.  McCook began to warm up from the arc in the second quarter and took the lead before a Cooper Scheck layup put the Demons up 24-23 at the half.  The third quarter started slowly for Dodge City as they found themselves down seven points before Scheck once again answered – this time with back to back 3-pointers to get the Demons back within one at (35-34).  Once again, the Demons found a way to wrestle back momentum at the buzzer as Isaiah Taylor hit a corner 3-pointer to put the Demons up (41-39) heading to the fourth quarter.

The Red Demons were able to rely on their defense in the fourth quarter to secure the win as they held McCook to just 11 points while turning them over on key possessions late in the game.  Cooper Scheck hit another 3-pointer in the quarter giving him a team high (15) points.  Both Matt Friess and Cooper Loll finished the game with (12) each – and both were recognized on the All-Tournament Team.  Dylan Smith finished with (7) points and (3) steals. 

The Red Demons (3-2) will travel to Ulysses to play the Tigers on Tuesday at 7:30pm.