Dodge City Takes Two From Great Bend in WAC Openers
Great Bend, KS (westernkansasnews.com) The Dodge City High School basketball team scored a couple of big conference wins on Tuesday night in beginning WAC play on the road beating Great Bend 72-31 in the girls game and the boys 63-50.
An interesting rivalry has developed between the two programs. Two years ago, Great Bend beat out Dodge City for the WAC title. Last year, the Lady Red Demons returned the favor.
Girls Highlights
Dodge City (4-2, 1-0 WAC) took advantage of two big runs early of 10-2 and after Great Bend (4-2, 0-1 WAC) pulled to within 10-6 going on a 10-0 run to take a 20-6 lead. Jessie Harshberger led four players in double figures scoring 23 points on 11 of 19 shooting.
Dodge City’s Taylor Nichols added 12, while Ashley Nelson and Tia Bradshaw each scored 10 each. Nelson had her first double-double of the year by pulling in 10 rebounds.
Already leading 37-22 at half, Dodge City put the pedal to the metal and outscored Great Bend 35-9 in the second half. It was not a great night shooting beyond the arc at 2 of 12, but Dodge still managed sixty-five shots to Great Bend’s 38 and went almost 50 percent from the field at 31 of 65 for 48 percent.
Carley Brack was the only player in double figures for Great Bend with 12 points. Dodge City dominated the boards outrebounding Great Bend 46 to 28. Nearly half of the Lady Red Demons rebounds came off the offensive glass.
Post-game comments Coach Kelley Snodgrass
In the boys game, Dodge City (3-3, 1-0 WAC) before the Red Demons broke it loose in the second quarter going on a 9-0 run to turn a 12-12 game into 21-12 advantage. Dodge City also rattled off a 14-4 run building up a lead to 17 points in the third quarter before having it chipped away by Great Bend (2-4, 0-1 WAC) late in the third quarter. Dodge City’s lead would not go below nine the rest of the night.
Boys Highlights
There were two big keys to the win. Dodge City held two time all-WAC selection Kody Crosby to six points and for most of the night he was stuck at 2. Bryce Unruh showcased his solid defensive skills drawing the assignment on the tough junior. Jacob Murray led the Panthers in scoring with 15, followed by Trey Ibarra’s 12.
The Red Demons Noah Williams help lead a 39-17 advantage for his team on the boards in putting up his first double-double of the year 22 points and 11 rebounds. Dayton McGroarty added 19 in the Red Demon win.
Coach Dennis Hamilton Post-game Comments
Next up for Dodge City they will play Cimarron at United Wireless Arena on Friday night. The Lady Blue Jays were state runners up last year in 3A. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:15 with the tip off at 6:30. The boys game will follow at 8pm.
