Dodge City Wins Both Games From Rival Cimarron
Dodge City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) It is safe to say the first week of 2016 was real good to the Dodge City High School basketball teams.
Fresh off a pair of wins to begin the conference season on Tuesday night at Great Bend, the Red Demons continue to build on that level of success beating their rival down the street Cimarron in two games from United Wireless Arena 72-34 in the girls game and 62-49 in the boys. Both Dodge City teams have won three straight since losing both games at Goddard Eisenhower by a combined three points.
Girls Highlights
For the DCHS girls (5-2, 1-0 WAC) 72 has been their magic number. The Lady Red Demons scored 72 in a 72-31 win over Great Bend Tuesday. They match that total on Friday after allowing the first two points of the game going on a 17-2 run to end the first quarter and only allowed double digits in a quarter (18) when the game was well in hand.
Jessie Harshberger led the Red Demons with 16 points on 5 o 9 shooting and added 3 rebounds. Brianna Bradshaw had four steals and went 6 of 7 shooting for 13 points. Macie Price the sophomore guard scored eight points and hit both of her three point attempts. The Red Demons shot 75 percent in the second half at 15 of 20 and at 53 percent for the game 27 of 51.
Defensively the Red Demon press caused a lot of trouble for Cimarron, forcing them into 25 turnovers and Dodge City as a team came up with 18 steals. Korina Bailon was the leading scorer for the Blue Jays, finishing with nine points. Dodge improved to 5-2, while Cimarron fresh off back to back appearances at state fell to 6-2.
Post-game comments Dodge City Coach Kelley Snodgrass
In the boys game, Dodge City had another double-double from senior post player Noah Williams (22 pts and 11 rebounds at Great Bend), pouring in 13 points and grabbing a dozen rebounds. Four Red Demons finished in double figures led by Dayton McGroarty’s 20 points. Bryce Unruh chipped in with 13 points and Eric Reid had his best night of the year with 12.
Boys Highlights
Leading 34-18 early in the third quarter, Cimarron closed out the quarter on an 18-10 run closing to within 44-36, but could not get the one run they needed in the fourth to get any closer. Nick Ast of the Blue Jays led his team to 57 percent shooting in the second half scoring 13 of his 17 points after halftime. One problem the Blue Jays had was holding on to the ball. Ast and Colton Hamilton combined for 16 of the team’s 23 turnovers.
Cimarron made up for it by being tough off the boards outrebounding Dodge 33-29 behind an eight rebound effort from Blake Neuschafer and seven rebounds from Wyatt Bell.
Post-game comments from Dodge City Coach Dennis Hamilton
Dodge City is over .500 for the first time this year and will have another road contest on Tuesday when the Red Demons make the long trip to Central Plains. Pre-game show begins at 5:45. Girls tip at 6 with coverage on Z98 and westernkansasnews.com.
