Lady Busters fall in Region VI Semi-Final to #20 Independence
Ball security is a precious commodity, something the Garden City women didn’t have, in committing 26 turnovers and allowing 29 points from their miscues, which proved to be the difference in the opening NJCAA Region VI semi-final game in Wichita at the Hartman Arena Monday afternoon, as the GCCC Lady Busters concluded their season with a 71-58 loss to the #20 Independence Lady Pirates. The first half belonged to the Lady Busters, as they would handle the Pirates pressurre and jump out to an early lead of four points and would build that advantage to 11 points late in the first half on the scoring production by their two top scorers, freshman Tamara Jones and sophomore Ashley Walker, who combined for 25 first half points. Garden City would committ three turnovers late in the first twenty minutes of play to only lead by 6 at the break 31-25. The 2nd half would belong to the Lady Pirates, as they would turn-up the pressure defense on the ball and go on a 13-2 run early in the final twenty minutes to take a 38-33 lead and never look back. Independence received 28 points from their top player in sophomore Diara Moore plus 19 more out of their post player sophomore Dominique Mosley and sophomore Kamri Anderson chipped in 15, to lead the Lady Pirates to their 26th victory at 71-58 and earn a berth in the Championship game on Tuesday night facing the undefeated and #2 ranked Hutchinson Lady Blue Dragons, who knocked out Cloud County 61-55 in the second semi-final game. The Lady Busters were led in scoring by Walker with her lone double-double of the year with 26 points and 13 rebounds and Jones chipped in 19. The Garden City women ended their season at 21-12, 2nd in the Jayhawk West and made it to the final four of the Region VI Tournament for the first time since the 2003 season, when Garden City qualified for the National Championship Tournament at Salina, Kansas.
Coach Alaura Sharp stated, “she was pleased with the season and very proud of her players from top to bottom, but she and her staff are hungry for more in 2013”.
