Red Demons split senior night pair with Liberal

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City High School Red Demons split a pair of WAC basketball games with the Liberal Redskins on Monday evening at the DCHS Fieldhouse. The Lady Demons fell to #2 Liberal, 60-32, while the Demons were victorious, 69-67.

The first meeting between the Lady Demons and the Lady Redskins was decided in the final quarter, eleven days ago at the Big House. Dodge City got off to a slow start in that one and was hoping they wouldn’t do that again on Monday evening.

Just like the first meeting, Dodge City would take an early lead, but that would be their only lead of the night. The Redskins led 14-4 after the first quarter and simply dominated the first eight minutes of play. That wouldn’t change in the second half, as they led 35-15 at the break. The Redskins shot over 50% from the field in the opening half.

Dodge City struggled again offensively in the third quarter and trailed 47-24 after three quarters. That would carry on into the final quarter, as the Redskins would cruise to the 28-point victory.

The Dodge City boys won an overtime thriller the first time these two teams met in Liberal. Monday night’s game would be another one that would have the fans on the edge of their seat in the final seconds.

Dodge City led by four, 17-13 after the first quarter, a quarter that went back and forth with neither team creating any separation.

Liberal closed the gap and would pull within two at halftime, 40-38. The Redskins shot a blazing 63% from the field, while Dodge City was held to 43%.

The Red Demons took a 53-51 lead into the final quarter. Liberal had a chance to tie the game up in the final seconds, trailing by two with 1.9 seconds to go, the Redskins missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw attempt. John Johnson got the rebound and then would hit one-of-two from the foul line, as the Demons escaped with the two point win. Johnson finished with a career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds. Johnson finished 10/12 from the free throw line in the contest.