Red Demons swept at McPherson to open 2020

McPHERSON, Kan. — The start of a new decade did not bring any luck for the Dodge City High School basketball teams when they traveled to McPherson to take on the Bullpups in The Roundhouse on Friday night, as McPherson cruised to two double-figure wins.

McPHERSON GIRLS 51, DODGE CITY 30

The Lady Demons have had trouble winning inside The Roundhouse over the past 365 days, as they’d lose their fourth game there, three of which came in the Mid America Classic last January and again on Friday night.

The Bullpups jumped out to an 11-0 lead to open the game before Dodge City was able to get on the scoreboard and the second straight slow start would lead to a second straight defeat for the Lady Demons. Dodge City scored a season-low four points in the first quarter, finding themselves down 17-4 after the first eight minutes.

Camree Johnson would have a strong second quarter for the Lady Demons, but they’d still trail 31-14 at the halftime break. Dodge City would be held to single digits yet again in the third quarter, going to the final quarter down 40-19. The Lady Demons would score 11 in the final quarter, but the Bullpups would match that in route to a 51-30 victory for the Pups. 

Dodge City shot just 29% from the field, while McPherson shot a red-hot 48%. The Lady Demons were led by Johnson’s 11 points and eight rebounds. McPherson was led by Grace Pyle’s 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Dodge City falls to 4-2 on the season and will host Ulysses on Tuesday night at the DCHS Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Dodge City – 4 10 5 11 — 30

McPherson – 17 14 9 11 — 51

Dodge City: Johnson 11, K. Unruh 1, Clark 2, Okoro 3, Foster 5, Solis 8.

McPherson: Beam 14, Schmid 3, Schieferecke 2, Pyle 12, Malm 8, Cook 12.

McPHERSON BOYS 82, DODGE CITY 41

Another game and another tough pill to swallow for the young and inexperienced Dodge City boys basketball team on Friday night in McPherson, as the Red Demons fell to 0-6 on the season. The 0-6 start ties the worst start in program history, matching the 1950-51 season.

The Red Demons were hanging with the Pups early in the first quarter, but a late McPherson run would put them up 22-10 after the first quarter. Dodge City struggled mightily in the second quarter to hold onto the basketball, as McPherson would take a 48-14 lead into the halftime break, scoring 12 points in the quarter off of Demon turnovers.

The drought continued into the second half for Dodge City, as McPherson began the second half on a 10-0 run and took advantage of the Dodge City miscues. The Red Demons were without starting guard Cooper Scheck and guard Dawson Taylor, who both play quality minutes, but were unavailable on Friday night. The Bullpups led 69-17 after three quarters and forced a running-clock in the final eight minutes of play. Dodge City and John Johnson in particular would take over in the fourth quarter, as Dodge City outscored the Bullpups 24-13 in the final frame to get over the 40-point hump. 

Dodge City is now 0-6 and will host Ulysses on Tuesday night in the DCHS Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Dodge City – 10 4 3 24 — 41

McPherson – 22 26 21 13 — 82

Dodge City: Barajas 1, Lowery 3, Smith 9, Harshberger 4, Johnson 15, Sowers 2, Loll 7.

McPherson: Elliott 5, E. Pyle 18, Schmid 12, Madron 8, Courtney 13, Buckbee 6, Alexander 12, S. Pyle 6, Gibbs 2.