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Premer, Hall combine for 46 points in 72-59 victory
ben nicholson

BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Great Bend's dynamic duo featured Ian Premer playing his usual lead role with Jacob Hall playing his back-up role to perfection. Premer and Hall dominated the paint for 34 first-half points in a fast-paced 72-59 Western Athletic Conference basketball victory over Dodge City.

Premer delivered a patented slam dunk and finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds after a 19-point first half. Hall hit the Red Demons with the Panthers' opening salvo with a 10-point first quarter en route to 15 points and six rebounds. Premer and Hall combined for 46 points and 17 rebounds.

"Jake was awesome," said Great Bend coach Kyle Kriegh. "We're doing a lot of post fundamental work. We're getting the guys to compete more when we work those drills. It paid off." 

Great Bend (11-5, 2-2 WAC) dominated the boards 39-27 that led to 16 offensive rebounds and 19 second-chance points. The Panthers' perfect transition offense scored 24 points off 15 Dodge City turnovers.

"We've had a focus on boxing out in practice," said Kriegh. "I've even got my son Able boxing out at home, and he's 21/2. Rebounding is a big assist for our team."

A 40-26 halftime lead was fed by 17 of 33 shooting (51.5%). Premer had three steals. Maddox Spray answered the ball after halftime with a 13-point second half. The Panthers pushed the lead to 56-35 when Dodge City outscored the home team 24-16 the rest of the game to keep the final margin respectable.

"We have faith in our guys off the bench," Kriegh said. "We're good as long as we're playing defense and sharing the basketball."

Dodge City (7-8, 2-2) was sparked by 6-3 athletic Tochi Okoro with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Grayden Gamblin (14), Ty Scheck (12) and Jaiden Springer (11) scored in double figures for a Red Demon team that will be a challenge in Dodge City.

"We didn't shy off against No. 0 (Tochi Okoro). we made him work," Kriegh said. "Everything runs through Okoro for Dodge City whether it's a post entry or a high/low look."

The Red Demons converted 21 of 44 field goals (48%) and 6 of 19 from 3-point range.

Dodge City 11 15 16 17 – 59

Great Bend 19 21 20 12 – 72

DODGE CITY (7-8, 2-2)—Okoro 9-12 0-1 18, Gamblin 4-8 3-4 14, Scheck 4-9 3-5 12, Springer 2-10 5-9 11, Unzueta 2-3 0-0 4, Perez 0-2 0-0 0, Totals 21-44 11-19 59.

GREAT BEND (11-5, 2-2)—Premer 14-23 2-4 31, Hall 7-15 1-2 15, Spray 5-12 3-3 13, Coombs 2-7 1-3 6, Dicks 1-2 0-0 3, Nicholson 0-2 2-2 2, Minton 1-2 0-1 2, Reed 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 30-64 9-15 72.

3-pointers—DC 6-19 (Gamblin 3-6, Springer 2-7, Scheck 1-5, Perez 0-1); GB 3-10 (Dicks 1-2, Premer 1-2, Coombs 1-3, Minton 0-1, Spray 0-2). Rebounds—DC 27 (Okoro 10); GB 39 (Premer 11). Assists—DC 10 (Perez 3); GB 19 (Coombs 6). Steals—DC 5 (Okoro 2); GB 8 (Premer 3). TO—DC 15, GB 9.