Buhler’s defense beats Panthers
By JIM MISUNAS
The Great Bend Panthers discovered the harsh reality of what happens when point guard Alex Schremmer is slowed down and performs ineffectively.
Great Bend’s boys led Buhler 17-9 when Schremmer drew his second foul Friday. Buhler outscored the Panthers 12-0 after Schremmer sat down. Buhler’s Max Alexander scored nine consecutive points after Isaiah Hernandez converted a 3-pointer for a 21-17 halftime lead.
Buhler earned a hard-fought 39-31 non-league basketball victory when Schremmer failed to regain an offensive rhythm. Schremmer made 4 of 16 field goals as the Panthers missed their final 14 field goals in a one-point fourth quarter.
“Give credit to Buhler. They got after us defensively,” said Tim Brooks, Great Bend coach. “They frustrated Alex. We didn’t take too many good shots that second half. It wasn’t our night.”
Schremmer scored 11 points against effective defense by Braden Sides and Hernandez. The Panthers converted 12 of 45 field goals, 4 of 21 from 3-point range. They were 8 of 23 inside the stripe, 33 percent. Peyton Duvall scored six points.
Buhler’s stylish Alexander scored 15 points on the outside and 6-7 Myles Thompson muscled inside for 14 points for Buhler (3-2).
The Panthers played effective defense, holding the Crusaders to 16 of 43 field goal shooting. Panther defensive stopper Alex Olivas played brilliantly, blocking shots by Alexander and Thompson to go with several steals.
“We did good things defensively and guarded them really well,” Brooks said. “When you hold a team to 39 points, you should have a chance to win.”
The Panthers never found an offensive rhythm, committing 19 turnovers. Buhler outscored the Panthers 6-0 in the fourth quarter. The Panthers missed 14 consecutive shots, including six 3-pointers. Sam Ryan scored a free throw when he substituted for Ray Kuhlman, who sustained a hand injury.
Great Bend (4-3) opens Western Athletic Conference play at Garden City Jan. 10.
BUHLER GIRLS 32, GREAT BEND 23 — For a brief time, Great Bend’s girls were poised to steal a hard-fought non-league home basketball victory.
But Buhler’s girls outscored Great Bend 14-4 in the final 81/2 minutes for a 32-23 basketball victory.
The Panthers outscored the Crusaders 10-1 for a 19-18 lead when hard-charging Sydney Unruh sparked a third-quarter rally with four steals and six points. Candice Smith converted a basket and Taryn Warren hit two free throws for a 19-18 lead.
But Buhler’s Emily Schmidt ended the third quarter with a 3-pointer for a 21-18 lead. The Crusaders converted nine free throws in the fourth quarter. Buhler’s Alyvia Owens delivered the game-winning play with a 3-point play on a steal for a 23-19 lead.
Buhler outscored the Panthers 11-4 in the decisive fourth quarter. The Crusaders converted nine free throws in the final period.
“It was really tough offensively,” said Carrie Minton, Great Bend coach. “At the offensive end, we didn’t get shots to fall. We didn’t give ourselves a chance to score on possessions.”
Taryn Warren missed five consecutive free throws in the final period. The Panthers missed seven free throws and converted 1 of 6 field goals in the fourth quarter. The Panthers made 8 of 37 field goals for 22 percent to go with 17 turnovers. Unruh scored six points and Jenna Mauler added five points.
“We committed turnovers and missed free throws,” Minton said. “We had them in foul trouble and didn’t take advantage.”
The Crusaders converted 8 of 38 field goals for 21 percent shooting against the Panthers’ pesky zone defense.
“We played a zone defense for a long time, which is a change for us,” Minton said. “We did a good job. They were not ready for that. We forced turnovers. Our defense did what it was asked to do for the most part.”
Owens dominated inside in the first half with 12 points and seven rebounds for a 17-9 halftime lead. The Crusaders converted 6 of 24 field goals for 25 percent against shifting Panther defense.
The Panthers were outscored 8-0 after a 9-9 tie. Great Bend committed nine second-quarter turnovers and missed all eight shots for a scoreless quarter.
Buhler 11 6 4 11 — 32
Great Bend 9 0 10 4 — 23
BUHLER (3-2)—Miller 1-5 3-4 5, Mattison 1-2 0-0 2, Schmidt 1-3 3-4 6, Schultz 0-2 0-0 0, Owens 5-13 6-7 16, Specht 0-3 0-2 0, Epp 0-6 2-7 2, Stutterheim 0-4 1-4 1, Totals 8-38 15-28 32.
GREAT BEND (2-5)—Clark 0-1 1-2 1, Herter 0-6 1-2 1, Schroeder 1-1 0-0 2, Mauler 2-5 0-0 5, Sydney Unruh 3-8 0-1 6, Warren 0-5 2-7 2, Harbaugh 1-3 1-1 3, Latham 0-5 1-2 1, Smith 1-3 0-0 2, Totals 8-37 6-15 23.
3-pointers—B 1-13 (Schmidt 1-2, Miller 0-2, Matteson 0-1, Schultz 0-2, Owens 0-2, Epp 0-4), GB 1-10 (Mauler 1-4, Herter 0-4, Unruh 0-2). Rebounds—B 38 (Owens 14), GB 33 (Latham 6). TO—B 16, GB 17.
Buhler 9 12 12 6 — 39
Great Bend 13 4 13 1 — 31
BUHLER (3-2)—Alexander 7-16 0-1 15; Thompson 5-10 3-5 14, LaShore 2-4 0-0 4; Dick 1-4 0-0 3; Hernandez 1-7 0-0 3, Hawkinson 0-2 0-0 0; Totals 16-43 3-6 39.
GREAT BEND (4-3)—Schremmer 4-16 3-3 11; Duvall 2-12 0-0 6; Miller 2-7 0-0 4; Kuhlman 1-3 0-0 3; Olivas 1-4 0-0 3; Brown 1-2 0-0 2; Sam Ryan 0-1 1-2 1; Hall 0-0 1-2 1; Wondra 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 12-45 5-7 31.
3-pointers—B 4-14 (Alexander 1-4, Dick 1-4, Thompson 1-1, Hernandez 1-5), GB 4-21 (Duvall 2-7, Kuhlman 1-2, Olivas 1-4, Miller 0-1, Wondra 0-1, Brown 0-1, Schremmer 0-5).
WAC GIRLS
Liberal 1-0 6-0
Garden City 0-0 4-2
Great Bend 0-0 2-5
Hays High 0-0 1-3
Dodge City 0-1 4-2
FRIDAY
Buhler 32, Great Bend 23
McPherson 51, Dodge City 30
Garden City 68, Junction City 23
Liberal 40, Hooker, Okla. 23
WAC BOYS
Liberal 1-0 4-2
Garden City 0-0 4-2
Great Bend 0-0 4-3
Hays High 0-0 2-2
Dodge City 0-1 0-6
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
Buhler 39, Great Bend 31
McPherson 82, Dodge City 41
Junction City 49, Garden City 41
Liberal 46, Hooker, Okla. 40
