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Emporia's defense shuts down Panther girls
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BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

EMPORIA — Great Bend Panther Emilee Hall provided a spark with a 14-point effort. Defensive wizard Paige Thexton shut down Emporia standout Addie Kirmer after the first quarter.

But Emporia's defense forced 24 Panther turnovers in a 43-29 non-league 5A basketball victory in a battle of 4-1 girls basketball teams. Emporia built a 14-7 first-quarter lead by forcing 11 turnovers. The Panthers converted 3 of 4 field goals.

The Spartans' quickness and anticipation delivered turnovers which led to extra possessions and some easy transition points. 

"We were not prepared to handle the pressure," said Great Bend coach Cindy Beck.

The Panthers used an effective 14-4 scoring burst for a 21-18 lead keyed by Hall's eight points and an assist to Thexton.

But the Spartans swung the momentum with a game-changing 18-2 scoring burst for a 36-23 lead. Emporia sealed the victory with five points by Lexsey DeWitt and a basket by Emeil Bennett, all after Panther turnovers to start the fourth quarter.

Great Bend (4-2) played competitive defense. Addie Kirmer scored 10 first-quarter points, but finished with 12 because of Thexton's defensive intensity. Lexsey DeWitt added 11 points. The Spartans made 17 of 45 field goals, 38%.

The Panthers did a nifty job playing a lot of man defense.

"There were some good things. Kenzie (Premer) did a good defensive job (on Kirmer) that kept us in the game," Beck said. "Our defense was good. We had not played a lot of man. But we came out and chased down shooters all night."

Hall was brilliant with six-of-nine shooting in a 14-point effort. Spray was held down to a season low seven points. Great Bend attempted 24 field goals with 24 turnovers.

"Emilee battled in there and got us going," Beck said. "Emporia's defense was what we expected. They tried to take away Sadie, and put a lot of defensive pressure on her."

Great Bend 7 8 8 6 — 29

Emporia 14 2 12 15 — 43

GREAT BEND (4-2)—Hall 6-9 2-2 14, Spray 3-8 1-2 7, Thexton 4-5 0-0 8, McCauley 0-1 0-0 0, Premer 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 13-24 3-4 29.

EMPORIA (5-1)—Kirmer 5-13 0-0 12, DeWitt 5-15 0-0 11, Peak 4-7 0-1 8, Bennett 3-5 0-0 6, Gutierrez 0-1 2-2 2, Shirley 0-1 2-2 2, Baker 0-3 2-2 2, Totals 17-45 6-7 43.

3-pointers—GB 0-4 (Premer 0-1, Spray 0-3), E 3 (Kirmer 2, DeWitt 1).