The Great Bend Middle School 8th-grade girls basketball team (4-2) winning one of three games in a busy week.  

PRAIRIE HILLS — After a cancellation with Abilene, the Panthers traveled to Hutchinson to play Prairie Hills Middle School. 

Prairie Hills led 8-1 after one quarter as the Panthers struggled offensively against their best competition to date. Great Bend played a strong second quarter with 10 points apiece as adjustments were made for an 18-11 halftime deficit. The Crusaders outscored the Panther 25-16 in the second half for a 43-27 victory.  

PH hit several perimeter shots, including a trio of 3-pointers. Two of the PH three pointers came during a GBMS run, which stalled the Panthers momentum. DeShawnna Bryant led the way with nine points followed by Darcy Feist (6), Jillian Reimer (4) and Josephine Mazouch (2), Kylie McCormick (2), Kara Feist (2) and Jordyn Harbaugh (2).

“We attacked the basket well, but we struggled from the charity line hitting 5 of 16 free throws,” said Great Bend coach Kyle Jeffrey. “The girls played hard and made lots of adjustments. Prairie Hills changed defenses constantly, but we missed several good shots in the first quarter.” 

LIBERAL SEYMOUR ROGERS — The Panthers played a Saturday doubleheader against Liberal Seymour Rogers and Hays. The Panthers roared to an 18-2 first-quarter lead and led 32-4 at halftime. A running clock was triggered in a 49-8 victory. Leading in scoring was Cassie Ellegood with 14 points. She was followed by Jillian Reimer (12), Kylie McCormick (8), Kara Feist (6), Josephine Mazouch (4), Darcy Feist (3) and Jordyn Harbaugh (2).

HAYS MIDDLE SCHOOL — Hays Middle School employed pressure defense and a fast-break offense to roll past the Panthers 49-24. Scoring for GBMS were DeShawnna Bryant (13), Darcy Feist (4), Jillian Reimer (3), Kara Feist (2) and Jordyn Harbaugh (2).