3-pointers spark Lions past Panthers
BY JIM MISUNAS
WICHITA – When Goddard’s Jackson LeFevre drilled a banked 3-pointer to open the scoring, it would prove to be the Lions’ night.
After losing 26 consecutive basketball games, the Lions enjoyed seeing a player named Moses on their side.
The previously winless Lions streaked to a 9-0 lead and never looked back in a 45-37 victory over the Great Bend Panthers in Monday’s Kapaun-Mt. Carmel Tournament.
Cam’ron Moses passed to LeFevre for an opening 3-pointer. Joseph Trotter spotted Moses for a second trey. Trotter scored on LeFevre’s pass for a lightning quick 9-0 lead.
That guy named Moses scored 15 points and LeFevre added 14 points with four 3-pointers. The Lions converted six first-half 3-pointers for a 26-17 halftime lead. Goddard outscored the Panthers 21-15 on 3-pointers.
“It’s tough. They got a shooter open and he knocked them down,” said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. “Moses got away from us a couple times. We need better help defense.”
Trotter converted two baskets and LeFevre, Jake Jasnoski and Moses scored for a 36-19 third-quarter lead. Great Bend’s Brayton Council ignited a third-quarter scoring run with a pair of 3-pointers and eight consecutive points to slice Goddard’s lead to 36-27 score after three quarters.
The Panthers locked down defensively for their best basketball of the night to finish a 10-0 run capped by Stefan Spray’s 3-pointer.
“Brayton can shoot it very well,” Brooks said. “We were active and aggressive. It’s heart and desire. We battled on the boards.”
LeFevre drilled his final 3-pointer on Soren Carr’s assist and Mason Lubbers scored for a 41-30 lead. Sam Hall hit a 3-pointer and dished off a nifty assist to Joseph Moeder for a 41-35 score.
The Panthers misfired with three turnovers on their next four offensive possessions. Great Bend finished with 16 turnovers, several without Goddard pressure.
“In some cases, we weren’t facing pressure,” Brooks said. “Turnovers hurt.”
Great Bend (3-6) converted two of 10 free throws and the Lions made two of 11 foul shots.
“We didn’t shoot free throws very well, or we could’ve come out on top,” Brooks said. “We’re playing well defensively. We can bank on your defense being their every night.”
Great Bend 4 13 10 10 – 37
Goddard 11 15 11 9 – 45
GREAT BEND (3-6)—Council 4-8 0-0 10, Sam Hall 3-6 1-6 8, Koelsch 3-11 0-0 7, Joseph Moeder 2-4 1-4 5, Spray 2-6 0-0 5, Mathew Moeder 1-2 0-0 2, Hernandez 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 15-38 2-10 37
GODDARD (1-9)—Moses 6-14 1-3 15, LeFevre 5-11 0-0 14, Trotter 3-5 0-3 7, Jasnoski 3-3 1-3 7, Lubbers 1-1 0-0 2, Wilhelm 0-2 0-2 0, Totals 18-36 2-11 45
3-pointers—GB 5-17 (Council 2-6, Hall 1-2, Spray 1-4, Koelsch 1-5); Goddard 7-17 (LeFevre 4-7, Moses 2-7, Trotter 1-1, Wilhelm 0-2). TO—Gb 16, Goddard 9
