BY JIM MISUNAS
EMPORIA – Great Bend’s first state basketball appearance in 14 years showcased a heroic effort.
No. 1 ranked Maize South held off the Panthers’ rally 61-53 in Wednesday’s 5A state basketball tournament. The Mavericks built double digit leads in all four quarters.
The Panthers battled back within 29-27 and 31-29 in the third period behind 16 points by Ian Premer and 10 points by Maddox Spray. Leading scorer Premer fouled out with 2:54 left.
The Panthers kept things interesting as Carter Coombs drilled back-to-back 3-pointers and Daxton Minton hit a 3-pointer in the final minutes.
“Our guys proved we were one of the top teams in 5A,” said Great Bend coach Kyle Kriegh. “We competed with a team that was 22-0. We were within two points a couple of times. It proves our defense is pretty good. Great Bend kids are super gritty, super tough. There's no doubt about that.”
The Panthers (17-6) converted 11 of 20 free throws and committed 12 turnovers.
Maize South (23-0) won the ballgame with 20 of 24 free throw shooting and efficient inside offense. The Mavericks showed off their strength inside with six consecutive field goals in the paint to stretch a 33-30 lead to 47-38. The Mavericks made 1 of 15 shots from 3-point range.
Maize South’s Darius Felton (15), Jeron Askren (14) and Michael Kates (13) scored in double figures.
The Panthers graduate a senior class of Spray, Parker Dicks, Coombs and Karson Kern.
"It's awesome to be here at state," Kriegh said. "Hopefully, this soaks in and it's something they'll remember forever. We've got to use this as motivation."
The future is bright. All-WAC Premer and Hall provide a pair of returning inside standouts. Reserves Minton, Izaeh Reed and Ben Nicholson gained valuable experience.
The Mavericks scored nine second-chance points to roar to a 14-4 lead. Sammy Dresie scored a trio of second-chance baskets and Michael Kates drilled a rebound 3-pointer. The Mavericks scored on eight of their first 12 offensive possessions.
After trailing 18-7, the Panthers regained momentum with a 9-3 burst fueled by a pair of baskets by Premer and Hall and a blocked shot by Hall.
The Mavericks led 26-18 at halftime off 10 of 30 shooting (33%) thanks to the second-chance points and hard drives to the basket. The Panthers managed 8 of 22 shooting (36%).
Great Bend 8 10 16 19 – 53
Maize South 18 8 17 18 – 61
GREAT BEND (17-6)—Premer 6-13 4-10 16, Spray 5-11 0-0 10, Coombs 3-6 1-2 9, Hall 3-8 1-2 8, Dicks 1-6 2-2 4, Totals 19-44 11-20 53.
MAIZE SOUTH (23-0)—Felton 4-7 7-7 15, Askren 6-13 2-3 14, Kates 3-12 6-7 13, Dresie 3-8 0-0 6, Rapp 1-2 4-4 6, Kemp 2-4 0-1 4, Stucky 1-5 1-2 3, Totals 20-51 20-24 61
3-pointers—GB 4-12 (Coombs 2-4, Minton 1-1, Hall 1-2, Dicks 0-2, Premer 0-3); MS 1-15 (Kates 1-7, Kemp 0-1, Rapp 0-1, Felton 0-1, Dressie 0-1, Askren 0-4). Rebounds—GB 31 (Premer 8). MS 30 (Felton 6). Assists—GB 9 (Hall 4); MS 10. Steals—GB 4, MS 2 (Askren 2). TO—GB 12, MS 8.
5A STATE EMPORIA
Topeka Highland Park 57, Andover 32
Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel 60, DeSoto 53
Maize South 61, Great Bend 53
KC Piper 72, Shawnee Heights 71
FRIDAY SEMIFINALS–Topeka Highland Park 22-1 vs. Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 20-3, 2 p.m.; Maize South 23-0 vs. KC Piper 20-3, 6 p.m.
