BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
If you loved the way the Great Bend boys basketball team performed, you feel the heartbreak.
A thrilling Great Bend rally was ruined when Goddard Eisenhower's Cohen Ho converted the game-winning field goal with one second left. The No. 16 seeded Tigers surprised No. 1 seed Great Bend 62-60 in Wednesday's 5A basketball substate semifinal.
The game nearly went to overtime.
A last-second tying attempt by Panther Ian Premer bounced off the rim and out after a perfect 75-foot pass by Daxton Minton. Ben Nicholson had drilled a tying 3-pointer off Daxton Minton's assist for a 60-60 tie.
Western Athletic Conference champion Great Bend (18-3) missed its goal of qualifying for back-to-back 5A state tournaments. The Panthers' teamwork and basketball acumen was on full display during a memorable season.
"I still love our guys. It's a good year and there's a lot of positives," said Great Bend basketball coach Kyle Kriegh. "Our seniors should be recognized for their hard work. It's tough and it hurts. A couple guys are crying. But you've got to have that passion and determination when you show up."
Great Bend's Cooper Ohnmacht ignited a defensive switch as several Panthers stepped up to rally from a 9-point deficit. Premer's hustling attempt for a steal in a 55-55 tie ended with Tiger Pierce Blue making a 3-pointer against scrambling defense for a 58-55 lead.
Premer's clutch free throws were matched by Roman Howard's two free throws for a Tiger 60-57 lead before Nicholson's tying 3-pointer.
Great Bend all-stater Ian Premer was spectacular with 31 points in a valiant effort. Eisenhower's Howard scored 19 points, including a step-back 3-pointer that officials called correctly for a 44-43 lead.
The Tigers made 7 of 17 3-pointers and the No. 4 state-ranked 5A Panthers converted 4 of 17 3-pointers for a 21-12 scoring edge from long range.
Kriegh knew Goddard Eisenhower had the offensive talent to compete.
"It doesn't matter what your seed is. I told our guys they weren't a typical 16 seed," Kriegh said. "I'm not sure we gave them the respect they deserved. Eisenhower played their best basketball of the season. We battled on defense all night. They would set a 'down screen' on the block and were wide open."
Great Bend graduates seniors Ben Nicholson, Izeah Reed and Dominick Price.
Eisenhower made 5 of 11 on 3-pointers for a 32-26 halftime lead. Owen Stanbery made 3-of-3 from long range.
Goddard Eisenhower 10 22 10 20 — 62
Great Bend 15 11 16 18 — 60
EISENHOWER (7-14) (FG 3 FT TP)—Howard 8-10 (1-2) 2-2 19, Pierce Blue 6-17 (2-6) 3-3 17, Stanbery (3-3) 0-0 9, Ho 2-5 (0-3) 0-0 4, Koehn 2-4 (1-3) 0-0 5, Trudo 1-1 0-0 2, Morgan 2-5 0-0 4, Totals 25-47 (7-17) 5-5 62
GREAT BEND (18-3) (FG 3 FT TP)—Ian Premer 11-18 (1-4) 6-8 31, Jacob hall 3-9 (1-5) 1-2 8, Nicholson 2-5 (1-3) 1-1 6, Reed 2-4 0-0 4, Minton 1-4 (1-3) 1-2 4, Stroup op1 1-2 1, Ohnmacht 3-6 (0-2) 1-2 8, Totals 22-47 (4-17) 10-15 60
5A BOYS WEST
GREAT BEND—3-8—CHAMPIONSHIP—Andover Central 13-8 vs. Goddard Eisenhower 7-14; SEMIFINALS—Goddard Eisenhower 62, Great Bend 60; Andover Central 53, Newton 43
WICHITA—3-8—CHAMPIONSHIP—Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 18-3 vs. Hays High 13-8; SEMIFINALS—Kapaun Mt. Carmel 66, Salina South 43; Hays High 48, Hutchinson 43
ANDOVER—3-8—CHAMPIONSHIP—Andover 18-3 vs. Maize South 12-9; SEMFINALS—Andover 61, Salina Central 48; Maize South 57, Emporia 47
TOPEKA—3-8—CHAMPIONSHIP—Topeka West 13-8 vs. Valley Center 11-10; SEMIFINALS—Valley Center 68, Topeka Seaman 61 (OT); Topeka West 69, Wichita Carroll 63 (OT)
