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Panthers clinch WAC championship
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Great Bend Panther Alex Olivas attacks the basket and shoots against Liberal. - photo by Hugo Gonzalez


jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Western Athletic Conference basketball champions has a sweet sound.

The Great Bend Panthers celebrated a hard-fought WAC basketball championship with a 38-31 victory over Liberal Saturday. Great Bend (16-4, 7-1 WAC) clinches  a share of the WAC title for the first time since 2009. 

The Panthers have checked off several preseason goals – Bluestem Classic champion, WAC champion and post-season homecourt advantage.

"It's huge. It's a credit to their hard work and toughness, especially in big ballgames," said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. 

It was anything but easy in a game dominated by defense. 

Liberal forced a 29-29 tie on Lee Hatcher's free throws with 2:28 left. But sparkplug Alex Schremmer knifed inside for a basket for a 31-29 lead and Alex Olivas followed with a clutch basket for a 33-29 lead. Ray Kuhlman, scoreless for 30 minutes, converted five clutch free throws to secure the victory. 

"There was never a doubt that we'd win," Brooks said. "We didn't shoot it well, but we found a way. We got defensive stops."

Alex Olivas delivered the night's biggest spark with a trio of 3-pointers and 11 points. Schremmer added 10 points. Supersub Cal Dunekack provided his usual spark with four points.

"We've had guys step up all year," Brooks said. "Alex is a tremendous point guard who gets us going. We have guys who do a lot of things." 

Brooks appreciates how far the team has progressed. Last year's 9-13 team lost 68-26 to Andover Central in postseason. Two years ago, Maize routed the Panthers 78-40.

"What a fantastic group. They work together to accomplish all these things. They have great comradarie." 

Liberal (8-11, 2-5 WAC) was led by Cyris Dunlap with eight points. Hunter Hatcher added seven points. Liberal converted 11 of 39 field goals.

Liberal 6 2 15 8 – 31

Great Bend 7 11 8 12 – 38

LIBERAL (8-11, 2-5)–Dunlap 2 4-5 8, Hunter Hatcher 3 0-0 7, Lee Hatcher 2 2-2 6, Ramirez 3 0-0 6, Lopez 1 0-0 3, Hyde 0 1-2 1, Totals 11-39 7-9 31.

GREAT BEND (16-4, 7-1)–Olivas 4 0-1 11, Schremmer 4 0-1 10, Kuhlman 0 5-6 5, Miller 2 1-2 5, Dunekack 2 0-0 4, Duvall 1 0-2 2, Sam Ryan 0 1-2 1, Brown 0 0-2 0, Totals 13-40 7-16 38.

3-pointers–L 2-13 (Lopez 1, H. Hatcher 1), GB 5-18 (Olivas 3, Schremmer 2).