BY JIM MISUNAS
SCOTT CITY – If Scott City believed Great Bend Panther Stefan Spray was everywhere, it wasn’t their imagination.
Spray dominated with 24 points and anchored the Panthers’ aggressive full-court pressure that sparked a 53-45 non-league basketball victory over Scott City Tuesday. Spray knocked down a trio of 3-pointers, finished in the paint and dictated tempo on the Panthers’ pressure defense.
The Panthers competed without head coach Tim Brooks and leading returner Cal Dunekack, who were sidelined with illness.
Assistant coach Cody Carlson inspired the Panthers to a solid victory after the Panthers built a 20-point lead. Point guard Sage Koelsch scored 13 points and dished out several assists. Sam Hall chipped in eight points and Cole Streck scored six points.
The Panthers surprised the Beavers with aggressive full-court defense that forced six first-quarter turnovers for a 13-0 lead. Spray scored seven points, Streck converted a 3-pointer and Koelsch scored.
“We thought we could pressure. It starts with Spray’s ball pressure and everyone rotated to get steals,” Carlson said. “Spray is a difficult kid to defend.”
Great Bend’s defense was even better in the third period when the Beavers scored one points in 71/2 minutes. Great Bend led 35-15 when Josh Rosin hit a 3-pointer.
Scott City converted 7 of 11 3-pointers to spark an impressive rally that got the Beavers within 50-45. Harrison King drilled five 3-pointers for 15 points and Rosin scored nine of his 15 points in the quarter.
But Koelsch settled the Panthers’ nerves with two baskets off transition and seven fourth-quarter points.
“Sage showed composure. That was a test,” Carlson said.
The Panthers controlled the boards against a physical Scott City squad.
“We played as hard and strong as we could,” Carlson said. “Rebounding was listed with all caps in our locker room.”
The Panthers return home Thursday against Holcomb before hitting the road to Junction City Friday.
Great Bend 13 10 12 18 – 53
Scott City 3 11 4 27 – 45
GREAT BEND (1-0)—Spray 9-12 3-4 24, Koelsch 5-13 3-4 13; Hernandez 0-4 0-0 0; Council 0-2 0-0 0; Streck 2-5 0-0 6; Hall 2-7 4-6 8; Mathew Moeder 1-2 0-0 2, Totals 19-45 10-14 53
SCOTT CITY (1-1)—King 5-9 0-0 15; Rosin 4-11 4-7 15; Hawkins 0-3 1-2 1; Bailey 2-4 0-0 6; Metzger 2-2 0-0 6; Gooden 1-1 0-1 2, Totals 14-30 5-9 43
3-pointers—GB 5-17 (Spray 3-4, Streck 2-5, Hernandez 0-2, Council 0-2, Koelsch 0-4); SC 12-22 (King 5-6, Rosin 3-10, Metzger 2-2, Bailey 2-4). Turnovers—GB 12, SC 20
