JUNCTION CITY — Great Bend knew all about Junction City sharpshooter A.J. Dickerson. Sure enough, he knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 19 points in the Bluejays’ 49-39 non-league basketball victory Friday over the Great Bend Panthers.
The Bluejays converted 10 of 22 3-pointers to outscore the Panthers 30-12 from long range. The Bluejays converted 7 of 18 2-pointers. The perimeter shooting was the difference in the ballgame. Aaron Hamilton knocked down a trio of 3-pointers and Deandre Eaves and Kody Westerhouse hit 3-pointers. Dickerson scored 23 points in last year’s win at Great Bend.
“We knew Dickerson could shoot it,” said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. “We hadn’t seen Hamilton make anything, and he hurt us from the corners.”
The Bluejays took advantage of eight first-half turnovers that led to easy transition baskets for a 24-18 halftime lead.
“Some of them were unforced. We got sped up a little bit with their pressure and traps,” Brooks said. “We’re a growing basketball team. It will come with experience. We’ll be more poised as the season moves along.”
Panther Koy Brack scored a career high 15 points to spark the offense. Ty Esfeld chipped in nine points. The Panthers converted 14 of 39 field goals and got beat on some offensive second-chance points.
“Koy plays with great energy,” Brooks said. “It’s good to see his shot look comfortable coming off his hand. He busts his tail defensively.”
The Panthers (1-3) will play their first home game Dec. 15 against 6A Hutchinson High.
“We need to control the things we can control and the game will come easier,” Brooks said. “Sometimes, it comes down to listening. Not everyone is listening. To be a good basketball team, you’ve got to do that.”

GB 9 9 14 7 – 39
JC 11 13 15 20 – 49
GB—Esfeld 3-8 3-5 9, Ryan 0-5 2-2 2, Blessing 2-3 0-0 5, Miller 0-1 0-0 0, Widiger 1-2 0-0 2, Steuder 0-0 0-2 0, Brack 6-12 0-0 15, Penka 1-6 0-0 3, Schmeidler 1-2 2-2 4, Totals 14-39 7-11 39.
JC—Dickerson 7-16 0-1 19, Cason 2-3 4-6 9, Dale 2-5 1-2 5, Eaves 2-3 0-0 5, Hamilton 3-9 0-0 9, Westerhouse 1-4 0-0 3, Totals 17-40 5-9 49.