HAYS – Great Bend’s Kody Crosby capped a 31-point night with six free throws that clinched the Panthers’ 66-61 upset basketball victory over Hays High Friday night.
Crosby spoiled the Indians’ Senior Night with 16 free throws and 23-second-half points. Crosby was one point shy of his career mark established against Larned as a ninth-grader.
The Indians sliced a 40-24 deficit to three points on three occasions with the basketball, but misfired each time. Crosby converted a pair of free throws with Hays within 59-56, 61-59 and 64-61.
The Panthers overcame a barrage of Indian 3-pointers and several turnovers. The Panthers led 26-15 at halftime by shutting out the Indians for seven minutes.
“We have learned to play tough and we were tough,” said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. “We’ve kept getting better as a basketball team and we had a lot of guys play well tonight.”
Hays outscored the Panthers 27-26 in a wild fourth quarter while making five 3-pointers. Great Bend (6-14, 2-6 WAC) converted 26 of 39 free throws heading to next week’s substate game at No. 1 ranked Goddard Eisenhower (19-1). The Panthers have won three of four games without second-leading scorer Brayden Smith (10 ppg).
Great Bend’s Jacob Murray scored a season high 15 points by attacking the basket. Ty Esfeld rescued the Panthers with ballhandling when point guard Konner Ireland drew his fourth foul. The Indians converted seven 3-pointers, five in the fourth quarter in a comeback effort.
“So many guys contributed,” Brooks said. “They deserve to win games because of their work ethic. It feels great. I’m happy.”
Crosby grabbed 10 rebounds and anchored the interior defense of the Panthers’ scrappy zone defenses.
“Kody did it offensively, grabbed big rebounds and he’s developed into a tough guy defensively down low,” Brooks said.
Hays (13-7, 5-3 WAC) ties Garden City for second place. The Indians converted 7 of 30 3-pointers, which is exactly the strategy the Panthers want against their zone defense.
GB 14 12 14 26 – 66
HH 11 4 19 27 – 61
GREAT BEND—Kody Crosby 7-13 16-20 31; Jacob Murray 5-8 4-8 15; Konner Ireland 1-2 0-0 3; Logan Perry 3-4 1-4 7; Koy Brack 1-7 1-1 3; Ty Esfeld 1-1 4-6 7; Totals 18-35 26-39 66.
HAYS—Claiborne Kyles 4-11 2-2 11; Tragdon McCrae 4-10 2-4 11; Collyn Kreutzer 4-6 0-0 10; Tyrece Hill 5-9 0-0 10; Berens 3-11 2-3 8; Swayne 2-5 0-0 5; Murphy 2-6 0-0 6; Kieffer 0-2 0-0 0; Totals 24-60 6-9 61.
3-point goals—GB 4-11 (Esfeld 1-1, Ireland 1-2, Murray 1-2, Crosby 1-3, Brack 0-3); HH 7-30 (Kreutzer 2-4, Murphy 2-5, Swayne 1-2, McCrae 1-6, Kyles 1-7, Kieffer 0-2)
WESTERN ATHLETIC BOYS
Liberal 7-1 18-2
Hays High 5-3 13-7
Garden 5-3 9-11
Great Bend 2-6 6-14
Dodge City 1-7 3-17
THURSDAY
Liberal 50, Dodge City 46
FRIDAY
Great Bend 66, Hays High 61
