By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune,com
If the Great Bend girls basketball team improves by playing a schedule of state-ranked teams, the Panthers will continue to make progress.
Last year’s 6A state runner-up No. 2 ranked Derby steamed past Great Bend 69-43 in Tuesday’s non-league basketball game.
Derby featured five players in double figures keyed by Division 1 recruit Kennedy Brown, a 6-6 force in the paint. Great Bend’s defense and physical play made life tough for Brown, who managed 3 of 14 field goals. But she dominated the paint with 18 rebounds and six blocked shots.
Just like last year, Brown blocked three of the first four field goals by Great Bend. Great Bend committed nine turnovers and missed five field goals the first quarter to trail 12-1. Derby continued to roar with a 37-15 halftime lead and 64-26 after three periods.
Great Bend played decent defense on initial shots. But Derby dominated the boards with more than 20 offensive rebounds and kept the basketball in Derby’s offense. Derby also converted steals into easy baskets,
Derby features the tallest player in the state and excellent defensive pressure that forced 14 first-half turnovers.
Great Bend’s Camryn Dunekack scored 13 points and Carley Brack added 11 points. Great Bend’s players showed spunk. Jenna Mauler attacked Brown in transition and drew a foul off a steal. Sydney Unruh delivered a perfect floating shot that Brown could not block.
Great Bend managed to score 19 fourth-quarter points keyed by 8 of 12 shooting playing with a running clock. Dunekack, Brack and Jenna mauler each scored a pair of fourth-quarter baskets.
“As long as we continue to improve, and I see progress, I’m pleased,” said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. “Our girls really battled against a really talented team. They kept playing to the end of the game.”
Minton said Brown is a difficult matchup.
“There is no way we can simulate a 6-6 player in practice,” Minton said. “But I was really pleased we battled on the boards. They have a tremendous defensive team that is hard to play.”
Great Bend journeys to Liberal Friday to start a five-game road trip.
Derby 12 25 27 5 — 69
GBend 1 14 10 19 — 43
DERBY (13-1)—Nilles 4-10 0-0 10, Aliyah Myers 5-8 0-0 11, Alford 5-9 0-0 11, Kennedy Brown 3-14 4-4 10, Johnson 3-7 2-2 10, Mills 2-7 0-0 5, Schomp 2-4 0-0 4, Ahdaya Myers 0-3 0-0 0, Kate Kennedy 4-6 0-0 8, Totals 28-70 6-6 69.
GREAT BEND (3-10)—Dunekack 5-11 1-3 13, Carley Brack 4-10 2-5 11, Keller 0-1 0-0 0, Clark 1-2 0-0 2, Herter 1-1 0-0 2, Mauler 3-5 1-2 8, Sydney Unruh 2-4 0-0 5, Schroeder 0-2 0-0 0, Kaylee Unruh 0-1 0-0 0, Mills 1-2 0-0 2, Totals 17-39 4-10 43.
3-pointers—Derby 7 (Nilles 2, Johnson 2, Mills 1m, Alford 1, Aliyah Myers 1), GB 5 (Dunekack 2, Brack 1, Mauler 1, S. Unruh 1).
