Great Bend boys basketball coach Tim Brooks liked the heart and the effort of his team.
But a fresh Liberal Redskin basketball team kept the Panther boys winless at home with a 57-46 Western Athletic Conference basketball victory Saturday. The Panthers close out their home schedule Feb. 23 against rival Hays High.
The Panthers played its third game this week and had played five road games covering 500 miles in the past two weeks.
“I know our guys will play hard,” said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. “We’ve had one more opportunity for a home win.”
Panther Peyton Duvall delivered stunning back-to-back games with a sterling 18-point effort following an 19-point game Friday night at Dodge City. Duvall fired in five 3-pointers to keep the Panthers within range. But his teammates shot 32 percent and committed too many turnovers which led to Liberal transition scores.
The Panthers (4-15, 2-5 WAC) were tied at 18 at halftime despite a slow offensive start. But Liberal’s Cameron Riley (18 points) and Lee Hatcher (14 points) got rolling in the third quarter. The Redskins’ broke down the Panthers’ defense on a baseline play that delivered several 3-point plays.
“Liberal played really well and played with a lot of energy,” said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. “The third quarter was our demise. We had some breakdowns defensively. We threw the ball away a few times and that gave them momentum. We never found an answer to that.”
The Panthers showed its typical spark. Sam Ryan and Ty Esfeld scored baskets off hustling steals to get the Panthers within 38-31 after trailing 38-26.
Another rally was spoiled when Liberal had a scoreless spell after leading 44-33.
The Panthers scored the next five points for a 44-38 score, But Sam Ryan, Block Blessing and Esfeld missed free throws in a stretch where the Panthers converted 2 of 7 free throws. The Redskins knocked down free throws to secure the victory in the fourth quarter.
“We were fairly effective with a trapping defense,” Brooks said. “That threw Liberal off their game in the fourth quarter.”
Sam Ryan and Alex Schremmer each scored nine points. The Panthers converted 7 of 14 free throws.
“If shots are not falling, you’ve got to find a way to help your team win,” Brooks said. “It was a learning experience.”
Brooks said the Panthers performed well after expending energy in Friday’s WAC victory at Dodge City.
Liberal 13 5 22 17 — 57
Great Bend 12 6 13 15 — 46
LIBERAL (7-10)—Riley 6-9 2-2 18, Lee Hatcher 4-7 6-9 14, Mendoza 0-1 0-0 0, Ethan Hatcher 1-4 0-0 2, Bigham 4-8 1-1 9, Vongsakda 3-7 3-4 9, Hyde 2-2 0-1 5, Dunlap 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 20-39 12-17 57.
GREAT BEND (4-15)—Duvall 5-9 3-3 18, Sam Ryan 3-11 2-4 9, Esfeld 2-5 1-3 5, Blessing 0-0 1-4 1, Schremmer 4-10 0-0 9, Stueder 2-3 0-0 4, Penka 0-3 0-0 0, Totals 16-41 7-14 46.
3-point goals—L 5 (Riley 4, Hyde 1), GB 7 (Duvall 5, Ryan 1, Schremmer 1).
