Great Bend’s Kody Crosby was not going to be denied a victory on Senior Night.
Crosby dominated with a season high 28 points to spark the Panthers past the Hays-Thomas More Prep Monarchs 47-40 in a non-league basketball game.
He muscled up inside with crafty post moves and cruised outside for four 3-pointers. He converted four free throws to secure the victory. Jacob Murray and Konner Ireland found Crosby at opportune times.
“What a night,” said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. “Kody doesn’t get rushed or frustrated if he gets pushed inside. His patience was rewarded tonight.”
After trailing by 11 points, the Monarchs stormed back behind the 3-point shooting of David McFarland and Hayden Lowe. Each player drilled a 3-pointer for 33-32 and 36-35 leads.
Crosby sandwiched back-to-back 3-pointers around free throws by McFarland for a 41-39 lead. Murray and Ireland each made a free throw and Crosby converted four free throws for the Panthers’ first home victory.
“We found a way to make some winning plays,” Brooks said. “I’m awfully proud of the guys.”
The Panthers led 24-13 at halftime by holding the Monarchs to six of 20 shooting, one of 10 in the second quarter. The Panthers mixed zone defenses to keep the Monarchs guessing. Crosby scored 12 first-half points and his teammates chipped in 12 points.
“We played really well defensively that first half,” Brooks said. “Things were clicking on both ends that first half. But we knew they would make adjustments and play better that second half.”
Creighton Renz and Michael Lager combined for 12 inside points the second half to get the Monarchs back in the game.
Luke Ruder missed a tying free throw after a timeout with the Monarchs down 41-40 with 1:13 left. TMP committed back-to-back turnovers with Crosby stealing the basketball against Hayden Lowe. The Panthers finished with six free throws.
“Kody Crosby is a good basketball player and did exactly what our scouting report said,” said TMP coach Joe Hertel. “He knocked down the open 3-pointer and posted up strong inside the paint.”
TMP 10 3 15 12 — 40
GB 13 11 8 15 — 47
TMP—Renz 6-10 0-1 12; McFarland 3-12 2-2 11; Lowe 3-6 1-2 8; Ruder 0-4 1-2 1; Garcia 0-2 0-0 0; Werth 1-6 0-0 2; Lager 3-5 0-2 6; Totals 16-43 4-9 40.
GB—Kody Crosby 10-18 4-4 28; Jacob Murray 1-2 3-6 6; Ty Esfeld 1-5 2-2 4; Koy Brack 2-4 0-0 4; Logan Perry 1-2 1-3 3; Konner Ireland 0-2 1-2 1; Brock Blessing 0-0 1-2 1; Totals 15-33 12-18 47.
3-point goals—TMP 4-18 (McFarland 3-11, Lowe 1-2, Garcia 0-1, Weth 0-1, Ruder 0-3); GB 5-11 (Crosby 4-6, Murray 1-1, Esfeld 0-2, Ireland 0-2). TO—TMP 10, GB 12.
