GREAT BEND – Great Bend’s girls basketball team showed the heart of a champion. But it wasn’t enough because Hutchinson High’s height and strength inside proved to be a dominating factor.
Hutchinson High’s girls scored inside and outside for a hard-fought 50-41 non-league basketball victory over Great Bend Friday. The No. 10 state-ranked 6A Salthawks scored 10 second-chance points and converted six 3-pointers to outscore the Panthers 18-3 from the perimeter.
Great Bend’s Camryn Dunekack led the Panthers (1-4) with 17 points and leading scorer Carley Brack added 11 points in a foul-plagued night. The Panthers were outrebounded 30-19 and faced a height disadvantage with the Salthawks featuring players 6-2, 5-11 and 5-11.
The Panthers’ intensity and fight kept them within 22-21 at halftime. After trailing 11-4, the Panthers battled behind Brack’s 9-point half. The Panthers used their quickness to force turnovers and speed upcourt before the Salthawks’ defense was established. The Panthers outscored the Salthawks 12-2 from the free throw line.
“We battled hard all night against a team that has a lot of strengths,” said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. “Our effort, especially in the first half was the best we’ve seen all year. We showed we continue to improve tonight. We knew our best chance was to speed up the floor.”
Hutchinson’s inside height and strength was counteracted by the Panthers’ speed and quickness.
“Great Bend is a hard team to guard because they dribble penetrate and get to the free throw line,” said Hutchinson coach Casey Stiggins. “They create problems to defend them. It’s a bonus that Carley Brack was in foul trouble.”
Hutchinson’s Gabbie Posch scored 15 points and converted a trio of 3-pointers. Kasey Hazell hustled inside for 14 points. The Salthawks (4-0) outscored the Panthers 28-20 in the second half.
The Salthawks started the second half with a 7-0 run. Hazell and Morgan Armbrust scored baskets and Posch nailed a 3-pointer for a 29-21 lead. Posch, Hazell and McKenzie Ontjes combined for eight consecutive second-chance points for a 41-30 lead.
“We play inside/out, and it was nice to see Gabbie Posch make 3-pointers,” said Stiggins.
Hutchinson converted 21 of 46 field goals and 2 of 15 free throws. The Panthers made 14 of 33 field goals and 12 of 17 free throws.
HHS 15 7 17 11 — 50
GB 15 6 9 11 — 41
HUTCHINSON— Posch 6-10 0-0 15, Hazell 7-12 0-2 14, Ontjes 3-7 1-4 9, Armbrust 3-7 0-2 6, Allen 2-3 1-1 5, Hefley 0-2 0-2 0, Bynum 0-2 0-3 0, Buckaloo 0-3 0-1 0, Totals 21-46 2-15 50.
GREAT BEND— Dunekack 6-12 5-6 17, Carley Brack 4-6 3-4 11, Herter 1-4 0-0 3, Clark 2-4 0-0 4, Unruh 0-4 2-4 2, Mills 1-3 2-3 4, Totals 14-33 12-17 41.
3-point goals—HH 6-10 (Ontjes 2-3, Posch 3-5, Allen 1-1, Buckaloo 0-1), GB 1-9 (Herter 1-4, Dunekack 0-3, Mills 0-1, Unruh 0-1)
