By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Simply stated, Great Bend’s Konner Ireland was determined to end his home career with a basketball victory over Dodge City.
Ireland delivered his patented fist pump after drilling a key 3-pointer that boosted the Panthers to a 20-point lead. His signature play was a dive into the stands to save a first-quarter possession.
“I feel like I play that way all the time,” said Ireland, who dished out assists and directed the offense. “When I save the ball, it helps gets the guys pumped up. The best part is it helped us get a win tonight.”
Point guard Ireland and Mr. Hustle Koy Brack produced key plays that helped the Panthers hold off the Red Demons 45-39 Friday after nearly losing a 20-point lead (37-17). Great Bend (5-13, 1-5 WAC) won its first league game and snapped an eight-game losing streak against Dodge City.
Panther Kody Crosby provided his usual heroics with a dominating 23-point performance off assists by Ireland Jacob Murray. Crosby and Ireland hit 3-pointers for a 20-point lead at 34-14 and 37-17.
The Panthers’ plan to kill some time from a spread offense backfired with seven turnovers as Dodge City stormed back within 39-34 with a stunning 17-2 scoring run keyed by Hunter Heath, Sam Unruh and Beau Foster.
Brack saved the day when he stole the basketball on back-to-back possessions and scored on a driving shot for a 41-34 lead. Ireland converted two free throws after Brack’s second steal for a 43-34 lead.
The victory carried special meaning for Great Bend coach Tim Brooks, who won a head-to-head game against his good friend Dennis Hamilton, the longtime Dodge City head coach.
“It’s a special group that plays with heart and desire,” Brooks said. “They show up every day and work hard.”
Dodge City’s trapping defense pressured the Panthers into seven turnovers after Crosby’s 3-pointer for a 37-17 lead.
“We didn’t help ourselves and didn’t handle their pressure,” Brooks said. “We had some untimely turnovers. The most important thing is we found a way to finish the game and earn a win.”
The Panthers played their best basketball of the season while stretching their lead to 20 points. Crosby worked inside and drilled a trio of 3-pointers. Ireland added nine points and several key assists.
The Red Demons made 6 of 24 field goals through three quarters before they scored 22 fourth-quarter points. Dodge City made 9 of 15 field goals in the fourth quarter, six off second chance points.
“The guys played pretty solid basketball,” Brooks said. “The first half, we didn’t give them any extra possessions.”
DC 2 10 7 22 — 39
GB 12 10 12 11 — 45
DODGE CITY—Heath 7-12 0-2 14; Unruh 2-5 0-0 4; Riekenberg 1-2 6-6 8; Mendoza 0-5 0-0 0; Baker 1-8 0-2 3; Foster 2-2 0-2 5; Schowengerdt 0-1 0-0 0; Johnson 1-1 0-0 2; Gleason 1-3 1-2 3; Totals 15-39 7-14 39.
GREAT BEND—Kody Crosby 7-10 6-8 23; Konner Ireland 2-3 3-4 9; Jacob Murray 1-5 1-2 3; Ty Esfeld 0-0 1-3 1; Brock Blessing 0-0 2-2 2; Logan Perry 1-1 1-1 3; Koy Brack 2-2 0-0 4; Totals 13-21 14-20 45.
3-point goals—DC 2-11 (Foster 1-1, Baker 1-5, Mendoza 0-5), GB 5-9 (Crosby 3-4, Ireland 2-3, Murray 0-2). TO—DC 11, GB 19.
