BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtrribune.com

JUNCTION CITY  — Junction City's boys full-court pressure converted 28 first-half points off turnovers en route to a dominating 84-51 non-league basketball victory over the Great Bend Panthers Friday.

Great Bend appeared overmatched against a quick and aggressive Junction City defense that pressured full-court during a frantic first half. 

"It was definitely humbling for all of us," said Great Bend coach Kyle Kriegh. "It's hard to simulate that pace and their pressure. Junction City always has athletes who are basketball players."

The Panthers threw soft passes, failed to protect the basketball against double teams and didn't attack the Blue Jays' defense. Junction City stretched a 15-8 lead to 33-8 with 18 consecutive points. The Blue Jays finished off a shocking 35-4 scoring burst for a 53-12 lead.

Two freshmen sparked the 5A Panthers. Great Bend freshman sensation Ian Premer scored 15 points and freshman Jacob Hall contributed 12 points as they both converted 5-of-7 field goals with a confident effort. Maddox Spray converted 3-of-3 field goals for a solid 8-point effort. The other Panthers finished 3-of-19 from the field.

"They did positive things," Kriegh said. "Jacob was tough inside getting position. Defensively, they did good things. It's hard to take Ian off the court because he's so productive. With those young guys, our future is bright."

Great Bend proved it could compete after halftime adjustments. Great Bend limited turnovers and outscored the Blue Jays 30-23 after halftime by attacking pressure with hard drives to the basket.

"We need to play in that gear every day,' Kriegh said. "We looked for some positives. We've got to play better and that second half we did. I'm glad they kept the pressure up. That'll prepare when we go down the road."

The Blue Jays showed off a deep and athletic team. Junction City's Lovell Autry (14), Deontae Baker (13), Sheldon Butler-Lawson (13), Michael Boganoski (12) and Jackson Austin (10) scored in double figures. The Blue Jays smartly attacked the basket and kicked back for six 3-point goals.

The Panthers (0-1) play Sterling (1-0), which surprised 2A defending state champion Hillsboro 66-60 Thursday at the Kingman Tournament.

Great Bend 8 13 21 9 — 51

Junction City 26 35 16 7 — 84

GREAT BEND (0-1)—Premer 5-7 4-4 15, Hall 5-7 2-2 12, Spray 3-3 2-2 8, Stuhlsatz 1-6 4-4 6, Council 2-5 0-0 5, Coombs 0-4 3-4 3, Nicholson 1-1 0-0 2, Dicks 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 17-36 15-16 51

JUNCTION CITY (1-0)—Autry 5-9 3-3 14, Deontae Baker 5-6 1-2 13, Butler-Lawson 6-9 1-1 13, Boganowski 4-8 4-4 12, Austin 3-2 1-2 10, Jackson 3-3 1-2 7, Turner 3-7 0-1 6, Jones 2-2 1-2 5, Atreal Baker 1-1 0-0 2, Handy 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 33-56 12-17 81

3-pointers—GB 2-8 (Premer 1-2, Council 1-2, Coombs 0-2, Scheuerman 0-2); JC 6-11 (Autry 3-7, D Baker 2-2, Autry 1-2)