BY JIM MISUNASjmisunas@gbtriune.comOn back-to-back nights, Great Bend sophomore Alec Premer provided a spark to ignite the Panthers' quest for a share of the Western Athletic Conference basketball title.Premer scored a career high 26 points, highlighted by 19 first-half points. Premer has converted 16 of 20 field goals and 13 consecutive free throws the past two games. Premer made a living with backdoor cuts on the baseline for scores.Cooper Ohmacht made his presence known with a soaring slam dunk off a nifty lob pass by pesky point guard Daxton Minton that thrilled a Winter Homecoming crowd. Cooper Ohnmacht shook off first-half foul trouble for 14 points.Jacob Hall contributed 15 points and Minton's 8-point night was mixed with his usual repertoire of assists and steals. The Panthers continue to spread the court and move the basketall.Garden City provided a worthy test for the Panthers with a mix of inside offense and 19 of 26 free throw shooting. The Buffaloes played with good energy and a spirited teamwork.Great Bend coach Kyle Kriegh was pleased the Panther players gradually adjusted mentally to a facet of the game they can't control — the officiating.Jacob Hall drew a technical for discussing a foul to an official. A consistent trend continued with 57 free throws, which slowed the second quarter to a snail's pace.Sometimes, the players ask coach Kreigh what's he seeing."Coop asked, 'Coach what am I doing?' Copp, I honestly don't know what to tell him.""We stopped crying and complaining. We've got to think 'next play.' No one is perfect, including us and the refs."Physical play is part of a typical Western Athletic Conference showdown. You've got to keep battling."This was a mix of a boxing match and a basketball game," Kriegh said. "If someone wants to go with us in a boxing match, 'let's go.' Our guys were fired up. They're not going to back down from anybody. It's helpful we have bench guys who can help us."Athletic Jalen Jagels provided a matchup nightmare with 21 points off 8 of 14 shooting. The Buffaloes misfired from long range with 2 of 12 shooting. Sharp shooting Daniel Monarrez endured a 4 of 17 shooting night."When we put our athletes on Monarrez, that slowed him down," Kriegh said.The Buffaloes (9-9, 1-3 WAC) hung within striking distance until the fourth quarter, a repeat of the Panthers' 74-56 victory at Garden City Jan, 8.Great Bend (11-8, 3-1 WAC) stays within range of WAC powerhouse Hays High (14-4, 5-0 WAC) while ending a 3-game homestand against Liberal Tuesday.Garden City 15 16 14 11 — 56Great Bend 20 16 16 19 — 71GARDEN CITY (9-9, 1-3)—Jalen Jagels 8-14 5-8 21; Rosales 2-3 (1-2) 7-8 12; Monarrez 4-17 (1-8) 0-0 9; Walker 2-9 (0-3) 3-4 7; Strecker 2-8 (0-1) 2-4 6; Braden Jagels 0-1 0-0 0; Longa (0-1) 0-0 0; Chairez 0-0 1-2 1; Totals 18-53 (2-12) 19-26 56GREAT BEND (11-8, 3-1)—Alec Premer 8-12 (1-3) 9-9 26; Jacob Hall 4-10 (0-1) 7-8 15; Ohnmacht 7-13 (0-1) 0-0 14; Minton 2-3 (0-1) 4-6 8; Stroup 0-3 (0-2) 3-4 3; Jaxon Wondra 0-0 3-4 3; Price 1-2 (0-1) 0-0 2; Totals 22-43 (1-9) 26-31 71
Alec Premer, Ohnmacht spark Panthers
