Buffs upset powerful Pueblo–Local Scores

Audio Highlights: GCHS vs. Pueblo East

Garden City, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-All things come to those who wait. For Jacy Holloway’s squad, they didn’t have to wait long. It took just six games for the veteran team to earn their first statement victory of the season.

Hunter Delgado scored seven of his team-high 14 points in the third quarter including two monster threes that gave Garden City the lead for good, as the Buffs turned an early nine-point deficit into a 58-52 win over No. 4 Pueblo East on day three of the 2013 Southwest Classic at the Garden.

Whatever Hollway said at halftime, should be inscribed on the locker-room wall.

“We had a little discussion, but that’s as much as I can say,” a jubilant Hollway said following the game. “It was just about doing what we needed to do. We came out with absolutely no energy; like we didn’t want to be here.”

Caleb Tramp, who missed scoring in double figures for the first time this season, tried to find his way in the first half. But the junior was off the mark–missing his first five shots; the rest of his mates followed suit-shooting just 23 percent in the first half.

Trailing 27-18 entering the third quarter, Garden City (4-2) found their spark in Hunter Delgado. The senior, who missed the entire football season after lacerating his kidney in a team scrimmage, dug out his superman cape-hitting back-to-back threes to give the Buffs a 34-30 lead. They would never relinquish that advantage.

Delgado and his pals outscored the Eagles 23-6 in a massive, third quarter turnaround that saw the Garden City defense ignite the offense.

“A lot of people will say it was Hunter’s offense that got us going,” Hollway said. “In truth-it was his defense all the way. And the rest of the guys fed off of that.”

One of those guy was Luis Rodriguez, who finished a point shy of his first career double-double. The junior blocked three shots, two of those coming on critical possessions in the final frame.

Dylan Gavin led Pueblo East with a game-high 17 points.

Next up: Garden City at Dodge City-Tuesday, January 7-8 pm on KWKR 99.9 FM and westernkansasnews.com/kwkr

Final Stats: GCHS boys vs. Pueblo East

Girls

Audio Highlights: GCHS vs. Pueblo East

Garden City, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-David Upton didn’t expect his team to have two blemishes on their resume going into the Christmas break. But maybe the two losses to Great Bend and Newton awoke a sleeping giant.

Jaymie Berbeck notched her second straight 20-point outing and the Buff defense picked up where they left off the night before-forcing 21 turnovers in a 56-42 win over Pueblo East Saturday in the finale of the 2013 Southwest Classic at the Garden.

Taryn Tempel added 18 points, but the star of the game may very well have been Tionnia McKee. The senior sparked the Buffs on the defensive side of things just as she did 24 hours earlier against Denver South.

Kelsey Laughlin led the Eagles with 12 points.

Next up: Garden City (4-2) vs. Dodge City (1-1)-Tuesday, January 7-6:15 p.m. on KWKR 99.9 FM and westerkansasnews.com/kwkr

Final Stats: GCHS girls vs. Pueblo East

Other scores

Scott City girls 54, Denver South 39 (SW Classic)-Bailey Nickel 32 points

Scott City boys 68 Denver South 58 (SW Classic)-Trey O’Neil 28 points

Ulysses boys 61, Hugoton 58 (Blue and Red Classic Championship)

Hugoton girls 62, Hooker 57 (Blue and Red Classic Championship)

College

GCCC men 70, God’s Academy 48

GCCC women 76, No. 15 NEO 68

Sunday’s Games