Buffs Split with Wichita East as Girls Fall and Boys move to 7-0 for the first time since 1967

Wichita, KS (WesternKansasNews.Com) – Saturday was a split day for the Garden City basketball teams. The Lady Buffs fell 49-47 vs. the Blue Aces and the boy won 52-39. 

Garden City Lady Buffs 47 | Wichita East Lady Aces 49

Despite a quick start to the game for the Lady Buffs in which they led 10-2 in the first quarter, it was another low-scoring offensive stretch that had Garden City playing from behind most of the game. The Lady Buffs went into the halftime break trailing 27-20 after just putting up 5 points in the quarter. Ailleen Becceril had 10 1st half points and half of The Lady Buff’s production. 

In the 2nd half though the Garden City 3-point attack came alive in fact seven of their eight made field goals came from behind the arc. Senior Ryann Warren was really special with the three-ball. She had a season-high 14 points with four made threes that all came in the second half. “The three-pointer is always a key part of our attack and you really see the difference of when it is going in and when it isn’t.” said first-year coach Jacob Miller. 

After the end of the 3rd it was 37-36 a slim Blue Ace lead and in a low-scoring 4th quarter Garden City would cool from beyond the arc yet still found themselves trailing 49-47 with 4.1 seconds to go and a Blue Ace inbound on the way. Wichita East would have trouble on the inbound play allowing Garden City to force a turnover with 4.1 to go and a shot for Garden City to tie or win the game. After a called timeout Garden City would inbound at half-court and an extended three-point attempt from Amaya Gallegos would land short. 

“I’m so proud of the fight from our girls, we would have loved to be above .500 heading into break but they never gave up and it was great to see, I can’t wait to get back in the gym and get ready for WAC play,” said Miller after the loss.

Garden City drops to 3-4 to start the season with a matchup on Great Bend on Jan. 6th.

Garden City Boys 52 | Wichita East Blue Aces 39

Is coach Jeff Williamson the greatest halftime motivator? That might just be the case after Garden City scored 23 points in the 3rd period. That marks the 3rd straight game in which the Buffaloes have scored 20 points or more in the 3rd quarter. “I just credit my coaching staff and the guys for that, they see things I can’t see while I’m coaching and we make the right adjustments, it’s just a blessing to have that on my bench, “said Williamson after the win. 

Garden City used that 3rd quarter to pull ahead and stay ahead despite the game being tied 17 points each at halftime. The Buffaloes were led in scoring by Senior Jace Steinmetz who had 18 points and his 7th game this season in double figures. Caleb Wiese also added 10 tough points down low for the Buffs and Jake Underwood had 8 points.

“It’s awesome when we have that many guys that can come together and score, it’s even better when we can start the season on this run it gives us a good feeling coming into the break,” said Williamson on the Buffaloes (7-0) start. 

The undefeated start marks the first time Garden City has started with 7 wins in the year since 1967. They will put that mark to the test against Great Bend on Jan. 6th to open up WAC play.