Broncbusters Basketball Starts Strong in Thrilling Win Over McCook

GARDEN CITY, KS. – Brody Robinson defined himself as a winner, somebody who would compete in every season, game, practice, or drill with the ball in his hands.

Robinson raised one arm to the ruckus Garden City student section late in the game. The crowd roared back at their new point guard, who led his new team to a debut win.

The No. 16 Garden City Broncbusters opened the new season on the right note, delivering a 79-73 win over the McCook Indians on Wednesday night at Conestoga Arena. Robinson’s play lit up the court all night long, delivering a game-high 24 points and eight assists in the victory.

“Just knowing that this team has practiced so hard, every single day,” Robinson said. “I know that I can count on my brother next to me to make the right play, and I know they can count on me to make the right play, as well.”

Robinson, a sophomore transfer from Chattanooga, came out of the gates hot. He made five of his first six shots in the game, finishing at an eight-of-13 clip from the floor, and swishing four of his seven three point attempts.

He wasn’t the only guard who stepped up for Garden City (1-0) in the win. Freshman Jordan Frazier and Hartford transfer Braxton Jones combined for 26 points, with Jones hitting several key jump shots in the late stages of the game.

“We compete every day in practice, that’s my guy” Robinson said. “He’s a really good all around player, and I love being in the backcourt with him.”

McCook (0-1) stuck with the Broncbusters every step of the way, with the game never being separated by more than eight points. Garden City led by one at the half following a buzzer-beating three from sophomore Zeke Cavli.

Garden City had to battle through foul trouble in the second half, having to call on freshmen forwards Seydou Tamboura and Isaiah Dixon to battle with talented center, Noah Boyed. Boyed finished with a team-high 18 points, but the Broncbusters kept his touches at a minimum.

“Seydou came in, we thought he was only going to have to play ten minutes tonight,” second-year head coach, Rusty Elmore, said. “He probably played nearly 20 minutes tonight, and he was really, really good for us.”

The teams traded blows back and forth, with multiple lead changes in the second half. In the end, the Broncbusters’ 10 three-pointers to McCook’s seven proved huge.

Thomas Tut also recorded a strong debut, finishing with an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double. Four different Broncbusters finished in double-figures, in a game that Elmore described as “a great team win”.

Garden City travels to Lamar on Monday to face the Runnin’ Lopes for game two of the season. Tipoff from Lamar Community College Wellness Center is scheduled for 8:00 P.M., with The American Implement Pregame Show starting at 7:40 on KWKR 99.9 ‘The Rock’.