May 10, 2024

Broncbusters’ Red-Hot Offense Tamed by No. 14 Hutchinson

Garden City Community College mens basketball team played on the road vs Dodge City Community College on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at the Dome in Dodge City, Kan. The Busters defeated the Conquistadors 109 - 72. Photo Credits; Adam Shrimplin, Shrimplin Photography

Hutchinson, KS. – Garden City entered Saturday as one of the best offensive teams in the NJCAA. Their new philosophies with the ball produced remarkable results in their last seven games.

There are going to be growing pains to any significant change. Saturday night brought a huge halt to what had been some great strides.

The Garden City Broncbusters suffered their biggest loss of the season against the No. 14 Hutchinson Blue Dragons, with the Dragons running away with an 85-64 victory. The loss dropped GCCC to 4-4 away from home this season.

Hutchinson’s defensive game plan was very clear; make anybody but Brody Robinson beat them. The Blue Dragons doubled the Garden City guard all game long, only allowing Robinson to take one field goal in the entire first half.

Garden City (11-7, 7-5 KJCCC) looked unrecognizable on the offensive end. The Broncbusters made just one three pointer in the first half, recording just three assists on their nine made shots.

For context, Garden City was averaging 23.5 assists per game in 2024. They ended Saturday’s game with just seven.

No. 14 Hutchinson (15-3, 10-2 KJCCC) pulled out to an early 10-point lead, and never looked back. The Blue Dragons connected on seven of their first 17 three pointers, with guard Kamryn Thomas hitting four of them.

Thomas, the team’s leading scorer on the season, gave Garden City fits all night long. The sophomore closed with 22 points and seven rebounds, missing just four shots.

The Broncbusters only had two players finish in double-figures. Braxton Jones led GCCC for the 10th time this season, posting a game-high 23 points. Thomas Tut finished with 13 points and seven rebounds in the defeat.

Garden City’s first half of conference play is now finished, the Broncbusters now look to the second half of the season. The Broncbusters’ three-game road trip finishes next Wednesday, as they take on the Colby Trojans. Coverage on 99.9 ‘The Rock’ begins following the conclusion of women’s basketball’s game, which tips off at 5:30 P.M.