April 29, 2024

Lady Buffs Crushed by Life Prep Academy

Garden City High School girls basketball team hosted Hays High School on Friday, January 12, 2024 at The Garden in Garden City, Kan. The Lady Buffaloes lost to the Indians 26 - 57. Photo credits; Adam Shrimplin, Shrimplin Photography

GARDEN CITY, Kan. – The Garden City Lady Buffaloes endured their largest defeat of the season on Friday night, losing to the Life Prep Academy Fire, 72-17, at The Garden.

It was a game the Buffaloes could never establish possession early. Garden City (7-7) committed double-digit turnovers in each of the first two quarters.

“Physicality, mentality, I think we were beat before we walked in the door,” head coach Jacob Miller said after the game. “It’s something we have to develop, and be a little more mentally tough.”

The Lady Buffs committed 26 first half turnovers.

Life Prep (9-4) put on a masterpiece in the second quarter, out-scoring the Buffs, 30-2. Lili Szabo and Iva Medugorac combined for 21 points in the frame.

Sophomore Alexiz Villegas and Junior Hailey Brown scored the only points of the first half for GCHS.

Villegas would score seven points in the second half, closing with a team-high nine. It was the first time this season that the sophomore led Garden City in scoring.

“We wanted to see who was going to come out in the second half and play tough,” Miller added. 

Garden City remains in eighth place in Class 6A West, despite the loss. The Buffaloes will face a key game on Tuesday against WAC opponents, Liberal.

“We had a long stretch… three games in 11 days,” Miller said. “We’re going to have a short-term memory, and then prep for Liberal.”

The Lady Buffs and Liberal Lady Red will be found on 99.9 ‘The Rock’, beginning at 5:40 P.M. Tip-off is slated for 6:00.

Audio Recap

Jacob Miller interview