April 27, 2024

Lady Buffs Experience ‘Hangover Game’ at Hays

Garden City High School girls basketball team hosted Dodge City High School on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at The Garden in Garden City, Kan. The Lady Buffaloes defeated the Red Demons 35 - 31. Photo credits; Adam Shrimplin, Shrimplin Photography

HAYS, Kan. – Tuesday’s win over Dodge City left a sweet taste for everyone on Garden City’s girl’s basketball squad. A game that was five years in the making, that left everyone satisfied.

It’s hard to eat when full, and the Lady Buffaloes learned that lesson Friday night.

The Garden City Lady Buffaloes were swamped against the Hays Indians, 43-14. The result was the fewest points that Garden City had scored all season long.

“We had that super, super exciting Tuesday night,” head coach Jacob Miller said. “I think we still have an emotional hangover from that game. We’re going to do everything we can to watch film and get better for Tuesday.”

In the first eight minutes, Garden City (9-10, 1-6 WAC) started the game strong on the defensive end, forcing six Hays turnovers.

Sophomore K.J. Pinchon nailed a deep triple from the left wing to cut Hays’ lead to one midway through the first quarter. This would be the Buffaloes’ only field goal of the first half.

“We played well in the first half, defensively. We just couldn’t get anything going offensively,” Miller said.

Hays went on a 17-4 run to close the first half, extending its lead to 15. Katie Linenberger and Zoe Winter went to work down low, combining for 13 of Hays’ 21 first-half points.

Hays (13-5, 6-0 WAC) had no answers for K.J. Pinchon early in the second half, swishing two triples to pull the game within 14. The Buffs went scoreless for the final four minutes of the frame, allowing the Indians to pull away for good.

“These are games where we’re learning at, and trying to get better from,” Miller added.

The Buffaloes didn’t hit their first two-pointer, a nine-foot teardrop from Alexiz Villegas, until the final 35 seconds. The Indians put together their strongest offensive quarter to close up the game, pulling ahead by 29 at the horn.

The Lady Buffaloes close their regular season on Tuesday, as they travel to The Big House to take on the Liberal Lady Red. Coverage on 99.9 ‘The Rock’ begins at 5:40 P.M. with the American Implement Pregame Show. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00.

Audio Recap

Jacob Miller interview