Moving On! Nieto, Lady Busters, March Past Independence

GARDEN CITY, Kan. – Guts, grit, and some great shot-making; everything a team needs to kickstart a playoff run.

Garden City got that, and some, from Miya Nieto. The freshman torched Independence late, proving too much for the Pirates.

The Garden City Broncbusters advanced to the second round of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Tournament Playoffs, battling through the 10th-seeded Independence Pirates, 78-71. Nieto tied a program record, swishing nine three-pointers in the victory.

“[This is] probably one of my favorite teams that I’ve played with,” Nieto said. “We’re fast, good defense, they find me, we share the ball well.”

Her team had to battle early. Indy started the game with a fast eight-point run to pull ahead by six, holding it with big buckets for Merveille Nkoyock. Nkoyock delivered the first eight Pirates points, closing the first quarter with 12 points on five makes.

Garden City (17-13, 12-13 KJCCC) stalled early, shooting just one-for-ten from three in the opening quarter. They made amends in the second quarter, opening the frame on a 17-8 run. Miya Nieto rang home two triples, helping Garden City hit half their threes during the frame.

Antonicia Moultrie had a huge first half for the Broncbusters, including an and-one to help GCCC go up by seven, 32-25. Moultrie finished the first half with 13 points, adding five rebounds.

“Nici just doing Nici things. She’s always going to have almost a double-double, rebounds and points,” Franklin said. “She’s an undersized four for us, next year we’re going to try to put her a little more at the three next year.”

Garden City shot well as a team in the second quarter, hitting all seven free throws and going 50 percent from distance. Independence (16-15, 10-15 KJCCC) closed the half strong but still trailed the Lady Busters, 36-34.

The Broncbusters’ commitment to defense won them six of their final eight games, and it showed at the start of the second half. GCCC held ICC to just two points in the first five minutes, jumping out to an 11-2 run.

Nieto swished another three triples in the quarter, getting Garden CIty’s lead to as large as 17. Independence responded in suit, scoring the final nine points of the third, 57-49 Garden City led.

“I really didn’t notice [how many points I had] until everyone started pushing me during that timeout,” Nieto commented. “That’s when I noticed.”

Nieto scored a game-high 29 points, including 18 second-half points. Her team held firm at the end, with C.C. Driessen executing at the free throw line late.

Garden City will face the No. 2 seed, Dodge City Conquistadors, on Tuesday. The Conqs have lost just five games all season, but the mentality of underdogs is something that this Broncbusters team has embraced.

“I think they’ve got a little bit of chip on their shoulders… I kind of like that they have that swagger about them,” Franklin praised. “Being the underdog and fighting your way through… It’s fun to coach them right now.”

Garden City will visit The Dome on Tuesday night for a chance to advance to the KJCCC Semifinals. Tipoff time will be announced later this weekend.

Audio recap;