Hemmert’s 33 sparks Buffs over Demons, 73-63
Story Credit: Brett Marshall/GCHS Athletics
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Basketball victories are rare against Dodge City and even more elusive when playing the Red Demons on their home floor.
But that all was forgotten Tuesday night at the Dodge City Fieldhouse when sophomore guard Mackoy Hemmert returned after missing nine games due to a medical condition and exploded for 33 points to lead the Buffaloes to a 73-63 triumph over their biggest rival.
The victory improved the Buffs’ season record to 9-7 overall and 2-2 in the Western Athletic Conference, while the Red Demons, coached by former GCHS coach Jeff Williamson, saw its record slip to 9-8 overall and 1-1 in the WAC.
Hemmert had only played in six games and was averaging just over 8 points, but nobody could have anticipated the explosiveness of his performance against the Demons.
The 5-11 guard connected on 11-of-15 field goals, 6-of-9 from 3-point range and made 5-of-6 free throws. His output ties for seventh all-time in the annals of GCHS scoring for the boys. The last time anybody scored 33 points in a brown and white uniform was Kurt Bangles in 2004. Sharing that mark of 33 is Steve Salter (1965), Mark Nelson (1969) and Stewart Nelson (1972).
The school scoring mark is 38 points shared by Brian Craig (1975), Stewart Nelson (1972, also against Dodge City) and Brandy Perryman (1992).
“It was a lot of fun to see Mackoy find his stride so quickly,” head Coach Luke Swedberg said afterward. “It was a fun atmosphere and I thought everybody played well. The others did a great job of finding Mackoy in open spaces to get good shots.”
Also returning to the lineup was Jayvyn Morales, and he contributed 9 points off 3-of-5 field goals and 3-of-3 free throws.
“He brings an added dimension for us on both ends of the court,” Swedberg said of Morales.
The Buffs and Demons battled on near-even terms in the first half, with Dodge City owning leads of 20-15 after one quarter and 37-34 at halftime.
“We were having a difficult time stopping them on the drive to the basket,” Swedberg said. “I thought we picked things up defensively, got some turnovers which we turned into transition points.”
The third quarter didn’t start off on a good foot for the Buffs with Dodge City scoring the first two baskets to go up 41-34. But something clicked from that point as the Buffs went on a 13-2 scoring run to take a 47-43 lead with 1:52 to play in the third. They would own a 49-46 lead heading to the final stanza.
It was no surprise that the Demons battled once again to nearly overtake the Buffs, pulling to within three on two occasions (58-55 and 60-57) only to have the Buffs go from up 63-58 before reeling off 9 unanswered points to take command at 72-58 with just more than a minute left.
The Buffs had their best offensive outing of the season on the stats line — 57.4 percent from the field (27-of-47), 12-of-15 from the free throw line (80.0 percent) and 7-of-15 from the 3-point line (46.7 percent).
Hemmert meanwhile divided his scoring with 6 points in the first, 8 in the second, 7 in the third and 12 points in the fourth.
“I thought in the two runs we had in the second half we did a great job of getting some stops, and scored some transition baskets,” Swedberg said. “I think we were able to take advantage of some turnovers and we showed a lot of poise.”
Senior Jalen Jagels joined Hemmert in double figures with 10 points and also tied his younger brother, Braden, for rebounds with 6. The Buffs won the rebounding battle, 30-24. While they had 14 turnovers the Buffs countered that with 17 assists off the 27 made baskets.
Dodge City was led by senior Ty Scheck, always a thorn in the side of the Buffs, as he finished with 23 points off 9-of-16 field goals. Reis Ochs and Cru Lembright added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Swedberg said road victories in the WAC are always difficult, and especially in Dodge City.
“It’s hard to get a win on the road,” Swedberg said. “This is a good step forward for us.”
The Buffs will be back on the road for a non-conference game on Saturday when they travel across the state to Shawnee Mission North where they will play the Bison at approximately 1:30 p.m. following the Junior Varsity tip-off at Noon.
The Bison is 9-6 overall after a 49-47 loss Tuesday night to Olathe East. They also will play Gardner Edgerton on Friday night before the Buffs arrive on Saturday.
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Western Athletic Conference
Game 4
At Dodge City/The Fieldhouse
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026
GARDEN CITY 73, DODGE CITY 63
Garden City (73) — Morales 3-5 3-3 9, Walter 0-2 0-0 0, Monarrez 3-7 2-3 8, B. Jagels 3-4 2-2 9, J. Jagels 5-10 0-1 10, Hemmert 11-15 5-6 33, Strecker 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 27-47 12-15 73.
Dodge City (63) — Lembright 5-14 0-0 14, Ochs 6-8 3-5 15, Presley 0-1 0-0 0, Scheck 9-16 4-4 23, Mohammed 2-3 0-0 5, Woods 1-3 0-0 3, Garcia 0-2 0-0 0, Schulte 1-6 0-0 3, Smith 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 24-55 7-9 63.
Garden City (9-7/2-2)…15…19…15…24…–…73
Dodge City (9-7/1-1)…20…17…9…17…–…63
3-point goals—Garden City 7-15 (Morales 0-1, Walter 0-1, Monarrez 0-2, B. Jagels 1-2, Hemmert 6-9); Dodge City 8-26 (Lembright 4-12, Scheck 1-4, Mohammed 1-2, Woods 1-2, Garcia 0-1, Schulte 1-5). Rebounds–Garden City 30 (B. Jagels, J. Jagels 6 each); Dodge City 24 ( ). Assists–Garden City 17 (B. Jagels 5), Dodge City 15 (Scheck 4). Steals–Garden City 6 (Hemmert, B. Jagels 2 each); Dodge City 6 (Schulte 2). Turnovers-Garden City 14, Dodge City 13. Fouls—Garden City 14, Dodge City 21. Fouled out–None.
