CHS dominates in second half of 62-38 win over Buffs
A dominant second half propelled the Concordia Panthers to a 62-38 win over the Republic County Buffaloes Tuesday night in the Concordia Junior-Senior High School gymnasium.
Returning to action following the semester break, the Panthers led Republic County just 29-26 at halftime.
Concordia seized control of the game early in the second half by scoring the first 13 points to open up a 42-26 advantage.
The Panthers (5-2) limited Republic County to just 12 points over the final two quarters, and poured in 33 to pull away to a second straight win.
“The second half we did a lot better job defensively, obviously. They only scored 12 points,” Concordia coach Derek Holmes said. “The second half, overall, was good. A good, solid half.”
Despite having just two players score all but two of their points in a foul-plagued first half, Republic County trailed Concordia just 29-26.
Concordia, with senior guard Joey Henderson setting the tone, opened the second half with a 13-0 blitz.
Henderson, who led the Panthers with 22 points, scored six of the first eight in the third quarter.
“He (Henderson) got the rim the entire night,” Holmes said.
Payton Breese then connected on a short baseline shot and then a three-point shot to give Concordia a commanding 42-26 advantage.
Republic County (1-5) went 5:32 without scoring before Connor Martin made a three.
A basket by Sam Thumann 29 seconds later left the Buffaloes trailing 42-31.
Two free throws by Aceyn Cash and a steal and layup by Breese put Concordia on top 46-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
Collin Dahl scored the first four points of the final period, and Republic County was back within 11 points, 46-35.
Concordia got a basket by Peyton Retter, a three-point play by Alan Garcia and then buckets by Henderson and Cash to put the game out of reach, 55-35.
Henderson led four Panthers in double figures.
Breese scored 11 points for Concordia.
Garcia and Retter added 10 points each.
Cash finished with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Thumann was the only Republic County player to score more than seven points.
Trey Melton, who was averaging a team-high 15 points per game for the Buffs, was limited to seven.
“Melton can shoot, but we did a good job of getting up on him,” Holmes said.
The game got off to a rugged start with 15 fouls being called in the first quarter.
There were five lead changes and three ties in that opening eight minutes of play.
Republic County had a 14-13 cushion going into the second stanza and Thumann scored to make it 16-13.
Thumann scored 17 of his 19 points in that first half.
Henderson scored six points during an 11-2 spurt that gave Concordia a 24-18 lead.
Brandon Allen scored for the Buffs and it was 24-20.
Another three-point play by Garcia upped the Panthers' lead 27-20.
Republic County battled back to within three points, 29-26, going into halftime.
“Our first four practices back were our best practices all year. And then we went out in the first and played very poorly the first half, most of our guys. Very disappointing the first half,” Holmes said.
Concordia then blew the game open in the first five minutes of the second half.
“We had some points off turnovers. Our defense led to offense. Our energy was a lot better the second half,” Holmes said.
The Panthers host Wamego in North Central Kansas League game on Thursday night.
“We need to be more consistent. We are going to have to play four quarters against Wamego,” Holmes said.
REPUBLIC COUNTY (38)
Melton 1-5-1 7, Siemsen 0-0-4 0, Morris 0-0-3 0, Thumann 8-3-1 19, Dahl 3-0-3 6, Martin 1-1-1 4, Allen 1-0-2 2. Totals: 14-9-15 38.
CONCORDIA (62)
Henderson 8-6-3 22, Knox 0-0-1 0, Garcia 3-4-5 10, Retter 4-1-3 10, Cash 3-2-2 8, Breese 5-0-2 11, Wildeman 0-1-0 1, Turner 0-0-1 0. Totals: 23-14-17 62.