Saturday’s game against Dodge City was expected to be a measuring stick for the Pratt High School boys basketball team, and despite losing 53-50, the Greenbacks showed that they are up to the challenge of facing the state’s best teams.
Dodge City is currently ranked fifth in the latest Hutchinson News poll for Class 6A, while the Greenbacks are ranked seventh in Class 4A.
The Red Demons jumped out to a 12-8 lead after one quarter and had a 29-18 halftime lead as Pratt struggled to score, especially inside.
“We didn’t make shots,” PHS coach David Swank said. “In the first half, we were o-for-nine inside of eight feet. There almost seemed to be a lid on the goal. Dodge had a lot of quick size and that forced us to alter shots instead of finishing tough at the rim.”
The Greenbacks also struggled with turnovers in the first half as they committed ten to just two for Dodge City.
But the Greenbacks adjusted in time to make a charge in the second half.
Pratt got the first points of the third quarter on a putback by senior Luke Southard. That cut the lead to nine, and the Greenbacks kept it there for most of the third quarter before slicing Dodge City’s advantage to just five points heading into the fourth quarter.
The final eight minutes saw Pratt cut even further into the lead, and the Greenbacks had a couple of late chances to tie or take the lead.
“We had two good looks late in the game, one to take the lead and one to tie,” Swank said. “If either of those had gone, the game might have ended differently.”
But the shots didn’t fall and Dodge City held on for a 53-50 win at the Beaver Dome.
Still, Swank was pleased with his team’s effort, especially in the third and fourth quarters.
“We competed really well in the second half,” he said. “It took us a while to adjust to the very physical nature of the game.”
The Greenbacks got 17 points from Micah Swank, while Skylar Angood added 13 and Southard finished with 11.
Dodge City had three players in double figures.
“Dodge is long and athletic. They are probably the most athletic team we will play all year unless we get to the state tournament,” Swank said. “They’re well coached, and a very good team.”
That’s exactly what Swank expected, and he hopes that the experience will help the Greenbacks in the final weeks of the season.
“This game will only make us better for our stretch run here in February,” he said. “Our goal is improve each practice and game and playing teams like Dodge City can only make us better.”
Pratt will now have a few days off before they resume MSAA play.
The Greenbacks wil be back in action Friday when they host TMP for the PHS Homecoming. The boys varsity game will tip off at 8 p.m. in the PHS gym.
Dodge City 53, Pratt 50
DCHS: Williams 12, Hogan 11, Howarth 11, Head 8, Hallman 4, Sotelo 3, Movin 2, Ridenour 2.
PHS: Micah Swank 17, Skylar Angood 13, Luke Southard 11, Matt Swank 4, Brad Richardson 3, Payson Maydew 2, Brady Batman 0.
DC 12 17 12 12 — 53
P 8 10 18 14 — 50
