Concordia Boys Basketball Team Uses 22-0 Run to Cruise Past Republic County, 66-28

Led by Senior Center Jonathan Turner, who had a dominant game on both ends of the floor, recording 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, the Concordia High School Boys Basketball team dismantled Republic County in their first game back from the holiday break, winning 66-28 on Tuesday, January 2nd, to improve to 5-2 on the season.

The Panthers got off to a strong start, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.  Republic County guard Connor Martin connected on a three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining for the only points for the Buffaloes in the opening frame.  Turner, who had 10 points in the first stanza, ended the quarter with a bucket in the paint and Concordia led 16-3.

In the second quarter, Republic County began to find ways to get past the Panthers' full-court defense, led by Martin who scored 9 points in the second period.  Republic County outscored Concordia 15-14 in the second frame, and Concordia went to the halftime with a 12 point lead.

Republic County once again started off the third quarter strong, closing to within single digits for the first time since the first quarter on a transitional basket by Junior Center Owen Cole to trail 34-26 with 4:20 to play.

Concordia quickly found their pace and started to take over.  The Panthers put together a 22-0 run, led by three made three-pointers from Junior Peyton Retter, as well as a trey from Junior Karson Lister.

Able to extend its lead to 30 entering the fourth quarter, Concordia forced a running clock over the final eight minutes of play.  As a result of their lead, Coach Derek Holmes went to the bench, allowing 15 players to receive playing time.  Nonetheless, the Panthers were not willing to slow down, outscoring Republic County 10-2 in the final period.

Turner, reaching double-figures for just the second time this season, shot 7 of 9 from the floor and 3 of 5 from the foul line.  He was named our Nex-Tech Wireless MVP of the Game.

Retter and Senior Guard Payton Breese were also in double digits with 16 and 12, respectively.  Breese was 6 of 8 from the free-throw line, while Retter finished 4 of 8 from behind the arc.

Senior Guard Lewis VanMeter added 7 points and 6 rebounds.  Junior Forward Luke Donovan came off the bench to score 7 points and haul in 5 rebounds.  Donovan received our H&R Block of the Game.

Lister finished with 3 points.  Freshmen Ian Loudermilk and Boone Richard each added 2 points.

Concordia shot 23 of 47 (48.9 percent) from the field and 6 of 14 (42.8 percent) from behind the arc.  The team was also 14 of 20 (70 percent) from the foul line.

The Panthers will return to North Central Kansas League play on Friday, January 5th when they travel to Wamego to face the Wamego Red Raiders.  Wamego is 1-5 on the season and 0-2 in North Central Kansas League action, with losses to Chapman and Clay Center.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm and live coverage of the game can be heard on 1390 KNCK, 98.3 FM and NCKToday.com.