DODGE CITY

LADY CONQUISTADOR BASKETBALL

Conqs women get 20th win of season

By John Curtis Dodge City Daily Globe

Sophomore guard Martina Gonzales wasn’t necessarily planning on doing anything special Sunday afternoon in her final home game for the Dodge City Conquistadors.

But she got the hot touch shooting in the second half with four three-point baskets and 12 points to lead the Conqs to a 63-50 victory over the Hutchinson Blue Dragons for her team’s 20th victory of the season.

“I shot at halftime and I took my time shooting for once, instead of rushing my shots,” Gonzales said. “And the coaches stress on me to put some arch on it, and I did, and it went in.

“It was just another game day to me.”

Dodge City head coach Jim Turgeon said he’s been waiting all season for Gonzales to shoot the ball like she did Sunday.

“Today, she got her chance and did a great job,” Turgeon said. “I knew she was capable of shooting well.”

Kezia Snell also had the hot hand for the Conqs (20-10, 8-8 Jayhawk West) by scoring 10 of her 12 points after halftime.

Freshman Chanelle Freeman scored 17 points and grabbed 10 boards came off the bench to score 17 points and grab 10 rebounds for the Conqs. It was her sixth straight double-double in statistics.

She was on the bench so Gonzales could start, and it was a situation that she actually enjoys rather than being a starter, which she has been forced into after injuries and defections earlier in the season.

“I actually liked it better,” Freeman said. “I get a feel of the game and watch the pace of the game, so I know what I have to do.”

“Sophomore night” honored Gonzales, Aroha Jennings and Beth Troutt. Troutt scored 11 points in her final game at the Civic Center, while Jennings scored six points in the win.

Turgeon said the Conqs felt good to be tied 25-25 at halftime, but his team made the adjustments to take control of the game in the second half.

“The kids have to perform the adjustments and they did a good job in doing what we were trying to do,” he said.

Sheena Kuntzsch scored 23 points to lead Hutchinson, while Tessa Morrow added 18 points in the loss.

The Conqs will travel Wednesday to Arkansas City for a Region VI first round matchup against Cowley County (18-12). Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

“They are very good defensively; and other than that, I don’t know much about them,” Turgeon said. “The big thing is that we’re on the road, and we’ve got to be mentally prepared to play on the road.”