BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

When all-stater Ian Premer (23 ppg) was sidelined for the season with a foot injury, it's easy to see why someone would've written a season-ending script for Great Bend's boys basketball team.

But Jacob Hall and his Panther teammates continue to show why they're alive for a share of the Western Athletic Conference basketball championship.

Hall followed up a school record 42-point game with a 32-point scoring burst in an 83-61 victory over Liberal Monday. One again, the Panthers thrived with a fast-paced offensive style.

The victory opens the door for the Panthers (13-8, 6-1 WAC) to share the WAC title when the Hays Indians (16-4, 6-0 WAC) visit Friday, which always guarantees a wild atmosphere.  

The undersized 6-foot-2 Hall used his patience to work the paint flawlessly against a variety of shifting defenses. Time-after-time Hall used a crafty left-handed shot for 12 of 15 field goals to beat Liberal's defense.

"Jacob is a tough, hard-nosed player," said Great Bend coach Kyle Kriegh. "He comes to work every day. He always seems to fly under the radar." 

Liberal (2-18, 0-6 WAC) played an efficient offensive first half with 14 of 33 shooting and four turnovers. Liberal's best player James Fieser scored 20 points and surprising Eathan Hernandez scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half.

Hall countered with a 13-point half. Jaxon Wondra split the gaps for an 11-point first half for a 38-31 Panther halftime lead.

The usual defensive thieves, Daxton Minton and Cooper Ohnmacht sparked a 26-point third quarter with several steals that broke the game open.

"It started on the defensive end." Kriegh said. "Daxton's a defensive stud."

Great Bend converted 10 of 12 field goals to start the third quarter keyed by flawless teamwork and passing. Hall scored 10 points in the quarter. Minton and Tavon Stroup combined for 12 points. Great Bend scored 45 second-half points keyed by 17 of 24 second-half shooting (71%). 

"We moved the ball and passed the ball better after halftime," Kriegh said.

The super subs took over late. Cole Fanshier and Eli Contreras converted late-game baskets. Freshman point guard Gavin Wondra showed his moxie with a confidence that's proved he's capable of contributing.

Liberal 17 14 12 18 — 61 

Great Bend 15 23 26 19 — 83

LIBERAL (2-18, 0-6)—Fieser 10-17 0-0 20; Hernandez 6-11 (3-7) 2-2 17; Collins 3-7 (2-3) 1-2 9; Moreno Gonzalez 3-8 (0-1) 1-2 7; Castillo (1-1) 1-2 4; Diego Martin 1-5 (0-4) 0-0 2; Olvera 0-5 (0-3) 0-0 0; Olmstead 1-2 0-0 0; Contreras (0-1) 0-0 0; Cardenas 0-3 (0-1) 0-0 0; Totals 25-60 (6-22) 5-8 61 

GREAT BEND (13-8, 6-1)—Jacob Hal 12-15 (1-1) 7-9 32; Ohnmacht 3-10 (1-1) 4-4 11; Jaxon Wondra 4-7 (1-2) 2-2 11; Minton 4-6 (1-1) 0-0 9; Stroup 3-4 (2-2) 0-0 8; Alec :Premer 1-3 (0-2) 1-2 3; Price 2-2 0-0 4 Fanshier 1-1 0-0 2; Gavin Wondra 0-0 1-2 1, Kaiser 0-1 0-0 0; Prilling (0-1) 0-0 0; Contreras 1-1 0-o 2; Totals 31-51 (6-11) 15-19 83