Best in the West

For the sixth time in school history, the Seward County Saints are Jayhawk West champions. Seward blew out Garden City 84-59 Wednesday night in the Green House. Seward head coach Bryan Zollinger has been a part of four of the six conference crowns as a player in 1985, assistant to Dale Reed in 1995, and head coach in 2008 and 2011. He says it’s meaningful to him. "As Dale Reed used to always tell us, it’s something not that many people get to do," Zollinger said after beating the Busters for seventh time in nine tries as SCCC head coach. "I’ve been very fortunate and very blessed to have been able to be a part of this place and the many great teams and play in many different roles for this school and I couldn’t be prouder of that."

The Saints sizzled Wednesday night in the clincher at 56 percent shooting from the field. Marquez Patterson was a spectacular third year sophomore Wednesday with 16 points, six assists, and five steals. Jeremy Jones added 17 points and six assists with coaches from South Florida, Arizona State, and Illinois State looking on. Marky Nolen added 13 points and eight rebounds while Rafriel Guthrie dropped in 13. Daveon Boardingham and Irvin Hollinger added 11 points a piece. Zollinger says no one can take this accomplishment away from his players.

"I’m especially happy for our guys," Zollinger said. "It really does change your character as a person if you handle it the right way to know you are capable of success."

Seward is 23-6 overall and 11-4 in the Jayhawk West while the Broncbusters are 19-10 overall and 8-7 in the West. Seward plays at Butler Saturday night at 7:30 on B107.5. The Saints host Labette Tuesday night at a time to be announced.

Wed. Feb. 23
Highland def Fort Scott 67-43*
Kansas City KS def Labette 111-67*
Hutchinson def Pratt 62-60*
Independence def Allen County 113-100*
#21 Seward County def Garden City 84-59*
#6 Coffeyville def Johnson County 84-64*
Colby def Barton County 77-75*
Cloud County def Butler 59-56*
Cowley def Neosho County 74-63*