DCHS Sports

Western Athletic Conference Votes to Implement Shot Clock

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New rule will take effect next season for both boy and girls varsity basketball

The five members schools of the Western Athletic Conference have voted to implement a 35-second shot clock for the 2024-25 basketball season. The KSHSAA recently announced that schools would be given the option to adopt this new rule for a trial basis for next season. Leagues from all over Kansas have been discussing this rule change for several years and have until the fall to make a final decision.

However, the WAC administrators moved quickly for approval to allow for purchase of new equipment, acclimation during the summer months for their programs, and the need to communicate the rule
change with other schools that will be competing against WAC schools – including tournaments.

According to the KSHSAA website, “member high schools in all classifications have the option to utilize the shot clock for all home boys’ and girls’ basketball games at the varsity level. If a school chooses to use the shot clock, they will do so for all regular season varsity games. This includes any regular season varsity tournament games hosted by the school. If schools opt into the trial, the shot clock must be used by both girls’ and boys’ varsity teams. The shot clock will not be utilized in any classification for any round of the 2024-2025 post-season.”

The newest facilities in the WAC (Garden City & Hays) are already, or will be, equipped with shot-clocks and LED-lit score boards. The remaining schools will have to purchase shot-clocks for at least their main gyms. For schools hosting varsity tournaments, all facilities must have shot clocks installed. According to the current WAC President, Jay Gifford of Dodge City, the decision was not too difficult for the schools as there seemed to be no hesitation from any of the head coaches in the conference. Gifford also cited the amount of research and observation that has occurred to give the schools confidence in the fact that this rule change has the ability to improve the quality of games and align Kansas with several states that have already made the change.

Following the 2024-25 season, the KSHSAA Executive Board will consider future adoption of the shot clock for regular and postseason basketball games.

43rd Annual FCA Breakfast Featuring Ty Zimmerman

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Saturday, January 20, 2024
Dodge City High School – 8:30 am
Sponsored by SUNFLOWER BANK

Dodge City High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the TOC are excited to announce Ty Zimmerman as the 43rd Annual FCA Breakfast speaker for the 81st Annual TOC.

Ty Zimmerman is currently FCA’s Area Director serving North Central Kansas.

As a graduate of Junction City High School, Ty played football for Kansas State University from 2010-2013 and had a short stint with the New Orleans Saints in 2014. After his playing career ended, he stayed in the world of sports, teaching and coaching in Junction City.

His father, Randall Zimmerman, has been the head football coach at Junction City for the past thirty years. It was during this time that he truly began a relationship with Jesus, and began to have a desire towards full time ministry.

God led me to FCA, where I get to merge my background in athletics and my newfound life with Jesus in such a cool way. It’s a great joy to know and follow Jesus, and an even greater joy to see other people come to know and follow Jesus. FCA gives me a platform for that!”

– Ty Zimmerman

Ty travels the state of Kansas encouraging high school students with his personal testimony and the good news message of hope and purpose.

Ty married his high school sweetheart, Mandy. They have two children: Brinley, and Ezra. The Zimmermans love spending time together as a family, having random dance sessions in their living room, and being outside in God’s beautiful creation.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door the morning of the event.

The Boot Hill FCA exists solely to help provide an inspirational program and breakfast for the teams competing in the Tournament of Champions.

For over 40 years, the FCA Breakfast has been part of the tradition of the TOC. On top of the generous support of Sunflower Bank, this organization relies on donations from local businesses and individuals to keep the breakfast free of charge for the teams competing in the tournament each year.

Anyone interested in donating to the Boot Hill FCA can contact Jay Gifford at Dodge City High School for details. FCA is an EFCA accredited ministry.

81st Annual Tournament of Champions

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Day 1 Recap

The longest running high school invitational boys’ basketball tournament west of the Mississippi is back for year 81! The Tournament of Champions has aged well with a lot of great basketball played in Dodge City over the past eighty years.

This year’s tournament will follow the normal Thursday through Saturday format. Games will begin on Thursday with Dodge City tipping off against Maize at 7p. On Saturday, the Championship game will tip off at 5p. All games will be played at the United Wireless Arena.

Another T.O.C. tradition that will return this year is the FCA Breakfast – held on Saturday morning at 8:30am at Dodge City High School. This year’s speaker is former All-American from Kansas State University – Ty Zimmerman. Tickets will be available at the door – the morning of the event.

The Dodge City Pep Band, Drill Team, and Cheerleaders will perform at all Dodge City games with special performances throughout the tournament. The National Anthem will be performed by DCHS students before each session.

Centura | CommonSpirit – St. Catherine Hospital of Dodge City continues to be the Official Tournament Sponsor and will participate in the Championship Trophy presentation on Saturday night.

Other awards include: medals presented to Top 3 Teams, Sportsmanship medals – presented by the Lions Club, All-Tournament Basketball Team – presented by DCHS Alumni Association, Most Inspirational Player – presented by DCHS, and All-Academic Awards – presented by the Rotary Club.

All tournament games will be live streamed on the NFHS Network. Reserved seating tickets are on sale now at the United Wireless Arena Box Office. DCHS Student Tickets are on sale at the DCHS Athletic Office.

Sunflower Bank named official corporate partner of the Backyard Battle Rivalry Series

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The Dodge City and Liberal High School Athletic Departments are pleased to announce that Sunflower Bank has chosen to partner with both schools for naming rights to the Backyard Battle Rivalry Series.

Dodge City and Liberal have been competing on the football field since 1919. In 1921, the rivalry moved to the basketball court. Fast forward to the 2023-24 school year – the rivalry includes multiple match-ups across 20 sports each year! Over the course of the past 100 years the rivalry has grown not only in intensity but also in the number of events hosted by the two communities. 

The rivalry series will begin this winter as Dodge City High School and Liberal High School will compete for a trophy that will be presented each time the two schools compete in the following: Boys & Girls Basketball, Boys & Girls Wrestling. The series hopes to expand to several more potential events over the course of the spring and fall seasons.  

Sunflower Bank has been able to build longstanding relationships with these schools and communities through our ABC program and other efforts. We are both honored and excited for the opportunity to support these two amazing cities and school districts in this 104-year-old competition.”

– AJ Krehbiel, Marketing Associate, Sunflower Bank

What better sponsor for these annual battles than Sunflower Bank of Dodge City and Liberal!  Sunflower Bank (founded in 1892) has been around even longer than the rivalry between the two schools!”

– Jay Gifford, A.D., Dodge City High School

What a way for Sunflower Bank to continue to be visible and recognized for their community support of the student athletes and programs representing each school!”

– Kerri Miles, A.D., Liberal High School

Red Demons Tame the Tigers

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Dodge City remains unbeaten at Fieldhouse

Dodge City, KS – In the final non-conference game of 2023, the Red Demons came away with a resounding victory over the Ulysses Tigers with a final score of 58-31.

The Red Demons took an early lead, thanks to a series of impressive plays, including a three-pointer from Anthony Perez, assisted by Ty Scheck.

As the first quarter progressed, the Red Demons maintained their defensive intensity, causing turnovers and converting them into points. Grayden Gamblin played a crucial role with steals and offensive rebounds, contributing to the early lead. The quarter ended with the Red Demons leading 10-6.

The second period saw the Red Demons extending their lead with strong defensive plays and efficient scoring. Bryson Unzueta and Jaiden Springer showcased their offensive capabilities, leading to a halftime score of 20-7 in favor of the Red Demons.

The third period witnessed an even more dominant performance by the Red Demons. Scheck, Tochi Okoro, and Perez led the scoring charge, while the team’s defense continued to stifle the Tigers. The period ended with the Red Demons holding a commanding 40-16 lead.

In the final period, the Red Demons maintained their dominance, with Springer and Okoro leading the offensive charge. The game concluded with a final score of 58-31, marking a convincing victory for the Red Demons.

Key statistics from the game highlight the Red Demons’ well-rounded performance, including efficient field goal shooting (64.3%) and solid defensive plays leading to (16) Ulysses turnovers. Anthony Perez and Tochi Okoro led the team in scoring with (12) apiece, while Jaiden Springer finished with (11) points.

The Red Demons now head into Christmas Break at (2-4) and next face Garden Plain on January 3rd at the Fieldhouse.

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