By MIKE KESSINGER

mkessinger@gctelegram.com

All that is on the mind of Garden City Community College men's basketball head coach Kris Baumann right now is his team's conference battle at Dodge City on Wednesday.

Nothing else matters. Not that it's on the road, not that the Broncbusters (14-6, 3-4) are on a two-game losing streak. It's all irrelevant to Baumann. The only thing that matters is going to Dodge City and winning a Jayhawk Conference game.

"We lost to two quality teams -- and you know, it's a rivalry game on Wednesday," Baumann said. "One of the things with being Garden City is you have to beat Dodge City. It's a big rivalry at the high school level, it's a big rivalry at the junior college level. We're going to practice hard for two days and get ready to go over there and play, and see if we can go over there and give them a run for their money."

As Baumann knows, it's easier said than done. In his two previous trips to Dodge City, one as an assistant coach at Garden City in 2006, neither trip has been successful. Even with the Conquistadors (10-9, 2-4) on a slide of their own with three straight losses, Baumann said he won't take this trip for granted. The game is set to tip-off at 8 p.m.

"It's always a pretty good game," Baumann said. "You can throw both teams' records out. Our kids know their kids, their kids know our kids. I'm excited about it."

The Busters will have their work cut out for them as they face Dodge City headliners Ty Patterson, a 6-foot-6 guard averaging 18.4 points, and Anthony Harris, a 6-7 forward who has scored 18.5 points and 7.3 rebounds a game. Cory Perkins also has been an asset to the Conqs with his 6.94 assists average.

"We have got to go over and handle our business," Baumann said. "Since I've been here, we have not won over there. It's going to be quite a challenge for our kids."

Garden City will counter with a group that likes to push the ball and isn't afraid to put up a three-point shot. Guard Corey Claitt has been the Busters' leading scorer this season, dropping in 17.7 points a game. His last two games have been a bit of a struggle. Against Hutchinson on Saturday, Claitt scored 10 points on just 3-of-10 from the floor.

"I think people are keying on him a little and trying to take some things away from him," Baumann said of Claitt. "I think Corey's going to have a good week for us. We've got two big games this week, and he's been pretty consistent the whole year."

Besides Claitt, the Busters will use guard Tyrone Flemming's shooting touch from the outside along with his ability to drive inside. Sterling Link has been Garden City's most consistent presence around the rim, averaging just under eight points. While he shares time with Tim Brown in the low post, forward Trevor Ottley has given the Busters a recent lift, scoring eight points and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds against Hutchinson.

"I think Trevor's come along nicely," Baumann said. "He's starting to play his best basketball this season. I think this is the right time to start playing. He's put two good games back to back and he's got a little bit of confidence."