Scott City splits on final day of Sterling Invitational

Sterling, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Friday wrapped up a busy week of basketball for Scott City, as the girls took on Hugoton in the third place game, while the boys faced Smoky Valley in the fifth place matchup. The Lady Beavers struggled in a 58-29 loss, while the boys hung on for a 47-46 victory.

Hugoton Girls 58, Scott City 29
The Lady Eagles came out strong and never gave Scott City any opportunity to get a run going during the afternoon in the third place game at the Gleason Center. Hugoton led 14-4 after the first quarter, and expanded their lead to 28-12 at the break. After the Lady Beavers scored the first two points of the second half, the Lady Eagles scored the next 16 point to lead 44-14 with 2:38 left in the third quarter. That was their largest lead of the game. Hugoton took a 46-18 lead into the fourth quarter. Scott City had their biggest quarter in the fourth scoring 11 points, as the Lady Eagles picked up their second win over the Lady Beavers in three weeks in a 58-29 win.

Mikyn Hamlin led the way with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Gianna Vos had 17 to lead Hugoton. Erika Felker had a career-high 20 points to lead Scott City.

Scott City finished fourth for a second straight year in the Sterling Invitational.

Scott City 4 8 3 11-29
Hugoton 14 14 18 12-58

Scott City (6-6): Stevens 0 0-0 0; Rumford 1 0-2 2; Strine 0 0-0 0; Gentry 0 0-0 0; Latta 1 1-2 3; Sowers 0 0-0 0; Felker 8 1-1 20 Kough 0 0-0 0; Cupp 0 0-0 0; Lewis 0 0-0 0; Cramer 0 0-0 0; Patton 1 0-0 2; Team: 12 2-5 29
Hugoton (8-2): Salazar 0 0-1 0; Slocum 0 0-0 0; Vos 6 1-2 17; Adigun 3 1-1 7; Goode 0 0-0 0; Haar 3 1-2 7; Hamlin 10 3-9 25 Lott 1 0-0 2; Team: 23 6-17 58

Three-Pointers: Scott City 3 (Felker 3); Hugoton 6 (Vos 4, Hamlin 2); Rebounds: Scott City 35, Hugoton 34; Turnovers: Scott City 23, Hugoton 7; Fouls: Scott City 9, Hugoton 6; Fouled Out: None.

Scott City Boys 47, Smoky Valley 46
Playing shorthanded for a third game this week, Scott City built up a lead, and was able to survive a late Viking rally. Smoky Valley led for most of the first half, and had an 8-4 lead heading into the second period. Trailing 12-7 early in the second, the Beavers went on a 15-2 run over a five-minute stretch to take a 22-14 lead late in the half, and led by six at intermission at 22-16. Smoky Valley made one early run in the third frame to pull to within 26-24, before Scott City scored the next seven to lead 33-24 with 1:41 left in the third quarter. The Beavers led 37-30 heading into the final frame, and buried a pair of three’s in the first minute to go up 43-30. That’s when the Vikings would rally. Trailing 45-33 with 5:36 left in the the game, Smoky Valley took advantage of Beaver turnovers, and used a 13-2 run to pull to within 47-46 with 1:19 left. With under 20 seconds left, Scott City turned the ball over, and the Vikings had a chance. Smoky Valley had a good look at a game-winning three, but it went off the rim, and Scott City won their second one-point game of the year.

Scott City was led by Gus Hawkins with 19 points, and Haven Lysell-Steward led Smoky Valley with 15 points.

The Beavers go 2-1 on the week for a fifth place finish and lead the series against the Vikings 2-0. Scott City also surpassed their win total from a year ago, and improved to 3-3 in games decided by three points or less.

Smoky Valley 4 8 14 16-46
Scott City 8 18 15 10-47

Smoky Valley (4-7): Apel 3 0-0 6; Pihl 3 0-0 8; Miller 1 0-0 3; Blanchat 2 0-0 4; Pickering 3 0-1 8; Lysell-Stewart 6 3-4 15; Griffith 1 0-0 2; Team: 19 3-7 46
Scott City (6-6): Thomas 1 0-0 2; Noll 0 0-0 0; Thon 2 1-2 6; Rumford 2 0-0 5; Hawkins 9 1-3 19; Bailey 1 0-0 3; Tarango 2 3-3 8; Gooden 2 0-0 4; Team: 19 5-8 47

Three-Pointers: Smoky Valley 5 (Pihl 2, Pickering 2, Miller 1); Scott City 4 ( Thon 1, Rumford 1, Bailey 1, Tarango 1); Rebounds: Smoky Valley 16, Scott City 19; Turnovers: Smoky Valley 12, Scott City 14; Fouls: Smoky Valley 12, Scott City 11; Fouled Out: None.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame