Scoring runs propel Circle past Scott City

Towanda, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Playing in their first sub-state title game since 2017, the Scott City Beavers made the four-hour trip on Saturday to face the Circle Thunderbirds for a trip to Salina on Thursday in the Class 4A State Tournament. It would be a tough day for the Beavers, as they saw the Thunderbirds score the first 10 points of the game and never look back in a 61-30 thumping to advance to the Class 4A State Tournament inside The Birdcage at Circle High School.

A combination of cold shooting and turnoveres would put Scott City in a hole early on, as the Thunderbirds soard to a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes, before the Beavers pulled to within 10-6 late in the first quarter. Combine Circle’s rebounding with point swings and three-point plays, Scott City was forced to play from behind the entire way. The Beavers got to within 23-18 midway through the second quarter, when the Thunderbirds used a 12-2 run over a three-minute stretch to lead 35-20 with under a minute left before the break, and take a 35-22 halftime lead. Scott City pulled to within 37-27 with 4:21 left in the third quarter, and that would be the closest they would get the rest of the way. Circle (20-2) closed the game out on a 24-3 run over the final 12 minutes, with consecutive runs of eight, 11, and five. Over the final 12 mintues, Scott City (11-11) was held without a field goal and scored just one fourth quarter point in the 61-30 loss.

The Thunderbirds got a game-high 19 points from Keaton Koenigsman and 16 from Conner Chadwell. They were 14-16 from the foul line and had 15 turnovers. Scott City was led by Avry Noll with 12 points, as the Beavers went just 5-8 from the free throw line, and committed 13 turnovers.

With the win, Circle qualified for state for the first time since 2010, as they played in their second consecutive sub-state championship game. They will play Baldwin Thursday afternoon at 4 pm in the four/five matchup in state tournament play.

Scott City finished 11-11 for the second time in three seasons. They were looking for their first state tournament bid since 2016. The Beavers lose five seniors, including Dylan Duff, Sage Stoecklein, Avry Noll, Cauy Vance and Bryndan Bailey.

Scott City 8 14 7 1–30
Circle 16 19 16 10–61

Scott City (11-11): Ruelas 2 1-2 7; Stoecklein 0 0-0 ; Noll 5 2-2 12; Vulgamore 1 0-0 2; Tarango 1 0-0 3; Rumford 2 2-2 6; Bro. Bailey 0 0-0 0; Radke 0 0-0 0; Vance 0 0-2 0; Bry. Bailey 0 0-0 0; Meza 0 0-0 0; Felker 0 0-0 0; Team: 11 5-8 30
Circle (20-2): Koehn 2 0-0 4; Ahles 0 0-0 0; D’Angelo 1 3-3 5; Smith 0 0-0 0; Beahm 3 2-2 9; Kildow 1 1-1 3; Boldra 2 1-2 5; Koenigsman 6 2-3 19; Chadwell 5 5-5 16; McClain 0 0-0 0; May 0 0-0 0; Team: 20 14-16 61

Three-Point Goals: Scott City 3 (Ruelas 2, Tarango 1), Circle 7 (Koenigsman 3, Chadwell 3, Beahm 1); Turnovers: Scott City 13, Circle 15; Fouls: Scott City 16, Circle 16; Fouled Out: Scott City (Ruelas).

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