Scott City boys survive Bronc scare, advance to Lakin Sub-State title game

Lakin, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Entering Thursday night’s semi-final games, there was no team that looked to be the clear cut favorite. Both games ended up being close games, and the top seeds ended up with the wins in the end. Scott City survived the three-point barrage of the Broncs in the first half, and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 64-54 win to send them to Saturday’s 7:30 sub-state championship game. This was the fourth straight year that the Beavers have played the sub-state host on their court, and have won all four. 

Scott City started off with hot shooting, hitting five of their first six shots, and six of their first eight to take a 14-4 lead midway through the first quarter. What may have been more impressive than anything with their start was that the Beavers had five different scorers in their first five baskets. Lakin came back, thanks in most part to the three-ball. an 11-4 run in the final 3:45 of the first stanza brought the Broncs to within 18-15 heading into the second period. 

While the Beavers would build their lead back to seven midway through the second quarter. Lakin (13-9) battled back, using a 14-6 run to take a 31-30 lead with 1:17 remaining before halftime. Their lead would only last 15 seconds. Scott City tied the game on a free throw to tie the game at 31, which would be the halftime score.

The second half would see the Beavers never trail. Scott City (17-5) scored the first five points of the half, which ended up being the margin going into the final quarter at 45-40. Lakin could get no closer than three in the period. The Broncs scored a pair of free throws to pull to within three early on the period at 45-42, and would last trail 51-48 with 4:34 remaining. That’s when the Beavers would pull away. An 8-0 run over a 3:42 span in the fourth quarter would give Scott City their biggest lead at 59-48 with 1:24 remaining, and would hit five of six free throws down the stretch to ensure another sub-state title appearance. 

Both teams’ leading scorers finished with career highs. Bo Hess led Scott City with 27 points, while Dylan Hutchins added 13 and Drake McRae finished with 10. Ryder Yakel closed out his career with a career-best 39 points, and was 13-14 from the charity line to go along with four three’s in the first half. The Beavers were 14-20 from the foul line, while the Broncs finished 15-20. After hitting seven three-pointers in the first half, Lakin was shut out around the perimeter in the second half.

With the win, Scott City extended their win streak against the High Plains League to 22, and to 11 vs Lakin. The advancement to the sub-state championship game is their eighth straight, the 11th time in the 12 years for the Beavers. Over the last 20 years, Scott City has played in the sub-state title game 16 times.

Scott City will play the Sterling Black Bears in the sub-state championship game Saturday night at 7:30 in Lakin. Sterling held off Larned 68-64 to improve to 17-5 on the year. The Black Bears were led by Kenan Comley with 32 points, as they were 13-35 from three-point range. Larned’s season ends at 14-8.

Assistant Coach Brian Gentry Postgame