Scott City picks up season-opening wins against Ulysses
Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–For the first time in a couple of seasons, the crowds were not limited to who could be in attendance, and it was a welcome feeling. Friday’s doubleheader between Scott City and Ulysses would be sweep for the Beavers, as the girls took a 53-19 dominating win, while the boys game would turn out to be a thriller in- the final eight minutes in a 55-52 Scott City win.
Scott City Girls 53, Ulysses 19
The Lady Beavers put the game away early with tough defense, and score the games first 14 points. They led 14-3 after the first quarter, and scored the first 10 points in the second and third periods. Scott City took 27-8 lead at the break, and built their lead to 46-16 after three quarters, forcing a running clock in the fourth frame. They went on to win by 34 at 53-19.
Amber Latta canned four three’s for a game-high 20 points, while Brooke Strine and Erika Felker added nine each. Dalia Garcia had two three’s and led Ulysses with six points.
Scott City has won five straight in the series, and now lead the series 48-37 since 1980. Each of the last five wins has by at least 23 points.
Ulysses 3-5-8-3-19
Scott City 14-13-19-7-53
Ulysses (0-1): Sianuqui 1 0-2 3; Garcia 2 0-0 6; Hill 0 0-0 0; Rojas 0 0-0 0; Hartman 0 0-0 0; Kenny 1 0-4 3; Ewalt 0 0-0 0; Heaton 0 0-0 0; Ballesteros 2 0-0 5; Murray 0 2-4 2; Team: 6 2-10 19
Scott City (1-0): Stevens 0 0-0 0; Rumford 1 1-2 3; Strine 3 3-4 9; Latta 7 2-3 20: Sowers 0 0-0 0; Ford 2 0-0 6; Felker 3 3-4 9; Cupp 2 0-0 4; Cramer 0 0-0 0; Patton 1 0-0 2; Team: 19 9-13 53
Three Pointers: Ulysses 5 (Garcia 2, Sianuqui 1, Kenny 1, Ballesteros 1), Scott City 6 (Latta 4, Ford 2); Turnovers: Ulysses 21, Scott City 11; Rebounds: Ulysses 17, Scott City 33; Fouls: Ulysses 16, Scott City 15; Fouled Out: None.
Coach Amy Felker Postgame
Scott City Boys 55, Ulysses 52
While the first three quarters were somewhat undramatic, the fourth quarter made up for it. Ulysses scored the first five points of the season, while the Beavers countered with the next six. The Tigers would lead 9-8 after the opening eight minutes, only to see Scott City use an 8-2 run to lead 16-11, two minutes into the second quarter. They built their lead to 22-15 late in the first half, before Ulysses worked their way back to trail 23-21 at the break. The Beavers led 28-21 in the third quarter, before the Tigers rallied to tie the game at 28 with a little over three minutes remaining in the third period. Scott City would take a 34-32 lead into the fourth quarter. Then the final period happened. Ulysses took the lead early in the fourth at 37-35, and led 40-37 with 6:09 left. The Beavers would put together an impressive run. They scored the next 14 points to go up 51-40 with 2:23 left. When it looked like this would be a Scott City win, the Tigers would fight their way in. Ulysses took advantage of turnovers and quick shots by the Beavers and scored 10 straight to get to within 51-50 with 23.7 seconds left. The Tigers hit the first of two free throws, but the second free throw missed, and would not have counted because the shooter went over the foul line. Scott City hit their final four three throws and held on for the 55-52 win.
Gus Hawkins came off the bench to lead the Beavers with 15 points, while Carter Gooden added 10. Ulysses got 25 points from Ryan Nightengale.
Since 1980, Scott City leads the series 58-25, and now have won four of the last five in the series.
Ulysses 9-11-12-20-52
Scott City 8-15-11-21-55
Ulysses (0-1): Ysac 0 2-4 2; Metcalf 0 2-2 2; Sifuentes 3 0-0 9; Scott 0 1-2 1; Graber 0 0-0 0; Nightengale 10 6-9 25; Mendez 1 5-5 7; Jacquez 2 0-1 4; Guinn 0 0-0 0; Navarette 0 0-0 0; Team: 16 16-23 52
Scott City (1-0): Metzger 2 0-0 4; Thomas 0 0-0 0; Rodriguez 1 0-2 2; Thon 1 4-4 7; Rumford 0 0-0 0; Hawkins 5 4-8 15; Bailey 2 3-4 7; Weathers 2 2-3 7; Tarango 1 1-2 3; Gooden 2 6-8 10; Team: 16 20-31 55
Three Pointers: Ulysses 4 (Sifuentes 3, Nightengale 1), Scott City 3 (Thon 1, Hawkins 1, Weathers 1); Turnovers: Scott City 20, Ulysses 18; Rebounds: Ulysses 29, Scott City 37; Fouls: Scott City 20, Ulysses 26; Fouled Out: Ulysses (Scott, Nightengale), Scott City (Weathers).
Coach Brian Gentry Postgame
Up next for Scott City is the Clarion Inn Roundball Classic. The girls will play against Garden City on Tuesday at Garden City High School, while the boys begin play on Thursday at home against Coronado. The Lady Beavers play Coronado Thursday and Wichita Trinity on Friday, while the boys will also play Life Prep from Wichita next Friday and take on Liberal next Saturday in Garden City. Ulysses boys and girls teams will face Phillipsburg on Tuesday in the Amos/Morris Classic in Russell.
