Back to the semis; Scott City knocks out Pratt

Park City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Different players, same scenario. The beat continues for the Scott City Beavers at a state basketball tournament. On Thursday night at Hartman Arena in Park City, the Beavers never trailed to the Pratt Greenbacks, and pulled away for a 71-52 victory to advance to the 8:15 semi-final game Friday night in the the Class 4A, Division II State Tournament.

Scott City started off well, with runs of seven and six in the first five minutes of the game. After leading 18-6 early in the second quarter, Pratt made a 7-0 run to pull to within five at 18-13 with 6:13 remaining before halftime. The Beavers were able to respond with eight out of the next 10 points, and took a 31-21 halftime lead. In the third quarter, both teams seemed to not miss, as the Greenbacks and Beavers traded buckets, before Scott City eventually pulled away. From the 1:02 mark of the third to the 5:18 point of the fourth quarter, the Beavers used a 16-4 run to lead 64-44. Pratt (11-12) pulled no closer than 16 the rest of the away, and Scott City (20-3) advanced on to the semi-finals for the fourth straight year. It was also the Beavers’ 10th straight state tournament win dating to 2011, and the sixth straight state tournament-opening win, going back to 2006. Scott City finished with three in double figures, led by Trey O’Neil with 21 points, including converting five trey’s. Sloan Baker also tied a career-high 18 points and Brett Meyer finished with 12. The Greenbacks got 14 from Christian Kurz and 11 from Samson Kohman.

Scott City will play in the semi-finals against Concordia at 8:15 Friday night at Hartman Arena. The Panthers defeated Girard 77-63 to improve to 19-4. In the first boys semi-final Friday, Andale faces Eudora at 4:45. The Indians defeated Iola 56-47, while the Cardinals defeated Holton 48-32.