Garden City sweeps Scott City

Garden City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Saturday wrapped up a 24-game Clarion Inn Roundball Classic, as Scott City make the journey outside the friendly confines for the first time this year, as they would face host Garden City. While on paper it looked like both games would be quality, only one turned out to be good. And it was the Buffaloes prevailing in both games. The girls game saw Garden City rally from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win in overtime 59-53, while the Buffalo boys completed the sweep with a 62-27 rout of the Beavers.

Girls
Garden City would start off well and would close the game well. In between, it was dominated by Scott City. The Lady Buffs raced out to a 10-2 lead with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter, only to see the Lady Beavers respond with a 13-6 run to end the first quarter, as Garden City led 16-15 at the end of the period. After the Lady Buffs scored the first two points of the second half, Scott City (3-1) responded with a 10-0 run in a three minute span to go up 25-18 with 3:15 left in the half. The Lady Buffs came back and got to within two at intermission at 31-29.

To open the second half, Scott City used an 8-2 run to lead 39-31 with 3:51 left in the third period. Both teams traded 4-0 runs and eventually it would be a 43-37 Lady Beaver lead after three quarters. Garden City (3-3) would turn to the Calzonetti sisters. After scoring the last points of the third period, they scored the first eight of the fourth quarter to take their first lead of the second half at 45-43 with 4:41 remaining. The lead would exchange hands three times in the fourth quarter, and when it looked like the Lady Buffs were going to win this one, Scott City had other plans. The Lady Beavers scored five points in the final 34 seconds, including a layup off a missed Lady Buffalo basket by Bailey Latta with 10 seconds to go to force overtime, tied at 53. Josie Calzonetti and Julie Calzonetti had 15 of Garden City’s 16 points in the fourth quarter.

In the extra period, It was all Garden City, as they scored all six points to win 59-53, winning their sixth straight game in the Roundball Classic.

Leading the way was Josie Calzonetti who finished with 21 points, while Julie Calzonetti had 13 and Beth Guymon added 11. Garden City was 16-30 at the foul line. Scott City got 12 from Macie Price and 11 from Emily Weathers. The Lady Beavers were 8-18 at the free throw line.

Scott City Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame

Boys
Going in, both teams have had their ups and downs. By the end of the game, it was the highest of highs for Garden City and the lowest of lows for Scott City. The Buffaloes would pour it on early en route to a 62-27 win.

After Scott City led early on 2-0, Garden City used a 13-0 run, and never looked back. The Buffaloes led 15-6 after the first quarter, and the Beavers were unable to get any closer the rest of the night. In the second quarter, the Garden City (4-2) used a 7-0 run to go up 30-9 with 1:33 remaining in the half, and led by as many as 22 at 33-11, before taking a 33-14 halftime lead.

The second half was much the same. Scott City (1-3) was unable to get a run going, and every time the Beavers hit a basket, Garden City responded, and used a pair of 7-0 runs in the second half. They took a 48-22 lead after three quarters, and forced a continuous clock in the fourth quarter with 6:17 remaining on a Jayden Crook three pointer to go up 55-24. The Buffaloes led by as many as 26, before winning by 35 at 62-27.

Jayden Crook had a career night with 21 points on six three’s, while Garrett Doll finished with 11 points. Garden City was just 1-2 from the foul line, and only committed eight turnovers. Scott City got a career-high 10 from Jackson Lewis off the bench, his first points in his four-game varsity career. The Beavers were 9-13 at the foul line, but turned the ball over 23 times.

With the win, Garden City finishes 2-1 in the Roundball Classic  for the first time since 2013. Scott City goes winless in the Roundball Classic for the first time ever. It was Scott City’s worst defeat since an 81-46 loss to Ponca City, OK in the Valley Center Tournament on January 20, 1996.

Scott City Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Scott City will have 10 days off before they travel to Colby for their league opener on Tuesday, December 19. Garden City opens up WAC play in their next game at Great Bend on January 5, 2018.