Hugoton spoils Scott City’s senior night

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Down to their final few games of the regular season, Scott City hosted Hugoton in a couple of big GWAC matchups. Friday night saw five girls and three boys play their final regular season games on their home floor for the Beavers. While it didn’t matter much for the GWAC standings, but momentum and sub-state placing were of higher standing. Both games ended up going down to the wire, as the Eagles take home two games in Scott City. The girls game ended up 42-40, while the Hugoton boys pulled away in the final minute to win 63-53

Girls
With an opportunity to clinch at least a share of the GWAC crown, Scott City hosted a team they beat on the road earlier in the year. However, Hugoton still has aspirations of a possible three-way tie. Early on, it was the Lady Beavers who shined, using a 10-2 run to build up a 11-6 lead midway through the first quarter. They would hold the lead for the rest of the period, before settling for a 15-12 lead after one period. The Lady Eagles came out hitting, while Scott City went cold from the floor in the second quarter. Hugoton (11-7, 6-3 GWAC) used an 9-2 run to take a 21-17 lead with 2:48 left before the break. Scott City went on a scoreless drought for over three minutes in that stretch. The Lady Eagles got a late basket to go up 23-20 at the break.

Hugoton would hit a three by Laney Hoskinson to open the second half to take a 26-20 lead early on. Scott City (15-4, 7-2) would score seven straight to lead 27-26 with 3:42 left in the third quarter. However, their lead would last just 11 seconds. The Lady Eagles closed out the quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 35-29 lead after three quarters. Hugoton led early in the fourth quarter 39-30 before Scott City made one big push. An 8-0 run pulled them to within 39-38 with 2:36 left. Both teams would trade baskets, and it would be 41-40 Lady Eagles with 1:20 left in the game. The Lady Beavers had ample opportunities to retake the lead, but turnovers and too many missed shots in the final minute doomed them, as they have lost two out of their last three games. Hugoton hit a free throw with 1.8 seconds left to go up 42-40, missed the second, and Scott City would rebound, but had no chance of getting off a good shot, as the Lady Eagles escape with the win.

Hugoton was led by JoHanna Rawlins with 17 points. The Lady Eagles went 5-8 at the foul line and had 21 turnovers. Scott City got 15 from Emily Smith and 10 by Emily Weathers. The Lady Beavers were 4-8 from the free throw line and had only 13 turnovers. Hugoton won the rebounding edge 32-31.

With the win, Hugoton has now won six straight in Scott City, and have now defeated the Lady Beavers 14 out of the last 15 times. The Lady Eagls have now won five out of their last six games.

Boys
While the first meeting saw late-game dramatics, this one would see it drawn out at the free throw line down the stretch. The game however saw seven lead changes and five ties throughout. Hugoton used a 9-0 run in a two-minute stretch of the first and second quarters to take a 21-12 lead with 7:50 left in the first half. Scott City responded in a big way, going on a 13-2 run to take the lead back at 25-23 with 4:56 left in the half. A Mitchell Hamlin three put the Eeagles back up 26-25 nearly 30 seconds later. The teams traded baskets late in the first half after going on four minute droughts, as Hugoton took a 28-27 halftime lead.

After Scott City (9-10, 4-5 GWAC) tied the game at 30 with 7:31 left in the third quarter, the Eagles went on a tear. Hugoton went on a 12-3 run to lead 42-33 midway through the third quarter. The Beavers were only able to get it to within six at the end of the third period at 46-40. To begin the fourth, the Eagles had their first double-digit lead at 50-40 with 6:28 left. Scott City went on a 13-4 run to pull to within 54-53 with 1:45 remaining on a pair of Zach Carson free throws. Unfortunately for the Beavers, it looked as if they ran out of gas, missing their final shots down the stretch. Hugoton (10-8, 6-3) closed the game by going 9-11 from the free throw line over the final 1:25 to pick up their fifth straight win.

Mitchell Hamlin led all scorers with 20 points, while Damian Lewis added 17. The Eagles finished 19-22 at the free throw line, including an 11-14 effort in the final period. They finished with 12 turnovers. Scott City was led by Zach Carson with 14, Marshal Faurot with 13 and Jordan Horn added 10. The Beavers went 5-6 at the foul line and had 10 turnovers. Hugoton won the rebounding edge 27-23.

With the win, Hugoton has won two games in the same season over Scott City for the first time since 1993, when they won the regular season game and the sub-state first round game. They’ve also won for the third straight time in Scott City. Scott City still holds an 18-9 edge on the Eagles since 1989.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Scott City will wrap up their regulars season on Tuesday at Goodland. The Lady Beavers will need a win to capture at least a share of the GWAC title, while the boys look to win to help their chances of hosting a first round sub-state game. They need a win, coupled with a Southwestern Heights win over Cimarron to get a first round home game. A Mustang win and a Beaver loss would put Scott City at Goodland in the first round.

Hugoton will play at Lakin on Tuesday, and host Holcomb on Friday. The Lady Eagles are currently the top seed in the Holcomb sub-state, while the boys are the second seed.