Lady Beavers survive Larned comeback efforts

Kismet, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Some nights may not be your best night. While it wasn’t Scott City’s best performance of the season Thursday night against Larned in the Class 3A Sub-State semi-finals at Southwestern Heights High School, all that matters is that you find a way to advance in tournament play. That’s what the Lady Beavers did. Scott City would capture the lead in the first quarter, and withstand ever Lady Indian comeback effort in a 50-41 victory to send them to Saturday’s Sub-State Championship game.

Larned would start out with the early lead, and led 6-2 before Scott City would get their offense going. An 8-2 run for the Lady Beavers over the final 4:38 of the first quarter gave them the 10-8 lead after the first quarter. To start the second period, Scott City (16-6) went on a 16-3 run to take a 26-11 lead with 2:43 left in the first half. Out of their own timeout, the Lady Indians would score the next eight points to get to within 26-19 with 56 seconds left in the half, before a late Beaver basket to make it 28-19 at intermission.

In the second half, the Lady Beavers would withstand every comeback by Larned. Scott City would go up 33-21 with 5:33 left in the third quarter, before the Lady Indians answered back with an 8-2 run, and then a 6-2 run in the final 2:30 of the third quarter to get to within 39-35 after three periods. In the fourth, Scott City pushed their lead to 43-35 in the first 90 seconds of the second half before Larned (10-12) would make one final surge. They would get as close as 43-40 with 3:02 left. The Lady Beavers regrouped and hit five of their final six free throws down the stretch, and got a late basket to end the game on a 7-1 run to move on with a 50-41 win.

Emily Weathers led the way for Scott City with 16 points, while Lyndi Rumford and Brynn McCormick finished with 14 points apiece. They struggled from the line, going just 8-16 for the game and finished with 19 turnovers. Larned was led by Ivory Muldrow and Katelynn Sanger with nine points apiece, as they had 18 turnovers and were 13-18 from the line. The Lady Indians were 11-12 through three quarters, and ended up outrebounding Scott Citty 26-23.

With the win, Scott City advances to their school-record third straight sub-state championship game, and evened up the series in postseason play with Larned at 2-2. They last played Larned in sub-state play on February 28, 2002 in Pratt in the semi-finals. It was also the fifth straight win in the series, as they met up for the first time since 2010. Both teams were members of the Mid State Activities Association. The Lady Beavers lead the series 17-14.

Scott City will play Cimarron, who held off a late surge by Colby in a 46-43 final. It will be the second meeting this year between the Lady Beavers and Lady Bluejays. Scott City won 61-54 on January 29.

Sarah McCormick Postgame