McCormick steps down as Scott City girls basketball coach

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Before Sarah McCormick took over the Scott City Lady Beaver basketball program in 2015-16, the program had struggled, going 21-84 in five seasons, with no sub-state wins during that time, and the program had never qualified for a state tournament. Over the next five years, the Lady Beavers went 77-42 under McCormick, going to four straight state tournaments. 

Citing family reasons, McCormick and her husband, Brad had their resignations approved at the USD 466 Board of Education meeting on Monday night. Brad served as the high school principal over the past five years, and Sarah also taught English in the school district. Brad will be teaching science in the Cheney school district. 

It didn’t take long for the Lady Beavers to turn around under McCormick. The big turnaround began in her first year, as they won their first sub-state game since 2009, and came within two points of making it to their fist sub-state championship game in 14 years. It would turn out to be the only time during her tenure that they had a sub-.500 record. Scott City would qualify for the state tournament the next four years, claiming a fourth place finish in 2017 in Class 4A, DII. The Lady Beavers were also 12-1 in sub-state play in McCormick’s five seasons. 

This year, Scott City won a school-record 20 wins, and continued their school record of consecutive state tournament berths at four. The four consecutive appearances at state are the only appearances in school history. Their four consecutive winning seasons are the longest since the 2000-2004 seasons, and 70 wins are the most in a four-year run in program history. 

The Lady Beavers will lose four starters and five seniors, including McCormick’s oldest daughter, Brynn, from a team that went 20-4 during the 2019-20 season. Brynn will be a junior in the fall.

Scott City Coach Sarah McCormick