Panthers pull away from Scott City late

Colby, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–If the Scott City Beavers had a chance to pull off the upset, they were going to have to win the defensive glass and handle the Phillipsburg pressure. For a half, they did just that. Unfortunately for the Beavers, turnovers at the end of half, and Panther rebounding in the second half prove  to be too much as the No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A pulled away late to knock off the Scott City Beavers 60-44 in the semi-finals of the Class 3A Sub-State at the Colby Community Building.

Phillipsburg jumped out early to a 9-2 run, only to see the Beavers rally to tie the game at 9 with 2:56 left in the first quarter. The Panthers would take a 12-11 lead after the opening eight minutes. Scott City got two straight three’s to open the scoring in the second quarter to build a 17-12 lead with 5:20 left in the half. Their lead would grow to 23-17 with 3:36 remaining before halftime. That would be their last points of the half. Phillipsburg (20-1) took advantage of foul trouble on the Beavers and closed out the first half with a 7-0 run to lead at the break 24-23.

The Panther’s run would go to 9-0, only to see Scott City (11-11) eventually tie the game at 28 and at 30 all with 4:47 left in the third quarter. After that, it was all Phillipsburg. The Panthers would end the third period on an 8-3 run to take a 38-33 lead into the fourth frame. They eventually grew that lead to 13-3 to go up 43-33 with 7:35 left. The Beavers would get as close at 45-40 with 5:29 left in the game. Phillipsburg would close the game on a 15-4 run and pull away for the 60-44 win.

Phillipsburg had three players in double figures, led by Trey Sides with 17 points, Chris Vankooten with 15, all in the second half and Jordan Ford with 10. The Panthers were just 12-26 from the free throw line and has 12 turnovers. Scott City got a game-high 19 from Marshal Faurot and 11 from Jordan Horn. The Beavers were just 5-7 at the foul line and ended up with 13 turnovers. Phillipsburg won the rebounding battle 30-21, 12 which came on the offensive end.

Phillipsburg advances to their second straight sub-state final, and have not made to state since 1973. The Panthers will face Goodland, who scored the final eight points of the game to stun Lakin 63-61 in the other sub-state semi-final. The Cowboys won on a Wence Hendrich put back at the buzzer. Scott City, who advanced to their 14th consecutive semi-final in sub-state play, saw a run of nine consecutive sub-state championship appearances come to and end.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame