Scott City basketball sweeps Goodland in Colby

Colby, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–For the first time in 17 days, Scott City and Goodland would meet up on the court. This time, it was on semi-final Friday in two different gyms, The girls game would be a championship semi-final game in the Colby Community Building, and the boys would be a consolation semi-final at the high school. While the Beavers would pick up two wins, their wins were different from the first meeting, as the Lady Beavers lead by double digits most of the way in a 51-37 win, while the Beaver boys got out to a hot start and held on for the 56-49 victory.

Scott City Girls 51, Goodland 37
For the second straight game, Scott City came out strong, thanks to high percentage shots, and solid pressure defense. After the game was tied at two early on, the Lady Beavers went on a 13-0 run over the next five minutes, and took an 18-4 lead after the first quarter. Just 90 seconds into the second frame, Scott City continued their tear with a 6-1 run, and led 24-5 with 6:36 left before halftime. Foul trouble would plague the Lady Beavers for much of the second quarter, as the Cowgirls scored the next 10 points to pull to within 24-15 at the 3:56 mark of the second quarter. Scott City (9-1) only got one basket, and took a 26-16 lead at the break. Goodland (5-6) would get as close as eight midway through the third quarter at 30-22. The Lady Beavers would slowly pull away, and take a 38-25 lead heading into the final quarter. Scott City never let Goodland get one big run, and took a 42-25 lead with 6:12 left. The Cowgirls would make one final surge with an 8-2 run over two minutes to get to within 44-33 with 3:30 remaining. Scott City would close out with seven of the final 11 points, en route to the 51-37 win.

Three Lady Beavers were in double figures, led by Brynn McCormick with 14 points, and Lyndi Rumford and Emily Weathers added 10. Scott City was 9-14 at the foul line, and had 15 turnovers. Taighe Weeter led Goodland with 17 points, as the Cowgirls stayed within striking distance at the foul line, going 12-16, and finished with 18 turnovers. Scott City won the rebounding battle 26-19.

With the win, Scott City has now won eight straight, and leads the series since 1985 26-25. They improved to 32-42 in their 25th Orange & Black, and are now 5-4 in semi-final games, including a 6-2 record against the Cowgirls in the tournament. Goodland is now 35-45 in 27 tournament appearances, and dropped to 2-12 in the championship semi-final.

Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame

Scott City Boys 56, Goodland 49
Scott City put their biggest setback of the year quickly behind them, and got off to one of their hottest starts of the season. The Beavers would never trail in this one, as the closest Goodland got was 5-4 with 5-11 left in the opening frame. Scott City would close out the final 4:54 of the quarter on a 16-3 run to take a 21-7 lead after the first quarter. In the second, the Beavers continued their tear with an 8-2 run and took a 29-11 lead with 5:17 left before the break. The Cowboys would attempt to make small pushes, and got as close as 13 right at the end of the first half, as Scott City (5-5) led 34-21 at recess. In the third quarter, the Beaver lead would swell to as big as 17 twice, before Goodland (1-10) made it 44-31 going into the fourth quarter. Unlike the first meeting, the Cowboys never made a serious push in the final eight minutes until the end. Scott City led 55-37 with 3:27 left, before a 12-1 run by Goodland at the end made the final 56-49.

It was a career afternoon for Harrison King, as he poured in 13 points, while Blaine Culp and Evyan Smith added 10. Scott City struggled at the free throw line, finishing 7-15, and had eight turnovers. Goodland got 21 points from Brennan Brumbaugh and 12 for Henry Cole. The Cowboys had 18 turnovers and shot 6-10 from the foul line. Scott City and Goodland were even on the glass at 24.

With the win, Scott City has now won five straight against the Cowboys, and are 35-17 in the series since 1984. The Beavers also improved to 3-1 vs Goodand all time in the Orange & Black, and improved their record to 36-20, including a 5-2 record in the consolation semi-final. Goodland has dropped eight straight in the tournament and are now 24-53 all time in 26 Orange & Black appearances, including a 6-15 record in the consolation semi-final round.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Results from Friday also saw Colby girls pull away from Beloit in the second half to win 52-37 to advance to Saturday’s championship game. Hays girls defeated Highland Park 50-42, and Valley Center thumped Green Valley Ranch 73-8 in the other consolation semi-final. Highland Park and Green Valley Ranch will play for seventh place at 11:30 am, while Hays takes on Valley Center for fourth place at 1 pm and Goodland takes on Beloit at 2:30 for third place. Scott City will take on Colby in the championship at the Community Building at 4 pm.

On the boys side, Hays defeated Beloit 51-42 and Pine Creek rallied late to knock off Colby 52-49 in the championship semi-finals, and Green Valley Ranch outlasted Hutchinson 82-69 in the other consolation semi-final game. Goodland takes on Hutchinson at 11:30 am, while Scott City takes on Green Valley Ranch at 1 pm at Colby High School for fourth place, Beloit battles Colby in the third place game at 2:30 and Hays battles Pine Creek for the championship at 6 pm.