Scott City basketball sweeps Holcomb

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Despite snowpacked and slick roads, the games between two GWAC rivals occurred Tuesday night, as the Scott City Beavers played host to the Holcomb Longhorns. The games were originally scheduled for January 11. It would be a night of success for the teams, as the girls game went in favor of the Lady Beavers 46-33, while the Scott City boys picked up a 57-43 win.

Scott City Girls 46, Holcomb 33
Scott City would put their struggles in the Orange & Black in the rearview mirror in the first three minutes of play. They would jump out to a 9-0 lead before the Lady Longhorns scored their first point. The Lady Beavers jumped out to a 12-1 first quarter lead, and eventually a 14-1 lead before Holcomb scored their first field goal It would take just over 10 minutes for the Lady Longhorns to connect on their first field goal, that’s when they pulled to within 14-4. That was the closest they would get the rest of the night. Scott City led by 14 at the break at 22-8, their largest lead of the half.

While Lady Beavers were unable to make a major run in the second half to blow the game open, Holcomb (2-10, 1-3 GWAC) somehow stayed in the game. Scott City (7-5, 4-1) built their largest lead to 18 at 28-10 midway through the third quarter. In the third period, the Lady Longhorns pulled as close as 13 with two minutes at 32-19, before the Lady Beavers took a 36-20 lead into the fourth quarter. Holcomb made a couple final surges, getting to within 42-32 with 3:46 remaining, before Scott City scored four of the games final five points to take the 46-33 victory. The Lady Beavers never trailed in the game.

Lyndi Rumford led three Lady Beavers in double figures, with a game-high 16, while Brynn McCormick and Emily Weathers each had 12 points. Scott City was just 6-17 from the foul line and had 13 turnovers. Madison Ruda led Holcomb with 12 points, and Nicole Ruda added 10. The Lady Longhorns were 10-17 from the free throw line and had 25 turnovers. Both teams had 29 rebounds.

With the win, Scott City has now won six straight, tying a mark of six straight from 2001-04. Holcomb holds the series lead at 29-23.

Scott City Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame

Scott City Boys 57, Holcomb 43
Other than one early tie in the game, the night would belong to Scott City. After Holcomb tied the game at two in the first minute, Scott City went on a 12-0 run and never looked back. The Beavers took an 18-9 lead after the first quarter, holding Holcomb scoreless for a five-minute, 19-second stretch. After the Longhorns pulled to within 18-12 with 6:07 left in the second period, Scott City (8-4, 4-1 GWAC) closed out the final 5:31 of the half on a 13-2 run to take a 31-14 halftime lead.

Whenever the Longhorns had a mini run going, the Beavers would end it. Scott City led 33-14 early in the third quarter, before Holcomb (5-7, 1-3) made a 13-5 run to get as lcose as 38-27 with 2:27 left in the third frame. The Beavers would eventually push their lead to 43-29 going into the fourth quarter. In the final period, Scott City grew their lead to as big as 57-37 with 2:26 left, before the Longhorns scored the games final six points to make the final 57-43.

Parker Vulgamore led the Beavers with a career-high 20 points, 17 coming in the first half, while Marshall Faurot added 17. Scott City was 15-21 from the free throw line, and finished with 11 turnovers. Holcomb got 12 points from Jackson Stoppel. The Longhorns were 6-11 from the line and had eight turnovers. The Beavers won the rebounding battle 29-21.

With the win, Scott City ends their seven-game losing streak to Holcomb. It was tied for the longest streak in the series for the Longhorns. The Beavers now lead the all-time series 30-22. Scott City has now won six out of their last seven overall, while Holcomb has lost five of their last six.

Scott City Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

It was the first time that both Scott City teams won on the same night against Holcomb since 2010.

Up next for Scott City is a trip to Lakin on Friday night in non-league play. The game will be played at Lakin High School, as part of their throwback night. Holcomb will return home to face Colby in a Great West Activities Conference doubleheader.