Scott City boys fend off Mustangs

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Playing in not only their final home game of the year, but also their final varsity game inside the Scott Community High School Gymnasium, the Beavers looked to get past a scrappy Southwestern Heights squad Tuesday night. It was good early, and to close, as the Beavers led from start to finish in 72-60 win over the Mustangs to advance to Friday’s sub-state semi-final at Southwestern Heights.

Scott City came out guns a blazing, hitting their first six shots from the floor, and jumped out to an 8-0 lead with 6:12 left in the first quarter. The last two points were highlighted by an alley hoop from Marshall Faurot to Joe Evans. After Southwestern Heights got to within 10-6 midway through the first quarter, the Beavers went on an 11-4 run to close the first to lead 21-10. The Mustangs pulled to within eight on a pair of occasions in the first couple minutes of the second quarter, with the last coming at 25-17 with 5:57 left before half. Scott City (13-8) would go on a 13-2 run over three minutes to lead 36-17 with 2:15 to go in the second frame. Southwestern Heights scored four of the final five points to make it a 36-21 halftime score.

In the second half, the Beavers would lead 41-23 early in the second half, and the Mustangs would slowly attempt to get back into the game. A 13-4 run pulled Southwestern Heights (8-13) to within 47-36 with 2:51 left in the third frame. Scott City would bounce back and would go on a 9-2 run to push the lead to 56-38 with 26.3 seconds left in the third quarter. A late three pointer by the Mustangs would pull them to within 56-41 heading into the fourth quarter. The Beavers would score the first points of the final frame to lead 58-41. When it looked like Scott City would start to cruise to the win, Southwestern Heights would make one furious rally. A 14-4 run over five minutes pulled the Mustangs to within 62-55 with 2:26 remaining. The Beavers would settle down, and hit eight free throws in the final 1:48 left in the game to advance on to the sub-state semi-finals.

Marshall Faurot would lead all scorers with 24 points, and went 10-10 from the free throw line, while Parker Vulgamore added 18 point, going 10-17 at the line. The Beavers went 23-36 from the foul line, and had 12 turnovers. Ruben Torres led Southwestern Heights with 16 points, while Juan Garcia had 14 and Efren Mercado added 13. They were 7-10 from the free throw line and finished with 13 turnovers. Scott City outrebounded the Mustangs 25-24.

With the win, Scott City is now 8-0 all-time against Southwestern Heights, including a 3-0 record against the Mustangs in sub-state play. The Beavers won their 13th consecutive sub-state quarterfinal game since 2005. Southwestern Heights now has lost six straight sub-state quarterfinal games.

It was the final game in the Scott Community High School Gymnasium, as they will be playing in the new gym at Scott City Middle School next year, that is part of the $25 million bond passed by voters in November, 2017. The Beavers have played in the current high school gym since the early 1960’s.

Scott City will face Hugoton Friday night at Southwestern Heights in a sub-state semi-final. The Eagles knocked off Cimarron 72-54. Larned and Colby will meet in the other semi-final. The Indians pulled away in the second half for a 66-47 win over Goodland, while the Eagles took down Holcomb 58-49.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame