Scott City boys rally over Colby, girls fall to Highland Park

Colby, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The last time Scott City lost to Colby was in the Orange & Black Classic in 2009 in a semi-final game. That was 20 games ago. Saturday’s third place game was by far the closest that the Eagles came to snapping that streak. In fact, they had the lead for a great majority of the game. Despite having their top two scorers foul out, the Beavers dug deep, and found a way to hold off Colby in a dramatic affair 49-48 to claim 3rd place in the 34th Annual Paul Wintz/Tom Bowen Orange & Black Classic at the Colby Community Building.

Despite two ties, Colby held the lead through the first three quarters. The Eagles took a 10-6 lead after one quarter, and scored the first six points of the second quarter to lead 16-6 with 4:50 left in the half. Following a Colby 19-9 lead, Scott City slowly chipped in to the deficit. closing on a 9-4 run to get to within 23-18 at the break.

The largest lead the Eagles would have in the second half was at six points with 6:39 remaining in the third period at 27-20. Scott City (7-4) scored six straight to pull to within 27-26 with 5:32 left in the quarter. After Colby (6-6) pushed their lead to 31-26 midway through the third quarter, the Beavers were able to tie the game at 34 on a pair of free throws with 33.6 seconds remaining in the period. In the opening minute of the fourth, Scott City took their first lead with three straight points. The Eagles responded with a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to lead 43-39 with four minutes left. Hunter Yager fouled out on a three-point play, and with 2:25 left, Marshall Faurot picked up his fifth foul. Colby would lead 47-43 at that point.

Without their top two scorers on the floor, the Beavers were able to score at the foul line. Senior Parker Vulgamore hit four straight free throws, including the go-ahead free throws with 1:09 remaining to go up 49-47. Blaine Culp tie the game with two free throws 21 seconds earlier. Colby would hit one out of two free throws with 39.9 seconds left to pull to within 49-48. Despite two turnovers, Scott City defended well enough to not allow the Eagles an easy look at the basket.

Following a a tie up with 1.7 seconds left and both teams burning their final timeouts, Colby had one last look, as a three pointer hit the side of the backboard, and the Beavers squeaked out a nailbiter. Scott City had only one field goal in the fourth quarter, and 13 of their 15 points came at the free throw line.

Marshall Faurot led Scott City with 15 points, while Parker Vulgamore added 12, going 10-18 from the charity line. The Beavers went 13-18 in the fourth quarter at the line, and finished 21-34 for the game. Jordan Schippers led Colby with 12 and Calvin Stapp added 11. The Eagle were 10-17 from the free throw line. Scott City won the rebounding battle 28-21.

Faurot was named to the All-Tournament Team, as well as winning the Gary Garrett Sportsmanship Award. Parker Vulgamore was also named to the All-Academic Team.

With the win, Scott City is now 35-19 in 18 appearances in the Orange & Black, 2-3 in third place games, and 3-3 vs Colby in the Orange & Black. Colby dropped to 35-67 in 34 Orange & Black appearances, and 4-5 in third place games.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

The Scott City Lady Beavers were also in the third place game at the same time as the boys, game, facing their first-ever team from the Centennial League in Highland Park from Topeka. Highland Park would lead the entire way, taking a 64-51 win. The Lady Beavers trailed 26-18 after the opening quarter, and 37-31 at the break. In the second half, Scott City (6-5) pulled to within six in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get any closer. The Lady Beavers have dropped back to back games for the first time in two seasons.

With the loss, Scott City is now 30-42 in 24 Orange & Black appearances, and fell to 2-4 in third place games. Highland Park finished 2-1 in their first appearance in the tournament, as they improved to 9-5 on the season.

Emily Weathers was named to the All-Tournament Team for the second consecutive year and Madison Shapland was selected for the All-Academic Team.

Other scores in the tournament on Saturday, on the girls side, Goodland defeated Green Valley Ranch 71-31 in the seventh place game, Fountain Fort Carson beat Pine Creek in the fourth place game 55-40, and Hays shut down Colby 50-19 in the championship game. On the boys side, Green Valley Ranch knocked off Goodland 45-29 in the seventh place game, Hays took care of Christian Heritage 83-53 in the fourth place game, and Maize defeated Pine Creek 69-42 in the championship game.

Scott City will host Holcomb on Tuesday night in a makeup game from January 11.