Scott City girls rally to knock off Lakin
Lakin, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–When Scott City was down 24-7 with 6:11 in the first half, things looked bleak for the Lady Beavers. Lakin had been hot shooting from the floor and had things going their way in a big way, and it looked as if they would run Scott City out of the gym. The Lady Beavers would get some things going their way, and outscored the Lady Broncs 36-18 in the second half to pick up a 52-46 victory, advancing them to Thursday’s 8 pm sub-state semi-final game in Larned against Cimarron.
Scott City would score the first two points of the game, only to see Lakin respond with 14 straight to lead 14-2 with 2:50 left in the first quarter. The Lady Beavers would cut the deficit to nine at 16-7 after one period, only to see the Lady Broncs score the first eight of the second half to take a 24-7 lead with 6:11 left before the break. Scott City would get a little bit of a spark, going on a 9-3 run in three and a half minutes, and pulled to within 27-16 with 2:34 left in the second quarter. Lakin got a free throw late in the period to make it 28-16 at the break.
Scott City and the Lady Broncs would trade baskets for the first two and a half minutes of the second half, before a 7-0 run pulled the Lady Beavers to within 33-29 with three minutes left in the third stanza. Both teams would add five points to end the third quarter to make it 38-34 heading into the fourth frame.
After Lakin made it 42-38 with 4:29 left, Scott City would go on an 11-0 run over a three-plus minute stretch to lead 49-42 with 53.6 seconds left. Ella Rumford jumpstarted the run with the first six points, including her game-tying three with 3:35 left and the go-ahead layup with 2:45 remaining. It was just her second three of the year. The Lady Beavers would have their largest lead of the game at 52-44 with 26 seconds left, before a pair of Talyn Beltran free throws cut the score to 52-46 with seven seconds left, and that would be the final.
Leading the charge for Scott City was Ella Rumford with her career-high 12 points, all in the second half, while Amber Latta, Erika Felker and Alli Patton each had 11 points. The Lady Beavers went 7-12 at the free throw line in the final quarter, and finished 9-19 for the game. Lakin got 14 points from Jaya Esquibel, and 11 points apiece form Talyn Beltran and Taegan Bachman. The Lady Broncs were 13-24 at the line and had 17 turnovers.
With the win Scott City has won their fifth consecutive sub-state quarterfinal game since 2016. They have now won six straight in the series vs Lakin, matching their run in the series from 2008-2012. The Lady Beavers now lead the series 26-21. It was the 12th straight win against opponents from the Hi-Plains League.
Scott City 7-9-18-18-52
Lakin 16-12-10-8-46
Scott City (6-15): Rumford 5 1-6 12; Strine 2 0-0 4; Latta 4 1-2 11; Ford 1 0-2 2; Felker 3 5-5 11; Cupp 0 1-2 1; Stevens 0 0-0 0; Patton 4 1-2 11; Team: 19 9-19 52
Lakin (11-10): Wright 0 0-0 0; Rider 2 0-0 5; Esquibel 4 4-5 14; Gonzalez 0 0-1 0; Beltran 2 7-12 11; Davidson 2 1-2 5; Bachman 4 1-4 11; Team: 14 13-24 46
Three Pointers: Scott City 5 (Latta 2, Patton 2, Rumford 1), Lakin 5 (Esquibel 2, Bachman 2, Rider 1); Rebounds: Scott City 26, Lakin 21; Turnovers: Scott City 16, Lakin 17; Fouls: Scott City 19, Lakin 17; Fouled Out: Scott City (Patton), Lakin (Bachman).
Coach Amy Felker Postgame
Scott City will face Cimarron on Thursday night at 8 pm in Larned in the Class 3A Sub-State Semi-Finals. Cimarron defeated Southwestern Heights 70-31 at home. It will be the third meeting between the two schools. Hugoton blitzed Larned 64-12 at home, and Holcomb rallied for a 37-32 road win at Hoisington. The Lady Eagles and Lady Longhorns will play the 5:30 game Thursday.
