Scott City opens season with a sweep of Ulysses

Ulysses, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Ten days ago, winter sports in the state of Kansas was uncertain whether or not they would be able to start as scheduled. After the ruling by the KSHSAA Board of Directors, teams could resume on as scheduled, minus the fans. Two GWAC teams met up on Friday in a gym filled with only players, scorers table workers, cheerleaders, administrators, and media members, as Scott City faced Ulysses in the season opener for both teams. In the end, it would be the Beavers who would come out with the victories, as the Lady Beavers defeated won 40-17, while the Scott City boys escaped with a 43-41 win.

Scott City Girls 40, Ulysses 17
Two keys in Scott City’s win proved to come to fruition early and often. Defense and rebounding proved to the key to the Lady Beavers win on the road. Ulysses would grave early leads of 3-1 and 6-3, thanks to a pair of Jocelyn Baeza three’s. However, Scott City responded with the final four points of the first quarter to take a 7-6 lead after one period. After it was tied at eight with 6:56 left in the half, the Lady Beavers went on an 11-0 run and built a 19-8 lead with 2:52 left in the break. To open up the second half, Scott City built a 24-10 lead, only to see the Lady Tigers respond with five straight and made it 24-15 with 5:58 left in the third stanza. After that it was all in favor of the Lady Beavers, an 8-2 run to end the third quarter gave them a 32-17 lead heading into the fourth period. While Scott City only scored eight fourth quarter points, they were able to get a shutout in the final quarter to get the 40-17 win, as they would hold Ulysses to two points in the final 13:58 of the ballgame.

Brooke Strine took advantage of her first career varsity start, with 10 points and 12 rebounds unofficially, while Amber Latta had eight points and Ella Rumford had seven points and 11 boards.  Jocelin Baeza had six points for Ulysses.

With the win, Scott City improved to 46-37 in the series since 1980, and has now won three in a row against the Lady Tigers. They also won their fifth consecutive season-opener.

Coach Amy Felker Postgame

Scott City 7 15 10 8 40 
Ulysses    6   4   7 0 17
Scott City (1-0)
Rumford 2 3-4 7; Strine 4 2-4 10; Latta 2 4-4 8; Sowers 0 0-0 0; Ford 0 0-0 0; Felker 2 1-2 5; Cramer 0 0-0 0; Cupp 2 0-0 4; Stevens 0 0-0 0; Patton 3 0-0 6; Kough 0 0-0 0; Total 15 10-14 42
Ulysses (0-1)
Bahl 0 0-0 0; Schultz 1 0-2 2; Riley 0 0-0 0; Kenny 0 1-2 1; Curl 0 0-0 0; Ewalt 0 0-0 0; Lerma 2 0-2 4; Nagel 1 2-4 4; Baeza 2 0-0 6; Murray 0 0-0 0; Total 6 3-10 17
Three Pointers: Scott City 0, Ulysses 2 (Baeza 2); Fouls: Scott City 15, Ulysses 12; Turnovers: Scott City 23, Ulysses 21; Fouled Out: None

Scott City Boys 43, Ulysses 41
The finale of the evening would be tightly contested, despite Scott City having the lead for a majority of the night. The Beavers wouldn’t lead by any more than six points throughout. Ulysses would lead for the first half of the opening quarter, leading 5-2. Scott City would score nine straight over a three-minute stretch to lead 11-5, before a late period bucket by the Tigers pulled them to within 11-8 after the first eight minutes of play. Following a Ulysses basket early in the second frame, the Beavers built a six-point lead at 18-12 with over three minutes left in the half, before taking a 20-17 halftime lead. The Tigers got to within 20-19 and 22-21 early in the second half, but couldn’t tie or take the lead. For the third quarter, each team would respond with a basket and not get on a run, as Ulysses would pull to within 37-35 heading into the final quarter. Scott City didn’t get much offense going in the final quarter, and either did the Tigers. Dylan Metzgar came off the bench and hit two three’s for all of the Beavers’ fourth quarter points, as they led 43-37 with 3:16 left in the game. Ulysses would score the games final four points, after an Aaron Galindo free throw pulled them to within 43-41 with 5.8 seconds left. Scott City missed a front end of a one-and-one, giving the Tigers one final chance. Ulysses would get a good look from Ryan Nightengale from 25 feet away for the win, but the ball would hit the left side of the rim and bounce right and the Beavers survived for the 43-41 win.

Gus Hawkins came off the bench to led the Beavers with 10 points, while Dylan Metzger added eight. Scott City finished with 29 bench points. Lance Walker led all scorers with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Ulysses. 

With the win, Scott City has now won three straight over Ulysses, and holds a 57-27 series lead since 1980. It was the Beavers’ seventh consecutive season-opening win. 

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Scott City 11 9 17 6 43
Ulysses     8  9 18 6 41
Scott City (1-0)
Is. Tarango 0 0-0 0; King 1 0-0 2; Stevens 1 0-0 2; Thon 0 0-0 0; Culp 2 0-0 4; Hawkins 2 6-7 10; Bailey 2 1-3 6; Metzger 2 2-2 8; Ef. Tarango 2 0-0 5; Gooden 3 0-0 6; Total: 12 9-12 43
Ulysses (0-1)
Walker 5 2-4 13; Galindo 2 3-6 7; Nightengale 2 1-2 5; Martinez 3 0-0 7; Torres 0 0-0 0; Scott 1 0-0 2; Alvarado 0 0-0 0; Rosales 2 0-0 5; Jaquez 0 0-0 0; Guinn 1 0-0 2; Total: 15 6-12 41
Three Pointers: Scott City 4 (Metzger 2, Bailey 1, Ef. Tarango 1), Ulysses 3 (Walker 1, Martinez 1, Rosales 1); Fouls: Scott City 13, Ulysses 16: Turnovers: Scott City 23, Ulysses 15; Fouled Out: None

Scott City will host Great Bend on Tuesday, while Ulysses opens up play at the Amos Morris Classic in Russell against Phillipsburg on Tuesday.