Scott City picks up a pair of road wins in Lakin

Lakin, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The last time Scott City played their varsity games in Lakin’s high school gymnasium, none of the players that participated in Friday night’s doubleheader were born. It has been since 1999 before they played varsity games there. Friday night, Lakin hosted the Beavers in their throwback night, which takes place once a year. The night would belong to Scott City, as the girls game went to the Lady Beavers 54-27, while it was a 69-60 wild affair in the boys game.

Scott City Girls 54, Lakin 27
After a brief tie at two, it was all Scott City. The Lady Beavers would use runs of eight and 13, building a 23-10 lead with 5:31 remaining in the second quarter. Lakin would go on a seven-minute scoring drought in the first and second quarters, before putting up seven points. Scott City (8-5) built their lead to 34-12 at the break.

In the second half, the Lady Broncs would show a little more life in their offense. They outscored the Lady Beavers 10-7 to pull to within 41-22 after three quarter. What little momentum they had was quickly gone. Scott City went on a 13-5 run over the final eight minutes, building their largest lead at 27 at the end at 54-27. Lakin (3-10) struggled from the floor all night, and committed 32 turnovers.

Scott City was led by Emily Weathers with 18 points and Lyndi Rumford with 12. The Lady Beavers were 5-7 at the foul line and committed 14 turnovers. Lakin got nine form Jaya Esquibel on three, three’s. They shot 6-14 from the line. The Lady Broncs won the rebounding battle 29-18.

With the win, Scott City now leads the series 22-21, and have won three straight over the Lady Broncs for the first time since 2010-2012.

Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame

Scott City Boys 69, Lakin 60
Two words would describe the finale of the night. Wild and intense. That’s the way it was for 32 solid minutes. Eight ties and 15 lead changes added to the festivities, as Lakin jumped out early 8-2, only to see Scott City rally with a 10-3 run, before the Broncs led 13-12 after the first quarter. In the second period, the Beavers would have runs of 7-3, and 4-0, but could not pull away from the Broncs. They would eventually take a 30-29 halftime lead.

Lakin (7-6) scored the first five points of the second half to lead 34-30 just 46 seconds in to the third quarter. Scott City responded with a 6-2 run to tie the game at 36 with 6:13 remaining in the period. The Broncs would take a 39-36 lead seconds later. After that they would go scoreless for the next four minutes. And the Beavers would take full advantage. Scott City (9-4) used a 17-0 run to take a 53-39 lead with 1:26 left in the third quarter. The Broncs would slowly chip away and get to within 56-45 heading into the fourth quarter. In that fourth frame Lakin would never be out of the ball game, as they went on a 9-4 run in the first four minutes to pull to within 60-54 with 4:10 left. The Beavers would hit their next two shots to go up 65-54 with 2:45 left. Lakin would get it to 66-60 with 59.8 seconds remaining, but Scott City would hit three of their final four free throws to leave with the win.

Hunter Yager led Scott City with a career-high 21 points, while Joe Evans poured in 14, Evyan Smith had a career-best 11 and Parker Vulgamore had 10. The Beavers were 14-23 from the free throw line, and had 21 turnovers. Lakin was led by Henry Chou with 13 points. The Broncs shot just 3-8 on their free throws and had 10 turnovers. Scott City dominated the glass 39-19.

With the win, Scott City has won 22 of the last 24 over the Broncs, and have now won 13 straight over Lakin on their home floor since 1997.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Up next for Scott City is another non-league doubleheader at Cimarron on Tuesday, while Lakin visits Wichita County in a non-league battle on Tuesday.