Scott City splits with Coronado

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Scott City opened up play in the Clarion Inn Roundball Classic on Thursday night at home against Coronado. The Beavers faced the Cougars last year, and picked up a pair of wins, that saw a pair of rough games. This year, it felt similar at times as the previous meeting. This year would be a little different, as the teams split the doubleheader, as the Scott City girls picked up a 65-41 win, while the Coronado boys rallied to knock off the Beavers 71-67.

Scott City girls 65, Coronado 41
For the second straight game, Scott City came out on a tear with an 8-1 run in the first 91 seconds of the contest. They would take a 16-5 lead after the opening eight minutes. From late in the first to early second quarter, the Lady Beavers used a 10-0 run to build a 20-5 lead. Coronado could get no closer than 13 in the first half, as Scott City went on a 15-5 second period run to lead 31-10 at intermission. After the Lady Beavers scored the first points of the second half to lead 33-10, the Lady Cougars made one big rally, scoring the next 11 points in under two minutes to pull to within 33-21 with 4:07 left in the third quarter. Scott City answered quickly with seven straight, only to see Coronado answer right back with six in a row, before a free throw gave the Lady Beavers a 41-27 lead after three quarters. That free throw propelled Scott City into an 11-0 run over the next two minutes, as they led 51-27 with 6:13 left. A 9-0 run put by the Lady Beavers put the game away for good, as they cruised to a 65-41 win. 

Emily Weathers led the way with 16 points, hitting three triples, while Lyndi Rumford added 12 for the Lady Beavers. Scott City was 21-29 at the line and had 24 turnovers. Coronado was led by Sanaya Jones’ nine points off the bench. The Lady Cougars were just 3-13 at the free throw line, and had 32 turnovers. Coronado won the rebounding edge 34-32.

Scott City is 2-0 all-time in the series with the Lady Cougars, as they also have started 2-0 for the second time in three years. Coronado dropped to 0-4 on the season.

Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame

Coronado Boys 71, Scott City 67
Scott City would either be tied for lead for the first 28:50 of the game. Unfortunately for the Beavers, they were unable to hold on. You couldn’t ask for a better start for Scott City, as they built a 15-4 lead with 2:33 left in opening frame, only to see Coronado close on an 8-1 run to pull to within 16-12 after the first quarter. The Cougars eventually tied it up at 21 with 4:07 left in the first half, and that would spark a Beaver run. Scott City used a 10-2 run over the next two minutes to lead 31-23 with 1:26 left in period two. Coronado eventually pulled back to within 33-28 at the break. Every time the Beavers started to pull away, the Cougars charged back. Trailing 41-34 with under five minutes left in quarter three, Coronado rallied for seven straight to tie the game at 41 with 2:44 left in the third quarter. Scott City closed the the third quarter with an 8-5 run to take a 49-46 lead. In the opening minute of the fourth quarter, the Beavers built up a seven point lead at 53-46. The Cougars put forth a 9-3 run to pull to within one at 56-55 with 5:25 left. The margin for error would shrink for Scott City as the game progressed. Coronado took their first lead at 61-60 on a Ladarius Mays layup with 3:10 left. On the next possession, Evyan Smith’s three gave the Beavers the lead back at 63-61 with just under three minutes remaining. Scott City would hit a free throw to extend their lead to 64-61 with 2:40 left. Coronado would close the game out with a 10-3 run to steal one away from the Beavers at 71-67. Free throws turned out to be big in the fourth period. Coronado was 10-12 in the final eight minutes, while Scott City was just 7-15 in that final period.

Brycen Scherr led all scorers for Coronado with 30 points, while Ladarius Mays added 25. Those two combined for 21 of the teams 25 fourth quarter points, as they committed just eight turnovers. The Cougars were 18-22 at the charity line. Scott City was led by Evyan Smith, who had a career-high 26 points, while Hunter Yager had 15 points and Jackson Lewis added 10. Scott City was 20-32 from the line and finished with 13 turnovers. Coronado won the rebounding battle 22-18.

The series is now tied at a game apiece. Coronado improved to 1-3 overall, and Scott City dropped to 1-1.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Other scores from Thursday on the girls side saw Garden City defeat Palmer Ridge 49-40, and Wichita Trinity defeat Holcomb 43-38. Other boys games had Garden City knocking off Palmer Ridge 55-50, and Holcomb defeating Wichita Trinity 57-31.

Scott City will host Wichita Trinity on Friday, with the girls game at 6, and the boys at 7:30. Garden City hosts Coronado and Holcomb faces Palmer Ridge at home.