Scott City sweeps Wichita County

Leoti, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Sometimes you just don’t know what to expect when start off a new season. Friday night at Wichita County High School, two old rivals took to the court, as Scott City and Wichita County started off the 2018 season. In the end, it was a sweep for the visitors, as the Lady Beavers led the entire way with a 50-21 win, while the Scott City boys pulled away in the second half for a 68-49 victory.

Scott City Girls 50, Wichita County 21
Scott City and Wichita County found themselves looking for new players to fill in after departures from last seasons squads. Both teams though, would be returning their top scorers from last season. However, this game would be one-sided from the opening tip. The Lady Beavers started fast and never looked back. They quickly scored the first six points before the Lady Indians scored, and then scored the games next 17 points, before eventually leading 17-5 after eight minutes of play. Scott City (1-0) closed the second quarter on a 13-0 run in the final 2:32 to take a 36-7 lead. While the scoring wasn’t big in the second half, the Lady Beavers were able to maintain a lead around 29 points. Their biggest lead came with 7:14 left at 46-14, before settling for a 50-21 win.

Lyndi Rumford led the way for Scott City with 15 points, while Emily Weathers added 10. Eight players scored for the Lady Beavers, who committed 17 turnovers in the game, and were only 5-16 at the free throw line. Nicole Biermann led Wichita County (0-1) with five points. The Lady Indians were 5-10 from the foul line, and committed 35 turnovers.

Scott City has now won eight straight in the series, and have won 10 out of the last 11 against Wichita County.

Scott City Boys 68, Wichita County 49
For nearly two and a half quarters, this game felt like one of those throwbacks between the Beavers and Indians. Neither team would lead by more than three points in the first half, as they were tied eight times and exchanged the lead five times. Scott City led 13-12 after the first quarter. Wichita County would go on a run to lead 16-13 with 6:43 left in the half. Their final lead came midway in the second quarter when they took a 23-20 lead. The Beavers responded with an 8-2 run over the final two minutes of the half to take a 28-25 lead. Scott City (1-0) never trailed in the second half, as the closest the Indians could get was a one point on a pair of occasions. The Beavers took control in the third quarter, using a 15-2 run over a three and a half minute stretch to lead 45-31 with 2:46 left in the third period. Wichita County (0-1) got as close as 10 the rest of the way, as Scott City led 50-37 heading into the fourth quarter. The Beavers continued to wear down the Indians, building their biggest lead up to 67-47 with 1:31 left, before picking up the 68-49 win.

Marshall Faurot had a career-high 28 points, with 13 in the second quarter, while Hunter Yager had 12 points, with 10 in the third period. Scott City had nine players score in the game. They were just 9-19 from the foul line, but committed just nine turnovers. Wichita County got 15 from Oscar Jimenez and 12 from Kayde Rietzke. The Indians made 12-20 free throws, and had 18 turnovers.

Scott City has now won 17 straight and 21 of their last 22 against Wichita County.

Head Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Scott City will host Wichita Trinity Thursday night to begin play in the Clarion Inn Roundball Classic, while Wichita Trinity will head to the Sagebrush Shootout in Brewster on Monday. The boys face Triplains/Brewster and the girls take on Golden Plains.