Scott City and TMP-Marian split Tuesday doubleheader

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Playing in their final non-league game of the regular season, the Scott City Beavers played host to a former MSAA league foe in TMP-Marian on Tuesday night at Scott Community High School. As both schools make their final big run of the regular season, the Lady Monarchs slowly pulled away as they defeated Scott City 66-36, while the Beaver boys took down TMP-Marian 69-45 in a battle of ranked teams.

Scott City Coach Shelby Crawford took a timeout about one minute into the game, as the Lady Beavers trailed early 5-0. It helped, as they tied the game on four occasions. After the game was tied at 11, TMP-Marian (14-1) scored the quarters final nine points to take a 20-11 lead after the first period. The Lady Monarchs would eventually score the first six points of the second frame, en route to their 32-17 halftime lead. Just like the first quarter, points were at a high level for both teams in the third quarter. Scott City (3-13) pulled to within 36-23 with 6:53 left in the third frame, but that would be the closest they would get the rest of the night. The Lady Monarchs used a 17-9 run to lead 53-32 after three quarters. They would also outscore the Lady Beavers 13-4 in the final eight minutes on their way to their 14th straight win. TMP was led by Madyson Koerner’s 16 points, while Deonna Wellbrock had 10. Scott City got a team-high 12 points from Bailey Latta.

Coach Shelby Crawford Postgame

Traditionally, when you get Scott City and TMP-Marian on the boys side, you know it is going to be a battle. It was for about a quarter and a half. After both teams tied twice and exchanged the lead four times in the first quarter, the Beavers would lead 12-10 going into the second quarter. Scott City, who is now ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, led by as many as four early on in the second quarter before they hunkered down on the defensive end on the No. 9 team in Class 4A, Division II in TMP. The Beavers used an 8-0 run to push their lead to 20-12 midway through the second quarter. After the Monarchs climbed to within seven at 23-16, Scott City (15-1) closed the first half on a 13-1 run to lead 36-17 at the break. Their lead in the third quarter would be as big as 23 at 40-17 about 80 seconds into the second half. TMP-Marian (9-6) made one final push, cutting the deficit to 50-33 with 1:54 left in the third quarter. The Beavers would end the quarter with six straight to lead 56-33 going into the final period. They would lead by as many as 28 late in the game, before the Monarchs scored the final four points in the game, as TMP scored their second lowest total of points this season. Trey O’Neil led all scorers with 24 points, while Sloan Baker added 17 and Brett Meyer had 14. TMP-Marian got a team-high 14 points from Kameron Schmidt. Scott City has now won nine straight.

Glenn O’Neil Postgame

Scott City will hit the road for a doubleheader on Friday at Colby, while TMP-Marian hosts Phillipsburg.

After Tuesday night, Scott City’s girls are currently tied for seventh place in the 3A, Beloit Sub-State with Ellsworth with a 3-13 record. Beloit has a one and a half-game lead over Minneapolis for the top spot in the girls. The Lady Trojans are 13-3, while the Lady Lions are 11-4. For the boys, Scott City and Beloit are tied for the top spot at 15-1, while Norton is second with a 14-2 record. Russell is in the eighth spot right now with a 2-15 record, Phillipsburg is in the seventh spot and is 5-10, while Hoisington and Ellsworth are tied for fifth with a 7-9 record.