On to the semi’s; Scott City survives opening round scare
Hutchinson, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–While it is one of the most cliche phrases to say in March, Scott City barely did “Survive and Advance” on Thursday in their state quarterfinal game against Cheney. The Cardinals led a majority of the first three quarters, only to see the Beavers lead the whole fourth period, and advance on to the Class 3A semi-finals on Friday afternoon, with a 47-44 win that wasn’t easy at all.
Cheney set the tone early and it played out for most of the game. The slower-paced game, along with the Cardinals’ traps gave the favored Beavers headaches in the first half. Scott City (23-1) didn’t score their first basket until the 4:43 mark of the first quarter, as Cheney led 12-8 after the opening eight minutes. As they Beavers eventually pulled to within 15-14 with 2:31 left before halftime, the Cardinals sank six straight free throws to take a 21-14 lead with 1:17 remaining before intermission. What perhaps made the first half better for Scott City was a desperation three pointer by Bo Hess off the backboard, through a double team at the end of the first half, pulled them two within 22-19 at recess. Scott City would turn up the intensity on the defensive end. They would take their first lead of the game with a Brett Meyer three pointer, using a 7-2 run in the first 2:37 of the third frame, to lead 26-24. Cheney (19-5) scored eight of the quarters final 14 points, as the game was tied at 32. Scott City would take the lead for good, as Trey O’Neil drilled a pair of three’s go give the Beavers a 38-32 lead with 6:23 remaining. The Beavers would grow their lead to 45-37 with 1:08 to go and it looked as though you could officially put Scott City into Friday’s semi-final. Cheney made one final push, forcing a turnover, and a missed Beaver free throw in about a 43-second span. The Cardinals made it 45-44 with eight seconds left. After the layup, Sloan Baker took his time to get the basketball and inbound it, before Meyer was fouled with four-tenths of a second remaining. Meyer sank the free throws, and Scott City advanced to their seventh straight state tournament semi-final game.
Leading the way for the Beavers was Brett Meyer with 14 points, while Trey O’Neil and Sloan Baker added 11. Cheney was led by Noah Shomacker with 12 points.
With the win, Scott City Coach won his 350th game in Scott City, and now is 350-106 in 19 seasons. The win also assured them their 25th-ever state tournament win, and their 11th top-four finish in 18 trips to a state tournament.
Scott City will play at 4:45 on Friday against Wellsville. The Eagles improved to 20-4 with a 59-51 win over the Osage City Indians. Top-seeded Sabetha will face Wichita Collegiate in the second semi-final at 8:15 Friday night. Sabetha defeated Riverton 50-46, while Wichita Collegiate bounced the defending state champion Hesston Swathers 57-44.
Glenn O’Neil Postgame
