The Cimarron surprise! Scott City girls upset Lady Bluejays

Cimarron, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–It has been four head coaches and seven years ago since Scott City’s girls have won a sub-state basketball game. Flash back to March 3, 2009. The Lady Beavers were in Class 4A, and defeated the Kingman Lady Eagles 70-48 to advance the Pratt Sub-State semi-final game on a Friday night. The head coach? Jim Turner. Fast forward to Tuesday night. Scott City entered with a five-game sub-state quarterfinal losing streak, and had lost their last six postseason games. The postseason losing streak is now history, as the Lady Beavers pulled away in the fourth quarter to surprise second-seeded Cimarron 45-34 to advance to Friday’s semi-final game in Lakin.

Despite the game being close for all but the last minute of the game, both teams combined for only two ties and three lead changes. Scott City took a 10-7 lead after the first quarter, and expanded their lead to 14-7 with 6:26 left before halftime. Cimarron ended a scoring drought of 5:58, when Korina Bailon made one of many second quarter trips to the foul line. The Lady Bluejays used an 11-1 run to end the first half, and had only two field goals during that run, as they took an 18-15 halftime lead. Scott City (7-14) had a 5:58 scoring drought of their own, that was ended by a Kiana Yager free throw with 28 seconds left before recess.

For all but three points of the third quarter for Cimarron (14-7), their scoring came from the foul line. The Lady Beavers had the better end of the deal for their answerback scores, trading two’s for ones to tie the game at 21 with 2:42 left in the third quarter. Scott City used an 8-0 run to lead 27-21 with 1:13 left in the third frame. The Lady Bluejays scored five straight, capped off by a Samantha McPhail three to pull to within 27-26 going in to the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was the separation quarter by Scott City. A 9-2 Lady Beaver run over the first half of the period pushed their lead to 36-28. Cimarron had one final push, as they could only cut it to five at 38-33 with 2:43 remaining. As tough as it has been for Scott City at the foul line during the year, they made them in the final quarter when it mattered most. The Lady Beavers were 12-18 in the final eight minutes, with Bailey Latta going 8-10. In the end, Scott City outscored the Lady Bluejays 18-8 in the final period, ending years of frustration of an early postseason exit, and stunning the home-standing Cimarron crowd. 

Leading the scoring for Scott City was Bailey Latta with a game-high 14 points, while Nicole Latta and Kiana Yager added nine. Cimarron was led by Korina Bailon with 10 points, all from the foul line. The Lady Beavers were 13-22 from the free throw line, while Cimarron finished 17-30. The Lady Bluejays hit only three second half field goals, and had only seven for the game.

In the win, Scott City snapped a six-game losing streak to Cimarron. Their last win over the Lady Bluejays was 46-40 on February 16, 2010, also in Cimarron. It was also the first team the Lady Beavers have defeated with a winning record since defeating Goodland 45-44 on February 25, 2014.

Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame 

Scott City will advance to the Lakin Sub-State semi-finals Friday night, as they will take on Lakin. The Lady Broncs defeated Southwestern Heights 53-26. The other semi-final game will feature two teams who are separated by eight miles, as Lyons and Sterling will face off once again. Sterling blasted Larned 53-21, while Lyons went on the road to defeat Sterling 55-47.