Surviving a scare; Scott City advances to sub-state title game

Beloit, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–In March, it doesn’t have to be pretty. Survive and advance is what you want to do. That’s what Scott City did Friday night at Beloit High School, as they advanced to their seventh straight sub-state championship game with a 67-61 hard-fought win over a feisty Minneapolis Lions team.

Minneapolis scored the games first points, only to see Scott City score the games next 13 points. In the first quarter, the Beavers would lead by as many as 11 at 16-5 with 2:57 left in the opening quarter. When it looked like the Lions would be put away early, they stormed back on a 7-2 run to pull to within 18-12 after the first quarter. Scott City (21-1) would build their lead to 30-18 with 4:45 left before halftime. That’s when the game turned around. Riddled by foul trouble, the Beavers saw Minneapolis (16-6) use a 16-4 run to tie the game at 34 late in the first half, before Scott City hit a pair of free throws to take a 36-34 lead at the break. The third quarter alone saw two lead changes and six ties, as the Beavers took a 52-46 lead going into the final quarter. In the final eight minutes, the Lions roared back to take the lead with 4:36 left, using a 9-2 run. Both teams swapped leads, before Scott City look the lead for good with 3:23 left at 58-57. They would pull it out to six points late, advancing them to the sub-state final. Minneapolis, coached by SCHS alum Alex Hutchins, got 18 points from John Kelly and 17 by Josh Macy. Trey O’Neil scored a career-best 42 points, including 29 at halftime for the Beavers, while Sloan Baker added 10. 

Glenn O’Neil Postgame

Scott City will go for their fifth straight state tournament appearance, and will face the Beloit Trojans. Beloit is 19-3 on the season, as they defeated Norton 69-55 in the second game Friday night. The Trojans are appearing in their sixth straight sub-state championship game. The last time Scott City and Beloit met up was in 2012, when the Beavers won 72-63 in the opening round of the Class 3A State Tournament.