Scott City splits with Palmer Ridge

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Thursday’s opening games of the Clarion Inn Roundball Classic saw a pair of teams that have a brief history in recent years. Both schools faced off in the Orange & Black in Colby in their first two meetings, and then last year in Scott City. For the second straight year, Palmer Ridge and Scott City meet up on the Thursday night of the classic, but see different results as the previous year. On the girls side, the Lady Beavers had control for the while night, coasting to a 44-28 win, while the Bears held off almost every second half surge by Scott City on their way to a 51-46 win.

Girls
Palmer Ridge has won the first three games in the series, including a 42-41 overtime win last year. This time around, the night belonged to Scott City. While the Lady Bears had a brief 3-2 lead in the first quarter, the Lady Beavers go on an 8-0 run, and never trail for the remainder of the night. They would take a 10-6 first quarter lead, and lead 14-6 early in the second. Palmer Ridge (4-1) used a 7-0 run over a two-minute span to pull to within 14-13, and that was the last time they really threatened. Scott City would go on a 9-0 run over the next two minutes to take a 23-16 lead with 3:46 remaining in the half. The Lady Beavers would eventually lead 23-16 at the break

In the second half, it didn’t take Scott City (2-0) long to get going, and scored the half’s first five points lead 28-16 within the first 40 seconds of the third period. The closest the Lady Bears got was at 28-20 with 5:12 left in the third period. For the rest of the quarter, the Lady Beavers used a 10-2 run to lead 40-22 after three quarters. Their lead would grow to 44-25 midway through the fourth quarter, as Scott City picked up their first-ever opening night win of the Roundball Classic in six tries.

Emily Weathers finished with a career-high 17 points, while Lyndi Rumford also pitched a carer-best 11 points. Scott City was 12-22 from the foul line, and outrebounded Palmer Ridge 32-28. Palmer Ridge was led by Madison Duran with eight points. They were 11-17 at the charity line.

With the win, the Lady Beavers picked up their first win in four tries over the Lady Bears, and are now 4-12 in the Clarion Inn Roundball Classic, while Palmer Ridge drops to 4-3.

Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame

Boys
Scott City and Palmer Ridge would play a game where neither team could get a lead bigger than seven. The Bears welcomed two of their players into the lineup that led them in scoring a year ago. Seniors Cody McLelland and Zach Hester had very little practice leading into the game with the Beavers, and their presence was big tonight. The youthful Beavers led by two early in the game on a pair of occasions, before the Bears took a 13-11 lead after the first quarter. In the second frame, Scott City (1-1) tied the game at 16 midway through the second quarter, and missed chances to take the lead back. They wouldn’t score for the remainder of the half, and Palmer Ridge sank four free throws to lead 20-16 at the break.

The Beavers came out guns a blazing to begin the second half, as they used a 9-2 run to take a 25-22 lead with 4:53 remaining in the third quarter. Palmer Ridge (3-2) scored the next four points to retake the lead, and after Marshal Faurot’s basket put Scott City up 27-26 with 3:32 left in the third period, the Bears would take the lead back with a 5-0 run to lead 31-2 with three minutes remaining in the quarter. Palmer Ridge had a 7-0 run to go up 40-33 with 6:50 left, and had a 42-35 lead with 5:44 remaining. Scott City had one good run in them, using an 8-2 run to get to within 44-43 with 1:36 left. Palmer Ridge would sink their free throws down the stretch, and recorded their third straight win with a 51-46 victory.

Palmer Ridge was led by Zach Hester with 10 points and Nick Boldvich added nine. The Bears were 10-16 at the foul line, and they went 5-7 in the final period. Scott City got an 18-point effort from Jordan Horn, and got eight from Marshal Faurot. The Beavers were 12-15 at the foul line, as both teams committed 10 turnovers.

With the win, Palmer Ridge picked up their first win in four tries against Scott City, and are 3-4 in the Roundball Classic, while Scott City dropped to 12-4 in the event.

Coach Brian Gentry Postgame

Scott City will host Wichita Collegiate Friday night on the second night of the Roundball Classic. Collegiate won both their games against Pueblo Centennial Thursday night. Palmer Ridge faces Pueblo Centennial Friday night.