Lady Beavers pull away from Cimarron to take sub-state

Kismet, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–For over four decades of the KSHSAA-sanctioned program, the Scott City Lady Beavers had never qualified for a state tournament. In the last three years, they have made up for lost time. Scott City put together a solid defensive effort and punched their ticket to the state tournament for a third consecutive year in a 50-37 win over the Cimarron Bluejays Saturday afternoon at Southwestern Heights High School. In their last three sub-state finals, it was their widest margin of victory.

The lead would be exchanged three times and tied three times, all in the first quarter. The Lady Beavers were up 9-3 with 3:50 left in the first quarter, before Cimarron rallied with a 9-2 run to lead 12-11 with under 30 seconds left in the first quarter. Scott City would get the lead back and take a 13-12 lead into the second quarter. In that second period, the Lady Beavers would use a 9-2 run to lead 22-14 with 4:38 left in the first half. The Lady Bluejays would rally with five quick points to get to within 22-19 with 3:51 left in the second quarter. Scott City countered with the final six points of the half to take a 28-19 lead into the locker room.

Cimarron (15-8) opened the second half with a three pointer to get to within 38-32, but that would be the closest they would get the rest of the way. The Lady Beavers would respond and never trail by double digits the rest of the afternoon. A 13-4 run would give Scott City (17-6) a 41-26 lead with 2:27 left in the third quarter. It would be a 42-28 lead for the Lady Beavers heading into the fourth quarter. In the final period, Scott City was patient, and continued their stifling defense. The Lady Bluejays would outscore the Lady Beavers 9-8, but the damage was already done. Everytime Cimarron had an answer, Scott City would answer back in the final period, and it earned the Lady Beavers their third straight trip to state with the 50-37 win.

Leading the way for Scott City was Emily Weathers with 20 points, going 8-9 from the floor. Brynn McCormick added 11, as the Lady Beavers went 12-18 at the foul line, and finished with 17 turnovers. Taylor Jantz would lead Cimarron with 13 points, and Cameren Bartlett added 11 in their final games in a Bluejay uniform. The Lady Bluejays were just 2-9 from the free throw line and had 18 turnovers.

With the win, Scott City has qualified for the state tournament for a third consecutive year, their second in Class 3A. They have also improved to 2-2 in sub-state play against Cimarron, with their last coming in 2016 in the first round of sub-state. It was the first time since the 2009, and 2010 seasons that Scott City has won two straight in the series. The Lady Blue Jays still lead the all-time series 10-7. They were in their second sub-state final in the last three seasons.

Coach Sarah McCormick Postgame