Hesston ends Scott City’s season at state
Wichita, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Scott City knew they would be in for a big challenge on Tuesday night at the Garvey Activities Center against the defending Class 3A Champion Hesston Swathers in the Class 3A State Tournament opener. It would be a night where the Beavers couldn’t buy a bucket, and the Swathers couldn’t miss, as Hesston shot 69 percent for the game and advanced to Thursday night’s semi-finals in Hutchinson with a 60-25 win.
The Swathers opened up with an 13-2 run, and took a 17-3 lead in to the second quarter. Scott City was unable to string together a run all night, as the Hesston (25-2) offense proved to be too much, as they took a 35-8 lead at the break. The Beavers didn’t get any scoring from their starters until the opening seconds of the second half on a pair of free throws. For most of the third quarter, they led the scoring, but the Swathers scored the final three points to outscore the Beavers 11-10 in the period to lead 46-18 heading in to the final frame. Scott City (14-10) got only one field goal in the final eight minutes of play, as Hesston advanced with a 60-25 win.
Leading the charge for the Swathers was Drew Bartell with 18 points, while Ty Unruh had 13 and Jerick Humphreys added 11. They shot 69 percent from the floor, had five turnovers, and went only 5-11 from the free throw line. Scott City got five points apiece from Cooper Irvin and Junior Meza, as they shot just 22% from the floor, and had 11 turnovers, going 8-11 at the foul line.
It was the first meeting in the series between the two programs. Hesston has won against a GWAC foe in each of their last four state tournament appearances. They defeated Hugoton in the first round in 2022, Colby in the first round 2023 and Goodland in the state championship game in 2025. The Beavers are now 27-14 in their 20th state tournament, and were in the state tournament for the first time since 2016, while the Swathers are 27-10 in their 17th state tournament.
Coach Brian Gentry Postgame
Box Score
Scott City 3 5 10 7–25
Hesston 17 18 11 14–60
Scott City (14-10): Tarango 1 0-0 3; Radke 0 1-2 1; Faurot 0 0-0 0; Metzger 1 1-1 3; Irvin 1 3-4 5; Meza 1 2-2 5; Culp 0 0-0 0; Wren 0 0-0 0; Felker 1 0-0 2; Berry 1 0-0 3; Cook 1 1-2 3; Gossman 0 0-0 0; Team 7 8-11 25
Hesston (25-2): Schrag 0 0-0 0; Landes 3 1-2 9; Bartlett 0 0-0 0; Larson 0 2-2 2; Deering 1 0-0 2; Unruh 6 0-3 13; Roth 0 0-0 0; Haug 1 1-2 3; Williams 1 0-0 2; Lumbreras 1 0-0 2; Humphreys 4 0-0 11; Bartell 8 1-2 18; Team: 25 5-11 60
Three-Point Baskets: Scott City 3 (Tarango 1, Meza 1, Berry 1), Hesston 5 (Humphreys 3, Unruh 1, Bartell 1); Turnovers: Scott City 11, Hesston 5; Fouls: Scott City 12, Hesston 13; Fouled Out: None.
Hesston will face Burlington at 8 pm on Thursday in the Hutchinson Sports Arena in the state semis.
