Strategy, free throws help Fort Scott boys hold off Independence

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- One incident changed the way Fort Scott High's boys played in the fourth quarter of Friday night's Southeast Kansas League contest against Independence. But the Tigers were able to adapt and hold off the Bulldogs, 55-50, in Southeast Kansas League play at the FSHS gymnasium.

Fort Scott (7-4 SEK, 9-6 overall) looked to be ready to pull away from Indy (4-6, 7-7) by rolling by them offensively as the fourth quarter started as the Tigers scored the first six points in just under 2 minutes, going up 47-39.

But then senior leading scorer Gary Floyd fell hard on his injured right elbow. He was unable to finish the game, sitting on the sidelines with his arm in a sling with some ice.

The Tigers then relied on ball control, burning off nearly 3 minutes before committing a turnover. However, Independence took the ball down to the other end and missed a 3-point shot. Fort Scott grabbed the rebound and killed off more time. With 1:58 remaining, Independence was finally able to commit its seventh team foul and send the Tigers to the free-throw line.

Fort Scott missed the front ends of two one-and-ones, however, and Independence scored two baskets to get within 47-43 with 1:12 remaining. Then Cody Harper -- who scored all 14 of his points in the second half -- finally made a pair with 1:10 to go.

The key now was to try to keep it where Indy needed to possessions to win. The Tigers were able to do just that.

Cameron Woodring made two charity tosses after being fouled on a breakaway with 31 seconds left to make it a 53-47 game.

"We knew (Woodring) was a good free-throw shooter and I felt confident with the way he played in the first half that he would able to handle the pressure in that situation," DeLaTorre said.

The Bulldogs came back the other way and saw Peyton Botts hit a 3-pointer -- his only basket of the night -- to clip the lead to three points with 19 seconds left.

Harper stepped up and made two free throws with 13 seconds left. Botts missed another 3-point shot and the rebound bounced out almost to half court before it was tipped out of bounds with 2.6 seconds remaining. Indy had the ball but not enough time to win.

"That's a tough night in the league," Fort Scott head coach Jeff DeLaTorre said. "It was a battle all night. No one really took total control of the game. I was a little concerned about coming back on back-to-back nights. I thought we showed a lot more energy tonight for some reason. I think the big crowd for Homecoming carried us over at the end"

Floyd's status is unknown for Tuesday night's home game against Columbus. He seemed to be feeling better after struggling to score in Thursday night's loss to Pittsburg in which he missed all nine 3-point shots he took. But he showed that he seemed to be fine by hitting a 3-pointer from the right wind for the first field goal of the contest.

The Tigers were up 7-4 early on after Griffin Knopp took a steal in for a dunk. They were up 13-10 after one period of play, holding the Bulldogs to 2-of-10 field-goal shooting.

Indy's Daniel Jenkins, who did not play in the teams' first meeting in December, tied the score early in the second quarter on a 3-point goal. But the Tigers managed to extend the lead to 28-20 with 1:40 left after a Knopp tip-in. Garret Webster's trey brought the 'Dogs within 5 at the half.

The teams traded score for score early in the third period with Fort Scott holding a 36-30 lead with 3:31 to go. Easton Julian and Jenkins hit back-to-back shots for Indy to get within two. But Jonathan Stark hit a bank show and Harper swished his third triple of the period to get the lead up to 41-34 with 1:31 remaining.

"He's had some nights where he shot well," DeLaTorre said of Harper. "And tonight, they were big shots; shots that gave us some momentum."

Indy responded with Jonny Dierks scoring a jumper and Julian converting a 3-point play to bring Indy within 41-39 going into the final stanza.

Logan Fancher scored the first two baskets of the fourth period as his Tiger teammates found him open for layups. Then Floyd hit a 12-foot jumper to make it 47-39.

Knopp also finished with 14 points for the Tigers while Floyd had 13 before his injury. Jenkins and Julian scored 17 points each for the Bulldogs.

The Tigers made 19 of 41 field-goal tries for 46 percent while Indy was 16 of 36 for 44 percent. Overall, Fort Scott was 11 of 22 from the free-throw line but the Tigers were 8 of 12 in the fourth quarter. Independence made 13 of 15 free throws.

Knopp also had 10 rebounds as Fort Scott held a 27-23 edge on the boards. Floyd dished three assists and Mikey Karleskint had three steals.

The Tigers will face Columbus at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night in Southeast Kansas League play at the FSHS gymnasium, capping a three-game homestand before playing the next two on the road.

JUNIOR VARSITY -- The Tigers defeated Independence, 67-38. Jaret Thorpe scored 14 points to lead Fort Scott while Woodring had 13 and Matt Wright scored 11.