Fort Scott Tribune: Local News: Tigers tough one out versus Panthers (03/02/10)

Fort Scott's Courtney Carpenter (14) guards Paola's MacKenzie Hallstrom during the second half of Sub-State action Monday night at the FSHS gymnasium. The Tiger defense allowed Paola to make only 35 percent of its shots from the floor in a 46-36 victory.
(Kenny Felt/Captured Images)

Fort Scott High's girls knew that Paola, even as a No. 7 seed in the Osawatomie Class 4A Sub-State, was not going to be an easy team to beat when they met them in a first-round game at the FSHS gymnasium Monday night.

Considering the quality of competition the Panthers (6-15) have played this season, it wasn't surprising to see them hang with the second-seeded Tigers (15-6) early on. But eventually Fort Scott was able to come away with a 46-36 victory by exercising some patience under adversity and hitting free throws in the clutch.

Paola was still within 13-11 early in the second quarter but didn't score again the rest of the half. Megan McDermed started a run that would extend into the third period with a layup with 6:16 on the clock and Jolee Sharp followed by scoring the Tigers' next 11 points.

Fort Scott's lead was 22-11 at the half and two more baskets from Sharp capped the run and made it a 15-point game.

But midway through the third, Sharp landed awkwardly on her ankle while trying to make a play and had to leave the game. She did not return.

McDermed, the Tigers' No. 2 scorer this season, took over the scoring load and helped boost the lead to 32-21 by the end of the period. Meanwhile, Fort Scott's defense, which allowed the Panthers to make only 35 percent of its shots on the night, continued to smother the Panthers.

"Any time a player goes down, regardless of who they are, the girls are very concerned about her," Fort Scott head coach Jeff Armstrong said. "But the girls did a good job of staying focused and continuing to attack."

Paola started using a press in the fourth quarter, fouling the Tigers in an effort to "extend the game," as Armstrong put it. But Fort Scott thwarted that plan by making 12 of 16 free throws in the period.

Sharp had 18 points before her injury while McDermed finished with 16 points for the Tigers, who shot 54 percent from the floor on 14 of 26.

The Tigers will face No. 3 seed Spring Hill at 6 p.m. Thursday in Osawatomie. The Broncos defeated Osawatomie 52-22 Monday.