Labette County rallies to down Tiger boys

ALTAMONT -- Tanner Russell's 3-pointer with about 30 seconds remaining led Labette County's boys to a 55-53 over Fort Scott High here Tuesday night in Southeast Kansas League play.

The Tigers (4-5 SEK, 9-8 overall) came back looking for a shot but Labette County got the rebound. Fort Scott had to foul, sending Skylar Gatewood to the free-throw line with four seconds to go. He missed the front end of his one-and-one and the Tigers got the rebound but were unable to make a long shot for the win.

Fort Scott went into the fourth quarter ahead 42-35 after an 8-0 run to close out the third. The teams swapped 3-point goal to open the fourth but the Grizzlies (2-8, 6-11) went on a 9-0 run, taking the lead, 50-49, on Kline Ryan's free throws with 1:45 to go.

During Labette's run, there was a 25-to-30-second period when the clock did not run following a time out. Ironically, it was a period of time, with about 3:30 to go, when the Tigers were trying to work some clock. The error went unnoticed and was not corrected.

Kaleb DeLaTorre put the Tigers back in front, 51-50, with a pair of free throws with 1:25 to go. Javon Reliford scored for LCHS with 55 seconds remaining. Then DeLaTorre made two more charity tosses with 44 seconds remaining.

DeLaTorre led Fort Scott with 16 points and made two 3-point shots on the night. Those triples gave him 169 for his high-school career, tying the record held by Austin Boots (2002-05).

Grant Goldston made four 3's and finished with 12 points for the Tigers while De'Vonte Robinson added 11.

Reliford led Labette County with 15 points, Ryan added 13 and Russell 11.

JUNIOR VARSITY -- Fort Scott got by Labette County, 52-48. Brady Tourtillott led the Tigers with 20 points and Jessie Lawrence added 13.

FRESHMEN -- The Tigers (11-1) defeated the Grizzlies, 48-41, as Nick Lawrence scored 18 points, Matt Campbell 12 and Alec Michaud 10.

All three teams will be at home Friday night to take on Pittsburg, whose varsity team defeated Chanute, 50-43, Tuesday night to extend its lead in the SEK over the Blue Comets to a game and a half. The Purple Dragons will come into the game 8-2 in the SEK and 11-6 overall. Pittsburg won on its home court, 61-58, on January 12.

FORT SCOTT: DeLaTorre 3 8-8 16, Southwell 0 0-0 0, Hudiburg 1 2-2 4, Jones 2 0-0 6, Stepps 0 0-0 0, Robinson 4 1-2 11, Goldston 4 0-0 12, Cook 0 4-4 4. TOTALS: 14 15-16 53.

LABETTE COUNTY: McNickle 0 0-0 0, Reliford 6 0-0 15, Brader 0 1-2 1, Ryan 4 3-5 13, Russell 4 0-0 11, Walters 3 1-1 7, Dean 3 0-0 6, Gatewood 0 2-3 2. TOTALS: 20 7-11 55.

Labette County........ 20 7 8 20 -- 55

Three-point field goals: Fort Scott 10 (Goldston 4, DeLaTorre 2, Jones 2, Robinson 2), Labette County 8 (Reliford 3, Russell 3, Ryan 2).

Total fouls: Fort Scott 14, Labette County 14. Fouled out: Dean.