Boys beat 'Nado, grab share of title

COFFEYVILLE -- For the first time ever in the history of the Southeast Kansas League, there will be tri-champions in boys' basketball.

Fort Scott High's boys did their part by holding off a late rally to beat Coffeyville here Thursday night, 64-55. Meanwhile, in Parsons, Labette County, which entered the night on top of the SEK, lost to the Vikings, 49-42. And at Pittsburg, the Purple Dragons claimed their share of the crown by beating Iola, 59-40.

The SEK as it is known now has been crowning a boys' basketball champion every school year since 1928-29. There have been 18 seasons with co-champions, the latest being 2005-06. In fact, LCHS has now won the SEK four times -- all four occasions have been ties.

Fort Scott (12-4 SEK, 13-7 overall) never trailed in this contest, leading as much as 16 points halfway through the fourth quarter. But Coffeyville (10-6, 12-8) stormed back with a 9-0 run that brought it within 53-46 with around four minutes remaining.

Ethan Cordray's transition layup off his own steal brought the Golden Tornado within 59-55 with around 1:30 remaining. But Coffeyville never scored again.

Alex Barner led the Tigers with 18 points while Gary Floyd had 13 and Paul Norris and Cory Schenkel each had 11.

Cameron Craig and Ethan Cordray, who combined for 35 points when Coffeyville beat Fort Scott at the FSHS gymnasium on Feb. 5, were held to a total of nine points in this game. Drew Hobbs led the 'Nado with 12 points while Zach Mitchell and Patrick Shobe each had 11. Shobe scored all of his points in the fourth quarter.

Since that loss to Coffeyville earlier this month, Fort Scott has won six straight games. The Golden Tornado came into this game winners of six of its last seven games.

Fort Scott will host a first-round game of the Ottawa Class 4A Sub-State Tournament Monday night. Osawatomie, the No. 7 seed, will be the opponent. Play is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the FSHS gymnasium.

JUNIOR VARSITY -- Fort Scott's JV romped to a 68-33 win over Coffeyville as Jeremy Hull scored 16 points.

FRESHMEN -- Thursday's result was not available. Wednesday night, in the freshmen tournament, the Tigers took a 63-35 win over Marmaton Valley as Matt Wright scored 15 points. The Tigers play Chanute tonight at 6:30 in the FSHS gymnasium.

FORT SCOTT: Quick 1 0-0 2, Karleskint 0 0-0 0, Floyd 6 1-2 13, Clements 2 1-2 5, Knopp 2 0-0 4, Norris 5 1-2 11, Schenkel 3 4-4 11, Barner 6 5-6 18, Fancher 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 25-49 12-16 64.

COFFEYVILLE: Caresio 4 0-0 9, Craig 2 0-1 5, Cordray 1 2-3 4, Ke.Thompkins 0 0-0 0, Ka.Thompkins 0 0-0 0, Hobbs 5 2-4 12, Mitchell 4 3-4 11, Shobe 5 0-0 11, Walton 1 1-2 3. TOTALS: 22-64 8-14 55.

Coffeyville...... 9 13 14 19 -- 55

Three-point field goals: Fort Scott 2-4 (Schenkel, Barner), Coffeyville 3-16 (Caresio, Craig, Shobe).

Total fouls: Fort Scott 11, Coffeyville 16. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: none.