Independence girls hold off Tiger rally

Fort Scott senior Elisha Hasenplaugh (24) goes for a layup as Independence's Sierra Marquez (21) attempts to defend the play during the first half of Friday night's game at the FSHS gymnasium. The visitors claimed a 41-39 victory. (Kenny Felt/Special to the Tribune)

Fort Scott High's girls played Independence tough at the FSHS gymnasium Friday night, rallying from 7 points down in the third quarter and giving themselves a chance to win the game in the final seconds of play.

The Bulldogs prevailed, however, and finished the season as the third-place team in the Southeast Kansas League behind co-champs Chanute and Labette County, each of which won on Friday night.

Ashley Cook's free throws with 20 seconds left in the third period tied the score at 30-30 going into the final stanza and Karlee Stanley gave the Tigers their first lead of the game on a basket seconds into the fourth.

Independence (8-4 SEK, 12-8 overall) reclaimed the lead by scoring the next 5 points and held a 37-33 lead with 4:57 to go. Stanley hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to bring the Tigers within one.

After going scoreless for four minutes, Cook brought Fort Scott (2-10, 4-16) within one again, 40-39, with a 3-pointer with 20 seconds to go. Cook led all scorers with 13 points and Stanley added 12 for the Tigers.

INDEPENDENCE: Renfro 2-4 1-2 6, R.Marquez 0-0 0-0 0, McGrath 2-12 4-6 9, K.Matthews 0-0 0-0 0, K.Smith 0-0 0-0 0, S.Marquez 1-3 0-0 3, Groff 1-6 1-2 3, Derrick 3-7 6-10 12, Hufferd 0-1 1-2 1, S.Matthews 1-4 5-8 7. TOTALS: 10-37 18-30 41.

FORT SCOTT: J.Denton 0-0 0-0 0, Altic 0-0 0-0 0, Rooks 0-0 0-0 0, S.Brown 1-3 0-0 2, Westhoff 1-3 0-0 2, Stanley 5-6 0-3 12, Hale 1-2 0-0 2, Hasenplaugh 3-10 2-2 8, A.Cook 3-10 5-6 13, H.Denton 0-0 0-0 0, Bailey 0-0 0-0 0, M.Cook 0-2 0-2 0. TOTALS: 14-36 7-13 39.

Fort Scott................... 7 6 17 9 -- 39

Three-point field goals: Independence 3-16 (Renfro 1-2, S.Marquez 1-2, McGrath 1-7, Groff 0-5), Fort Scott 4-10 (Stanley 2-2, A.Cook 2-7, S.Brown 0-1).

Total fouls: Independence 14, Fort Scott 20. Fouled out: None.

Rebounds: Independence 30 (McGrath 7), Fort Scott 27 (Stanley 5, A.Cook 5, M.Cook 5). Assists: Independence 6 (McGrath 2), Fort Scott 9 (A.Cook 4). Turnovers: Independence 20, Fort Scott 23. Steals: Independence 14 (Renfro 5, S.Matthews 5), Fort Scott 8 (Hasenplaugh 4). Blocked shots: Independence 1 (Derrick), Fort Scott 1 (Stanley).