Girls Hoops: Colby grinds past Hugoton in defensive battle

Some nights, teams will be prolific in scoring and basketball becomes a great game to watch, if you love offense. If you're defensive-minded, Friday was filled with games throughout Southwestern Kansas that defensive gurus would just enjoy.

Take, for example, what happened at the Colby Community Building between the host Eagles and arguably the hottest team in the region coming in, Hugoton.

Neither team could find a rhythm offensively - in fact, Colby shut out the guest Eagles in the first quarter - and it took a fourth-quarter spurt to enable the hosts to claim a 32-23 win.

While both teams struggled, it was Colby (7-2 GWAC, 16-3 overall), that used a 13-6 edge in the final eight minutes to take home the win, and cause a three-way tie atop the Great West Athletic Conference with Hugoton and Scott Community, who also won on Friday.

Hallie Vaughn had 12 points, while Emma Curry hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points for the homestanding Lady Eagles, who also locked up the No. 2 seed in the Cimarron Sub-State with the win.

Hugoton (7-2, 13-5) was led by Mikyn Hamlin's 10 points while McKenna Hamlin added seven points.

In other action on Friday Night:

Scott Community 54, Holcomb 33

A huge second-half run and a strong defensive effort lifted the Lady Beavers to the win and the top seed in the Cimarron Sub-State.

Brynn McCormick led Scott Community (7-2 GWAC, 17-2 overall) with 14 points, while Emily Weathers added 13 for the Beavers, who outscored the Lady 'Horns, 21-9, in the second half and, in the process, won their fourth in a row over Holcomb.

Nicole Ruda led Holcomb (6-13) with 15 points.

Goodland 44, Ulysses 24

The Cowgirls picked up the road win to send the Tigers to their 16th straight loss, and a sweep of the season series between the two teams.

Taige Weeter paced Goodland (3-6 GWAC, 9-10 overall) with a game-high 21 points. The win gives the Cowgirls a chance to finish as high as the No. 5 seed in the Cimarron Sub-State. They are currently one game behind Lakin (10-9), with Tuesday's action remaining.

Ulysses (0-9, 1-18) was led by Clara Garcia's 18 points.

Cimarron 51, Sublette 39

The Lady Jays wrapped up a home game in the upcoming Cimarron Sub-State by using a strong middle two quarters and beating the Lady Larks in Cimarron.

After a tight first eight minutes, which saw Cimarron (12-7) lead, 15-13 at the end of the stanza, the Lady Jays outscored their guests, 27-16, in the second and third quarters to build a 44-29 lead.

Emily Acton scored 12 points to lead the Lady Jays, who close out the regular season at Southwestern Heights on Tuesday, while Melody Carter added 11 points. Isabella Pesaine led the Lady Larks (9-10) with a game-high 15 points. Sublette will play at Stanton County on Tuesday.

Garden City 54, Hays 38

Keyhana Turner scored a season-high 22 points, while Amaya Gallegos added 13 as the Buffaloes picked up a key Western Athletic Conference win at Hays. With the win, Garden City (10-9) gets closer to locking up a home game for the opening round of Sub-State.

Dodge City 58, Great Bend 42

The Lady Demons used a 20-5 run in the third quarter to pick up a big win and cemented hosting a opening round game at Sub-State with the win at the DCHS Fieldhouse.

Kisa Unruh led three Dodge City players in double figures with 15 points. Becca Unruh added 14, while Amaya Perez added 12 for the Lady Demons (5-2 WAC, 15-4 overall), who will close out the regular season on Tuesday at Hays.

Walsh, CO 37, Rolla 28

Madison Carter had 14 points and nine rebounds to lead the Lady Pirates, but the Lady Eagles (2-16) used a 15-2 fourth-quarter run to rally and stun host Rolla (8-9) on Friday.

Elkhart 55, Southwestern Heights 20

Both Jenni Forbes and Chevelle Ralston posted double-doubles as the Lady Wildcats ran past the Mustangs in the second half to get the victory.

Forbes had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Ralston contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds for Elkhart (16-4), who clinched the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Elkhart Sub-State.

The Lady Wildcats held an 18-13 lead over the Mustangs (2-16), but used a 22-1 third-quarter run to blow open the game. Elkhart outscored Southwestern Heights in the second half, 36-6. Southwestern Heights will host Cimarron on Tuesday, then finish the regular season next Friday against Larned.

Other finals:

Syracuse 45, Lakin 21

Wallace County 55, Wichita County 30

Stanton County 41, Meade 38 (OT)

St. Francis 62, Greeley County 40

Saturday's Games:

Liberal 51, Great Bend 21