Fort Scott boys roll by Girard

Saturday, January 15, 2011

By Scott Nuzum

Herald-Triibune

GIRARD, Kan. -- Nine days off didn't hurt Fort Scott High's boys any as the Tiger boys rolled by Girard, 63-36, in a non-league contest at the Ted Taylor Gymnasium here Friday night.

Girard (1-7) scored first but the Tigers (5-3) scored the next 11 points unanswered.

Gabe Quick led Fort Scott with 15 points while Cameron Woodring and Cody Harper scored 11 each. Those three combined to connect on 13 of 21 field-goal attempts. Add in Griffin Knopp's 4-of-6 shooting night -- he finished with 8 points -- and one can see how easy it was for the Tigers.

"That's definitely good to see because that's the type of team that we felt like we could be going into the season," Fort Scott head coach Jeff DeLaTorre said of the efforts of Quick, Woodring and Harper. "All three of those guys can shoot. It can be one of those three (scoring) on a given night or it can be all three. And when all three are on like that, it's a good thing and it makes us a more dangerous opponent."

The Tigers led 13-6 after one period and then came out and scored the first 10 points of the second quarter.

The score was 37-15 at halftime as Fort Scott made 13 of 22 field-goal attempts. The Tiger defense forced 13 turnovers in the half and 23 for the game.

Fort Scott scored the first 7 points of the third period to extend the lead to 44-15. Girard didn't get into the 20's until 13 seconds remained in the quarter.

The 30-second running clock rule kicked in with 6:46 remaining in the game, when a pair of Quick free throws made it a 56-25 lead.

DeLaTorre emptied his bench and 10 players scored.

"Everybody that got on the floor did a good job," DeLaTorre said. "This was a team win tonight."

Both teams shot 53 percent from the field but Girard shot 13 fewer field goals than the Tigers as the Trojans committed so many turnovers. Fort Scott finished 23 of 43 while Girard was 16 of 30.

Woodring also had 9 rebounds as the Tigers enjoyed a slight 22-21 rebounding advantage. Fort Scott turned the ball over just 11 times.

Things get tough for the Tigers next week as they return to the Basehor-Linwood Invitational for the first time since 2007. They will face the Maryville Spoofhounds, ranked No. 6 in Missouri Class 3, Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 in a first-round contest. Three other teams in the field are also ranked in their respective states.

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