After losing to Highland Community College on February 23rd, the Fort Scott Men's basketball team knew that they would have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs. While the Greyhounds would have preferred to play at home in the playoffs, not all was lost since the Greyhounds were informed that their opponent would be Highland Community College, an opponent that the Greyhounds played seven days earlier.
The first half of the game was a back and forth battle with both teams having leads. The Greyhounds took a seven point lead and the Scotties fought back and climbed within two points at the half time mark. The second half started with the Greyhounds pushing the lead up to as many as ten points; however, Highland would come back and take the lead with five minutes left in the game.
Both teams proved that they did not want their seasons to end, with both teams taking the lead in the last five minutes of the game. Highland took a three point lead with 35 seconds left in the game. The Greyhounds came down and attempted one three point shot that missed, Ray Ray Chase collected the rebounded and passed the ball back to Chekeil Wright who passed the ball to Austin Danner who hit a three point shot with 1.7 seconds left in the game and that shot would send the game into overtime.
Once in overtime, the Greyhounds never trailed and sealed the win with free throws by Gary Floyd, James Fleming and Austin Danner. The win gave the Greyhounds their first playoff win in 44 years and placed the Greyhounds in the semi-finals of the Region VI, Division II playoffs.
The Greyhounds shot 50% from the field and 40% from the three point line, while shooting only 63% from the free throw line. The Greyhounds were led in scoring by Austin Danner and James Fleming who both scored 25 points, Prince Samuels recorded a double double scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, Ray Ray Chase pulled down 17 rebounds and blocked eight shots, while scoring five points.
"The players showed some resolve tonight. They could have folded and just threw in the towel when we were down by three with only 35 seconds left in the game, but they stayed focus and got the win. It is great for the players to experience this and also great for the community to be a part of this also. To break playoff streaks and to establish some success and consistency is what our goal is and I am fortunate to be a part of this program and college," Fort Scott head coach Michael Cook said.