Brothers spark Eudora boys to Kansas 4A Division II title

As was the trend most of this season, the Ballock brothers came through when Eudora needed them most.

Andrew and Mitchell combined for 39 points, as Eudora defeated Scott City 71-58 to win the Kansas Class 4A Division II title on Saturday in Park City.

The victory ended a three-year streak of state championships for Scott City who was previously in Class 3A and it was the first state title for Eudora who entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Cardinals finished the season 20-5.

“They played their tails off for 32 minutes all three game playing so hard and almost just refusing to lose,” Eudora coach Kyle Deterding said. “They did a great job.”

Eudora led 18-14 at the end of the first quarter and used a 10-2 run going into halftime to take a 36-23 lead, behind 28 points from the Ballocks. Scott City used a 21-5 run in the third quarter to cut the lead to 50-48. But down the stretch, Eudora put together another 10-2 run to close out the game.

“On the offensive end we got to the backboard and made a couple nice drives and penetrated,” Deterding said. “On the defensive end we got several stops in a row and made some buckets and got that cushion and held on.”

Mitchell, who is a freshman, led the Cardinals with 20 points. Andrew, who is a senior, finished with 19. Austin Downing and Zachary Scroggin added 14 and 11 points, respectively.

This story was originally published March 16, 2014 at 12:38 AM with the headline "Brothers spark Eudora boys to Kansas 4A Division II title."