CHARLESTON – A week that began with much hoopla and attention concerning their first state tournament trip in 66 years ended with a thud for the Scott Skyhawks here last Thursday evening, when the Wyoming East Warriors bumped them from the Class AA field with a convincing 65-39 quarterfinal victory.

Making their first state tournament appearance since 1943, the Skyhawks were the talk of the Madison area, not to mention one of the hottest stories of the 2009 state tournament, and a magnet for community support and school pride.

An impressive flock of black-and-gold fans found their way to the Charleston Civic Center to support their Skyhawks. Many of those fans were on their feet for much of the game’s first 10 minutes, as Scott played right with the two-time defending state champions.

Scott led 2-0 and 5-1 early as senior guard Steven McComas netted two free throws and fired in a long-range three-pointer. McComas tallied all 11 of Scott’s first-period points, keeping the Skyhawks within striking distance at 14-11 as the second quarter started.

Fellow senior guard Carl Shaffer scored on a drive to the hoop with 6:37 showing on the second-stanza clock, leaving Scott with a five-point deficit at 20-15.

Wyoming East promptly took charge of the contest with a 13-0 run over the next three minutes. The game-changing run, powered by a pair of three-pointers by Kody McCracken and aided by a trio of costly Scott turnovers, propelled Wyoming East into a 33-15 lead.

Shaffer’s jumper with 3:38 remaining in the period snapped the scoreless span for Scott, but McCracken’s third three-pointer of the period shot the Warriors into a commanding 38-17 lead and helped Wyoming East enjoy a 40-22 halftime lead.

Anthony Fuller (five) and Gentry Shrewsbury (four) teamed up for nine third-stanza points and Trey Falin added a three-pointer as Wyoming East stretched its lead to 25 at 49-24 before settling for a 54-32 advantage after three quarters.

"The team depth and past tournament experience that Wyoming East had were factors in this game," Scott head coach Jason Kingery said. "That 13-0 spurt that they ran off in the second quarter was the big key. We were down by five and about two minutes later we were down by 18.”

Shrewsbury paced the Warriors' win, scoring 22 points and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Fuller added 15 points and four assists. McCracken tallied nine points. Evan Muscari finished with eight points and five assists.

McComas, a Class AA All-Tournament Team selection, topped Scott with a game-high 27 points. McComas netted 5-of-10 three-pointers, 3-of-8 two-pointers and 6-of-9 free throws.

Shaffer contributed eight points, five assists and four rebounds. Junior center Tyler Thompson tossed in two points and claimed a team-high eight rebounds.

Junior forward Chase Woodruff had two points and three rebounds. Sophomore center Justin Harmon snared three rebounds. Junior forward Tyler Ramsey and sophomore guard Marshall Tully each grabbed two rebounds.

“We struggled shooting the ball early, but Kody McCracken came off the bench to hit those three-pointers in the second period," Wyoming East head coach Jesse Lester said. "Gentry Shrewsbury gave us his usual steady game. He is a high-energy player and a team leader.”

Wyoming East went on to defeat Tug Valley in the semifinals but lost to Ravenswood in the championship game. The Warriors, who were seeking a third straight state crown, finished the season at 26-2.

The Skyhawks finished the season with an 11-15 mark and a desire to return to the state tournament.

“Our entire season was one huge rollercoaster ride," Kingery said. "We beat Bluefield early, but started the season 2-5. We were really frustrated by losses at Nicholas County and at home against Tug Valley, but we had huge wins against Harlan County (Ky.) and St. Albans late in the season. We lost to Tug Valley in the sectional finals, but we upset Sissonville to reach the state tourney. Then we ran into a very good Wyoming East team in the first round.

“My job as head coach is to make sure that our basketball program uses this state tournament experience as a springboard for future success. Our team was happy to represent Scott High School and Boone County in the state tourney, but we are not satisfied. We look at this as unfinished business, and the Scott Skyhawks will be hungry to get back to the state tournament. We won’t be satisfied until we win a state title.

“I saw a lot of middle school basketball players and youth league basketball players among the many Scott High School fans at the tournament. I hope that they were thinking about how great it would be for them to play for the Skyhawks in the state tournament. I also hope that they will be ready to make the same commitment that the players on this team have made.”

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Kingery and the Skyhawks send special thanks to all of the fans who supported them in the state tournament and throughout this season.

The Skyhawks also appreciate the financial support that allowed them to enjoy a first-class experience last week in Charleston as well as all of the contributions the team received from summer ball through the state tournament.

Scott again will have a full summer schedule.

Kingery also has announced the team will take part in a pre-Christmas tourney in Johnson City, Tenn., and a late-December tourney in Belfry, Ky.

Scott backers and area hoop fans will want to circle Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 on their calendars. On that day, Scott will host the Southern West Virginia Coalfield Shootout at the Madison Civic Center. Six games, beginning at noon, are scheduled.

The slate includes a girls game between Scott and three-time defending state champion Summers County at noon, followed by five boys games -- Lincoln County vs. Menifee County, Ky.; Tucker County vs. Buffalo-Putnam; Cabell Midland vs. Jefferstown, Ky.; Logan vs. Henrico, Va.; and Scott vs. Lee-Davis, Va.

In releasing those three dates on the 2009-2010 Scott basketball card, Kingery assures Scott fans his team again will face a very demanding schedule that will help the Skyhawks be prepared for late February and early March.