Schuyler County Boys Win District Championship Over Scotland County Tigers

By David Sharp

Schuyler County and Scotland County met for the fifth time this season, this time to determine the boys championship of Class 2, District 6 basketball at Schuyler County. The Rams held a rebounding advantage in a physical game.

Tyson Droste led three Rams in double figures with 15 points for a 67-51 Schuyler County win. The Rams (21-7) won their first boys district championship since 2010.

Schuyler County led a closely contested first quarter by a 15-12 margin. The Rams went on a 7-3 second period run to a 24-17 lead at the 5:25 mark of period two. Schuyler County held the ball the final 30 seconds of the first half before Tyson Droste put the Rams up 33-23 with a buzzer beating three ball.

Schuyler County rebounds helped build a 52-35 advantage at the three quarter pole. Carter Clatt sank a put back for a 43-32 tally in favor of Schuyler County with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Mason Windy pulled down a rebound and scored making the score 41-27 Schuyler County with 4:44 remaining in the third period. Schuyler County hit nine fourth quarter free throws.

Gage Brownell brought the big crowd of Schuyler County supporters to their feet with basket off a Mason Windy feed for a 56-41 lead with 4:46 to play in the game

Dane Blessing scored on a Scotland County put back for a 59-48 score with 2:31 remaining. Tayte Richmond sank a Tiger home run ball for a 65-51 tally with 48 seconds remaining in the game.

Scotland County’s boys finished a fine season with an overall record of 21-6. The Lady Tigers also completed their season in the district championship game with 18 wins to their credit.

Tayte Richmond led Scotland County (21-6) with 14 points. Carter Clatt scored 12 Tiger points. Braylon Campbell put in nine Scotland County points. Dane Blessing scored six and Levi Stott tossed in five points. Kwayde Hamilton and Jaden Bergeson added two points each.

“I walked into an incredible situation Scotland County coach Weston Smith said. “All I had to do was come in and move out of the way of six seniors that are incredible leaders and human beings, basketball players. You name it.”

“They have bought in from the moment that we started working together,” Weston Smith said. “They do it for each other. With a lot of emotion and a lot of intensity. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“They went from 12-14 last season to 21-6 this year. That group of guys has got a lot accomplished,” Coach Smith said. “I am extremely proud of them and I give all the credit to them.”

Seniors Dane Blessing, Levi Stott, Evan Arnold, Tayte Richmond, Carter Clatt and Wesley McSparren played their final basketball games for Scotland County.

Schuyler County plays Clopton (16- 13) at the Class 2 boys Palmyra Sectional scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6PM.

Tyson Droste scored a game high 15 Ram points. Brody Weaver scored 14 points. Gage Brownell was the third Ram in double figures with 13 points. Cohen Meade scored nine points. Mason Windy put in six points. Gage Pauley tallied five points and Cash Cunningham added four points.

“I’m just proud of the kids,” Schuyler County coach Kyle Windy said. “They’ve gotten second place for the last couple of years. I’m really happy for them because I know how much time and effort they have put into it.”

“It is a compliment to Scotland (County). They have made us better by playing us five times. We had a great schedule. I think the game before made us better. Putnam County scared the daylights out of us,” Kyle Windy said.

“It came down to the last possession. We played really well in the moment. I thought our defensive intensity from start to finish was really solid.”