Crowder Invitational features Oktaha's top-ranked teams

By JAYSON KNIGHT

In the third night of competition for the Crowder Invitational, there were three games. The first game was the Canadian Cougars taking on the junior varsity Crowder Demons.

Although the Cougars won, the Demons were able to put up 40 points and Dusty Platt lead the team with eight of them.

Unfortunately for the JV Demons, the Cougars were able to score 65 points. Bubba Blanks was able to lead the team with 26 points.

The second game of the night was the Oktaha Lady Tigers giving Hartshorne’s ladies more than they could handle. The Lady Tigers were able to box out defenders and maintain control of the ball even when a teammate missed a shot. They would pull down four or five offensive rebounds per possession at times.

The game wasn’t all Oktaha though as Hartshorne’s ladies fought hard.

Kayla John and Tracy Tiger found their ways to the hole without being blocked which was a rare feat.

Oktaha never stopped, they never let up, they played like machines and did all the things neccessary to win.

Oktaha’s Whitney Brown kept stealing the ball, especially on lazy passes, but also one-on-one. At times she would break with her new-found stolen possession and sink it for two before the Lady Miners knew what to do.

Lanessa Grayson and Emery Fox were the top-dogs at blocking. They both did a great job, but the whole team managed to contest every single shot.

Oktaha is one of the top teams in the state at 2A for a reason. They can take away every part of an opponent and score almost effortlessly.

The Miners did manage to show some range and drain some deep ones. Candice Baker nailed a three and did well from the line.

The Lady Miners put together some plays that went for scores in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late. The Tigers advanced and will now play the winner of today’s matchup, Crowder versus Central Sallisaw.

Wister put forth a strong effort in trying to beat the fourth-ranked Oktaha Tigers, but fell short 77-56.

The Tigers were dominant. The fact that 19 points is their smallest margin of victory so far should help to make clear that these Tigers came on the hunt and ready to pounce.

Wister’s guys will now play whichever team doesn’t head to the finals between Hartshorne and Central Sallisaw. That matchup is tonight and the winner will move on to play Oktaha for first place in the boys’ bracket.

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