Edmond Memorial uses stifling defense to advance
The way Shane Cowherd figures, turnovers cost his team more than others.
The Edmond Memorial coach says because of his team’s slow-pace offense and stifling defense, each time they cough it up counts both as a lost chance at points and a possible easy transition basket for the other team.
So when his team turned it over 12 times in the first half against Deer Creek on Thursday, he was none to pleased.
“Turnovers probably should count as one and a half turnovers for us,” Cowherd said. “Thankfully we were able to recover.
Up four points after three quarters, Class 6A Edmond Memorial clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter against Deer Creek and finished the game on a 15-5 run to close out the Antlers 43-31 in the first round of the Bruce Gray Invitational at Deer Creek High School.
Memorial’s defense held Deer Creek to just 26 percent shooting on the night and only gave up five points the final quarter.
Cowherd said a lot of the credit for that goes to senior forward Daniel Kvicala.
“He directs traffic and what we do defensively,” Cowherd said. “He routes bodies into the right direction and helps us out from a leadership standpoint.”
Kvicala also finished as the game’s top scorer, finishing with 16 points. Junior forward Drew Tennial added 10 points which includes his 8-for-8 night at the free throw line.
With the win, Memorial will face Class 6A No. 3 Putnam City North on Friday night at 7 p.m.
Bethany coach hoping team can learn to slow down
Bethany coach Ryan Wilkinson had to take a moment to compose himself before addressing his team.
They had just survived a furious comeback from Chisholm High School in the first round of the Buckle of the Wheatbelt Tournament at Kingfisher, in which Class 3A Chisholm outscored his Bronchos 23-9 in the final quarter.
With a chance to tie the game up, Class 4A Bethany forced Chisholm senior Scott Grebe into a tough, fadeaway 3-pointer with time expiring. Grebe’s shot was long, and the miss meant Bethany would advance to second round with a 62-60 win.
“Not the way you want to finish,” Wilkinson said. “But we are moving on. We’ll adjust and find a way to close better.”
Bethany started out on a tear from 3-point range in the first half, knocking down 9-of-12 attempts. But the second half proved to be tough sledding for the Bronchos from deep, they made only two second-half treys.
Instead, Bethany found success driving to the basket with junior guard David Miller and sophomore Brennen Burns.
Miller finished with 25 points while Burns added 16 to help secure the Bethany win.
Bethan features a starting lineup of four sophomores and a junior, which Wilkinson says comes with a lot of learning lessons, especially in late-game scenarios.
“We got in a hurry there in the end and turned it over a bunch,” he said. “We needed to slow down and eat clock. Sometimes it’s tough for younger guys to adjust their game for the right situation.”
Dale upends Cashion with fourth quarter flurry
Ahead by 10 with 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Cashion looked to be in control.
But two minutes was all Dale needed.
A quick 9-0 run cut the Wildcat lead to 41-40 heading into the fourth quarter. From there Class 2A Dale didn’t look back, finishing the game on 21-5 run and beating Class 2A Cashion on its home floor 58-50 to advance in the Cashion County Line Tournament.
Dale was led in scoring by junior guard Gabe Gouge, who finished with 14 points.
With the win, Dale will face off against Oklahoma Christian School on Friday at 8:20 p.m.
Cashion will face rival Crescent at 12:20 p.m. on Friday.
Tip ins
Junior point guard Micah Thomas led all scorers with 20 as Putnam City North knocked off Ponca City 80-40 in the first round of the Bruce Gray Invitational… Norman North beat Stillwater 67-49 in the Shawnee Invitational behind 22 points from senior guard Drake Stoops… Senior Beau Archer scored 21 as Moore took care of Douglass 73-45.