Basketball roundups
The Crosstown Clash between Norman and Norman North was one of many intriguing high school basketball matchups throughout the state on Friday night.
These might be the last few home games for legendary Millwood coach
Varryl “Chop” Franklin, but he doesn’t want to hear about it.
After Class 3A No. 6-ranked Millwood took down Class 4A John Marshall on Friday night, defeating the Bears 64-51, Franklin wanted to talk about the defense his boys used to hold John Marshall to 32 percent shooting on the night.
“We are all about getting better every game,” Franklin said. “I thought we came out prepared and executed on the defensive end tonight. They played tough, hard-nosed defense.”
The difference in the game was a 16-4 run Millwood had before halftime and carried over into the second half.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Thanks to hot shooting from junior guard Cameron
Bell, who finished with 22 points, Millwood grabbed a big lead and never looked back.
“This is probably one of the better games he’s played this year,” Franklin said. “He was a leader for us tonight.”
The Millwood (16-6) victory snapped John Marshall’s 11-game winning streak.
Deontre Price added 18 points, Isaiah Williams scored 12 and senior forward
Dezmond Howard scored six and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench.
John Marshall was led in scoring by Durham Daquarius with 11 and Patrick
Garrett, who added 9.
A celebration is being planned for Franklin’s last home game at Millwood on Feb. 9 to celebrate his storied 43-year coaching career at the school.
But Chop doesn’t want to hear about that just yet.
“I just want to get better and continue to win,” he said.
SMITH LEADS NORMAN NORTH IN CROSSTOWN CLASH
Shemar Smith was angry even before tipoff.
Norman North’s star 6-foot-6 junior heard rumblings Norman felt he wasn’t an X-factor. He proved them wrong. “I showed who was the X-factor,” Smith said.
Smith delivered 22 points and 13 rebounds, helping No. 2-ranked Norman North rout rival No. 9 Norman 73-44 in the Crosstown Clash at Norman North.
“He’s been doing it all year,” said Norman North coach Bryan Merritt, who earned his 100th win with the Timberwolves.
Smith scored 13 points in the second half, helping Norman North (17-2) outscore Norman (12-5) 40-15.
Norman had led most of the first half before Norman North got going behind Smith, Jalen Crutchfield and Drake Stoops.
“They felt pretty confident until we came back,” Smith said.
TIP-INS
Ben Smith scored 22 points as Edmond Santa Fe took care of Mustang, 67-46 . ... Heritage Hall whipped Oklahoma Centennial 79-61 behind 21 points from junior William
McDonald and 20 points from senior guard Blake Horrell.