KINGFISHER — The Weatherford Eagles basketball team finished in second place at the Buckle of the Wheatbelt Invitational in Kingfisher. This past weekend.
Thursday, Weatherford defeated Chisholm 51-27 to advance to the semifinals. Friday, they defeated the Oklahoma City Storm 64-51. With this win, Weatherford faced Kingfisher in the championship game Saturday night, but lost 71-42.
“It was a good tournament for us,” coach Derrick Bull said. “We got two really good wins and we got to compete with the best team in the state, but came up short against the best team in Class 4A.”
Weatherford 51,
Chisholm 27
Weatherford jumped out to an 8-3 lead with plays like Cade Jennings stealing the basketball, scoring a layup, getting fouled and making the and-one free throw. Jennings scored the first 8 points for Weatherford.
Chisholm came back, going on a 7-0 run, but Keenan Musick scored a 3-pointer to stop the run with 1:15 left in the first quarter. The Eagles were ahead by 3 points going into the second quarter, 13-10.
The Eagles continued that run and defended well, leading 18-10 with 4:02 left in the second quarter. Chisholm scored its first points with 50 seconds left in the second quarter, making the score 24-12. Weatherford was ahead 24-12 at halftime and only allowed 2 points in the second quarter.
Weatherford opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run with plays like Jennings scoring a 3-pointer. Weatherford was ahead 32-12 with 5:05 left in the third quarter. Chisholm picked it up on offense, but Weatherford remained in front by 22 points at the end of the third quarter, with the score being 40-18.
Weatherford continued to play hard and they finished the game hard, winning the game 51-27.
“When they ran zone, we attacked the gaps and scored,” Bull said. “We played very well on defense and hit some shots. Defense had great effort and that was the difference in the game. We came out with great intensity and got a great start. If we defend like we did against Chisholm, we will have a chance to win any game we play.”
Weatherford 64,
OKC Storm 51
This game was a slow start. Weatherford started on a quick 4-0 run, but the OKC Storm took the lead at 5-4 with 2:30 left in the first quarter. Weatherford did close the quarter on an 8-0 run and Carter Lee scored all 8 points for Weatherford and the Eagles were up 12-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Garry Rose got hot for Weatherford, scoring the first 5 points for Weatherford. Weatherford opened the quarter on an 8-0 run and was ahead 20-5 with 6:05 left in the second quarter.
Weatherford built a 30-12 advantage with 3-pointers scored by Jennings and Lee. Jennings scored a fast break layup after a turnover and Weatherford was ahead 32-14 at halftime.
Weatherford expanded its lead to 18 points at 39-21 with plays like Jennings scoring a corner 3-pointer. The Storm closed the quarter on an 11-6 run. Weatherford was ahead 45-32 going into the fourth quarter.
A.J. Stevenson hit a 3-pointer and he forced a turnover to get the Eagles started in the fourth quarter. Stevenson hustled his tail off forcing a steal and almost scoring a layup on the same play.
Weatherford was ahead 56-41 when a technical foul was called on the Storm. Jennings hit the free throw. Zach Reherman made the score 61-44 on a dunk with a minute and half left in the game. Weatherford won the game 64-51.
“We played very well on defense in the first quarter and we started exactly how we wanted to,” Bull said. “We did an excellent job setting the tone on defense and I am proud of us only allowing 5 points in the first quarter. We also hit some great shots. Carter got us going knocking down the shots he did and it was great for us getting off to that start.”
Bull said Rose plays hard and always gives 100 percent every time he takes the floor during a game and in practice.
“Garry brings us so much energy,” Bull said. “Credit to him because he plays hard for us and is quick and is a good asset for us.”
Bull said guarding was the key for pulling out this win and they really got after it on defense.
“We guarded really well, which was important because they shoot the ball really well,” Bull said. “They hit some shots as the game went along, but we kept defending, grabbing rebounds and limiting their chances to score. We put pressure on them and capitalized off of their mistakes.”
Kingfisher 72,
Weatherford 41
Kingfisher jumped out to a quick start on offense early, but Jennings scored two 3-pointers keeping Weatherford close at 18-9.
Kingfisher went on an 18-1 run and the score was 36-10 late in the second quarter. Jennings hit two 3-pointers, but Kingfisher was ahead 43-16 at halftime. Jennings scored all 16 points in the first half for Weatherford.
Weatherford scored the first points of the third quarter when Stevenson scored a 3-pointer. Rose stole the ball and scored a fast break layup.
Kingfisher went on to beat Weatherford 71-42.
“Kingfisher is a really good team,” Bull said. “They hit lots of shots on us and we tried so many different things to defend them, but they have really good shooters.”
Weatherford played Clinton Tuesday night and they return to action, 8 p.m. Friday at Bethany.
“We just have to keep competing,” Bull said. “This is a big week for us because this is the last week of rankings which will count for playoff seeding. Hopefully we just continue to keep getting better. Bethany will be tough going on the road and we will have to change how we do a few things. We are taking it one game at a time and are excited to keep playing basketball.”