2A State Tournament: Best Archers
l like to use archery as an analogy for great shooting talents. As I watch great shooters play, my mind cannot help but wander to an archer’s confidence as he draws his bow back, his accuracy and focus when launching…
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Continue Readingl like to use archery as an analogy for great shooting talents. As I watch great shooters play, my mind cannot help but wander to an archer’s confidence as he draws his bow back, his accuracy and focus when launching an arrow hurdling towards a target, the elongated moment as he awaits the final result, and the satisfaction of hitting his target. In the same way, some guys can walk into a gym, fill up seats, and routinely cause anxious crowds to momentarily cease their collective breath, before the climactic rush of knocking down a deep shot. The great ones can knock down 3-pointer after 3-pointer, each time drawing a high fever pitch of banter and celebratory yelps from onlooking fans, orchestrating the gradual increase of the decibel level in the arena with the flick of his wrist. Shooting can be a special, energetic and explosive act, and most great teams in today’s age benefit from at least one talented shooter. These were the most impressive shooters at the 2A OSSAA State Tournament last weekend in Oklahoma City:
Reece Hamar 2019 Rejoice Christian wing/forward
Rejoice Christian senior Reece Hamar was the go-to guy early in the weekend for the Eagles. The senior hit six 3-pointers in the quarterfinals en route to a 21-point performance to boost Rejoice past Dale. As the Eagles would go on to win the Gold Ball on Saturday, Hamar’s Thursday afternoon performance may have been overlooked by many, but was commendable and due all of the credit it has or will receive.
Tate Cathcart 2019 Hooker wing
Tate Cathcart has the ability to hit big shots thanks to his versatility in the scoring game. He set an early precedent in the Bulldogs’ first-round loss to Rock Creek that he cannot be left unattended as a slasher. After that, the long ball was opened up for the senior as he hit three 3-pointers late in Hooker’s just-short comeback attempt on the Mustangs. He left the game with 25 points in the loss.
Rock Creek High School
This whole team has a strap. The Mustangs knocked down 14-of-20 3-pointers in the quarterfinals against Hooker to advance in the 61-48 win; four from 2020 guard Sammy Cahill, four from 2020 wing Luke Jestis, three from 2019 guard Karson Dry, and three from 2019 wing Elijah Factor. It was truly one of the most impressive team shooting feats I have witnessed in person, and it’s even scarier to think that every one of the guys have constantly hit multiple 3s a night all season.
Cade Paulin 2020 Vanoss guard
Junior guard Tucker Paulin shot the ball well for Vanoss in its first-round exit at the hands of Hennessey. Orchestrating the Wolves’ comeback efforts, Paulin hit a trio of late 3-pointers en route to a late-game surge that put Vanoss within three points of Hennessey after trailing by as many as 14.
Bryan Villalobos 2019 Hennessey wing
Bryce Villalobos knocked down four 3-pointers in the first round against Vanoss, keeping the Wolves out of range in their comeback attempts with his lightning-quick release from the catch.
Cooper Shirley 2021 Minco guard
Cooper Shirley hit three 3-points as a part of his 16-point performance against Rejoice Christian in the semifinal game. Despite coming up short, Shirley’s shooting night was a high point for the Bulldogs as their season ended in the big house.
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