Old Fort Classic Semifinal: Ft Gibson vs Oklahoma Union

<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Ft Gibson and Oklahoma Union played possible the game of the year. Both teams came out ready to play as they were shooting lights out. This was the type of game that crowds love to see. It was high scoring and intense affair. Oklahoma Union jumped out to an early lead after one quarter 24-19. Oklahoma Union did not get phased by the big lights as they continued to shoot a high percentage as they led at the halftime break 39-34. Fort Gibson started to change the momentum in the third quarter as they took the lead 52-51. The game was decided on a last second block by Conner Calavan as the Tigers advanced to the Old Fort Classic Championship game with the 76-74 victory.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Run and Gun </span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">This game started fast as the undefeated 2A team showed no fear from the bigger school. They came out with a swagger and thought that they were the better team. Fort Gibson came out and got hit in the face early and responded well. Oklahoma Union was pressing and trapping all over the court trying to speed up the game. Fort Gibson also wanted to play fast which made for an entertaining game. Both teams were flying around the court pressing each other and they were knocking down their shots. </span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Trading Threes </span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Oklahoma Union came out and quickly hit a couple of threes to show they were ready to go. Fort Gibson responded with their own threes as the game was setting up for a championship feeling (In the Semis). Both teams did not shy away from the pressure as they were finding the open guys and just being able to step into their threes. This continued throughout the game as both teams were trading threes in the biggest moments of the game. Both teams combined for 24 threes on the night. Fort Gibson had 10 and Oklahoma Union had 14. </span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Free throws win big games </span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Free throws are what ended up winning this game as the game went to the wire. Oklahoma Union extended the game by fouling and it almost worked but in the end Fort Gibson was able to knock down there free throws to finish off the game. </span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Carson Calavan 2020 Fort Gibson Guard</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Calavan is everything he is advertised to be. He was all over the court as Fort Gibson relied on more than just his shooting ability. He was posting up down low, finishing at the rim, and working all three levels of the game. He was strong on the boards and played stifling defense. Calavan was the difference in the game. He showed extreme intelligence down the stretch as he fouled Oklahoma Union with three seconds left when Fort Gibson was up by three so that they couldn’t tie the game from three. Calavan also made the game saving block on the a last second heave towards the basket. Calavan finished the night with a game high 28 points. </span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Jace Gilmore 2020 Oklahoma Union Guard</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Gilmore was a straight baller on the night. He was thriving throughout the game and Fort Gibson could not seem to find a way to stop him. He hit big shot after big shot and most of them were from 2-3 feet behind the three point line. He was also able to slash to the basket and finish at the rim. Gilmore will be a steal for a small college as he finished the night with 16 points. </span></p>