Jenks Beats Union 72-70 In OT Classic

<p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <p>Jenks and Union met on Tuesday night and played an absolute classic that would go into overtime with the top ranked Trojans surviving and beating the Redhawks 72-70 in OT. This game was full of dynamic plays and runs from both teams. However, it was Jenks sophomore Carter Mundy who grabbed an offensive rebound, ran out to the three-point line and drilled a game-tying shot as the clock expired at the end of regulation to send it to overtime. In OT, Jenks senior [player_tooltip player_id="955379" first="Chase" last="Martin"] would hit two free throws to put the Trojans up 72-70 and Jenks would get two defensive stops in the final ten seconds to lock up the impressive road win.</p> <p>Jenks, back in the top spot in Class 6A after the ranking update on Monday, came out red hot and put on a passing clinic as they jumped out on top of Union 22-15 after the first quarter. The Trojans got just about every point early on right at the basket as they attacked Union’s size and would consistently find the backdoor option wide open, cutting to the basket for another lay up. </p> <p>Jenks looked like it was fully in control in the first half and they were playing sound basketball with very few mistakes. But the Redhawks showed why they are one of the scarier teams in Class 6A during the second and third quarter. This is a Union team that is young but that young talent is some of the best in the state. They were sparked by their 2024 "Big Three" of [player_tooltip player_id="1343196" first="Cedric" last="Dixon"], [player_tooltip player_id="1343195" first="Chris" last="Mason"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1343197" first="Dalen" last="Fuller"]. Those three all finished in double figures and were a big part of Union going on a 16-4 run in the third quarter to take a double digit lead at one point.</p> <p>Jenks would trim the lead before entering the fourth quarter and that’s when they would rally to eventually tie the game and send it into overtime. Late in overtime, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="958389" first="Ben" last="Averitt"] showed why he’s one of the better forwards in the state’s senior class. He had back to back possessions where he showed off the handle and would hit a step back jumper from about 15 feet. Each time Averitt’s jumpers would tie the game up as he came up clutch. </p> <p>Averitt for Jenks and Mason for Union each led all scorers with 24 a piece. Union had a couple shots to put this game away but as talented as they are, they are still young and sometimes young players make mistakes. With 15 seconds left, leading by 3 points, Union would turn it over on an inbounds pass, setting up Jenks for an opportunity to tie the game. </p> <p>These two teams are co-hosting the Jenks-Union Invitational next week and it’s once again a loaded tournament field. If these two rivals end up facing off in tournament play, sign us up for the rematch because Tuesday night was an absolute classic. </p> <hr /> <h4><strong>PROSPECT WATCH</strong></h4> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958389" first="Ben" last="Averitt"] - 2022 Forward - Jenks</strong><br /> Every time we see Jenks, we can’t help but be more impressed with senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="958389" first="Ben" last="Averitt"]. The 6’6 forward is just a solid basketball player that brings a lot to the table on the offensive side of the ball and makes very few mistakes. Averitt led the Trojans in scoring on Tuesday night with 24 points and he showcased his abilities as a shooter throughout the night. Late in the fourth quarter, Averitt knocked down a 3-pointer. And we already mentioned his back to back step back jumpers in overtime. In my opinion, Averitt is one of the better senior forwards in Oklahoma this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1343196" first="Cedric" last="Dixon"] - 2024 Guard - Union</strong><br /> The first part of Union’s 2024 trio is guard [player_tooltip player_id="1343196" first="Cedric" last="Dixon"]. The Union sharpshooter was at it again on Tuesday night as he knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter that sparked the 16-4 run that gave Union a double digit advantage. Dixon was also able to showcase his abilities as a passer, getting Union’s other standouts involved. However, when it comes to Dixon as a prospect, he’s widely known as a shooter and he certainly showcased that against the Trojans. When Dixon starts heating up from outside, this Union team will be very tough to slow down. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="955379" first="Chase" last="Martin"] - 2022 Forward - Jenks</strong><br /> Jenks senior [player_tooltip player_id="955379" first="Chase" last="Martin"] is listed as a forward but he’s been put in charge of running this Jenks offense as a point guard. However, the Jenks senior suffered a foot injury in December and you could tell watching on Tuesday night that he’s still not back to 100 percent and it somewhat limited him at times. Another issue Martin has run into from time to time is foul trouble. However, despite all of that, Martin still had a good game and was critical to Jenks winning. In overtime, it was Martin who made the eventual game-winning free throws after driving to the basket and getting fouled.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1343195" first="Chris" last="Mason"] - 2024 Forward - Union</strong><br /> The best player on the floor for Union on Tuesday night was sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1343195" first="Chris" last="Mason"]. He’s Union’s primary threat down in the post and he showcased those skills throughout the night. When he got the ball in the paint on an entry pass or on an offensive rebound, Mason was as close to automatic as you can get. And he didn’t just have that part of his game going on Tuesday. He would also step out and knock down a jumper and even extended out to beyond the three-point line. Mason really impressed throughout the night, leading the Redhawks with 24 points.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1343197" first="Dalen" last="Fuller"] - 2024 Guard - Union</strong><br /> The best way to describe Union sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1343197" first="Dalen" last="Fuller"] is a "bull in the china shop". This young sophomore looks to have unlimited potential when it comes to his athletic abilities and he does several things on the floor that just make you shake your head in amazement. But on the flip side of that, he hasn’t perfected his abilities and there are some times when that raw athleticism gets out of control. But he had a really good game from start to finish, before fouling out late in the contest. Fuller also showed touch on his jumper to go along with his leaping ability.</p> <p><strong>Seth Wilkins - 2022 Guard - Jenks</strong><br /> Our final Jenks prospect is yet another senior in guard Seth Wilkins. Primarily known for being a shooter, Wilkins was doing a little bit of that but he was also part of Jenks attacking the rim early on in the game. Wilkins was consistently getting behind Union defenders on cuts to the basket and he was finishing at the rim. Wilkins, standing around 6’3 was a solid contributor in Jenks’ win on Tuesday night. As mentioned above, it was apparent that Martin was not 100 percent and Wilkins really stepped up and was a good second option behind Averitt on the offensive end.</p>