Class 2A Quarterfinals: Live Blog

The Class 2A quarterfinals tipped at 9:00 AM this morning, marking the start of 5 days of non stop basketball action in Oklahoma City.   #8 Pocola 40 #4 Hennessey 39   Pocola entered the Class 2A tournament with a well known dynamic duo of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1552068' first='Dakotah' last='Terrell'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1493578' first='Garrett' last='Scott']. The Indians were able to use 17 combined points from the duo to build a 24-15 halftime lead. Terrell had 12 points at the break. Including 6-8 shooting from the foul line.   Late in the second quarter, Hennessey's zone defense was able to slow the game down. That trend continued as they steadily climbed back into the contest. On the offensive end, they played through 6 foot 5 junior Jael Torres. Torres used his strong frame to carve out space on the offensive glass, while also understanding how to use his strength to initiate contact allowing him finish through the taller Terrell. The Hennessey junior would finish with a game high 19 points, with 15 of them coming in the second half.   After narrowing the deficit to only three to start the final quarter, the Eagles would tie it up multiple times in the final frame. But every time Hennessey pulled even, Pocola had an answer. In the final minute with the game tied, Pocola forced a turnover to regain possession. With the clock winding Scot, would drive into the paint but saw his shot attempt rejected by junior James Sims. The loose ball would fall to junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1790334' first='Austin' last='Hardwick'], who was fouled on the putback attempt with 2.8 seconds remaining. Hardwick would hit the first free throw to break the deadlock and advance Pocola to a Friday semifinals match up at 7:30 with top ranked Dale.     #1 Dale 86 vs #18 Wister 46   It was a slow start for the defending champion Pirates, as Dale only lead 4-0 a few minutes into the game. In a blink of an eye they were up by 20. With a few remaining minutes remaining in the first half, the lead had blossomed to 40 points and 13 Pirates would touch the Big House floor in the first half. Fittingly [player_tooltip player_id='1367217' first='Dayton' last='Forsythe'] would be the only Pirate in double figures at the break, as the star junior scored a team high 11 points. Everybody got into the action with the 50-13 lead at the break. Fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='1482839' first='Deken' last='Jones'] had 8 points off good finishes at the rim. Sophomore utility big man Jett Higdon checked in off the bench and quickly racked up 8 points as well. Sophomore sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1579599' first='Levi' last='Kelly'] hit a couple early threes for 8 first half points and even dished out 5 assists.   In the second half Dale would continue to coast, with the game never in doubt. Kolton Barnell would get his moment in the Big House when he hit a three pointer midway in the fourth quarter. Then Braeden Gredes would check in late for Wister and get on the board with a big three pointer in the closing moments.     #3 Oklahoma Christian Academy 63 #5 Colcord 56   OCA senior Carson Thomas came out gunning from beyond the arc with two early threes and a quick points 10. He added two more threes in the second frame to have 16 total and give his Eagles a 31-25 advantage.   A three from sharpshooting Hornet Kolton Jones briefly gave Colcord the lead late in the third frame. But it was Thomas who on a defensive trap forced a steal, the pitched it ahead to teammate Carter Owens for a go ahead layup. While Thomas was bombing away for the Eagles, it was Owens consistently knifing into the heart of the defense. On the day, Owens would score 15 points. Many on physical drives. His two points on the transition score courtesy of Thomas would regain the lead for OCA. A lead they would never relinquish.   Thomas had a game high 22 points, including four three three pointers. The senior's 22 points so far are the most by any player through three games. Another Eagle in double figures was fellow senior Ca'Ron Banks. Who had one of the plays of the day at the Big House, with an ankle breaking move giving him a clear lane to the hoop for a late score that served as the cherry on top of OCA's victory sundae. Senior post player Kemar Crawford recorded an 11 point, 10 rebound double double for the Eagles.   For Colcord, Jones went an impressive 5-9 from beyond the arc, on his way to 19 points. Junior Treyden Larmon had a 15 point, 12 rebound double double.   #2 Preston 58 #10 Hobart 36   1st Half Preston 28 Hobart 23   The Pirates from Preston went for a knockout punch early, racing out to a commanding 16-5 lead. They took this advantage by feeding athletic Keyton Smith inside. The 6 foot 2 senior routinely used his combination of size and quickness to score on post ups, putbacks and more. It only took the first half for him to record a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds at the break. Four of those rebounds came on the offensive end.   Hobart steadily chipped away at the deficit throughout the second frame. They would win that quarter 18-12. Sophomore Ty Harmon hit two big three pointers to help swing the momentum. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2287070' first='Justice' last='Johnson'] also has 6 points. The rangy 6 foot 3 guard has shown promise as a driver but his jumper has not been falling. If the Bearcats are to complete this comeback, odds are it'll involve clutch play from the junior.   Second Half   While the second quarter ended with hope for Hobart in their upset bid, Preston quickly shut the door on that front. They did it just like how they started the game, by feeding Smith inside. The big man quickly went over 20 points on the day, and Pirates' ballooned to new heights. To end the third quarter junior [player_tooltip player_id='1482834' first='Jervais' last='Goree'] pump faked a defender, who flew by him. He then drained a triple to give the Pirates a 46-32 lead. Goree who was selective in his spots as the point guard controlled the flow of the game and finished with 15 points. Keyton Smith scored a game high 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Joining the duo in double figures for the Pirates in their 22 point victory was Malachi Ligons. Ligons had 12 points. Preston is now set up with a 9:00 PM Friday match up against Oklahoma Christian Academy.

The Class 2A quarterfinals tipped at 9:00 AM this morning, marking the start of 5 days of non stop basketball action in Oklahoma City.