Class 4A Quarterfinals Live Blog

All season long the depth of the elite teams in Class 4A has been apparent for any Oklahoma prep basketball observer. Over the last week the field was narrowed to 8 teams. After today, there will only be 4 teams left standing in pursuit of the hotly contested Gold Ball. This post will be updated with notes, stats and observations throughout the morning and early afternoon.     9:00 AM #4 Douglass vs #5 Oklahoma Christian School   First Half   The opening moments were a back and forth affair. With sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1475984' first='Landry' last='Ballard'] Jr pushing the tempo and envelope with drives that diced up the Saints' defense. While OCS focused on feeding their star man in the middle [player_tooltip player_id='1367214' first='Luke' last='Gray']. The junior got post touches which he converted and also smoothly buried a midrange jumper as well. As the quarter progressed the strength in numbers that Douglass possesses became apparent. After one they had built an arm's length lead of 18-12.   In the second quarter that lead quickly expanded to double digits courtesy of more dynamic driving from Ballard Jr. He had 10 points in the first 10 minutes of play. The wave of Trojans continued throughout the second frame. As usual the impact of senior [player_tooltip player_id='981287' first='Terry' last='McMorris'] was felt throughout the first half. He skied for a putback on the offensive end, rejected Gray on a post up and even knocked down an open triple. McMorris was a great blend of usual high energy play but also control in the half court. The 6 foot 6 wing capped off the first half with a great drive and finish that gave him 9 points and Douglass the 31-16 lead.   Second Half   The second half looked to be more of the shame, with OCS unable to cut into the Douglass lead. The Saints finally found a spark of life thanks to a pair of third quarter threes from reserve Junior Nesengiyumva. It was an unlikely source for production from the 6 foot 5 reserve forward, but much needed for OCS. From that point forward they applied more pressure, which start to expose some cracks in Douglass. At one point in the final frame OCS had even cut the deficit to 6 points. Put the Trojans proved they can handle some pressure as every-time the Saints threaten to make it any closer.   Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1295750' first='jace' last='breath'] in particular was instrumental in helping to calm down their offense. The wing has quality skills on the ball to go with his clam demeanor. He took Gray off the dribble in the fourth for a huge score that settled down. A few moments later, McMorris found sophomore sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1475987' first='Davon' last='Scott'] for a dagger three that put the Trojans up 11. From that point forward, Douglass valued the ball, hit their free throws and then [player_tooltip player_id='981287' first='Terry' last='McMorris'] put the capper on the game with a breakaway slam in the final moments. While frantic scoring from the Saints cut into the lead, the outcome was never in doubt in the closing moments. Douglass advances to a Semifinals appearance on Friday night in Yukon.   FINAL   Douglass 65   Oklahoma Christian School 60   10:30 AM #1 Kingfisher vs #7 Stillwell   First Half   The conversion rate of backdoor passes to senior [player_tooltip player_id='1719289' first='Caden' last='Kitchens'] at the rim remains absurd. The senior isn't particular tall for a forward, he might be just a shade over 6 foot to be honest. A 6 foot 2 listing in shoes. Nor does he leap out of the gym like other efficient finishing forwards. But he always seems to corral rebounds and find an opening on the backside to catch an oop, which almost ends with Kitchens laying it in for two. That's how Kingfisher started the game against Stilwell, an "easy" two points to Kitchens. I'm always hesitant to call anything the Yellowjackets do as "easy" because it's clear many many hours of preparation is what created the appearance of ease.   After that opening score it became the X Show. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1211253' first='Xavier' last='Ridenour'] scored the next 10 points for the Yellowjackets. A couple off the dribble threes, a strong take through traffic, then a pair at the line. Add in Kingfishers' trademark smothering defense and they had a 12-4 lead after the opening 8 minutes.   In the second quarter Kingfisher continued to squeeze Stilwell. Not unlike a large constrictor snake slowly contorting itself around prey. It's unrelenting pressure that has made many teams crack over the seven years. Kitchens finally scores again, on a whirling, contested score in the paint. There's no celebration from the senior, he immediately covers the inbound passer. The pressure has been extended to 94 feet. The forced turnovers start to come in waves. Runs out layups. Steals in the backcourt. Kingfisher's command of the game continues to grow. In the first half, Kingfisher forced 8 turnovers for 9 points.   A corner three from Ridenour made it 21-6. Kingfisher is the type of team that makes a 15 point lead feel like 25. Speaking of 15 points, that's how many "X" has in the first half. Late in the quarter a pass finds him with a solid look from beyond the arc. Already hot, he's hit three shots from deep, he'd be forgiven for a heat check. Instead he passes up the good look for the great look of his teammate. He swings it to fellow senior Cash Slezickey. Swish. The Yellowjackets' lead balloons to over 20 points. The horn goes off a minute or two late. Kingfisher has built a 28-9 advantage at the break.   Second Half   Kingfisher as they have been doing since 2017 proved the first half was no fluke. The pressure continued on the defensive end. While the methodical passing, movement and picking apart of the Stilwell defense continue on offense. Ridenour at the rim for a backdoor. Kitchens finding a way to score in the paint. Pass. Pass. Pass. Cut. Pass. Bang. Another three. Stilwell is a team that won 23 games. They beat up on northwestern Oklahoma compeition but they had no answer for the Yellowjackets.   Ridenour barely played in the fourth quarter and still finished with 26 points on only 10 shots from the field. He impressively went 5-7 from distance to boost that total. As a team, Kingfisher finished with a 62.5% shooting performance, a testament to the quality of looks their unselfish offense produced.   This win by the Yellowjackets sets up a meeting between the two recent dynasties in Class 4A. Douglass won five straight Class 4A Gold Balls from 2010-14. The earned another in 2016. Kingfisher started their run in 2017 with a Class 4A title. An upset by Heritage Hall in 2018 and COVID in 2020 are the only breaks in Kingfisher's dominance. Now the two programs will square off at 7:00 PM at Yukon on Friday, with a trip to the Class 4A title game on the line.   Final   Kingfisher 53   Stilwell 28     12:00 PM #3 Weatherford vs #6 Newcastle   First Half   Weatherford broke their huddle with an icy, steely demeanor. While Newcastle's energy was infectious. The Racer's energy crescendoed when sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2789625' first='Antonio' last='Brown'] hit a deep three to open the scoring. The teams traded buckets with everyone on both sides getting involved in a balanced affair. The Eagles had inched ahead 14-11 after the opening eight minutes.   The teams traded blows throughout the first half, ending the the first 16 minute right back where they started. Tied. Newcastle finished the half on a mini 5-0 run to make it 5-0. Including a huge three by Brown again, this time as he made his way back on defense he briefly celebrated with his father, Jesse Brown head coach of Newcastle. The Eagles were playing it inside through the power duo of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1391435' first='CJ' last='Nickson'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1807979' first='Nate' last='Reherman'] had 11 and 9 points, respectively. While some of Nickson's damage came inside, he also looked smooth with a midrange jumper and a triple. The leading scorer for Newcastle at the break? Also a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1391433' first='Carlsheon' last='Young'] with 9 points   Second Half   Weatherford's now trademark 1-3-1 zone proved to be tough sledding for Newcastle. Three point attempts weren't falling, and while Newcastle tried to junk things up at various points they could never generate consistent offense. They were held to only 10 points in the second half as the Eagles impressively forced them into 4-26 shooting.   Nickson and Reherman have the look of a special duo, as they combined for 34 points on only 19 shot attempts. Fellow sophomores Ethan and [player_tooltip player_id='1504901' first='Tate' last='Sage'] each step in when with a variety of ways they impact the game. Timely threes. Rebounds. Defense and more. This core has the Eagles back in the semifinals for the second straight year.     1:30 PM #2 Crossings Christian vs #8 North Rock Creek   The Knights looked very much like the team that upset Class 6A power Edmond North and took down Kingfisher in the Tournament of Champions. It all started with their floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1358852' first='Cal' last='Furnish']. He had a great early drive to the rim, where he knifed through a crowded paint for the finish. Then he went to work from deep. The sophomore hit four threes in the first half, including one to close out the second quarter. That three also doubled as a rally killer for North Rock Creek. The duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2332963' first='David' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2332972' first='Caleb' last='Hawkins'] had a huge second quarter for the Cougars, who actually won the second frame 16-13. King and Hawkins were both in double figures at the half. But the three from Furnish, that put Crossings up 26-25 would be a harbinger of the second half.   Furnish and the Knights kept pouring it on in the second half as they busted it open in the next 8 minutes. They lead by 20 going into the final frame and the fourth quarter while fast paced never saw North Rock Creek make a dent into deficit. Furnish would finish with a game high 26 points, including 6 three pointers.   Joining Furnish in double figures, was fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1391432' first='Cam' last='Parker']. The big man was a monster on the glass and around the paint as he racked up a 14 point, 10 rebound double double. The Knights' last player in double figures was [player_tooltip player_id='1295673' first='Mack' last='Gudell'] who had 19 points from a pair of threes which also feasting in transition. Jordan Coody would become the third Panther to reach double figures, as he scored 11 points on an efficient 5-8 day from the field.   With the victory by Crossings, the Class 4A semifinals are set. All four of the top ranked teams from the last coach's poll in January remain. The Knights will take on the Eagles of Weatherford at 5:00 PM on Friday at Yukon.

All season long the depth of the elite teams in Class 4A has been apparent for any Oklahoma prep basketball observer. Over the last week the field was narrowed to 8 teams. After today, there will only be 4 teams left standing in pursuit of the hotly contested Gold Ball. This post will be updated with notes, stats and observations throughout the morning and early afternoon.