Inside 4A Area 1: Standouts in Stroud

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stroud was home to two compelling games in Area 1 action yesterday. Today, we will take a look at not only how these two played out but also who we can potentially look to continue to lead their respective teams as two winners advanced one step closer to state. The first contest featured Bethany and Inola, and the second pitted Miami and Weatherford. Let's break these down and get to some stats while we're at it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bethany 73, Inola 57</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Weatherford 53, Miami 36</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2408658"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab4728e840c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bronchos were able to run away from the Longhorns thanks to a big third quarter. the story in this game, was the disparity in the paint. Bethany was able to out rebound Inola 38-19. This disparity allowed for the Bronchos to score via second chance opportunities on the offensive end. Brady was a beast inside, piling up 26 points and 15 rebounds. Brady started the game off hot and made decisive moves when he caught the ball in the post. The Longhorns struggled to match his size and strength, with the sophomore wearing the opposition down in the second half. Thanks to his efforts, his team took a five point halftime lead and stretched it to 20 as the third quarter buzzer sounded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2884497"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab4728e846b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaggers was also tremendous for Bethany on the boards. He played with outstanding effort on both ends of the floor and consistently flew in to snatch missed shots. He finished a single rebound short of a double-double in this one. Denton played with an attack mentality with the ball in his hands as well. His ability to get downhill and attack the paint allowed him to pour in 14 points. Jaggers also made plays both in the half court and in transition with his passing. Both Brady and [player_tooltip player_id='2140771' first='Malachi' last='Chatman'] benefitted on multiple occasions thanks to some great looks from the senior. Look for Jaggers to continue to be a key cog for the Bronchos. His ability to affect the game on both ends can provide a spark for his team as the competition will continue to stiffen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Travis Weast","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Inola","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab4728e850b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weast led the way for Inola with 17 points. It was clear that he was going to make it tough on the Bethany defense from the jump, as he blew past defenders on three separate occasions in the first quarter. Weast got to the rim and finished, providing most of his points in the third quarter to try and keep his squad in it. The Bethany defense was able to contest shots and limit the Inola opportunities thanks to outstanding rebounding. This really hurt the Longhorns as Weast could not get his assist game going like he had been. Caden Thompson played well but needed another outstanding performance from deep to win this one in the end, and that just never materialized.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3527419"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab4728e8556"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bryant led his team with 15 points against Miami. His seven first half points were the difference at the break, as Weatherford led 18-11. The efficiency would continue in the second half for the junior, as he used his length to finish some strong drives to the rim before also hitting from long range. Bryant is unique and provides a little bit of everything for his team. He has a tremendous basketball IQ on the offensive end of the floor. Not only can he drive and shoot, but his ability to post up smaller defenders puts opponents in a bind with how they choose to defend inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dylan Epp","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Weatherford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab4728e85d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weatherford improved to 26-3 on the season with the win over Miami. Epp had a terrific game and helped the Eagles stretch the lead with some big-time plays in the third quarter. The senior looked comfortable from deep, stepping into a top of the key 3-pointer before attacking the paint and scoring inside a few plays later. In total, he would score 14 points in this one and also provide some solid passing. With Weatherford screening and cutting well, it seemed like it was just a matter of time before someone got open in the second half. Their discipline and execution was too much for the Wardogs to handle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->