There was free admission and free popcorn for the fans and a number of honored guests were in attendance for the official unveiling of the Warriors' new $1.5 million home. However, three players scored in double figures for Canadian as the Cougars put a damper on Webbers Falls' big night with a 70-43 win over the Warriors.
Canadian improved to 7-3 as Lance McAfee, Jesse Graves and Jeremy Pratt combined for 53 points. McAfee led the way with 16 points and eight rebounds as the Cougars dropped Webbers Falls to 1-1.
The Warriors kept the game close for most of the first half and were within 19-16 when Derek Dandridge sank a three-pointer with about three minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Canadian responded with an 8-2 spurt to end the half with a nine-point advantage. The Cougars then went on a 16-4 roll in the third period to ake command.
The visitors hit eight shots from beyond the three-point arc. Graves made two of those and finished with 14 points, while Pratt added 13 points for the Cougars, who are coached by former Sallisaw intern Daniel Lokey.
Webbers Falls was paced by seniors Dandridge and Cody Carter with 10 points apiece. Ethan Morton added nine points and Kalib Webb fired in a pair of treys to finish with seven.
Cory Mickles led Webbers Falls on the boards with a team-best eight rebounds, while Morton, Dandridge and Howard Zachary all grabbed six apiece.
The game was not the first for Webbers Falls in its new gym. The Warriors had opened their season on Nov. 18 with a 66-30 Riverside Conference win over Kinta. Carter scored 25 in the victory, while Dandridge and Morton added 12 and 10, respectively.
Canadian 67, Webbers Falls 43 (Girls)
The visiting Lady Cougars got off to a hot start on Monday night while handing the Webbers Falls girls their first loss.
Michelle Matthews poured in a game-high 24 points to lead Canadian, which shot just over 50 percent (16-of-31) from the floor during the first half. Holly Holland netted all 12 of her points before halftime to help Canadian to a big lead at the break.
Webbers Falls enjoyed its best spell of the contest during the third quarter. Ramie Toddy's two free throws capped an 18-5 run by the Lady Warriors, pulling them within 49-31 with 1:14 to go in the period. They couldn't get any closer, though, and dropped to 1-1 on the season.
Sylvia Smith went 4-for-4 from the line and paced Webbers Falls with 14 points and eight rebounds. Haley Hudson reached double figures with 10 points and Toddy finished with nine for the Lady Warriors.
The loss was the first for the Lady Warriors in their new gym. They had romped to a 66-34 win over Kinta as Sarah Humphrey pumped in 23 points and Smith scored another 11 back on Nov. 18.
