Central boys beat sixth-ranked Oktaha on the road

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

OKTAHA – The Central Tigers pulled out all stops Friday to beat sixth-ranked Oktaha, 47-44, in Central’s last Big 8 Conference game before district tournament play kicks off this week.

Central (6-15) worked as a team early on offense and were able to hit enough baskets in the first quarter to pull ahead of Oktaha, 10-9.

In the second stanza, Central’s Cade Tucker stood out with seven points before the break, and with teammate Aidan Sainer hitting a trey, it gave the Tigers more of a lead going into the locker rooms at 21-19.

Oktaha (16-7) came out of the break ready to work, and Central struggled to contain Oktaha’s offense, as the hosts forged a 35-31 lead going into the final frame.

Central dug deep and was able to convert on some big turnovers, and the Tigers played cleaner and made Oktaha pay for each foul with more points. Joseph Lee made his two shots from the line in addition to two baskets, while Devon Baggs made two of his four foul shots. But Sainer sank four of his five charity attempts along with two baskets to propelCentral to the 47-44 upset victory.

Lee was the top scorer for Central with 13 points, followed by Sainer with 11 and Tucker with 10.

Central 10 11 10 16 – 47 Oktaha 9 10 16 9 – 44 CENTRAL – Joseph Lee 13, Aidan Sainer 11, Cade Tucker 10, Hardy Buzzard 6, Devon Baggs 3, Noah Buzzard 2, Connor Walters 2.