Central falls to Oktaha in district championship games
OKTAHA – When you play Top 10 teams on their home floor, it’s challenging to come away with a win.
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
OKTAHA – When you play Top 10 teams on their home floor, it’s challenging to come away with a win.
That’s the obstacle Central faced Saturday in the district championship games for both boys and girls. The outcome: the Tigers bowed to sixthranked Oktaha, 60-47, and the Lady Tigers lost to the ninth-ranked hosts, 77-38.
Oktaha 60, Central 47
Oktaha started strong in the first quarter, scoring 18 points, which was twice the amount the Tigers earned.
In the second stanza, Central began the work needed to come from behind, getting some shots to fall, outscoring Oktaha 16-11 to narrow the gap to 2925 at halftime.
After the break, however, Oktaha took control again with their defense putting Central further behind. Oktaha owned a 49-38 cushion headed into the final frame.
Oktaha continued its scoring streak in the fourth quarter, finishing off the 6047 verdict.
Oktaha’s Preston Holmes led all scorers with 19 points, and Central’s top scorer was Aiden Sainer with 16 points on the night.
Central 9 16 13 9 – 47 Oktaha 18 11 20 11 – 60 CENTRAL – Aiden Sainer 16, Conner Walters 9, Joseph Lee 8, Devon Beggs 7, Noah Buzzard 5, Isaac Rogers 2.
Oktaha 77, Central 38
At the onset of the game, the Central Lady Tigers struggled to get anything to fall, finding themselves in an early 21-4 hole.
In the second stanza, the Central squad inched back by outscoring the hosts 1512, but Oktaha owned a 35-19 advantage at intermission.
The third frame was still slow for Central’s offense, managing only half as many points as Oktaha, and faced a 5730 deficit going into the final frame.
The fourth quarter proved more of the same, as Oktaha outgunned Central, 208, for the 77-38 final count.
Oktaha’s Ava Scott was the top scorer for the game with 29 points, while Central’s top scorer was Cambree Bair with 12.
Central 4 15 11 8 – 38 Oktaha 21 12 22 20 – 77 CENTRAL – Cambree Bair 12, Hadlie Woods 7, Hailey Cheek 7, Ayrland Jiles 5, Brianna Taylor 3, Cheyenne Bush 2, Autumn Cernick 2.
Central point guard Aiden Sainer draws a foul while driving to the basket for a layup against Oktaha Saturday during the Tigers’ 60-47 loss. JIM CAMERON •TIMES
Central’s Cambree Bair drives to the basket during the Lady Tigers’ district championship game loss against Oktaha on Saturday. JIM CAMERON •TIMES
Hadlie Woods shoots a jumper for Central during the district championship game against Oktaha on Saturday. JIM CAMERON •TIMES
