Poteau basketball teams stun Muldrow squads
The Muldrow High School basketball teams were hoping to enter the Christmas break on high notes, but that did not happen.
The Lady Pirates stunned the Lady Bulldogs 50-48, then the Pirates downed the ’Dogs 49-45 Thursday night at Roger Sharp Activity Center.
GIRLS
POTEAU 50, MULDROW 48
Cailey Grinstead’s free throws with 4:56 left in the first half tied the game at 15-all, but the Lady Pirates (3-5 overall, 2-2 in NOAA Conference) went on an 8-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Parker Patterson with 2:54 remaining before halftime, to put Poteau ahead 23-15. The Lady Pirates took a 26-18 lead into the locker rooms at the break.
The Lady Pirates scored the first six points of the third quarter to take a 3218 lead on Emma Hackler’s basket with 6:33 left in the period.
The Lady Bulldogs (6-2, 2-1) ended the quarter on a 18-10 run, capped by three Makynlee Morton free throws, to cut Poteau’s lead to 40-36 after three periods.
Muldrow opened the fourth quarter strong, much like 48 hours before at the Ranger Dome against Roland — which was a 44-38 come-from-behind victory over the Lady Rangers. The Lady Bulldogs opened the period with a 7-1 run, capped by Grinstead’s basket, to give Muldrow a 43-41 lead with 6:03 left to play.
However, the Lady Pirates answered with a 7-0 run, capped by Hackler’s free throws with 58 seconds left to put Poteau ahead 48-43.
Grinstead hit a 3-point basket with three seconds left to cut the deficit to 5048. However, Muldrow had no timeouts left, so Poteau did not have to inbounds the ball — and left town with the upset victory.
“I thought we had our opportunities to have (a late rally for a comeback win),” Muldrow girls coach Jana Armer said. “When you miss free throws and lay-ups and you don’t block out (on rebounds), you shoot yourself in the foot. I don’t think we gave ourselves much of a chance (to get a victory).”
Hackler scored a gamehigh 23 points to lead Poteau.
In defeat, Grinstead led Muldrow with 15 points, followed by Kennady Moore with six points, Morton, London Hardin, Claire Tabor, K a t e l y n n Moore and Maysi Fields with five points each and Kayla Ellingberg with two points.
Armer said she hopes the loss can be used by her players as a learning tool for the rest of the season.
“Like we said in (the locker room), we don’t lose, we learn,” she said. “We’re still having to fill out some gaps with Kiki (Wight, currently out injured) out. We have to find a way and learn how to win without her.”
BOYS
POTEAU 49, MULDROW 45
The Bulldogs (3-5 overall, 1-2 in NOAA Conference play) led 15-14 after a period, only to see the Pirates (3-5, 2-2) respond with a 13-7 second quarter to enjoy a 2722 halftime lead.
A 14-10 third quarter for the Pirates upped their advantage to 41-32 going into the final period.
A 3-point basket by Kashan Bukhari with 1:42 left in the game cut Muldrow’s deficit to 46-43, but that was as close as the Bulldogs got.
“It just seemed that the ball just didn’t want to go in,” Muldrow boys coach Terry Collins said.
University of Tulsa football signee Dax Collins scored a game-high 19 points and University of Arkansas-Monticello golf signee Connor Whitworth added 11 points to lead Poteau.
In defeat, Muldrow put a trio of players into double figures, led by Bukhari and Parker Sevenstar each with 13 points and Teaguen Collins with 12 points. Jaxson Anstine had five points, while Drew Prewett added two points.
“We have to get back to the starting board,” Collins said. “We have to do the fundamental things — shooting, passing, those types of things. We have to play solid defense. So, we’re going to get back to that (during the Christmas break).”
