Sallisaw basketball teams split home NOAA Conference games with Checotah
The Sallisaw High School basketball teams split their NOAA Conference home games with Checotah on Tuesday night at Paul Post Field House.
The Sallisaw High School basketball teams split their NOAA Conference home games with Checotah on Tuesday night at Paul Post Field House.
The Lady Diamonds snapped a two-game losing streak with a 44-36 victory over the Lady Wildcats, but the ’Cats rallied in the second half of the boys’ game to down the Black Diamonds 50-40.
GIRLS
SALLISAW 44, CHECOTAH 36
With the game tied at 6-all after the first quarter, the Lady Wildcats used a 10-4 second period to take a 16-10 halftime lead.
The Lady Diamonds (7-12 overall, 2-6 in NOAA Conference play) had a strong third quarter as they outscored the Lady Wildcats 15-7 in the period to take a 25-23 lead after three quarters.
The Lady Diamonds, who rebounded from Friday night’s homecoming loss to Muldrow, were bound and determined to not lose on this night as they closed the deal with a 19-13 fourth quarter.
For the game, Hannah Palmer led all scorers with a game-high 13 points, followed by Emma Martin with eight points, Kayli Macon and Sydney Weedon with seven points each, Abby Kate Qualls with five points and Molly Carver with four points.
BOYS
CHECOTAH 50, SALLISAW 40
Trailing 22-21 at the half, the Wildcats opened the third quarter on a 11-7 run, capped by a basket by Checotah’s R.J. Womack with 1:37 left in the period, to take a 32-27 lead.
Back-to-back baskets for Sallisaw from Cooper Carter and Wes Rodriguez to end the third quarter cut Checotah’s lead to 32-31 entering the final period.
The Black Diamonds (8-11 overall, 2-6 in NOAA Conference play) got the game tied twice in the fourth quarter, the last time at 34-all after a pair of Cooper Jackson free throws with 6:14 left to play. However, that was the last time the game was tied — and the Black Diamonds never regained the lead in the second half after leading 22-21 at halftime.
The ’Cats finished the game on a 16-6 run to seal the comeback win.
In defeat, Jackson and Cooper Cox each scored nine points to lead Sallisaw, followed by Max Stump with seven points, Rodriguez and Kenyan Hill with six points each and Carter with three points.
