MOORE — After cruising through the early rounds of the Newcastle boys basketball tournament, Westmoore was stopped in its tracks when it made it to the championship game Saturday.
Facing the No. 1 team in class 3A, the Jaguars fell to Washington 41-38.
“We only scored 10 points in the second half so that was the main reason we lost to Washington,” Westmoore coach Scott Hodges said. “They are a really good team with a couple of really good players. We had our chances late in the game to take control of the game, we just didn’t step up and make the plays we needed too. Our effort was great and it was a great atmosphere. We will learn from this and be better late in games because of it.”
To get to the finals, Westmoore defeated Bethel 60-35 and Blanchard 62-41.
“Overall I was pleased with the way we played this weekend,” Hodges said. “Offensively we played well in spurts, but also struggled some to score at times. I was proud of our effort though. We just needed to make a few more plays in the championship game.”
Tripp Fuller and Trey Ayala played well throughout the tourney and Alonzo Brown had a great game off the bench Saturday, according to Hodges. Point guard Kyle Lakin didn’t have his normally steady game in the championship, but was solid the other two days.
“I told our guys that losing close games like this will only make you tougher in the long run,” Hodges said. “We know we need to get better at executing late in games, and we will. These guys are a group that really learn and understand what it is going to take to get where we want to go.”
The Jags go on the road Friday to face Midwest City. The Bombers are 5-2 in the Mid-State Conference and 11-4 overall.
Westmoore will then take on Moore High Tuesday at MHS.
“Midwest City always strives on turnovers and easy baskets,” Hodges said. “We really have to take care of the ball and be solid on the defensive end. Offensively, we need some guys to step up and make plays for us.”
Southmoore 71, Save Our Youth Academy 45: After a poor showing Friday, the SaberCats bounced back with a resounding win against SOYA to take third place in the John Nobles Invitational.
Led by Jourdon Bean, Southmoore led from the outset and didn’t relent. Bean was 8-of-13 from behind the arc as he scored a game high 29 points. He also grabbed five rebounds and collected two steals.
Rioshore Walker posted 15 points and six rebounds to lead SOYA. Amron Sands added 12 in the defeat.
The Cats are back in action Friday as they host No. 2 Edmond Memorial.
Girls
Southmoore 45, Eisenhower 27: The SaberCats defense held IKE to four points in the opening period.
In a battle of freshman post players, Southmoore’s Serithia Hawkins outplayed the Eagles Crystal Polk. While Hannah was able to get deep position in the paint and finish over EHS, Polk struggled to just get into the offensive flow.
The Cats led 14-13 at halftime.
Southmoore continued to lock the Eagles down in the third quarter as they outscored them 14-4. They prevented EHS from getting the ball into the post and then forced them into turnovers.
The Cats didn’t have their best offensive game, as they were cold from the perimeter. But Hannah, Kyra Gilbert and Hawkins dominated in the post to blow out the Eagles in the fourth quarter to take third place at the John Nobles Invite.
Hawkins led all scorers with 19 points. Hannah and Kayla Tucker each scored 7.
Westmoore 55, Woodward 41: The Jaguars lost the first game of the Newcastle tourney to No. 3 Washington before storming back to win its final two contests.
Jaguars hook up with the Bombers Friday and Moore Tuesday.
Flapjack fundraiser
The Westmoore volleyball team will host a Flapjack Fundraiser Saturday. All proceeds raised will go towards equipment, camps, uniforms and other team costs.
The Westmoore Volleyball Flapjack Fundraiser will be hosted by the Applebee’s restaurant located at 2401 S. I-35 Frontage Road and will start at 8 a.m. Tickets for the Flapjack Fundraiser are $7
