Elk City edges Jackets in OT
CARTER KITCHENS puts up a 3-point shot that pulled KHS within one point in overtime Friday against Elk City. [Photo by Chris Simon/ www.simon-sports-photos. smugmug.com]
A late turnover and poor free throw shooting kept the Kingfisher boys from their most dramatic win of the season.
Instead it was Elk City spoiling the Jackets’ Senior Night as the Elks headed back west with a 41-37 overtime victory.
With the Jackets needing a 3-pointer to tie, they had a pass batted away with 12 seconds left in the overtime period.
Elk City got one final free throw to ice the win.
The Jackets got into the extra period with two big buckets from Coleman Gilles.
Kingfisher was down a point with just under 1:40 remaining when Jake Reagan’s pass from the high post hit Gilles in the low post.
The senior laid it off the glass with 1:33 in regulation to give his team a 32-31 advantage.
It was short-lived as Elk City’s Cole Buie nailed a straightaway 3-pointer 35 seconds later, regaining a two-point lead for the visitors.
KHS nearly turned it over twice on the ensuing possession, but Reagan was able to corral it back for Kingfisher. Then, after a timeout, Kasen Blair found Gilles cutting back door to tie the game 34-34 with 30 seconds to play.
Buie attempted a 3-pointer with six seconds left, but it missed its mark and the teams headed into the extra frame.
Elk City struck first there as Alex Cupp’s threepoint play gave the Elks a 37-34 advantage about midway through it.
It was 38-34 for Elk City when Kingfisher finally managed to strike.
Blair fired a pass cross court and Carter Kitchens’ 3-pointer brought the Jackets within a single point with 33 seconds to go.
Buie made two free throws to extend it to three points, then Jeremiah Jackson got around Kitchens to knock away Matthew Mecklenburg’s pass on Kingfisher’s last possession.
KHS had 19 turnovers in the game, but forced 20 of them. The Jackets and Elks both scored 14 off the others team’s miscues. The Elks outscored KHS 12-6 on 3-pointers, but the Jackets countered with a 24 18 advantage in the paint. The difference was at the charity stripe. The Elks went 9 of 11 on the night. Kingfisher missed its first six attempts and was only 3 of 12 for the game. Gilles again led the Jackets as he scored 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
Reagan scored eight points and Jhett Birdwell had four to go with a teamhigh four steals.
The Jackets dropped to 6-16 with the loss.