Jacket comeback falls short

A big third-quarter run helped Kingfisher nearly erase a large deficit, but ultimately Blanchard subdued the Jackets 61-46 at the APB.

The visiting Lions, ranked 14th in Class 4A, stormed out of the gates and at one point led 25-8 in the second quarter.

The Jackets started to claw their way back into it.

They closed the half on a 9-2 run and mounted more of a comeback in the third quarter.

They were within four midway through the quarter, then Cash Laird’s three-point play at the 3:26 mark made it a 31-28 game.

The Jackets got even closer when Jhett Birdwell sank a 3-pointer with 1:35 to go in the quarter.

Kingfisher’s 17-point deficit was down to just 35-33.

But then the Jackets seemingly ran out of the gas that was fueling their comeback.

Blanchard led by four going into the fourth, then got five quick points to start it.

Kingfisher didn’t recover.

The Jackets had just two field goals over the final eight minutes and were outscored 22-11.

Andrew Minton made two huge treys for the visitors and scored eight of his 10 points in the final quarter. Blanchard got 15 from Jaxon Oliver and 12 from Brian Russell.

Blanchard made 8 of 11 free throws down the stretch to secure its lead.

Laird led the Jackets with 17 points and five rebounds.

He also had three steals and four deflections as his defense in the second quarter helped keep the game from getting away from the Jackets.

Hayes White added 12 points while Jackson Willbanks and Birdwell netted seven apiece.

KHS dropped to 8-6 overall and 2-4 in the conference.