Yellowjackets bounce back from loss
JHETT BIRDWELL had two good scoring days as the Jackets went 1-1 over the weekend. [Photo by Chris Simon/www.simon- sports-photos.smugmug.com]
Less than a full day after Kingfisher put forth one of its worst halves of offense, the Jackets put together perhaps their best overall game on that end of the floor.
KHS won for the third time in four games Saturday by downing Chickasha 59-36 at the APB.
It was the second-most points Kingfi sher has scored this season, behind only a 61-point effort against Woodward last month.
The 61.5 percent field goal shooting was tops this season, nearly 4 percent higher than any other game and 21 percent better than the season average coming in.
It was a stark contrast from the night before, especially in the first two quarters of what turned out to be a 40-34 home loss to Casady.
The Jackets had just six points at halftime against the Cyclones.
Through 16 minutes, they’d made three field goals and were shooting 16 percent.
Fortunately, the defense kept KHS in it and Casady only had a 12-point lead.
The defense was even better in the third quarter and Kingfisher’s offense finally showed signs of life.
Jhett Birdwell made back-to-back 3-pointers and scored seven points in the quarter as Kingfisher pulled within 24-18.
The charge continued into the fourth quarter.
Jake Reagan scored six points and Birdwell added two more treys.
His last one came with 14 seconds left and got Kingfi sher within 36-34.
The Jackets fouled Kaden Leache with just over seven seconds left.
Out of timeouts, Kingfi sher watched Leache sink both free throws to seal the win.
The Cyclones forced a Kingfisher turnover and added another free throw in those final few seconds.
Casady was 10 of 11 from the foul line in the fourth quarter and only missed two of 17 attempts for the game.
KHS went just 6 of 16 from the foul line.
The Jackets were led by Reagan and Birdwell who scored 13 apiece.
After the first-half struggles, KHS scored 28 in the second half.
The Jackets kept up that pace much of Saturday, which was a makeup game from Jan. 2.
They led 26-14 at halftime as Coleman Gilles had nine points and Birdwell six.
Kingfisher’s offense truly cranked up in the third with 19 points and then the Jackets pulled away in the fourth.
The Jackets didn’t make a 3-pointer in the game, but only attempted three of them.
Instead, they pounded it inside and also benefited from continuously beating the Chicks back in the second half.
The result was 46 points in the paint as KHS made 24 of 36 two-point shots.
Gilles kept up his pace and finished with a gamehigh 21 points. He also led the team with seven boards.
Birdwell poured in 16 points to give him double digits on back-to-back nights.
The Jackets also got 10 points from Kasen Blair, who missed only one shot. Blair added five rebounds and three assists.
KHS held Chickasha to 27 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers.