Cashion Bucs close-game trend
Wildcats dominate Tonkawa for tournament title after 3OT thriller
![CASHION’S Kamden Miller (10) battles for position in the championship game against Tonkawa last weekend in Garber. [Photo provided]](https://kingfisherpress.etypegoogle10.com/sites/kingfisherpress.etypegoogle10.com/files/styles/article400/public/278e69fcfa_Ar00805020.jpg?itok=NBSfeuDR "CASHION’S Kamden Miller (10) battles for position in the championship game against Tonkawa last weekend in Garber. [Photo provided]")
CASHION’S Kamden Miller (10) battles for position in the championship game against Tonkawa last weekend in Garber. [Photo provided]
It would stand to reason that Cashion would be a bit sluggish in the championship game of the NextEra Energy Resources Invitational at Garber.
After all, the Wildcats went three overtimes the night before in escaping Ripley in a 65-63 thriller.
But Cashion took a break from reason - and its propensity to play one-possession games - by dominating Tonka 71-38 Saturday night for the tournament title.
Parker Mitchell and Carson Gump combined for 38 points as Cashion dominated three of the four quarters.
The Wildcats led 12-4 after a quarter and slightly extended it to a 10-point lead by halftime.
But the second half saw Cashion steadily build on its lead and improve to 5-1.
Mitchell scored 21 points and also had six assists and five rebounds.
Gump didn’t miss a field goal for his 17 points.
Cashion also got 10 points from Kamden Miller.
It was Gump who provided the difference in Friday night’s marathon.
He grabbed an offensive rebound, was fouled and made two free throws with two seconds remaining to provide the game-winning points.
That came after Cashion had leads - but lost them late in regulation and each of the first two overtimes.
Cashion’sHudsonHoran nailed a 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to put Cashion up 45-43, but Ripley’s BA Smith drove and scored at the buzzer to force overtime.
The Wildcats led 40-47 late in the initial extra period, but Ripley got a late 3-pointer to extend it.
Mitchell made one of two free throws with 54 seconds left in the second OT for a 54-52 advantage, but Smith again provided his team life with a game-tying bucket.
In the third overtime, Mitchell again hit one of two foul shots, this time with 37 seconds left for a 63-60 advantage.
Ripley got yet another game-tying 3-pointer, but Cashion still had time to work for a shot.
Mitchell got one off in the lane and missed, but Gump was there to clean it up before being fouled.
Mitchell led the team with 25 points.
Horan scored 14 while Drake Woody added nine and Gump seven.
Gump had 13 rebounds as well.
Smith led the Warriors with a game-high 29 points.