Jackets eliminate P-T, extend season

The Kingfisher Yellowjackets decided they weren’t done on Thursday.

Finding themselves doubled up at one point in the second quarter, the Jackets closed it on a 19-4 run and rode the momentum to a 56-42 victory over No. 12 Perkins-Tryon.

It not only avenged a loss at home to the Demons earlier in the year, but it extended Kingfisher’s season by at least one more day while eliminating Perkins from the 4A playoffs.

The win in the area consolation quarterfinals at Kellyville advanced KHS to the semifinals against Mc-Lain on Friday afternoon (after press time). McLain downed Central Tulsa 6051 earlier on Thursday.

Perkins beat the Jackets at the buzzer in the semifi nals of the Buckle of the Wheatbelt Invitational and jumped to a 16-8 lead on KHS Thursday.

But the Jackets threw a defensive wrinkle at the Demons, one that flustered them the rest of the half and Kingfisher never allowed them to recover.

Six different Jackets scored during the decisive run as they went 10 of 13 from the free throw line. That burst put them up 27-20 at halftime and after a quick run by Perkins to start the second half, KHS was firmly in control again.

Michael Easley, Hayes White and Jackson Willbanks each knocked down two field goals in the third quarter and the Jackets found themselves up 12 going into the fourth.

The Demons cut it to 9 at one point in the fourth, but Kingfisher answered with two straight buckets and were never threatened.

The exclamation came with just over 1:00 to play when Easley threw down a two-handed dunk.

He scored 14 to lead a balanced attack.

White added 13. The two combined for 19 in the second half.

Willbanks scored 12 points while Cash Laird chipped in 8.

Laird was 6 of 6 at the free throw line. As a team, KHS went 16 of 23.

Perkins was just 7 of 17.