KHS JV boys just miss Ward Center title

One quarter was the only thing that kept Kingfisher’s boys basketball team from winning two tournaments over the weekend.

Kingfisher JV knocked off the top seed in the semifinals but couldn’t quite get second-seeded Selling as the Jackets settled for runner-up Saturday at the Ward Center Classic.

The host Wildcats dominated the third quarter to build a cushion, then held on to a 65-55 victory.

That came one night after Kingfisher steadily pulled away from Class B No. 12 Cyril, 54-44.

The Jackets outscored the Pirates every quarter and got a healthy dose of five 3-pointers in the first half to help the cause.

Chase Davis made three of those and four in the game before eventually finishing with 20 points.

Kingfisher also got 12 points from Xavier Ridenour. Caden Kitchens scored seven.

Drake Friesen and Noah Schaefer both scored all five of their points in the fourth quarter.

Kingfisher kept up with Seiling, ranked 16th in Class A, through the first half.

After the Wildcats ran out to a 23-18 lead through one quarter, KHS closed the gap to a point by halftime.

But Seiling went on a 17-5 run in the third quarter to take control.

“They got real physical with us and bumped us around,” said Danny Green, who coaches the JV team.

“That created several turnovers and when they are making shots and we aren’t getting any, it leads to a big run like that.”

Seiling got 21 points from Braxton Hamar and 15 from Bryson Gore.

The Jackets were led by Davis’ 16.

Kitchens scored 12 and Schaefer 11.

Kingfisher JV finished fourth in the same tournament last year.