Yellowjackets dominate after slow start

The first four minutes of Kingfisher’s showdown with Bethany were anything but pretty. The Jackets’ offense - at best - sputtered as most possessions ended with a turnover and the team faced a 6-0 deficit when coach Colby Connel called a timeout at the 3:59 mark.

His message was summed up in three words: “Just play basketball.”

The Jackets did just that. KHS dominated the rest of the quarter and then the next two as they earned a 62-48 victory against No. 12 Bethany in the home opener.

The win moved No. 14 Kingfisher to 3-0 on the season.

Cash Laird ended Kingfisher’s drought with a 3-pointer after the timeout and later Hayes White made one at the buzzer to tie the game at 13-13.

From there, it was all Jackets.

Bethany managed just one field goal in the second quarter as KHS went on a 15-5 run.

The half was capped by yet another buzzer-beating trey, this one by Michael Easley.

His shot gave the Jackets a 28-18 advantage.

Another big run in the third quarter - this one 20-9 - pushed the lead to 21 entering the fourth.

White scored eight in the third while Jackson Willbanks chipped in five more.

Willbanks came off the bench to spark the Jackets with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

After KHS pushed the lead to 22 points on White’s 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in the third, the Jackets sputtered for much of the fourth.

That allowed Bethany to cut the deficit to 53-43 with 1:40 to play.

But time ran out on the Bronchos and the Jackets made their free throws down the stretch.

They were 12 of 16 in the fourth.

White ended the game with 20 to lead all scorers.

Laird scored 14 and added 7 rebounds and 5 steals.

KHS had 14 steals as a team.

Easley scored 12. Bethany was led by Dempsey Neal, who came off the bench to score 17.

Breck Brady fought off foul trouble to finish with 14 for the Bronchos.