The Checotah Wildcats (6-16) needed an extra period to defeat Locust Grove 64-63 Friday night at Vinita. The win gave Checotah first year head coach Malcolm Warrior his first district title. The Wildcats outscored the Pirates 9-8 in overtime to earn the victory. It was a battle throughout the game as the Wildcats led by just four points (25-21) at the halftime break.
The Wildcats extended their lead with great team shooting and rebounding as they led 47-39 to start the fourth period. R.J. Womack and Tyler Orman defended the paint and forced the Pirates out of their shooting lanes. Checotah played with intent and physicality as Locust Grove began to chip away at the lead and tied the game at 55-55 to send it into overtime.
Warrior had four players in double-digit figures as Tyler Orman had ten, Hudson Pollard 16, Elijah Thomas 15 and Weston Brown added 14 points in the victory.
“I’ve told the guys all year long that it’s not about how we play at the beginning of the season but how we finish the season out.
I told them going into playoffs “not everyone gets a district championship and that we had a real shot at getting that hardware that would have their names attached to it and no one could take that away.”
I’m extremely proud of these guys and the tenacity they’ve brought all season long and heading into the playoffs. Over the last several games we’ve played some of our best basketball and have had several season high totals in scoring, rebounding, and big defensive stops. Our sophomore group with Hudson Pollard stepping into a starting position and being lights out, along with Weston Brown and Cooper Cutbirth stepping up and giving us more scoring options, and relentless defensive efforts has really helped propel guys like Tyler Orman, Elijah Thomas and RJ Womack, all who have had season high numbers over the last several games – and it’s really ignited our team play. We’re playing well and we’re doing it at the right time,” Checotah head coach Malcolm Warrior said.
Lady Wildcats walk the plank in 76-48 loss to Locust Grove Pirates The Checotah Lady Wildcats (2-15) fell to the No. 9 ranked Locust Grove Lady Pirates 7648 in the district championship. It was a tough give-and-take game in the opening period. Both teams played tremendously hard at both ends of the court. The Lady Wildcats played with determination and a lot of energy. Checotah battled hard with great defense by Ruby Folkner, Nyah Cloud, Shyanne Madewell and Aiyana Brewer in the first half of the game, but the Pirates began to force turnovers and extended their lead 5540 in the third period. Brewer had her hands full competing for rebounds as the Lady Pirates doubled teamed her through much of the game.
The Lady Wildcats battled to overcome the large deficit as Locust Grove went on to win 76-48. Aiyana Brewer led Checotah with 11 points and Ruby Folkner had ten points.
