The Checotah Wildcats (616) extended their win streak to two after a dominating first half performance over the Sallisaw Black Diamonds 57-45 on Monday. Checotah built as great as a 19-point lead at 32-12 on a free throw by L Thompson with 31 seconds left before halftime en route to a 31-17 halftime lead.

It was a great game for the Wildcats two big men in Cole Rolland and Rowan Chapman. They powered their way to the basket, scoring and battling for rebounds. Rolland led Checotah with 15 points and Chapman added 14 points in the victory.

Sallisaw came out the third period focused and outscored the Wildcats 15-14. Asa Ulrich and Tae Muskrat did a good job of finding the open shooting lanes and did well at the free throw line.

Sallisaw cut the deficit to 48-44 on a pair of Muskrat free throws with 1:35 left to play, but the Black Diamonds got no closer as Checotah continued to score. Wes Brown added 10 points in the win. Brown and Hudson Pollard each were effective on the edge and at the foul line. Pollard added seven points in the win.

“This was a great win for us. For this team to go on the road and get a win over a team like Sallisaw does wonders for our mental game and our enthusiasm for the game. I’m very proud of them,” Checotah head coach Malcolm Warrior said.

Stilwell defeated Checotah 67-31 on Tuesday at Checotah (No stats made available.)

Black Diamonds get revenge on Checotah in rematch The Sallisaw Black Diamonds got revenge on the Checotah Wildcats Friday night at Checotah with a 61– 57 victory. Just five nights before, the Wildcats defeated Sallisaw 57-45 at Sallisaw in a make-up game.

The Black Diamonds found themselves in a shootout with the Wildcats as the first period ended 19-14 in favor of the Wildcats.

Rowan Chapman, Koyah Littleman and Cole Rolland were hard to defend especially in the paint. Hudson Pollard gave Checotah some very productive minutes on defense and shooting the basketball.

But the Black Diamonds had a duo that was on fire shooting the basketball. Brodi Nickell and Tae Muskrat finished the game in double-digits as they led Sallisaw outscoring Checotah 18-8 in the third period and 18-11 in the final period to hold off the feisty Wildcats 61-57.

Nickell led all scorers with 24 points and Tae Muskrat added 16 points.

Checotah finished with three players in double digits. Littleman 15 points, Chapman 13 points, Cole Rolland 12 points and Hudson Pollard added six points.