Oklahoma 6A boys basketball semifinals: Edmond North stuns Booker T. Washington; Moore vaults into title game

By Nathan Aker

NORMAN - Edmond North knocked off Booker T. Washington in a thrilling Friday night matchup, 76-69, to advance to the 6A state championship game. 

The Huskies’ performance was backed by Dylan Warlick’s 16 points and 14 rebounds. Cahlese Lee and T.O. Barrett were equally important, as each posted 17 points. Barrett also added five assists and three steals.

After Friday’s contest, Edmond North now has an opportunity to win the gold ball - something the Huskies haven’t achieved since 2017. Edmond North will face Moore for the title at 7:45 p.m. Saturday in Norman.

The opening period was electric and action-packed, from exhilarated fans to ambitious players.

The Huskies ran out to an early five-point lead, but a 3-pointer from BTW’s Aaron Potter brought the score to 8-6 close to four minutes left in the quarter. But later, a 3-pointer from Barrett gave Edmond North a 16-9 lead.

Potter didn’t have his most complete game, but still put up 19 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Edmond North shot 78 percent from the field in the quarter as BTW lagged, shooting 27 percent on 3-for-11 shooting. The Hornets ended the first period trailing 21-13.

The game ramped up in the second frame as both teams posted 20 or more points.

An and-one from Kam Parker and a fast break layup from Ijai Johnson brought BTW within three. Parker excelled despite the defeat, leading the Hornets with 22 points alongside five steals and six rebounds.

Nearing halfway through the quarter, Potter sent home a 3 to tie it up at 30-all. But, a put-back layup from Warlick and the second 3-pointer in the period from Strong regained a five-point lead for the Huskies.

Edmond North dominated on the boards, outrebounding BTW 39-20 and played a massive role in the Huskies’ win. Reaping the second-chance opportunities saw Edmond North maintain its five-point advantage heading into halftime.

BTW outscored Edmond North 19-14 in the third quarter, limiting the Huskies to 25 percent from the field and only three made shots.

As good as the Hornets were in the third quarter, Edmond North seemed to always hold control. The Huskies held the lead for 22 minutes and 17 seconds throughout the duration of the game.

However, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3-point range aided the Hornets to a 55-all tie at the end of the period.

Late in the fourth quarter, Edmond North’s constant lead was too much for BTW. The Hornets held a two-point edge with 5:36 left to play, but efficiency from the free-throw line and two 3’s from Lee buoyed the Huskies down the stretch.

Barrett and Lee drilled clutch free throws close to a minute left in the game, and it was too much for the Hornets to overcome.

Moore 64, Edmond Santa Fe 55

Moore stamped the state championship bid on Friday, defeating the Wolves behind standout performances from Marcus Dockins and Darian Grant.

The tandem combined for a total of 42 points and 22 rebounds on the night.

Ball movement was crucial in the win as Moore garnered 11 assists compared to Santa Fe’s three.

Both teams opened the game on fire, carrying their energy from Thursday’s victories into Friday. Santa Fe rushed to a 9-7 lead only three minutes into the contest.

The scoring was widespread, as Moore had three players in the box score with Santa Fe having five to end the period. Moore headed into the second quarter with a 14-12 lead.

Despite the teams only combining for 12 points in the period, it was fast-paced. Edmond Santa Fe shot just 18.5 percent from the field on 5-of-27 shooting. Moore shot 31 percent on 7-of-22 shooting.

Each team struggled with turnovers as Moore had 10 and Santa Fe had eight entering the second half.

The Lions started the second half with a tip-in off a miss from Dockins, but Joe Adams came back on the other end with an and-one layup.

Dockins showed up again, forcing his way into the paint and rising up strongly for the and-one. But, Jayden Cincotta floated the ball in the basket next time down the floor.

The Wolves got as close as four in the quarter, but a 3-pointer and exhilarating slam dunk from Dockins saw Moore back up by 12.

In a flash, Adams nailed a couple jumpers and a 3-pointer. Behind a 12-point quarter from the senior, Santa Fe headed into the final frame down 41-34.

The Lions extended their lead in the fourth as Santa Fe had no answer. A huge block from Grant sparked the Moore student section into a frenzy nearing halfway through the quarter.

Better defense from the Lions and an and-one from Grant down the stretch sealed the win as they held a 12-point lead with a minute to go. Dockins capped the game off with a slam as Moore grinded its way to a state championship bid. The Lions are playing in the state title game for the first time since 1990.