Crossings Christian boys prove why they are a state title contender
By Josh Jennings
Photo of Crossings Christian's Cal Furnish
OKLAHOMA CITY - Crossings Christian's boys team is one of the favorites to win a loaded Class 4A and Thursday night in the regional semifinals, they beat Broken Bow, 72-45.
The Knights have several good players, but CCS coach Shawn Schenk said they shared the ball well. Four starters scored in double figures. Sophomore standout Cal Furnish scored 15 points, Phoenix Woodson and Mack Gudell scored 13 points and Cam Parker scored 12 points.
“We were so unselfish (Thursday),” Schenk said. “Cal made great decisions and was on fire to start, along with Phoenix. Cam did a great job rebounding and our bench was awesome.
"We play as a team and embrace the team atmosphere.”
CCS will play against Tuttle in the regional final at 7:30 p.m. at CCS. It will be a top 10 matchup in Class 4A, as the Knights are ranked No. 2 and Tuttle is ranked No. 10.
“It is playoff basketball, so we must play well,” Schenk said. “We wish we could score 68 to 70 points a game, but it will not always be like that.
"Sometimes, we have to rely on our defense and just being tough and physical. Tuttle is good and we must defend well Saturday.”
In the consolation bracket, Tecumseh kept its season alive, beating Seminole, 62-50. On Friday, Tecumseh will play Madill at 7:30 p.m., and Broken Bow will play Cache at 3 p.m.
The winners of these two games will play at 3 p.m. Saturday for a spot in the area tournament. All regional games will be played at Crossings Christian.
Crossings Christian 72, Broken Bow 45
Woodson scored the first five points for CCS. But Broken Bow fired right back, as CCS had a slight 10-8 advantage midway through the first quarter.
CCS closed the quarter on a 13-4 run when Cooper Mulanax hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. CCS was ahead, 23-14, going into the second quarter.
Then, CCS doubled Broken Bow’s points late in the second quarter with a 36-18 advantage. The way they did it was by hitting shots with made 3-pointers by Furnish and Woodson, just to name a few plays. Not only was CCS hitting shots, but the Knights forced several turnovers.
Broken Bow did not help themselves either, as the Savages traveled a few times and missed some open layups in the second quarter. The CCS student section began to chant, “Fundamentals.”
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CCS closed the first half on a 9-0 run and Matthew Hooper hit a layup at the buzzer, making the score 45-18 at halftime.
“We played great team basketball and trusted one another,” Furnish said. “In the second quarter, we just kept sharing the ball. When we play as a team, we can compete with and beat any team we play.”
Parker blocked a shot early in the third quarter. The Knights kept scoring buckets and kept up the intensity with its defense, but Broken Bow also found some success on offense. They outscored CCS, 18-15, in the third quarter, but the Knights were well in front, 60-36, going into the fourth quarter.
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Gudell buried back-to-back long 3-pointers to begin the fourth quarter. The defense was clicking as it only allowed nine points in the fourth quarter.
“I thought we played well and were locked in on defense,” Schenk said. “In the first quarter, we gave up 14, but played much better in the second quarter, giving up only four points. We made it tough on their players and they had to earn their points.”
Boys
Tecumseh 62, Seminole 50
From neighbors to playing each other in the playoffs, Tecumseh coach Bryant Edwards and Seminole coach Josh Edenborough live next door to one another.
The two towns are 16 miles apart. This is a rivalry game and Edwards said this only intensifies the game.
“Oh, this is a big time rivalry,” Edwards said. “Us being neighbors only makes it a bigger rivalry.”
Tecumseh jumped out to an early 9-2 lead and was ahead 11-7 going into the second quarter. Then, Tecumseh built a double-digit lead in the second quarter, with 3-point baskets made by Jason Baldwin, Jase Edwards and Jebbi Owens.
The Savages built a 33-21 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Tecumseh remained on top and maintained its double-digit lead. Baldwin hit a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter, making the score 51-37.
“At halftime, we talked about coming in and punching them in the mouth and we did,” Bryant Edwards said. “The guys played well and did exactly what we talked about in the second half.”
Seminole opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run and cut the deficit to 53-45 with four minutes to play. But Tecumseh hit shots down the stretch and won the game.
Jase Edwards scored 24 points for Tecumseh. He also is returning from a foot injury earlier this season.
“I will do anything to help my team win and am happy to be back healthy,” Jase Edwards said. “We must continue to hold onto the basketball and value every possession.
"We cannot afford to give up second chance points and we have to be better at rebounding the ball.”
These teams also played one another in the regular season and Seminole won the game, 54-51.
“This was a bit of extra motivation coming into this game,” Bryant Edwards said. “Honestly, that game was the best game when we played one another. They whipped us on the glass in that game and we stressed the importance of rebounding (Thursday).
"We did lots of scouting and our kids stepped up (Thursday).”
