- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,194,671
- Reaction score
- 59
VERDIGRIS — The turning point came before halftime, quietly and relentlessly.
With Verdigris struggling to find rhythm while searching for a spark, Travis Weast delivered a steady stream of buckets that drained the life from the building and swung the game firmly in Inola’s favor.
Behind Weast’s game-high 24 points and a suffocating defensive effort, the Longhorns rolled to a 69-44 road victory Tuesday night over the Rogers County rival Cardinals at the Verdigris Activity Center.
Inola [7-1] seized control early and never let go.
After a tight opening minute, the Longhorns rattled off a 13-5 run late in the first quarter, capped by back-to-back Weast buckets and a finish from Caleb Helling, to take a 13-8 lead after one.
The separation began in earnest in the second quarter.
Weast and Caden Thompson repeatedly punished defensive breakdowns, combining for 12 points in the period as Inola stretched the margin to double digits.
The Longhorns held Verdigris [2-6] to just 7 points in the quarter and carried a commanding 27-15 lead into halftime.
The Cardinals briefly showed signs of life to open the third, trimming the deficit to 8 points after baskets from Jett Roach and Jace Buntin, but Weast answered immediately.
The senior drilled a pair of 3-pointers during a decisive response that pushed the lead to 16, and Inola never looked back. By the end of the third quarter, the Longhorns had built a 45-31 cushion.
From there, the fourth quarter became a showcase of Inola’s depth and composure.
Thompson scored 8 of his 16 points in the final frame, including a layup that pushed the lead past 20, while Helling added timely buckets inside.
Inola closed the game on a 24-13 run, emptying the bench in the final minutes.
Weast finished with 24 points and 6 rebounds, leading a balanced attack. Thompson added 16 points and 6 boards, while Helling chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Verdigris was led by Roach’s 15 points and 4 rebounds. Jackson Thurman added 5 points and 4 boards, while Nate Bolin pulled down 4 rebounds.
The Longhorns won the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Cardinals 33-25 and forcing 19 turnovers while committing just 11 of their own. Inola also connected on 5 3-pointers compared to Verdigris’ 3.
The Cardinals now turn their attention to hosting the Mother Road Classic beginning Thursday, while the Longhorns will look to carry their momentum into the Locust Grove Invitational Tournament later this week.
Continue reading...
With Verdigris struggling to find rhythm while searching for a spark, Travis Weast delivered a steady stream of buckets that drained the life from the building and swung the game firmly in Inola’s favor.
Behind Weast’s game-high 24 points and a suffocating defensive effort, the Longhorns rolled to a 69-44 road victory Tuesday night over the Rogers County rival Cardinals at the Verdigris Activity Center.
Inola [7-1] seized control early and never let go.
After a tight opening minute, the Longhorns rattled off a 13-5 run late in the first quarter, capped by back-to-back Weast buckets and a finish from Caleb Helling, to take a 13-8 lead after one.
The separation began in earnest in the second quarter.
Weast and Caden Thompson repeatedly punished defensive breakdowns, combining for 12 points in the period as Inola stretched the margin to double digits.
The Longhorns held Verdigris [2-6] to just 7 points in the quarter and carried a commanding 27-15 lead into halftime.
The Cardinals briefly showed signs of life to open the third, trimming the deficit to 8 points after baskets from Jett Roach and Jace Buntin, but Weast answered immediately.
The senior drilled a pair of 3-pointers during a decisive response that pushed the lead to 16, and Inola never looked back. By the end of the third quarter, the Longhorns had built a 45-31 cushion.
From there, the fourth quarter became a showcase of Inola’s depth and composure.
Thompson scored 8 of his 16 points in the final frame, including a layup that pushed the lead past 20, while Helling added timely buckets inside.
Inola closed the game on a 24-13 run, emptying the bench in the final minutes.
Weast finished with 24 points and 6 rebounds, leading a balanced attack. Thompson added 16 points and 6 boards, while Helling chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Verdigris was led by Roach’s 15 points and 4 rebounds. Jackson Thurman added 5 points and 4 boards, while Nate Bolin pulled down 4 rebounds.
The Longhorns won the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Cardinals 33-25 and forcing 19 turnovers while committing just 11 of their own. Inola also connected on 5 3-pointers compared to Verdigris’ 3.
The Cardinals now turn their attention to hosting the Mother Road Classic beginning Thursday, while the Longhorns will look to carry their momentum into the Locust Grove Invitational Tournament later this week.
Continue reading...
