DUNCAN —
It was the game and the matchup Duncan wanted, and with 10 minutes to go, it was the score they wanted, too.
In the final four minutes, though, seventh-ranked MacArthur surged to win the championship game of the Chisholm Trail Holiday Shootout for the third straight year, topping the host team, 59-51.
“We came in knowing we could play with them,” Duncan senior Carter David said. “We came in playing to win.”
The Demons (5-4) started slow, going 0-for-8 on 3-point attempts in the first quarter and falling into a 19-10 hole early in the second quarter before roaring into the lead with a 14-0 run.
After the two squads went into halftime tied at 26, the lead changed hands three times in the third quarter, with the Highlanders (5-1) taking the lead for good with 1:38 left in the period.
Duncan twice cut the deficit to a point in the fourth quarter but the Highlanders always seemed to have a response as it held on for the win.
“If that’s the best that (No. 7) has to offer, I think we’re going to be alright,” Duncan coach Mikel Davison said. “We’re playing a senior-laden ballclub, we’re playing with a bunch of inexperienced kids. We’re going to be alright. We just have to get a little bit of experience under our belts.”
The Demons won the battle of the boards 34-27, but couldn’t keep up with MacArthur’s long-range shooting. Duncan settled for 3-pointers throughout the night but connected on only 5-of-25, compared to 4-of-14 by the Highlanders.
Senior guard Cade Baldwin led the 18th-ranked Demons with 16 points and six rebounds, while David had eight points and 10 rebounds and junior DeAndre Vermaire added eight points. Senior Jack Braught, who made the All-Tournament Team, finished with seven points and eight rebounds, junior Isiah Ervin had six points and eight rebounds and junior JeMario McCoy scored six points.
The Demons will close out the new year just above .500, but with plenty to be optimistic about as they continue to break in a youthful and inexperienced group.
“I think we are feeling pretty good coming in after the break,” David said. “I feel like we can play with anybody.”
Though the Demons weren’t pleased when they walked off the floor Saturday night, there are two things to be especially happy about: 1, it was the first time the Demons have made it to the championship game of their tournament, and 2, they will get plenty of chances to rematch MacArthur this season.
“We’re going to play these guys two, three, four, maybe even five more times,” Davison said. “We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to give as good as we get.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
Duncan’s Isiah Ervin, right, Cade Baldwin and JeMario McCoy crash the lane as they go after a rebound against MacArthur’s Trace Cook (24) and Darius Graham (33) during the championship game of the Chisholm Trail Holiday Shootout on Saturday at Duncan High School. Greg Crews/The Duncan Banner
Close, but not close enough
Demons fall in tourney final
- Sports
-
-
Throwing his way to the top
His father Craig starred in track at Oklahoma State after a decorated high school career. His younger brother Connor was named an AAU All-American, won the AAU Club National/ESPN Rise Games in the discus throw and competed in the AAU Junior Olympics last summer.
-
College basketball coach will run Simmons Center camps
As Lori Belcher and Junior Harris prepared for the Simmons Center’s summer youth basketball camps, they decided to ask a friend of Harris’ to come to Duncan and act as the camps’ instructor.
-
36th Annual Blowout starts Friday morning
Duncan’s largest golf tournament of the year will tee off Friday when the 36th Annual Blowout Tournament begins at the Duncan Golf and Tennis Club.
The tournament will include a field of 256 golfers, making up 128 teams. -
Territory to host fifth annual CECF Summer Classic
At an upcoming tournament at the Territory, golfers will have the chance to enjoy 18 holes on the course while also getting the opportunity to give back away from it.
-
Marlow to honor its longtime coach Carter with 5K Run
Back in March, Marlow Youth Council Vice President Jessica Sabedra-Garvin had what her peers first called a “crazy idea” to bring something new to the town she grew up in.
-
Duncan’s Speed Demon
-
Golfers gear up for 36th Annual Blowout tourney
The fairways are trimmed, the greens are smooth and the stage is set.
-
Stephens brings home Oklahoma Youth State Title
After another impressive performance on the golf course this weekend, Caden Stephens can now call himself something every kid dreams to become: a state champion.
-
Hurdling past the competition
Since the start of her high school track career, Duncan hurdler Rebecca Brewer has earned back to back trips to the Class 5A State Tournament, three state medals and an invitation to this year’s Meet of Champions.
-
Twin Oaks to host camp, junior tourney
With golf season now in full swing, kids will get the chance to learn more about the game during a camp hosted in town at the start of next month.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
