The 2 groups, ranked within the prime 10 of their respective classifications, engaged in a basic battle that noticed the Outlaws earn a three-peat for the Stephens County Match with a 58-55 win over Velma-Alma.
It was the No. 1 crew within the bracket in opposition to the No. 2 crew within the bracket. The host Comets acquired off to a quick begin with a three-pointer from Cam Wiggins and a two-point bucket from Jackson Lohrer.
Parker Boyles, one of many All-Match sectionals, acquired the second bucket for the Outlaws. Mason Holding then managed to chop the hole by 1 level.
Wiggins, an All-Match choice, hit two buckets earlier than one other All-Match choice in Blyde Harris tied the sport at 7-7.
Match MVP Avrey Payne hit two free throws to provide the Outlaws their first lead of the sport earlier than Boyles hit a bucket to make it a four-point sport.
Harris hit the second triple because the Outlaws noticed a fairly even quarter for each groups.
As Wiggins and Lohrer battled to maintain the Comets within the sport, Payne hit a three-pointer to chop the lead again to 5 as Velma-Alma got here up with two three-pointers of her personal.
With the Outlaws main 26-20 at halftime, Velma-Alma made positive to match the Outlaws’ offensive output within the third quarter. Within the third place, each groups have 48 factors.
An all-tournament choice in Crue Garrett had certainly one of his finest performances within the third as certainly one of his buckets tied the sport at 30-30.
Marlow coach Kirk Harris was referred to as for a technical foul as Garrett knocked down each free throws to take a 32-30 lead. Alex Wilkerson then hit a bucket to guide by 4 factors.
Payne additionally had an enormous quarter for the Outlaws. He hit two free throws and three buckets to assist Marlow regain the lead at 49-45 within the fourth quarter.
Kaden Harris led the Outlaws with six factors, however Garrett’s three-pointer for the Comets put the sport inside attain.
Once more, the Outlaws acquired one final free throw from Payne earlier than Velma-Alma took over.
Langsten Walker and Garrett got here to the road as they hit all 4 free throw makes an attempt to tie the sport tied at 52-52 and ship it into time beyond regulation.
In time beyond regulation, the Outlaws hit a free throw and a bucket every to Blayd Harris and Parker Boyles to take the lead for good and provides the Outlaws the win.
Garrett hit the ultimate three to tie the sport at 58-55 and go away Marlow with its third straight County Match Championship.
Blade Harris led the way in which with 18 All-Match picks for the Outlaws, whereas Payne had 15 and Boyles had 11.
Garrett had 16, Wiggins 12 and one other All-Match choice for the Outlaws, six-man Jake Sullivan, helped Velma-Alma come off the bench in clutch spots.
The Outlaws’ head coach at Harris mentioned Velma-Alman all the time gave her crew a tough time and gave all of the credit score to educate Kenny Naked for getting ready her crew for battle.
“We’re excited to win and having to play at their residence floor made it tough. Their crowd entered there. Their youngsters actually fought arduous and performed rather well,” Harris mentioned. “We had some alternatives to place them away in regulation and time beyond regulation, however we did not do an excellent job of ending the sport. A variety of that goes to their credit score. They performed effectively, they shot effectively and it , it was a back-and-forth sport. While you play Kenny (Bare), he will give you a sport plan, and we’re attempting to benefit from him being an awesome sport for the followers.”
The Outlaws could have a troublesome week coming off a win within the county match as they face Lexington and Lindsay.
Harris believes this robust competitors will assist them attain their final purpose.
“In the mean time, we try to remain the place we’re within the rating. Subsequent week is the final week they will do it and if we wish to keep within the prime 8, Tuesday and Friday shall be large,” Harris mentioned. “We’re simply prepared to remain wholesome and see what occurs subsequent week.”
The Outlaws’ first sport this week is at Lexington on January twenty fourth at 8:00pm, whereas Velma-Alma will go to Alex on January twenty fourth at 8:00pm.
