OKARCHE – One momentary lapse in defense ended up costing El Reno High School's boys summer basketball team a shot at the title from the 2010 Best of the West Tournament.
Hydro-Eakly hit two free throws with 1.4 seconds left to steal a 55-54 decision over the Indians in El Reno's final game of the tournament.
El Reno led the Bobcats by five at halftime and took a 54-50 cushion with under a minute to play on a back-door layup by Brandon Bigfoot.
However, Hydro-Eakly hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one. After EHS missed a free throw attempt, the Bobcats came down the court and took the final shot, which missed, but the Indians missed the rebound on the backside.
“Backside blockout has hurt us all week long,” EHS assistant coach Brad Mallam said. “I didn't think we fouled the kid because both of our players went straight up.”
Mallam said there was no question the subsequent free throws were going in.
“He stepped up there with some authority and knocked down the shots,” Mallam said. “You knew when the ball left his hand they were going in.”
The one-point loss left El Reno with an 8-1 record. As it played out, the Bobcats would go on to lose to Putnam City North by 24 points. That loss threw El Reno, Hydro-Eakly and PCN in a three-way tie for first place.
Due to the tiebreaker point deferential, the Panthers ended up in first. Hydro-Eakly took second and El Reno was left in third place. It was the third straight year that a loss on the final day of the tourney ended up costing the Indians the title.
“If we had done what we were supposed to do, like blocking out and making free throws, then we would not be in that position,” Mallam said.
El Reno posted wins over Lomega (50-32) and Hennessey JV (69-26) prior to the loss to Hydro-Eakly.
The Indians were spotless going into the final day after beating Okarche (57-42), Kingfisher (48-37) and Putnam City North (41-34) during the second round.
El Reno led the Panthers, 28-19, early in the second half on a Rashaad Copeland 3-pointer. However, EHS would give up an 11-0 run and fall behind by a basket.
Conner Haydon nailed a 3-pointer, followed by a steal and a basket by Raymond Little as EHS regained the lead. Jose Bonilla added a bucket with 2:23 to play and Devante Moore sealed the win with two free throws with 46 seconds left.