Boomers sidetrack Jackets’ title hopes

Kingfisher’s quest to return to the top of the Buckle of the Wheatbelt Invitational was derailed by a bunch of Boomers.

The kind from Woodward.

The Boomers continued their upward trend Saturday by knocking off the Jackets 65-56 in the championship game of the tournament.

It was the eighth straight win and second straight tournament championship for Woodward, which also won the Wheat Capital Tournament two weeks earlier.

They did it largely behind the efforts of freshman Kadon Gaines, the son of Woodward coach Kala (Bowers) Gaines, a former Gatorade Player of the Year for the Lady Boomers who went on to play for the University of Texas.

The younger Gaines scored 30 in the championship game.

That included 11 in the fourth quarter as the Boomers held off Kingfisher’s comeback attempt.

That was led by Hayes White, whose jumper with 5:07 to play brought the Jackets within 52-50.

They had trailed by as many as nine in the fourth quarter and by seven earlier in the fourth.

White scored 24 in the game, including eight in the fourth.

But his shot to get KHS within one possession was answered by a 7-0 run, including a 3-pointer by Gaines.

By the time Gaines knocked down another field goal with 1:26 to play, the lead was back to eight.

Gaines was 11 of 18 from the field and 6 of 8 from the foul line. He also had eight rebounds.

White led KHS with seven rebounds as well.

The Jackets also got 12 points from Jhett Birdwell, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Cash Laird scored nine before fouling out and Kasen Blair scored seven.

Laird’s offense - and defense - guided the Jackets in their 63-54 semifinal win over defending tournament champ Guthrie.

The junior forward torched the Blue Jays for 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

He led the Jackets in all those categories.

The Jackets led by 11 at halftime, then withstood an early charge by the Bluejays in the third quarter to extend their lead to 16 points.

It grew to as many as 20 in the fourth.

Kolson Smedley erupted for 25 of his 30 points in the second half, but got little help from his teammates.

Jahvari Harper was Guthrie’s second-leading scorer with eight.

White complemented Laird’s game with his 15 points while Jackson Willbanks scored seven.

The Jackets have won two games in each of their three tournaments this season.

They entered this week with a 10-7 overall record.