Cashion avoids longer layoff, gets win over Irish

Cashion’s basketball teams spent most of last week searching and searching for someone to play.

Like most teams, they’d experienced a rash of cancellations and if they couldn’t find an opponent or two for later in the week, they’d be looking at a three-week stretch between games.

“We really, really needed to get a game in,” said Cashion boys coach John Hardaway. “We would have preferred two, but one would make us happy.”

Finally, Bishop McGuinness answered the call.

Unfortunately for the Irish, Cashion wasn’t a kind guest in the boys game.

The Wildcats made the trip to Oklahoma City on Friday and went home with a 53-40 win against Class 5A’ s 11 th-ranke d team.

“It worked out really well for us,” Hardaway said. “We went in and got a win against a quality team.”

Cashion got a combined 33 points from Jonah Jenkins and Vance Raney while Landon LaGasse recorded a double-double.

LaGasse scored 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

“That was huge for us,” said Hardaway, whose team concluded its regular season with an 18-3 record.

“When he plays like that, we’re really tough.”

Cashion outscored the Irish in every quarter and led by seven points entering the fourth.

The Wildcats closed with a 14-8 run as they held McGuinness to 32 percent shooting for the game. That included 3 of 20 (15 percent) from 3-point range.

Raney alone matched that 3-point output as he was 3 of 7 as part of his 16 points.

Jenkins poured in 17 points and added three assists and five rebounds.

Cashion shot 41 percent (17 of 41) for the game. The Wildcats also went 13 of 20 from the foul line while the Irish attempted only 12 free throws.

Ranked fourth in Class 2A, Cashion won’t play again until Thursday, Feb. 25, in the opening round of the regional tournament.

That’s because Cashion’s teams received a bye in this weekend’s district round.

“That’s why getting at least one game in was so important,” Hardaway said. “We were really willing to play anyone because we were looking at such a long layoff.”

McGuinness girls overpower Lady Wildcats

The trip wasn’t as kind to the Cashion girls’ team.

Bishop McGuiness, ranked sixth in Class 5A, handed the Lady Wildcats a 65-33 defeat.

The loss gives Cashion a final regular season record of 16-6.

The Irish defense was stingy early on, especially in the second quarter.

After staking a 16-7 lead, McGuinness went on a 16-2 run in the second.

Cashion’s offense picked up in the second half, but McGuinness continued to build on its lead.

Lauren Jenkins led Cashion with nine points.

Neely Tilley-Bedick and Brook Shelly scored eight points apiece while Issy Reeves chipped in six.

Like the Cashion boys, the Lady Wildcats won’t play again until the regional opener on Feb. 25.

Both Cashion teams will host the winners of the Stratford-Wynnewood district.

After the opening date, the regional tournament moves to Latta.