Cashion dealt last-second losses at TOC

Although it should prove beneficial for Cashion in February and March, the Tournament of Champions stings in December.

The Wildcats dropped their third straight close game of the tournament Wednesday when they fell 51-49 to Class A No. 1 Hydro-Eakly in the seventh-place game at the BOK Center.

Despite trailing by five points with less than 30 seconds left, Cashion had a chance to tie in the game’s final moments.

Jonah Jenkins was fouled while driving the lane with three seconds remaining, but missed the first of two free throws.

The senior intentionally missed the second to open the opportunity for an offensive rebound, but the shot didn’t hit the rim, which awarded the ball to the Bobcats.

Hydro-Eakly was then able to run out the clock.

It was the second straight game that came down to the wire for Cashion.

On Tuesday, Crossings Christian’s Cal Furnish knocked down a long 3-pointer with one second showing on the clock to lift his team to a 47-44 victory over the Wildcats.

That game saw Cashion lead by one at halftime against the seventh-ranked team in Class 4A (and last year’s 3A state champion).

Crossings was able to take a five-point advantage into the fourth quarter.

Cashion kept it close throughout the fourth then tied the game at 44-44 on Vance Raney’s 3-pointer with 1:38 to play.

The Knights, after using two timeouts, worked the clock to almost nothing before Furnish let the 24-foot shot fly.

After more timeouts, Cashion was unable to get a good look to tie the game.

The game against the defending Class A champs was a back-and-forth affair that saw 12 lead changes and seven ties.

The Bobcats went up 51-46 with a pair of free throws with 30 seconds to play.

Austin Frazier kept Cashion in it with a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left.

The Wildcats then got an opportunity to tie or take the lead when Nick Nabavi drew a charge with eight seconds showing.

However, Jenkins left his first free throw short after drawing the foul in the lane.

Jenkins had 12 points and six assists in the loss.

Frazier led all scorers with 20 points.

Hydro-Eakly had three players in double figures and was led by Carson Propps’ 16.

Against Crossings Christian, Jenkins led the way with 18 points.

Raney scored 15.

Furnish led Crossings with 14. The Knights went on to defeat 4A No. 2 Victory Christian 60-55 in the consolation championship.

Cashion opened the tournament with a 53-39 loss to 6A No. 1 Jenks.

The Wildcats return to action Tuesday when they host Oklahoma Bible Academy.