Wildcats prowling at Big House for 4th time since 2020
![CASHION WILDCATS players, coaches and cheerleaders celebrate after winning a Class 2A area consolation championship and qualifying for the state tournament. [Photo provided]](https://www.kingfisherpress.net/sites/kingfisherpress.etypegoogle10.com/files/styles/article400/public/041b6ad185_Ar00604014.jpg?itok=ZUVM-fZV "CASHION WILDCATS players, coaches and cheerleaders celebrate after winning a Class 2A area consolation championship and qualifying for the state tournament. [Photo provided]")
CASHION WILDCATS players, coaches and cheerleaders celebrate after winning a Class 2A area consolation championship and qualifying for the state tournament. [Photo provided]
As it turned out, Cashion matched up pretty well with Preston, too.
The Wildcats are headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2022 after defeating No. 7 Preston 52-35 Saturday in a Class 2A area consolation championship at Okmulgee.
The win came one night after Cashion fell short against third-ranked Pocola in the area championship game.
The Indians’ 49-42 win put them in the state tournament and dropped Cashion into Saturday’s “win or go home” scenario.
Just over a week prior, Hardaway was elated when Latta upset Preston in a regional semifinal.
That pitted Cashion against Latta for the regional championship, a matchup Hardaway said benefited his team more.
He was right. Cashion won the regional title handily, 54-40.
That put them in the area championship game against Pocola, last year’s state runner- up to Dale.
The Indians were up 2012 at the half and though Cashion kept it close, the Wildcats couldn’t overcome the talent and experience of Pocola.
Daquayne Terrell led his winning team with Cashion was led by Parker Mitchell’s 17.
But all was not lost. State was still attainable, but against a team Hardaway knew would be a tough matchup for his Wildcats.
Or would it? Cashion led 16-10 after a quarter and was up eight at halftime.
As the second half wore on, it became evident the Pirates weren’t going to catch up.
The lead was 40-23 after three quarters.
Only one Preston player reached double figures.
While Mitchell was held to six for Cashion, several others picked up the slack.
Anthony Wilburn led all scorers with 14 points.
Kamden Miller added 11 while Hudson Horan chipped in nine and Drake Woody eight.
They helped lock up the program’s sixth ever trip to the state tournament, but fourth under Hardaway.
The team qualified for state three years in a row beginning in 2020.
That 2022 season saw the Wildcats advance to the state finals where they lost to Dale.
That will also be Cashion’s opponent at 9 a.m. Thursday in the 2A state quarterfinals.
The top-ranked Pirates are gunning for their fourth consecutive state crown.