Still streaking

Kingfisher’s remarkable home winning streak is intact for yet another full season.

The Yellowjackets shut down Mannford 50-28 Tuesday night at the APB to claim a Class 4A regional championship and advance to Friday night’s area final.

KHS played Weatherford at 8 p.m. Friday (after press time) at the Stride Bank Center in Enid for that area championship and a spot in the state tournament. The loser of that game played again Saturday night for one final crack at state.

Mannford got the final crack at breaking Kingfisher’s home streak this season, but the Pirates were held to 31 percent shooting and turned it over 19 times.

“We feel like defense is something we should always be able to do well whether we are at home or on the road,” coach Jared Reese said. “The guys really put a lot of effort into it.”

The game was the final one at home this season as KHS - 24-1 overall - went 11-0 at the APB.

That extended the team’s win streak to 72 games on its home court. That dates back to December 2016, giving the Jackets five full seasons without a home loss.

“It’s pretty crazy when you sit back and think about it like that,” Reese said.

The 15th-ranked Pirates were put out of contention early.

Kingfisher got out to a 12-2 lead, forcing Mannford to play catch-up from the start.

The Pirates did pull within 15-10 by the end of the first quarter, but the Jackets outscored them 18-2 in the second quarter.

The Jackets hit six 3-pointers in the half - two each by Maddox Mecklenburg and Xavier Ridenour.

Both eventually led the team with 14 points apiece .

Mecklenburg didn’t miss a shot from the field.

Caden Kitchens scored 10 points and led the team with five rebounds.

Drake Friesen and Chase Davis scored five each while Cash Slezickey offered up two points, two assists and two steals.

Kingfisher’s win was its 10th in a row. The Jackets are searching for their sixth consecutive trip to the state tournament.