1derful Defense
Jackets shut down dangerous El Reno to avenge 2022 loss
CASH SLEZICKEY shoots over El Reno’s Alexander Elizonda (24) during the Jackets’ victory at home on Monday. Slezickey scored eight points for KHS. [Photo by Chris Simon/ www.simon-sports-photos.smugmug.com]
Hours before Kingfisher’s home game with El Reno on Monday, boys coach Jared Reese stood alone on one end of the APB court envisioning plays in his head.
Not even Reese could foresee what would transpire later that night.
The Yellowjackets avenged their lone loss from a year ago when they battered El Reno 59-33.
If possible, though, the game wasn’t even as close as the score.
The Jackets remarkably led 24-1 at halftime.
The Indians, ranked No. 3 in the west in 5A and coming off a win over No. 1 Carl Albert just days before, were limited to a single free throw in the first quarter.
“I don’t think anyone was expecting that,” Reese said.
The visitors didn’t make their first field goal until midway through the third quarter. By then, KHS led 30-1.
El Reno’s offense finally came out of hibernation to score 16 points in each the third and fourth quarters, but the Indians couldn’t make a serious run.
The Jackets shot 22 free throws in the fourth quarter and maintained their lead by knocking down 18 of them.
The score was 12-1 after a quarter as Caden Kitchens scored eight of the Jackets’ points.
Xavier Ridenour added five in the second quarter and eventually finished with a game-high 19 points.
Kitchens scored 18 and Cash Slezickey provided eight points.
No El Reno (14-5) player reached double figures in scoring.
The Jackets forced the Indians into 18 turnovers and scored 14 points off of them.
The victory pushed KHS to 19-3.