Tigers begin fast and dominate Ridgerunners

In the second matchup of these two district opponents, The Tahlequah Tigers were able to get into a flow early on to eliminate any doubt as to the outcome of the game. The Tigers shot 22-39 from the court for an impressive 56 percent.

Grove’s first possession of the game set the tone. The Tiger’s defense was swarming and disrupting the Ridgerunners motion offense and forced a turnover after almost a minute of game time.

The Tigers started the game on a 6-0 run before Grove was able to break through for their first bucket. Donovan Smith had an impressive eight points in the quarter. As a team, Tahlequah shot 73 percent in the quarter while in contrast, Grove shot 18 percent and led to a 17-4 Tiger lead.

The second quarter was mostly an even affair with both teams, going 4-9 from the court. The difference being from the free-throw line with the Tigers picking up an extra six points for a 33-12 lead at the half. Smith continued his hot start by picking up 10 points in the quarter for a total of 18 at the half.

Coming out of the break, the Tigers continued to their hot shots. With 2:25 to go, Cash McAlvain drained a three-point for the largest lead of the game 49-18. At that point the proverbial foot was taken off the gas with the Tigers taking a 52-24 lead into the fourth.

With most of the starters off the court and the outcome no longer in doubt it was a good opportunity to see some players that normally wouldn’t see. Senior Avery Fields took full advantage going 2-3 from the field and 1-2 from the line for 5 points. Grove was able to reel off 20 in the quarter to the Tigers eight for a final score of 60-44.

Smith led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds, McAlvain had 14, Cole Robertson had six, Jordan Dougherty had five, Fields had five while Zeke Guerrero had three. Noah Barrett also had three and Gage Hodgson had 1.

What’s next

The Tigers will face off against Pryor at the TMAC for senior night Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m.