THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Skiatook High School Athletics

CLAREMORE — The third time was not the charm for the Skiatook Bulldogs, as they fell to the Claremore Zebras 85-52 in the first round of the 5A Regional tournament Friday night in Claremore. The Zebras had defeated the Bulldogs in their two previous meetings this season. Jeffrey Oxford led all scorers with 22 points in the victory. Claremore head basketball coach Tommy Nolan’s team came into the game prepared for the Bulldogs. “They are a well-coached team and we knew it would be tough a third time around,” Nolan said. “We wanted to get out in transition and run and then be patient defensively.”. The Zebras opened the game with strong offense and quickly put the Bulldogs on their heels. With 2:32 remaining in the first quarter, the Zebras had an 18-8 lead. The Bulldogs closed the quarter with a 6-2 run, cutting the lead to 20-14 by the end of the quarter. The Zebra defense clamped down in the second quarter, only allowing the Bulldogs to put seven points on the board. The Zebra offense continued to shine. With 3:47 left until halftime, Oxford lobbed the ball up towards the hoop to Layton Hartloff, who slammed it home. Claremore took a 40-21 lead into intermission. The Bulldogs tried to get back in the game by going on a 15-5 run, cutting the Zebra lead to 45-36 with 4:21 left in the third quarter. The Zebras added back to their lead by going on a 12-5 run and taking a 60-44 lead into the final quarter. The final quarter was all Claremore, as they outscored the Bulldogs 25-8. Nolan knows his team will have tough game with McGuiness for the regional championship at 7 p.m. Saturday. “They are a great ball club. They play in a tough conference with all 6A schools,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough test for us. They have some really good guards on the outside. We’re going to come in tomorrow and work on some things.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Skiatook High School Athletics

CLAREMORE BEATS SKIATOOK, 85-52 IN OPENER

DERRICK SMITH

The Daily Progress | 2/25/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Tom VanHooser