Oklahoma high school boys basketball: Day 1 roundup from Thursday's tournament games
Dozens of high school basketball tournaments are taking place across Oklahoma this week with a host of them starting on Thursday.
Here’s a roundup of Thursday's first-round action around the metro area:
More: What to know about Oklahoma high school basketball tournaments this weekend
Sweet Pea Invitational: Douglass 86, Lawton Eisenhower 53
NEWCASTLE — Despite losing star forward Terry McMorris, who graduated from Douglass last spring and now plays at Link Academy, the defending Class 4A champion Trojans still have help on the way.
Missing from Thursday's opener in the Sweet Pea Invitational for Douglass was newly added OU football commit Jaden Nickens, who was presumed to make his Trojans debut after clearing the 15-day waiting period.
Nickens, a four-star wide receiver in football with multiple power five Division I offers in basketball, moved from Class 3A Millwood to Douglass in December.
According to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, students that physically move are not allowed to participate in athletics for at least 15 calendar days after the student's first full date of attendance at the school. Although Nickens has met the requirements in his situation, the OSSAA still has yet to permit him to play as of Thursday morning.
Douglass head coach Steven Alexander declined to comment on the situation to The Oklahoman.
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Douglass forward Jaden Williams led all scorers with 18 points as the Trojans defeated Lawton Ike 86-53 to improve to 8-3 on the season.
The Trojans struggled early on defense, missing key rotations as Eagles big man Lantrell Bailey accounted for eight of Lawton Ike's 16 first-quarter points. Douglass still managed to lead by one point heading into the second quarter thanks to seven first-quarter points from Williams.
Yet, Douglass would turn up the pressure in the second quarter, embarking on a 13-0 run in the period's first three minutes. The Eagles had no answer for Williams and guard Landry Ballard, who scored multiple points in transition after the forcing turnovers by Lawton Ike's ball handlers at the top of the key.
The Trojans would outscore the Eagles 69-37 in the second half as Ballard added to Williams' efforts with 10 points and three steals.
With the win, the Trojans move on to the second round of the Sweet Pea Invitational in Newcastle and will face off against the winner of Enid and OKC Storm on Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Heart of Oklahoma Tournament: Byng 57, Purcell 54
Byng forward Malachi Schilreff scored 23 points while grabbing seven rebounds to help lead the Pirates to a 57-54 win over Purcell in the Heart of Oklahoma Tournament.
Schilreff came up clutch down the stretch, scoring 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter during a 17-7 run in the last three minutes to spark the comeback victory. The senior nailed two needed shots in the final minute for Byng to secure and improve to 9-6.
Byng had zero answers for Purcell guard Kobe Freeman early on, who scored 17 points in the first half as the Dragons went into the halftime break with a seven-point lead. Freeman finished the game leading all scorers with 26 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Yet, the Pirates refused to back down in the second half despite Freeman's stellar play.
Byng began to send double teams his way, which led to turnovers and easy points in transition to help rally from behind. Pirates forward Tyler Raney knocked down two momentum-changing three-pointers at the end of the third quarter, which helped ease their fightback during crunch time.
Byng moves on to the second round of the Heart of Oklahoma Tournament, where they'll face off against fifth-ranked Bethany at 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
More: Oklahoma HS girls basketball: How newcomer Teague Muncy is clicking with undefeated Dale
Tip-ins from other tournaments across Oklahoma
Cashion County Line Tournament
Thursday’s quarterfinals at Cashion
Oklahoma Christian School’s boys basketball team routed Clinton, 75-28, for a spot in the Cashion County Line semifinals. Luke Gray led the Saints with 19 points. Carson Jones followed with 16, making a trio of 3-pointers in the second quarter.
The Saints needed a little time before they were able to run away with the lead, but Gray provided an early advantage at the free-throw line. OCS closed the game on a high note with 25 points in the fourth quarter.
-Hallie Hart
John Nobles Invitational
Thursday’s quarterfinals at Moore
Moore's boys basketball team routed Destiny Christian 72-35 to reach the John Nobles Invitational semifinals. Darian Grant led tall scorers with 19 points as his teammate Tristan Hankins also added 16 points in the Lions' win. The Lions will face off against Millwood in the semifinals on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Westmoore's boys basketball team defeated Putnam City 58-36 behind forward Gavin Loper's game-high 14 points to reach the John Nobles Invitational semifinals. The Jaguars will face off against the winner of Carl Albert and Ardmore on Friday at 8:30p.m.
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Douglass rolls past Lawton Ike as Jaden Nickens awaits debut
