HALL OF FAME '23 SPOTLIGHT: Bartlesville boys hoops dropped Borger in 1990 clash
Note: As a part of the E-E’s coverage for the upcoming Bartlesville Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, glimpses of historical moments will appear periodically. The announced inductees for the Class of 2023 include former College High/Sooner High coach Bill Holbrook, former Bartlesville High wrestler Clint Eads, former Phillips 66ers player and local sports volunteer Lou Skurcenski, former Bartlesville High girls basketball star K.K. McCoy and the 1990-91 Bartlesville High boys basketball team.
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BHS BASKETBALL, 1990-91
Bartlesville vs. Borger
Bartlesville coach Steve Hesser came out of this game with a frowning attitude while Borger (Texas) coach Gregg Moreland had a smile in his heart.
Want to guess the winner?
Even in victory, Hesser expected a certain quality of play by his team.
That’s why he didn’t express much joy in his Bruins’ 67-56 semi-handedly defeat of Borger.
“We played so far from our system,” Hesser told the E-E after the game. “There was no leadership out there.”
“I’ll be honest, that’s the best defense I’ve seen in years,” said Moreland, who praised his team’s effort.
The Bruins and Texas squad collided in the opening round of the 66ers Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.
Spectators plunked down two bucks for a seat, with the funds set to go toward scholarships.
The sold-out crowd watched Borger succumb to unbeaten Bartlesville (7-0).
But, the Bruins needed a fourth quarter surge to eclipse the Lone Star State squad.
With more than six minutes remaining, Bruin warrior Tommy DeSalme converted on a three-point play — off an offensive rebound — to stretch the Bruin lead to seven points, 54-47.
Borger coach Moreland pointed to that play as a rally-killer for his crew.
Other Bruin fourth-quarter heroes included Michael Ellison with three three-pointers and Matt Stie with two clutch deuces.
Bartlesville’s defense forced 23 turnovers to discombobulate the Borger attack.
Aaron Bucher scored 15 points to lead Bartlesville scorers. That upped his total to 54 points in the last four games after he had finished scoreless against Sand Springs.
Ellison — who came off the bench for the first time this season — scored 12 points, followed by DeSalme with 10 and Jerome Harris with eight points (and 10 rebounds).
Gerard Harris hit a key bucket late in the first half to give the Bruins added momentum going into intermission.
For Borger, Jeff Isom registered a double-double (18 points, 10 boards) and Bubba Newman scored 16.
The grand marshall for the tournament was former 66ers’ player and company president Paul Endacott.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: HALL OF FAME '23: Bartlesville boys hoops dropped Borger in 1990 clash
