by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)3/15/2018 3:57:33 PM
posted in: Game Summary | 3,492 views
OKLAHOMA CITY — Heritage Hall had not forgotten. Ever since Kingfisher dispatched of the Chargers in last year’s area tournament, Heritage Hall had wanted to repay the favor.
It just so happened that Class 4A No. 4 Heritage Hall got its revenge in the state championship game, knocking off top-ranked Kingfisher 61-56 at State Fair Arena.
“We got what we wanted,” Heritage Hall’s Jon Matthews said. “We wanted to play Kingfisher in the finals … they put us out last season, so that made us hungry to start this season. We didn’t forget about last year, and we just kept that in our mind the whole way through.”
The addition of freshman Trey Alexander may have helped, too. His 27 points, 24 in the second half, sparked the Chargers, who took control with a 24-15 third quarter.
“Our kids never quit,” said Heritage Hall coach Chris Hamilton, whose club won its second championship in four seasons.
It was Heritage Hall senior Blake Horrell who drained the decisive 3-pointer with 20 seconds left. It was his only made 3-pointer of the night on six attempts.
“I knew it was going in,” Horrell said. “I stayed true to my mechanics and stayed mentally sound. Had confidence in myself when I shot that last shot.”
Matthews added 11 points and five assists for the Chargers (23-5), who made 60 percent (15 of 25) of their field goals in the second half.
Kingfisher (28-1) was denied a second straight championship, despite 22 points from Trey Green. Jett
Sternberger added 15 points and six rebounds, and Bijan Cortes chipped in nine points and six rebounds.
“Having a team who’s dominate and thinks they can beat you,” Horrell said, “and then you beat them, it’s exciting. It’s hard to put words into it.”
Box Score
No. 4 Heritage Hall 61, No. 1 Kingfisher
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Heritage Hall | 9 | 8 | 24 | 20 | 61 |
| Kingfisher | 9 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 56 |
Heritage Hall (23-5): Trey Alexander 27, Jon Matthews 11, Blake Horrell 7, Michael McLaughlin 6, Phillip Smitherman 6, William McDonald 4.
Kingfisher (28-1): Trey Green 22, Jett Sternberger 15, Bijan Cortes 9, Matthew Stone 7, Reece Lafferty 3.