The Henryetta Knights made history this week, clinching their first-ever Henryetta Invitational Tournament title with a nail-biting 52-50 win over McLoud in the championship game. The weather may have thrown a wrench into tournament schedules, but the Knights stayed focused, capping a weekend of thrilling basketball with their victory Monday evening.
— Weather Disruptions & Rescheduling
Oklahoma’s unpredictable winter weather caused Friday’s tournament games to be postponed, pushing all action to Saturday and the finals to Monday night. Despite the changes, the tournament delivered electrifying performances, culminating in a tense championship showdown between Henryetta and McLoud.
— Semifinal Highlights: Henryetta vs. Metro Christian Henryetta’s path to the finals wasn’t without drama. The Knights edged out Metro Christian 52-50 in a semifinal thriller Saturday. The game featured ten lead changes, with Greenhaw’s decisive basket late in the fourth quarter giving Henryetta the edge.
The Knights started strong, outscoring Metro Christian 17-9 in the first quarter. However, Metro Christian battled back, leading 21-19 at halftime. The Knights responded with grit, fueled by key performances from their roster:
• Talon Weaver: Led the scoring with 13 points, driving the team’s early momentum.
• Skylar Greenhaw: Matched Weaver with 13 points, including the game-winning shot.
• Bishop Berryhill and Gavin Williams: Added vital contributions, keeping Henryetta in the game during critical moments.
— Championship Game: Henryetta vs. McLoud
The Knights, led by Coach Bunyan Johnson, faced a formidable McLoud team in a game that showcased resilience and determination. Trailing 2320 at halftime, Henryetta clawed their way back in the second half. The score was tied at 50-50 with just over a minute left when the Knights made their move.
— Key Performances
• Skylar Greenhaw: The standout player delivered a clutch basket in the closing moments, securing the Knights’ lead.
• Talon Weaver: Consistent throughout the tournament, Weaver contributed 13 points, including crucial free throws under pressure.
• Nakona Johnson: Added 12 points, showcasing skill and poise in pivotal moments.
The Knights’ defense held firm in the final seconds, denying McLoud’s last attempt and sealing their 52-50 victory.
— Tournament Overview & Other Results
The Henryetta Invitational Tournament saw competitive play across boys’ and girls’ brackets, with teams battling tough schedules and weather delays.
Boys Bracket Opening Round
• McLoud 66, Beggs 37
• Valliant 48, Sallisaw 37
• Henryetta 56, Okemah 30
• Metro Christian 61, Checotah 25 — Semifinals
• McLoud 63, Valliant 38
• Henryetta 52, Metro Christian 50 — Consolation Semifinals • Sallisaw 66, Beggs 60
• Okemah 74, Checotah 48 — Consolation Finals
• Okemah 57, Sallisaw 48 — Championship
• Henryetta 52, McLoud 50 — Girls Bracket Opening Round
• Sallisaw 57, Beggs 36
• Okemah 57, Henryetta 12
• Metro Christian 47, Valliant 29
• McLoud 53, Checotah 40 — Semifinals
• McLoud 33, Sallisaw 31
• Okemah 51, Metro Christian 28 — Consolation Semifinals • Valliant 31, Henryetta 17
• Checotah 52, Beggs 33 — Consolation Finals
• Sallisaw 40, Metro Christian 38
• Okemah 46, McLoud 36 — Championship
• McLoud 53, Checotah 40 – The Henryetta Knights will face inter- county rival Morris later this week, hoping to build on their success. Fans can expect another exciting game as the Knights continue their push for a strong season finish.
— Additional Regional Highlights While Henryetta celebrated its victory, other area teams made headlines:
Lady Eagles place 3rd at Warner
Invitational
The Morris Lady Eagles secured third place at the Warner Invitational, defeating Catoosa 58-44. Abby Long led Morris with 14 points, supported by a balanced team effort.
Alexis Schell led the charge for the Lady Eagles, scoring 12 points, including key baskets in the third quarter that helped maintain the team’s lead.
Asaiah Barnett also contributed significantly with 12 points, demonstrating excellent playmaking and consistency throughout the game.
Abby Long provided additional offensive firepower with 14 points, capitalizing on opportunities in the paint, while Alli Gruynes and Rylee Whitaker added crucial support, scoring 8 and 10 points respectively.
The Lady Eagles currently sit at 7-4 on the season.
— Tigers dominate Wewoka
The Wilson Tigers dominated Wewoka 77-47 on Saturday, with standout performances from Zion Shelburn (20 points) and Charles Shelburn (10 points, 10 rebounds).
Ke’shon Shelburn, Zion Shelburn, and Tepoyv Williams each hit multiple three-pointers for Wilson. The team shot 15-29 (52%) from beyond the arc. Wilson controlled the paint, grabbing 34 rebounds. Charles Shelburn led the team with 10 rebounds. Wilson passed the ball well with 19 assists on 28 made baskets. Charles Shelburn led the team with seven assists. Also contributing for Wilson were Ke’shon Shelburn (18 points), Tepoyv Williams (12 points), Charles Shelburn (10 points), Za’brien Shelburn (6 points), Anthony Wind Jr. (3 points), Andrew Wilson (3 points), Talan Dobson (3 points), and Aiden Barnard (2 points).
— Pirates win 5th-straight game Preston Boys: Extended their winning streak to five games with a 4137 win over Perkins-Tryon, pushing their season record to 10-3.
