The 12th ranked Guthrie boys basketball team got the start they wanted in the 5A state semifinals, but Tulsa East Central made a defensive stand in the second half inside the Mabee Center.
Guthrie jumped out to a 30-22 halftime lead, but managed just 5 points in the third quarter alone as East Central quickly erased what the Jays had built at the half to tie the game at 35-all going into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals scored the final quarters first 6 points and extended that with a 12-2 run to go up 47-37 with 2:27 left to play.
East Central outscored Guthrie in the 31-19 with a big credit of that going to the Cardinals offense, who made it difficult for the Jays to find open shots.
Despite the double-digit deficit, Guthrie pulled within 3-points (50-47), but the Cards hit crucial free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
The spark in the first half was junior point guard Jerrick Warren, who scored 9 points in each of the first quarters with his ability to drive to the basket for contested lay-ups. Warren finished with 23 points.
The BueJays end their season with a 17-11 record and say good-bye to three seniors: Codee Gross, Sharon Parker and Shannon Stansbury.
Guthrie wins first round game over Del City
Photo by MATT BARNARD, Tulsa World
The Eagles were ranked No. 1 majority of the season as they made the move down to Class 5A.
Del City jumped out to a 7-2 lead, but Guthrie got a bucket from freshmen L’Liot Curry at the :54 mark to give the Jays a 10-9 lead. The Eagles grabbed one more lead in the second quarter (17-16). However, it would be their last lead.
Guthrie appeared they were going into the locker room with a 1-point lead, but sophomore guard Kai Callins was fouled when he grabbed a Del City miss under the basket and threw the ball down court in a shooting motion. Callins drilled all three free throws with no time on the clock to give Guthrie a 21-17 advantage.
Del City tied the game at 32-all with 6:59 left in the game, but Guthrie was impressive down the stretch highlighted by making free throws.
Senior Codee Gross led the offensive charge with 22 points.
Be the first to comment on "Jays fall just short of state title game"