Knights fall to Weatherford in 4A semifinals

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

Heading into the Class 4A state tournament, Crossings Christian boys basketball coach Shawn Schenk dreaded one potential matchup problem out of seven other teams.

The Knights, unfortunately, drew that opponent in Weatherford and fell behind early in a 61-49 loss to the Eagles last Friday in the semifinals at Yukon High School.

“They were a huge matchup problem for us,” Schenk said. “They had four players at 6foot-7 or taller and our little 5-9 guards just couldn’t compete. I was maybe the worst matchup we could have had (of any other team at state).”

Crossings Christian (23-3) managed just 19 points in the first half against Weatherford.

“We really just struggled shooting especially from 3,” the coach said. “We had several good looks but they just didn’t go in the basket for us.”

Cal Furnish made just one 3-pointer and finished with a teambest 14 points.

Matthew Hooper collected eight points, while Cooper Mulanax and Cam Parker chipped in five points each.

Luke Olson nailed a 3-pointer, as Nate Rouse and Mack Gudell collected two points each.

While the Knights didn’t accomplish their goal of winning a second state title in three seasons, they have seen considerable success over their first decade.

“I think it’s pretty cool that we’ve gotten to the point in our program where we’re disappointed to make the state semifinals,” Schenk said. “We’ve been to state six times in eight years. I think we need to be grateful for how far we’ve come. It says a lot about our program.”

In the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Crossings Christian led 23-9 after the first quarter and cruised to a 76-54 win over North Rock

Crossings Christian’s Cal Furnish (1) sets up an offensive play during a Class 4A semifinal matchup against Weatherford last Friday at Yukon.

Creek at State Fairgrounds Arena.

Furnish shot 6-of-10 from 3-point range to collect 26 points to lead three Knights in double figures.

Gudell notched 19 points and Parker contributed 14 points.

In other results, Weatherford outlasted

Newcastle for a 47-35 win in their quarterfinal on Wednesday. Douglass held off OCS, while Kingfisher ran over Stillwell.

Douglass also won its semifinal against Kingfisher and beat Weatherford in the title game on Saturday at State Fair Arena.