In a busy week for the Sulphur boys basketball team, the Dogs went 2-2, including a big win at rival Davis on Tuesday.
Sulphur (8-9) beat then No. 18 (3A) Davis 35-32, picking up a big conference win.
The Dogs were at the Rocky Clarke Invitational In Washington over the weekend for three games.
Sulphur fell to No. 16 (3A) Casady 72-48 in the opening round on Thursday and lost to Tecumseh in a close one on Friday, falling 72-67.
The Dogs did finish off the week on a good note, beating Elk City 50-26 on Saturday.
Sulphur was at No. 8 Madill on Tuesday and is at Plainview on Friday.
The Dogs will be at Marietta next Tuesday and at Dickson next Friday.
SULPHUR 35, DAVIS 32 In a back and forth game, the Dogs made plays late to find a way at Davis, picking up a big road conference win over the Wolves. Sulphur trailed late 32-31 but scored the final four points to win, thanks to a big bucket from sophomore Bridge Barrett.
“It was a tough battle back and forth,” said Sulphur head coach Grant Bates. “It was a typical Sulphur vs. Davis game and environment.”
“We made halftime adjustments and were able to take the lead down the stretch with a big shot from Bridge in closing time.”
The Dogs shot just 33% from the floor, but forced 18 turnovers and turned that into 13 points.
Sulphur also had 18 offensive rebounds for 11 second chance points.
Bates was proud of the way his team continues to play in tough environments but admitted that this one felt sort of like a home game.
“Even though we have had all of our games away from home, this was the closest thing that has resembled a home game,” he said. “I was really proud of our effort, fight, and winning at all costs mentality. I was really happy with the fans and students turning out and we packed it out.”
Barrett led the way with 18 points, nine boards and two steals in the win.
Devin Willis was also great, once again, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
“We showed a great competitive spirit and a really good team defensive performance.” Bates said. “Even when we weren’t producing on the offensive end up to our capabilities we found a way when our back was against the wall.”
Sulphur trailed 12-4 after a quarter and 21-14 at halftime.
The Dogs closed the gap in the 3rd to trail just 28-23 before the big 4th quarter comeback.
Sulphur dominated on the glass, having a 33-17 advantage.
CASADY 72, SULPHUR 48 The Dogs played well in the 1st half on Thursday in the loss to Casady but a big 2nd half by the Cyclones created too much distance.
Sulphur trailed just 28-26 at half after a 12-12 opening quarter.
But a 25-point outburst in the 3rd out of the break from Casady put the Cyclones up 53-38 and that was enough.
“We played a good half against Casady,” Bates said. “It was maybe our best half of the year overall. but their guards got going in the 2nd half and we didn’t make enough adjustments to stop their run.”
Casady outscored the Dogs 19-10 in the 4th.
“They got us out of our game plan and ended up pouring it on down the stretch,” Bates said.
Both teams shot 49% from the floor in the game, but Casady was 9-of-20 (45%) from three, compared to just 2-of-9 (22%) for the Dogs.
Casady also made 17-of-20 (85%) from the line, while Sulphur was just 4-of-10 (40%).
Sulphur dominated inside, outscoring Casday 34-14 in the paint, but the Cyclones had a 15-0 advantage in transition, 16-6 in points off turnovers and 25-18 on the glass.
Willis had another great game, finishing with a team-high 22 points and five rebounds on 10of-13 form the floor.
Barrett had 10 points and three assists, while Colten Cole had six points and three boards in the loss.
TECUMSEH 72, SULPHUR 67
The Dogs ran into a hot team on Friday in Washington, as the Dogs played a great offensive game but came up just short.
Sulphur got down early, thanks to some hot shooting from Tecumseh.
The Savages made 14 threes and led 43-31 at half.
“They shot the ball lights out,” Bates said. “We scored the ball well but we just weren’t able to end their hot streak.”
Sulphur battled back in the 2nd half, cutting the lead to as close as two but could never pull even.
“We still had an opportunity to win it in the end,” Bates said. “We neutralized their best player in the 2nd half so I was proud of that.”
Sulphur shot 51% from the floor for the game, compared to just 47% for Tecumseh.
But the Savages were 14-of-27 (52% from three), with most coming in the 1st half.
Sulphur had its best shooting performance of the year from outside, going 10-of-20 (50%) as a team.
“Sometimes you come across teams where all the role players get hot,” Bates said. “And then you make adjustments but when you do, they counter with a guy off the bench to make a couple more shots.”
“It just wasn’t our day.” The Dogs struggled from the line again, going 9-of-18 from the stripe.
Sulphur forced 17 turnovers in the loss for 20 points off of.
But the Dogs were outrebounded 33-24 and Tecumseh turned a 14-7 advantage on the offensive glass into a 12-1 edge in second chance points.
Bridge Barrett was outstanding for the Dogs again, pouring in 33 points, five rebounds and dishing out eight assists.
He was 11-of-19 from the field and 6-of-10 from three.
Trace Todd had a good game for Sulphur, as well, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from three.
Willis had nine points, six boards and two steals on 4-of-7 shooting in the loss.
SULPHUR 50, ELK CITY 26 Sulphur dominated from start to finish in the final game of the Washington tournament on Saturday, as the Dogs cruised to a victory over the Elks.
The Dogs won every quarter and held Elk City to just 29% from the field.
“We took care of business,” said Bates. “We locked in defensively and got back to playing the style we are best at.”
Sulphur led 11-9 through a quarter and 23-11 at half.
The Dogs came out hot in the 3rd, extending the lead to 36-16.
Sulphur shot 43% from the field in the game and was 6-of-16 (37%) from three.
“Overall there’s a lot of improvement on the offensive end and the stuff from practice is translating,” said Bates. “We are just having too many breakdowns defensively, those will get fixed. I like the growth I’m seeing on the offensive side of the ball.”
Sulphur forced 19 turnovers and turned that into 14 points.
The Dogs also had a 22-12 advantage in the paint and 11 second chance points.
Barrett led the way again with 18 points, six boards and two steals on 7-of-14 from the field and 3-of-7 from three.
Willis got back to his normal scoring output, pouring in 16 points, four boards and three
PHOTO BY BLAKE SEALE
