Oak Grove (16-4, 2-2) was finally able to bounce back from its three-game losing streak by taking down rival Petal (15-3, 2-2), 57-49 Friday.
Both teams opened the game in a fast tempo with either team taking no more than a four-point lead in the entire first half.
Despite the fast pace early on, Oak Grove executed its game plan almost perfectly. Offensively the Warriors were able to pass the ball effectively, and defensively, they were able to double team Caleb McGill down in the post.
Senior Tate Ryder was key in orchestrating the Warriors game plan. Ryder had several key assists, defensive stops and led the team in scoring with 16 points.
“[Ball movement] is a big thing with this team,” Ryder said. “We move the ball way better than any team I’ve ever been on, so that’s a big part of how we play and we definitely played well tonight with that.”
The ball movement led to Oak Grove finding success behind 3-point line, nailing nine by the end of the night.
“I thought Oak Grove shot the ball really well,” Petal coach Todd Kimble said. “I thought defensively, we were on our heels a lot. I thought their game plan was really good. They doubled us in the post early in the game. We turned the ball over in some crucial situations. We took some shots in crucial situations that I think we shouldn’t be shooting. Oak Grove was better than us, and that’s the bottom line.”
The Panthers led the Warriors 30-26 at halftime but Oak Grove shifted momentum at the start of the second half. In the first three possessions, Petal turned the ball over and it allowed Oak Grove to have a 7-0 run to put it ahead 33-30.
The execution of double teaming McGill, who entered the game averaging 19 points per game, showed in the second half, and it forced Petal to have to beat Oak Grove with their other players. McGill had 17 points, but the Panthers could only score eight points in the fourth quarter. Oak Grove closed the game out on an 11-3 run to seal the win.
“The main thing is we played tougher,” Oak Grove coach LaRon Brumfield said. “We knew we had to play tougher last week. We played good but we didn’t play tough. There were points in the game where we gave up offensive rebounds tonight, blocked out and sometimes when we didn’t get blocked out, we went up and got the rebound. This is playoff basketball. You have to play tough so that was the main thing on both ends of the court offensively and defensively.”
Both teams will compete in the Rumble in the South basketball tournament Monday. Oak Grove will play Murrah and Petal will play Center Hill.
