By Kenton Brooks

Phoenix Sports Writer



BOYNTON — If Tuesday night’s game is any indication, the Oktaha boys are going to have quite a few players score for them this season.

A total of 11 players scored at least one point — three in double figures — as the Tigers rolled to a 78-48 victory against the Boynton-Moton Cardinals in the 2008-09 season opener for both teams Tuesday night at the Cardinal Field House.

The Tigers repeatedly looked and went for high percentage shots with layups as their better size dominated the Cardinals and spoiled the head coaching debut of Boynton’s Lynwood Wade.

“We don’t have a true post player,” Oktaha coach Jim Glover said. “We put in a little motion and that’s what we got. I thought we shot the ball well and we were looking for the open man. When you do that, it makes everybody play better.”

Oktaha jumped out to a 19-10 lead after the first quarter and led 37-27 at halftime. The Tigers, a Class 2A state semifinalist last season, then outscored the Cardinals 28-12 in the third period for a 65-39 lead.

Cale Elam led the trio of double figure scorers with 16 points, while Daniel Hayes had 13 and Brett Douglas added 11 points.

Keith Titsworth led Boynton-Moton with 16 points, while T.J. Johnson and John Tottress added 11 points each.

“We missed layups and free throws but those are correctable in practice,” Wade said.

Oktaha returns to action on Friday at home against two-time Class B state champion Stringtown, while Boynton-Moton plays next Tuesday at Hulbert.



Oktaha girls 75, Boynton-Moton 52

The Lady Tigers used their depth — playing nine players and having seven of them score — in knocking off the Lady Cardinals in Shartese McHenry’s head coaching debut.

“It’s nice to know we’ve got some depth,” Oktaha coach Chester Pittman said. “The kids played well and did a good job for the first game. Boynton’s athletic and quick.”

Kimber Weant led all scorers and paced Oktaha with 24 points. She was one of four double figure scorers for the Lady Tigers and the others were Tiffany Tucker with 16, Chloe Nichols (12) and Pete Douglas (10).

Shawonda Lang led the Lady Cardinals with 16, while Breanna Hutchinson had 14 and Sherri Lang added 13 points.

“It was an eye-opener,” McHenry said about her first game as a head coach. “Pittman and his players executed. I’m proud of my girls. As a coach, I have some work to do.”