Henryetta senior Jean Pixler and sophomore Alex Hudson broke through a recent series of losses to bring in an 18-point win for the Knights. Both Knights reached double figures against the Wolverines that helped seal Henryetta’s 48-30 victory Tuesday night on the road. The Wolverines struggled offensively, going up against a determined Knights defense and falling behind immediately in the first half.
Henryetta senior Jean Pixler and sophomore Alex Hudson broke through a recent series of losses to bring in an 18-point win for the Knights. Both Knights reached double figures against the Wolverines that helped seal Henryetta’s 48-30 victory Tuesday night on the road. The Wolverines struggled offensively, going up against a determined Knights defense and falling behind immediately in the first half.
Pixler led the team with 17 points, earning three 2’s and a trio of 3’s, and Hudson was close behind with a series of free throws. Earning 14 points, Hudson had an 81 percent success rate at the free-throw line. He also scored a 2-pointer and a 3-pointer.
The Knights were slow to start in the first quarter, but found the defensive momentum to garner a lead. The Wolverines missed four free throws and only shot down two field goals. With their opponents posting up for four points, the Knights had sophomore Phillip Fisher burst off of the bench and score a pair of 2’s. Pixler also chimed in with a bucket and Hudson brought in three of four free throws.
Going on a nine-point scoring streak, the Knights overpowered the Wolverines for a five-point lead, 9-4. Pixler shot down a series of field goals in the third quarter, kickstarting a double digit offensive barrage for the Knights. Sinking a pair of 2’s and 3’s, Pixler expanded the Knights lead with the help of Fisher, who scored his third 2-pointer. The Knights shooting stayed consistent as well as their defensive efforts to block the Wolverines from overturning their tentative five-point lead.
The Wolverines blanked once again, failing to pull themselves out of the scoring slump that the Knights put into place in the first quarter. They added just five points to the scoreboard, which put the Knights ahead 22-9 at the end of the first half.
The Knights experienced a dip in energy after returning from halftime. Pixler and Fisher who had contributed to the Knights’ 13-point lead began to struggle. Both Knights could not find the basket, while Pixler was sent to the free-throw line for two shots. Hudson had been absent in the second quarter but broke through his scoring hiatus to score four points and had help from Henryetta senior Joey Watson. He shot down his first 2-pointer.
With some of their consistent shooters down for the count, the Knights watched the Wolverines bust out 10 points. Though the Wolverines scored their highest quarter yet, the Knights managed to stay ahead 30-19.
Hudson and Henryetta senior Tayten Fixico rallied the Knights’ offense in the fourth quarter. Seeing their lead diminished to 11 points, the Knights went on an 18-point scoring tear.
Hudson found an opening for a 3- pointer and scored an additional four points from the free-throw line. Pixler and Fixico also shot down a 3-pointer. Fixico burst through the Wolverines defense to score a 2-pointer and Henryetta freshman Jordan Short scored his first bucket.
With Hudson and Fixico at the helm of the scoring streak, the Knights couldn’t hold back the Wolverines. Holdenville scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, but the Knights double digit lead stayed intact.
The Knights defensive measures in the first half allowed them to take a 48- 30 victory.
Improving their season record, Henryetta is now 4-10 for the season. They are scheduled to host the Preston Pirates (1-18) on Friday, Feb. 7. The Pirates earned their first win of the season against the Knights in the semifinal round of the Okmulgee County Tournament. Defeating the Knights in overtime, the Pirates were able to enter the consolation finals against the Dewar Dragons.