The Beggs Demons left the Oilton Tournament on Saturday night with the runner-up trophy, a result earned through three days of determined, high-output basketball that carried them to the championship game before Glencoe closed the weekend with a 77-68 win. Despite the loss, Beggs’ performance across the tournament offered a clear look at a team capable of sustained scoring bursts, balanced contributions and stretches of control that defined their first two victories.
The championship matchup against Glencoe evolved into a back-andforth contest that never settled into a predictable rhythm. Beggs opened the first quarter with confidence, attacking early to build a 16-10 advantage. Rickey Smith set the tone with steady scoring throughout the frame, and the Demons found early production from Baker Copeland and AJ Estrada as they moved the ball effectively.
The second quarter, however, shifted the momentum sharply. Glencoe outpaced Beggs 25-13, using perimeter pressure and transition opportunities to wipe out the Demons’ early lead. Smith again provided the backbone of Beggs’ scoring, putting up nine points in the period, but the Panthers’ surge gave them a 35-29 lead at the half.
The third quarter became an exchange of runs, with both teams delivering 23 points. Smith continued a standout night, eventually finishing with 26, while Mike Lewis and Brayden King added key baskets to keep Beggs within striking distance. The Demons trailed 58-52 entering the fourth, staying close enough to threaten a comeback in the final minutes. Lewis, who closed with 12 points, and Copeland added late buckets, but Glencoe’s offensive rhythm held steady as the Panthers maintained control through the final stretch.
Even in defeat, Beggs’ consistency across multiple contributors showed the depth Coach Kobe Love relied on throughout the tournament. King tallied 11, Estrada added 10 and Copeland chipped in seven as the Demons produced a balanced scoring chart across all four quarters.
The road to the final highlighted Beggs’ capability to take over games with sustained surges, most notably in their semifinal win over Davenport on Friday. The Demons’ 77-69 victory showcased their offensive versatility, with five players scoring at least 10 points. Lewis powered the effort with 21, including a dominant opening quarter in which he scored nine. Smith added 10, Estrada collected 13 and Jordan Wesley delivered a strong second-half performance to reach 13.
Beggs controlled the third quarter decisively, outscoring Davenport 2812 to break open what had been a tight first half. Bobby Baker’s steady 16 points came through early drives and well-timed baskets that stretched the margin. Davenport closed the gap late with a 21-point fourth quarter, but the Demons’ earlier advantage proved more than enough to secure a place in Saturday’s championship.
The opening-round win over Newkirk on Thursday served as a preview of the scoring balance that would carry the Demons through the first two days. Beggs’ 61-50 victory was anchored by Smith’s 22 points, marked by strong scoring in every quarter. Wesley added 12, King contributed five and Copeland, Estrada, Lewis and Trey Ross all found the scorebook. A decisive 20-point third quarter widened Beggs’ lead, and a composed fourth sealed the tournament-opening win.
Though the final step eluded them, the Demons’ three-day run in Oilton underscored the team’s progress early in the season. With multiple scorers capable of taking control and a demonstrated ability to respond to shifting momentum, Beggs leaves the tournament with more than a silver trophy – they leave with a foundation that signals deeper potential in the weeks ahead.
