Published: January 08, 2009 09:31 am      

At the midway point

Bray-Doyle teams advance in Black Diamond Classic

After two days, eight games and countless jump shots, free throws and three pointers, the 26th Annual Black Diamond Classic tournament is at its midway point. With some teams celebrating, others are saying “what-could have been.”

Bray-Doyle and Apache are the only two schools with both its boys’ and girls’ teams advancing on the winners’ side of the bracket, and Central High and Waurika both saw its teams fall to the losers’ side.

Apache and Velma-Alma arguably put on the most thrilling game of the week Tuesday night, as the Warriors knocked off the Comets, thanks to some clutch shooting in the last minutes. Apache’s Jared Heilaman finished the game with 27 points, and is an early favorite for tournament scoring leader. Note to the Bray-Doyle Donkeys: Keep No. 24 out of the paint Friday night.

The Bray-Doyle Lady Donkeys got a scare from Sterling on Tuesday afternoon, narrowly escaping an upset. B-D was up 43-37 with just over a minute left, as the Lady Tigers hit two three-point shots to tie the game and send it into overtime. Taking advantage of the mismatch on offense, the Lady Bronchos were able to stave off any further rally by Sterling, beating it 55-49. Bray-Doyle will take on Apache Thursday in the early game at 4:30 p.m.

The most intriguing game on Friday will be when Bray-Doyle and Apache face off, after each team having played a tougher than expected first-round game. B-D won’t have played since Monday, and will look to get post-man Corbin Byford more involved on offense. The freshman was held to 13 points on Monday after getting into foul trouble early.

Again, from the looks of Apache’s game against Velma-Alma, Heilaman is going to be the key for the Donkeys. Stop him and play strong perimeter defense, and Bray-Doyle could find itself playing for the hardware Saturday evening against either Elmore City-Pernell or Sterling.

ECP and Sterling had rather easy first-round games, taking care of business against Central High and Waurika, respectively. The Badgers were up 31-2 at one point on Central High, who struggled to get going from the floor, missing its first 10 shots. At that point, ECP was making it rain from behind the arc.

Likewise, the Central High girls were outmatched from the beginning against Rush Springs, who forced 23 turnovers in the first half. With four sophomores and one junior starting, the Lady Bronchos are one of the youngest teams in the tournament. Head coach Chad Weldon said the inexperience has hurt the team a little bit, but is looking to get better with every game.

The girls’ championship game will be at 7 p.m. Saturday with the boys’ title game immediately following.