Indians storm back in second half for victory

Andy Morphew, The Duncan Banner, Okla.
·2 min read

Jan. 24—The Comanche Indians were in the championship game of the Stephens County Tournament a season ago. While not in the same position this year, the Indians stormed back in the second half to beat Waurika in this year's third place game.

Comanche, down most of the first half, ended up with the 52-40 victory over the Eagles to secure the third place finish in the 92nd Annual Stephens County Tournament.

Treyton Torrez, who averaged around 25 points per game in the three games of the tournament, started off the first quarter for Waurika with a 3-for-4 mark from the field to take the early lead.

The Indians started with buckets from Briar Blair and Dillon Ellis, however Torrez got two baskets in a row to take the lead in Waurika's favor.

Hunter Lassley tied the game up at 8-8 late in the first quarter, however the Eagles got their final bucket from Torrez to take the 12-8 lead after one quarter of play.

Comanche's Corbin Bowen got the Indians close with two buckets in a row to open up the second quarter, however Waurika's Torrez pushed the lead back to five points.

Comanche tried to inch closer several times, however the Eagles held the 28-24 lead at halftime. Still, the Indians got some clutch baskets during the third quarter to start the comeback.

Blair hit a bucket to put the game back within two points and Ellis hit a bucket to tie the game up. Lassley then helped at the free throw line by going 3-for-4 in the quarter.

A three-pointer from Colby Shannon gave the Indians the lead for good. Comanche held the 36-33 lead after a shot from Torrez and Blair fell to end the third quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, Lassley proved to be a big part of the Indians' plan to keep the lead. He went 4-for-7 in the fourth quarter to have 10 of his 17 points in the final eight minutes.

As the Indians kept the lead, Shannon hit the final two free throws to withstand the storm from the Eagles and improve to 7-7 on the season.

Torrez finished as the leading scorer for either team. He had 23 points and earned All-Tournament selection for the Eagles.

The leading scorer for Comanche was Lassley, who had 17 points. Lassley's 17 points and 11 rebounds earned him the All-Tournament status for the Indians.

Shannon was the second leading scorer with 10 points for Comanche.

The Indians will continue their road trip as they play at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Madill High School if the weather doesn't force a cancellation.