Oklahoma high school basketball: PCI, McGuinness Classic quarterfinal roundup

The Putnam City Invitational and the McGuinness Classic began Thursday. Here's a recap of the first-round action.

Boys: Del City 53, Norman North 46

Jaedon Foreman heaved the ball toward the basket, but he wasn't aiming for the hoop.

He needed to connect with Brandon Garrison.

With the assist from Foreman, 6-foot-9 forward Garrison stood in the paint and swiftly dropped the ball into the net, ensuring the Eagles still had control of the game. Although the Norman North boys basketball team nearly tripled its score in the fourth quarter, Del City preserved an early lead for a 53-46 win Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the McGuinness Classic. It was the first game in more than two weeks for Garrison, who had missed the Whataburger Invitational in Texas and a Tuesday matchup with Bishop McGuinness because of a foot injury.

The top men’s basketball recruit in Oklahoma’s class of 2023 made a difference in the crucial moments against the Timberwolves.

"We held on and did what we were supposed to do and found a way to finish some shots," said Del City coach Lenny Hatchett. "I thought Brandon Garrison hit some big layups on the back side down there that Foreman threw (to) him, which is huge.”

Hatchett referred to Garrison's return as a "game-time decision." Only one hour before tipoff, the senior star had a doctor's appointment.

Luckily, he received good news.

Garrison was cleared to play. Although he didn’t start for the Eagles, he arrived at the gym, warmed up with some shots at halftime and played through most of the second half. He finished with 16 points, but that didn’t mean Del City (6-4) could coast to a victory.

After scoring only 16 points through the first three quarters, Norman North (2-6) erupted for a 30-point fourth quarter. Ben Moser and Nate Lancaster led the rally, finishing with 16 and 12 points, respectively, while Noah Jones’ constant trips to the free-throw line steadily boosted the Timberwolves.

But they couldn’t topple the Eagles, who had a trio of double-digit scorers. While Garrison led the way, Jamouri McCalister finished with 11 points, and Damarious Vealy added 10.

Del City will face Deer Creek in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday. The Antlers slipped past Edmond Memorial, 34-31, in the first round.

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Boys: Edmond Santa Fe 47, Choctaw 42

The early momentum belonged to Edmond Santa Fe.

Choctaw didn’t fall easily, but the Wolves fended off the comeback attempt to capture a 47-42 win, advancing to the semifinals of the McGuinness Classic.

Edmond Santa Fe entered the game with a 1-7 record, while Choctaw was the clear favorite at 8-1.

Then the first quarter happened.

The Wolves opened the game on a 13-0 run. Kaysen Gipson and Drelen Nero each added five first-quarter points, and Edmond Santa Fe was rolling.

But in the final seconds of the game, Choctaw cut Santa Fe’s lead to three points. Ja’Mon Valentine drained a 3-pointer, making the score 45-42, but Nik Rhodes made a couple of free throws to seal the victory. Rhodes finished with 10 points, and Nero had 15 to lead all scorers.

Edmond Santa Fe will meet undefeated Southeast in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Spartans defeated host school McGuinness, 62-48.

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Boys: Putnam West 73, Muskogee 51

Kaidon Rayfield saw an opening and filled the lane as Jordan Warrior broke down the Muskogee defense.

Warrior saw Rayfield trailing and delivered a bounce pass around the Muskogee defender. Rayfield caught the ball at the free throw line, took two steps and hammered home a right-handed slam.

It was just one of Rayfield’s, the 6-foot-8 forward’s, many dunks on Thursday afternoon but it was an exclamation point on his high-flying night.

Rayfield put in 13 points as Putnam West took down Muskogee. He also had five rebounds and two blocks to anchor Chiante’ Tramble (19 points) and Jaden Constant (15).

Girls: Edmond North 82, Putnam City 31

Laci Steele made a statement with her performance.

Steele, an NC State commit and 2022 The Oklahoman’s Super 5 representative, turned in the most points scored by an individual in the first round of the PCI Tournament.

Steele dominated in the painted area for 27 points, just one score came from behind the 3-point line. Steele scored 13 points in the first quarter and put in 10 more in the second quarter. She did not play in the fourth quarter and did not attempt any free throws.

Steele was followed by Elle Papahronis, who turned in 17 and Allison Heathcock, who totaled 11 points.

Edmond North will take on Classen SAS in the semifinals on Friday at 4 p.m. Classen SAS took down Harding Charter Prep 58-39 on Thursday.

Tips ins: (Girls) Norman North took down Sand Springs 50-46 in the first round. North will take on Putnam West on Friday at 7 p.m.

(Girls) Caya Smith and the Putnam West squad were too much for Muskogee rallying to a 66-51 win. Smith finished with a game-high 16 points, followed by Shamar Bert (10) and Jazmin Adams (8).

(Boys) Lawton edged Midwest City 83-81 to advance. Pene Vaisagote led Lawton with 25 points. It was just enough to get by Midwest city’s Roy Henderson Jr.’s 25.

(Boys): Westmoore topped Putnam City 59-38 behind a strong performance from Evan Barber.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS basketball: PCI, McGuinness Classic quarterfinal roundup