TOC: Class 5A Top 5 Clash: Booker T. Washington vs Carl Albert
A game for the ages was played between Booker T. Washington and Carl Albert in the semi-finals of the Tournament of Champions. The game between two top ranked Class 5A teams was topsy turvy. Carl Albert jumped out to some huge leads, but could not put Booker T. Washington away until the final buzzer. Booker T. came back from a 19 point deficit in the second half to tie the game with less than 30 seconds left. Then entered Trey Hopkins to hit the game-winning buzzer-beater off a missed shot from Carl Albert. Carl Albert advanced to the finals of the Tournament of Champions against Midwest City. Booker T. Washington falls to the 3rd place game against Tulsa Memorial.
1. His Reputation Precedes Him
Mason Harrell 2018 Carl Albert Guard has lived up to his reputation. Harrell was dominant against Booker T. Washington. He showed off flashy moves and scored bucket after bucket. Despite his size, Harrell knows how to finish around the rim and cannot be stopped at times. Harrell took over the game in the first half scoring 17 points. His production did not slip in the second half either. He continued to shoot the ball lights out and got his teammates involved with excellent vision. Harrell was the MVP of the game and finished the game with 29 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds.
2. The Bereal Deal
Jaycson Bereal 2018 Booker T. Washington Wing was on fire for Booker T. Washington. He played his best game of basketball against the toughest opponent that the Hornets have faced this season. He was a rim protector on the defensive end and showed the innate ability to score in the ball. Bereal was the most athletic player on the court. Bereal’s minutes were limited in the second half because he came up limping after a collision with a Carl Albert player in the third quarter. After returning from the injury, he was obviously hobbled, but still performed valiantly. He finished with 10 points and 6 boards in his limited time.
3. Carl Albert Defense
Carl Albert started the game playing tight defense. They held Booker T. Washington to 6 points in the first quarter. Booker T. Washington struggled with turning the ball over thanks to the defense played by the Titans. The Titans forced 11 turnovers in the first half alone. Carl Albert finished the game with 16 turnovers along with 5 blocks. Carl Albert will look to this stifling defense in the championship game of the Tournament of Champions.
4. Strong Starts to Each Half
Carl Albert started each half very strong. They jumped out to a huge advantage in the first quarter and then again in the third quarter. Carl Albert used these huge leads they developed to weather the storm when the Hornets came crashing back. The Hornets came all the way back to tie the game before Carl Albert won it on a buzzer-beater thanks to Trey Hopkins 2018 Carl Albert Guard. Carl Albert will hope to have a fast start to all of their quarters and consistent play against Midwest City in the championship game of the Tournament of Champions.
5. The Comeback
Booker T. Washington came storming back late in the third quarter. They then went on the to even tie the game late in the fourth quarter. The Hornets outscored the Titans 24-14 in the fourth quarter and fell just short of a miraculous 19 point comeback. Carl Albert hit a buzzer-beating two pointer to win the game otherwise the comeback would have taken the game to overtime and with the momentum going Booker T’s way,it would have been hard to pick against them. Booker T. will look to bounce back against Tulsa Memorial in the 3rd place game at the Tournament of Champions.