The Best: Edmond Santa Fe vs Union
The championship game at the Jenks/Union Invitational was one for the books. The atmosphere felt like that of a state tournament game. The lead changed back and forth throughout the game with the tremendous momentum swings. The game was played on a knife’s edge. Union took the advantage after the first quarter with a 3-point lead. Santa Fe took the momentum in the second quarter and took a 40-34 lead into the half. The second half started like Edmond Santa Fe was going to run away with the game, but Union started chipping away. The game was a 5-point difference in favor of the Wolves going into the fourth quarter. Union took over in the fourth. They grabbed the momentum and backed by a home crowd dominated down the stretch. Union went on to win the championship 91-79.
MVP: Jordan Flood 2018 Union Guard
Flood took the game over for Union. When Union trailed, Flood entered. He started getting tough buckets. Flood is not normally Union’s star but played the part to perfection against Edmond Santa Fe. He attacked the basket and either got fouled or finished at the rim. He never quit and always had his motor running as he got big second chance points for the Redskins. He provided energy and the spark that Union needed to get back into the game. Flood finished the game with a tied game-high 31 points. Small colleges who are looking for a glue guy should give Flood a good look.
Offensive MVP: Tauriawn Knight 2018 Edmond Santa Fe Guard
Knight was dominant throughout the night. The Wolves would give him the ball and just let him work his magic. Knight could not be stopped in the first half as he led all scorers with 17 points. He continued his dominant play throughout the game and finished with a tied game-high 31 points. Knight is one of the top-ranked players in the state and showed off why against Union. Knight is committed to the University of South Dakota.
Best Matchup: Michiah McQuarters 2018 Union Guard
McQuarters and Knight went back and forth at each other all day. When Knight scored, it seemed like McQuarters would answer. He hit multiple contested 3-pointers throughout the game. McQuarters first half was dominant. He had 14 points at the half. In the second half McQuarters played second fiddle as he provided for Flood who was on fire. McQuarters finished with 24 points on the night.
Best Role Player: Kamden Gibson 2018 Edmond Santa Fe Guard
Gibson was the role player on the night for the Wolves. Edmond Santa Fe needed someone to help out Knight and Gibson tried to fill that gap. Gibson hit some big shots to change to momentum back towards the Wolves. Gipson had a great second half as he tried to keep the lead for the Wolves. He hit two big 3-pointers in the 3rd quarter to stretch the lead for the Wolves. Gibson finished the game with 12 points with 9 of the points coming in the second half.
Best Aspect: The Playoff Atmosphere
The lose and your done aspect of a game gives an extra burst of energy to both teams as they duked it out in this championship game. Both teams played with a sense of urgency that is not normally there in regular season games. The championship at the Jenks/Union Invitational meant something both teams as they played in one of the most thrilling games of the season. The atmosphere was that of a state tournament game.