Marlow uses fast pace to overpower Waurika

COMANCHE - The Marlow Outlaws moved one step closer to defending their Stephens County Tournament boys title with an 81-38 win over Waurika on Tuesday.

The Outlaws turned up the heat early, scoring 29 points in the first quarter to build a 24-point lead. They continued to extend their lead from that point on.

"(The goal was) we want to execute and not be sloppy," said Kirk Harris, head coach. "I thought we shared the ball really well, had a lot of assists, easy baskets and did a really good job in transition. It also gives a lot of the young kids a chance to get in some meaningful minutes."

They also made sure to keep up a good pace.

"We knew with their size inside they were going to have a tough time running with us," Harris said. "So we wanted to push the ball and just try to beat them down the floor."

The coach has been happy with the way his team has been playing as of late.

"I thought we played our best defensive game of the year last Friday against Washington (a 58-43 win) and the win over Purcell was a big win, so we're not doing too bad," Harris said.

"I thought we played pretty well early, but we've got a brutal schedule. We've played two 6A teams, No. 1 in 2A Pocola and then Bridge Creek. That's four losses that are all to really good teams. We lost to Comanche and they're a good team, just not quite where those others are. We came here (on Jan. 2), got hit in the mouth and we didn't respond, but I think we're playing pretty well right now."

Parker Boyles was unstoppable for the Outlaws in the opening quarter. The Outlaws big man scored 16 of his game-high 28 points in the quarter.

Marlow went on to outscore the Eagles 25-12 in the second quarter to take a 54-17 halftime lead. Waurika freshman Jaxton Simmons scored all 12 of his team's points in the quarter, including a pair of three-pointers. Overall, Waurika knocked down eight three-pointers in the contest to account for 24 of their 38 points.

Marlow will play Comanche in a Thursday semifinal at 8 p.m. for the right to go to the championship game. Waurika drops to the consolation bracket where they will play Ryan at 8 p.m. on Friday.

Scoring

Marlow (9-5): Parker Boyles, 28; Blayd Harris, 10; Kaden Harris, 9; Mason Holding, 8; King Harrison, 5; Zach Pettit, 4; Isaac Willis, 4; Major Fleetwood, 2; Canton Clark, 2; Kyler Bludell, 1

Waurika (5-9): Jaxston Simmons, 22; Malachi Dodson, 8; Kaden CAin, 6; Ryder Watkins, 2