Tulsa Memorial guard Craig Webb tries to score as Eisenhower’s Mark Berry, right, comes up behind to try for a block or a possible rebound. Top-ranked Memorial exploded right out of the gates and coasted to an 85-56 to foil the Eagles’ bid to reach the state title game.
TULSA — Eisenhower’s 2017-18 basketball season ended on Friday night with a major question mark.
What if?
What if RJ Fisher didn’t receive two technical fouls in the final minutes against Coweta in the state quarterfinals, deeming him ineligible for the team’s much-anticipated rematch with No. 1 Tulsa Memorial? And if he hadn’t, would he have made a difference in the semifinal matchup?
Those questions will forever remain unanswered in the minds of every Ike player and coach.
The Eagles’ run to their second state title in four years came to an abrupt halt in an 85-56 loss to the Chargers at Oral Roberts University’s Mabee Center in Tulsa. The win earned Memorial its third-straight state championship game berth and fifth in six seasons.
“It’s probably something that’s going to be talked about forever within that group,” Ike coach Todd Millwee said. “Unfortunately, it’s going to be a memory, but I think you get past that and remember the good times. These guys are going to be best friends for life, and you are going think about all the great memories and the tough battles, some you won and some you lost.
“Things like this will go away, and the good memories will stay.”
Memorial’s length gave Ike fits for most of the game, and it reflected in the rebounds differential. Even if the Eagles had their best shooting game of the season, the startling disparity on the boards probably would’ve been too much to overcome.
The Chargers out-rebounded Ike, 52-31, with the Boone brothers, Kalib (6-foot-8) and Keylan (6-foot-6), combining for 26.
Both Boones finished with double-doubles, for Kalib tallied 21 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks, and Keylan added 19 points and 10 boards. Kori Guest also experienced success against Ike with 16 points.
Surprisingly, though, the Eagles won the offensive rebounds battle, 15-13.
“This is a tough team because they have so many big guys inside,” Millwee said. “We never could get caught up on the rebounds. When they miss, it kills you if they get those offensive rebounds. They’re good at it because they’re so long, and they crash and squeeze the ball when they’re in there. We knew that was one of their strengths, but we didn’t do our best, like we have in the past, in that area, which is pretty tough to overcome.”
Memorial outclassed Ike in the shooting category as well.
The Eagles shot 20-of-67 from the floor (29.9 percent) and 21.4 percent from deep, connecting on only six of 28 3-point attempts. Ike also struggled with free throws, finishing at 47.6 percent at the line.
In contrast, the Chargers hit 52.5 percent of their shots, including 10-of-19 from beyond the arc, knocking down 81.3 percent of their free throws in the process.
Millwee said several things contributed to Ike’s shooting struggles.
“It’s a different atmosphere from a high school gym,” Millwee said. “Depth perception is a little different, so we did a couple of shootarounds today at the University of Tulsa. Each college gym is a little different, and I think it just takes a little bit to get used to. Everyone wants to make every shot, so you feel a little more pressure in these games.”
Kinyon Parker led the team with 15 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals, and Kevin Farmer was close behind with 12 points and five rebounds. Antonio Gordon was held to 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting and five rebounds.
Ike gained a 7-2 lead in the early stages of the ballgame, but Memorial used its matchup advantages to take control soon after.
The Chargers ended the first quarter on a 25-9 run, giving them an 11-point cushion. Memorial built on that momentum, extending Ike’s deficit to 37-19 about halfway through the second.
However, the Eagles showed signs of life just before halftime, completing a 9-1 run to send the squads into the break with the score at 38-28.
The Chargers responded with a quick start in the third quarter, eventually pulling away with a 47-point second half.
Despite the Eagles’ performance without Fisher, Millwee said he believes his team was mentally prepared for the challenge.
“Of course, RJ is a big part of our offense being our point guard and one of our better defensive players, but we’ve done it before,” Millwee said. “We have so many good players who are good, tough kids with high character. Memorial was just making everything they took, and we know we would have to shoot the ball well, but we didn’t.
“I feel like we would’ve had a really good chance at a gold ball if those things didn’t happen.”
Ike loses six seniors to graduation in May, including Fisher, Parker and Farmer.
“I can’t say enough about my seniors,” Millwee said. “It’s all about the kids building relationships and seeing them grow into young, caring men, and all six of those guys are unbelievable kids.”