The Johnson twins grew up playing pickup games and running through late game scenarios in their driveway at home. And on Thursday night at the Mustang Event Center, it paid off.
With just :03 remaining in regulation, Jaden and Jaytee Johnson connected to help Mustang complete a comeback and force overtime against the Class 2A No. 2 Hooker Bulldogs (2-1).
Jaden (Jr.) received the ball just beyond the three-point line and just like they had drawn it up many times before at home, he looked up and found Jaytee (Jr.) on a back cut to the basket. Jaytee converted with a reverse lay-in to tie the game 48-48 and from there it was all Broncos.
Mustang went on an 11-4 run in overtime to pull out a much-needed 59-52 victory, advancing to the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic semifinals for a fourth straight year.
“We’ve been so close in a couple of home games this year, so to win one like that feels really good,” Mustang coach Scott Hodges said after the game. “To find a way to get it done is really nice.”
The Broncos (3-5) got off to a sluggish start, trailing Hooker 14-7 after the first quarter and 27-21 at halftime. They shot just 9-for-23 from the field in the first two quarters and 3-for-11 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs went 11-for-24, including four triples.
Hodges was proud of his team’s ability to fight back down the stretch. Mustang clawed back with a 14-11 run in the third quarter before forcing overtime with a 13-11 run in the fourth.
“I thought it was a gutsy performance,” Hodges said. “To find a way when you didn’t play very well early and to just make some plays late. I told them in the locker room there were a couple of times we could have given up and got beat 80-10, but they kept fighting. We made some plays defensively and then obviously had some good execution offensively and made some free throws.”
Riley Sneller (So.) scored 14 points while going 4-for-7 from three-point range in Mustang’s 59-52 win over 2A No. 2 Hooker on Thursday in the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic. (File Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Three players scored in double digits for the Broncos, including a team-high 14 points apiece from Michael Vincent (Jr.) and Riley Sneller (So.). Vincent pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while Sneller grabbed six and dished out four assists. Sneller also went 4-for-7 from three-point range.
Jaden Johnson added 13 points with five rebounds and four helpers while Jaytee Johnson chipped in six points, three boards, and three assists. Garrett Smith (Fr.) added eight points, four rebounds, and three dimes.
It was the third win of the season for a young Mustang squad that has reinvigorated its coaching staff. Hodges explained why he enjoys coaching this year’s team as it continues to grow early in the campaign.
“They’re such great kids and they’re coachable and unselfish,” he said. “They do their jobs and care about each other. When we lose, they’re disappointed. And when we win, they’re happy for each other. We don’t have any selfishly motivated guys that just care about scoring. When you have a couple of guys that care about those types of things, it can help ruin a locker room. This group doesn’t have any of that.
“So, even in losses it still has been a lot of fun to coach these guys because you want to coach a group like this. Seeing any success with these guys makes us feel good because they deserve it.”
The Broncos move on to face Putnam City North in the tournament semifinals on Friday at 8:30 p.m. The two teams are familiar, having faced each other in the Holiday Classic the last four years. Mustang will be looking to make its fourth straight Holiday Classic championship game.
Michael Vincent (Jr.) scored 14 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in Mustang’s 59-52 overtime win over 2A No. 2 Hooker on Thursday in the first round of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
“PC North is really good,” Hodges said. “So it’s not going to get any easier. But these guys are going to keep battling and that’s what I love about them. They’re going to keep doing the right thing.”
MUSTANG GIRLS
Coach Katie Bass’ squad dominated from start to finish in their Holiday Classic opener, knocking off Owasso 57-25 to advance to the tournament semifinals.
The Broncos (7-1) cruised to a 14-1 first-quarter lead and never looked back, eventually taking a 32-9 advantage into halftime. The Rams (3-4) kept it close in the third quarter, however, Mustang outscored coach Kendall Woodward’s team 25-17 altogether in the second half to seal the victory.
Three players scored in double figures for the Broncos, including 13 points from Cherish Haywood (Sr.). She also pulled down six boards. Christal Long (Sr.) added 12 points with a team-high seven rebounds while Mya Alston (Jr.) added 10 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
The Broncos shot 53-percent from the floor, going 10-for-19, including 2-for-5 from three-point range. They were a force defensively, holding the Rams to just 19-percent shooting on 22 field goal attempts while also forcing 35 turnovers. Mustang blocked four shots, including one apiece from Long, Eliana Valentin Florence (Sr.), Paige Fulmer (So.), and Aubry Tagmir (So.).
Jayelle Austin (Sr.) led Owasso with 13 points and six rebounds.
Mustang will play Bixby in the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. Owasso will take on Class 3A No. 6 Alva in the consolation semis at 12 p.m.
Cherish Haywood (Sr.) scored a team-high 13 points while grabbing six rebounds in Mustang’s 57-25 blowout win over Owasso on Thursday in the first round of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
GIRLS BRACKET: FIRST ROUND
Game 1: Edmond North 55, Class 4A No. 8 Newcastle 33
The three-time defending Holiday Classic champion Huskies opened the girls bracket with a blowout win over Class 4A’s eighth-ranked Racers, led by a 20-point performance by Johari Hall (Jr.).
Hall also led North with eight rebounds and four assists. Skylar Durley (Sr.) added 11 points and eight boards while Kinzie Hazzard (So.) scored seven points. Grace Jackson (Jr.) poured in six points and dished out four assists.
Kalani Kindred (Fr.) led Newcastle (7-3) with 13 points, nine rebounds, and two assists.
The Huskies (4-3) locked down an 11-10 first-quarter lead before starting to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring Newcastle 16-6 in the second frame for a 27-16 lead at halftime. Coach Pete Papahronis’ squad notched the victory in the second half, outscoring the Racers 28-17 in the final 16 minutes.
North shot 42-percent from the floor altogether, including 40-percent from three-point range. The Huskies out-rebounded Newcastle 37-24.
Edmond North takes on Putnam City North in the semifinals on Friday at at 4 p.m. Newcastle will take on Class A No. 8 Allen in the consolation semis at 9 a.m.
Christal Long (Sr.) scored 12 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in Mustang’s 57-25 blowout win over Owasso on Thursday in the first round of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic. (File Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Game 2: Putnam City North 71, Class A No. 8 Allen 47
The Panthers (11-1) continued their hot start to the season, knocking off Class A No. 8 Allen (6-2) to advance to the Holiday Classic semifinals.
Four players scored in double figures for PC North, including a game-high 16 points from Nykaiya Dillard (Sr.). Dillard made it a double-double with a team-high 13 rebounds and also added four steals, two blocks, and two assists.
Richiya Miller (So.) scored 12 points with three rebounds and two assists while Brandie Harrod (Sr.) scored 11 points with five rebounds. Nini Geretta (Sr.) added 10 points and a team-high five helpers.
Kaylee Davis (Sr.) led Allen with 14 points while Addison Prentice (Jr.) scored 13.
PC North outscored Allen 32-19 in the first half and pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Mustangs 39-28 in the final 16 minutes.
The Panthers are now set for a semifinals matchup with Edmond North on Friday at 4 p.m. Allen faces Class 4A No. 8 Newcastle at 9 a.m.
Game 3: Bixby 49, Class 3A No. 6 Alva 42
The Spartans outscored the Ladybugs 20-8 in the fourth quarter to advance to the Holiday Classic semifinals in the third game of the girls bracket on Thursday.
Garrett Smith (Fr.) scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out three assists in Mustang’s 59-52 overtime win over 2A No. 2 Hooker on Thursday in the first round of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
Alva led 34-29 through three quarters, however, Bixby was too much to handle down the stretch. Three players scored in double figures for the Spartans, including a team-high 16 points from Kate Wernli (Jr.). Amaria Musick (So.) scored 13 points while Kourtney Wright (So.) chipped in 11.
Lakin Gaddy (Sr.) scored a game-high 17 points for the Ladybugs while Hadlee Ohm (Jr.) scored 10.
Bixby led 21-20 at halftime before a 14-8 third-quarter run by Alva.
The Spartans move on to face Mustang in the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. The Ladybugs take on Owasso in the consolation semis at 12 p.m.
BOYS
Game 1: Choctaw 65, Class 3A No. 13 Marlow 45
The Yellowjackets (4-2) opened the Holiday Classic boys bracket with a 20-point victory over Class 3A No. 13 Marlow (2-2), led by 19 points and five rebounds from Steven Anderson (Jr.) and 14 points from Bryce Thompsons (Jr.).
Jordan Valentine (Jr.) added nine points while Jayden Pittman (Sr.) scored eight. Jayden Hopkins (Jr.) dished out a team-high three assists.
Choctaw jumped out to a 19-13 lead after the first eight minutes and entered halftime with a 31-24 advantage. Coach Jermaine Simpson’s team outscored the Outlaws 34-21 in the second half.
Parker Boyles (Sr.) led Marlow with 21 points and six rebounds.
The Yellowjackets advanced to the semifinals and will take on Jenks on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Choctaw will play Class 5A Carl Albert in the consolation semis at 10:30 a.m.
Game 2: Jenks 50, Class 5A Carl Albert 45
The Trojans (4-4) handed the Titans (4-1) their first loss of the season, pulling out a first-round 50-45 victory.
Evan Goodwin (Jr.) and Jace Morgan (Sr.) led the way for Jenks, combining for 35 points and 11 rebounds. Goodwin finished with a game-high 20 points and grabbed five rebounds while Morgan scored 15 points with a team-high six boards.
Mya Alston (Jr.) scored 10 points with two rebounds in Mustang’s 57-25 blowout win over Owasso in the first round of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic on Thursday. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
Delijah Matthews (So.) led Carl Albert with 12 points while Darion Thomas (So.) chipped in eight.
Coach Daniel McChesney’s squad jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Jenks carried a 24-20 lead into halftime and held off the Titans 25-24 in the second half.
The Trojans advance to take on Choctaw in the semifinals on Friday at 5:30 p.m. while Carl Albert takes on Class 3A No. 13 Marlow in the consolation semis at 10:30 a.m.
Game 3: Putnam City North 69, Class 4A No. 16 Holland Hall 44
Four players scored in double digits to help lead the Panthers to a blowout win over Class 4A’s No. 16 Lions.
Khai Brown (Sr.) led the way with 20 points and five rebounds while Nate Muriithi (Jr.), Avery Lehman (Jr.), and Keaton Murry (Fr.) each scored 10. Muriithi pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
Three players scored in double figures for Holland Hall, including 18 points from Ethan Taber (Sr.). Beau Barnes (Sr.) scored 12 points while Ryan Levine (Sr.) chipped in 10.
PC North jumped out to a 17-13 lead in the first quarter before carrying a 41-30 advantage into halftime. Coach David Lennons’ team pulled away with a 28-14 run in the second half.
The Panthers move on to face Mustang in the semifinals on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Holland Hall will face Class 2A No. 2 Hooker in the consolation semis at 1:30 p.m.
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You can watch every game of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic live as play-by-play host Ryan Booth brings you the call at www.MHSBroncoSports.TV.
