Crossings Christian (Oklahoma) boys get revenge, knock off 3A top-ranked Oklahoma Christian School, 67-56
OKLAHOMA CITY - It had been on Cam Parker’s mind for almost a year.
When he and his Crossings Christian squad lost to Oklahoma Christian School on Jan. 27, 2023, it was a defeat the junior post could not shake.
Friday night, Parker and the Knights finally got their shot at redemption. The only difference this time was the contest was on their home court and that seemed to be the boost they needed as Class 5A No. 4 ranked Crossings Christian knocked off 3A No. 1 Oklahoma Christian School, 67-56, in front of a packed and raucous house.
“We were itching for it,” Parker said. “As soon as that game ended, I was itching to play them again.
"I marked this one on my calendar. Everybody's been talking about it all week. We really wanted this one.”
Crossings Christian players and fans celebrate after the Knights' win against Oklahoma Christian School on Jan. 26, 2024.
The loss was only the second of the season for the Saints (15-2). The other came to 2A No. 1 Dale in early December.
Since then, OCS had run off 10 straight and looked like the team to beat in Class 3A.
However, the Knights (13-3) knew exactly what they needed to do to slow OCS down.
“We knew it was going to be a big game,” said Crossings Christian's Cal Furnish. “A lot of fans, a lot of energy. So we just had to stay together and make the right play and continue to trust each other.”
Furnish, the standout junior guard, paced the Knights with 20 points. Evan Crotts chipped in with 11 points, while Parker and Braden Buckingham each added nine points.
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The Saints' Luke Gray led all scorers with 26 points. Carson Jones scored 14 points in the loss.
Oklahoma Christian came out strong on the opening possession when Gray threw down a two-handed dunk. That seemed to ignite the Saints as they took an early lead.
However, Furnish picked up his aggressiveness as the first half wore on. Whether he was knocking down 3-pointers or driving into the paint for tough contested layups, the junior guard gave the Saints’ defense fits.
The Knights led by 11, 35-24, at halftime.
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“The key was really stopping their two best players,” Parker said. “I feel like we did a really good job on Carson Jones. He's definitely a challenge to stop and our guards did really good on him.
"And then Luke’s a big body and he's a good player, so that was one of our keys. Holding them to one shot."
Oklahoma Christian School (in black) and Crossings Christian face off in a game Jan. 26, 2024. The Knights defeated the Saints, 67-56.
The Saints were able to get to within eight points in the third quarter. It would have been closer had it not been for several missed free throws.
However, in the final two minutes, the Knights went on a run and pushed their advantage to 14, 53-39.
Each time the Saints tried to cut into the lead, the Knights had an answer the rest of the evening. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Crossings Christian student body stormed the court as if they were preparing for the postseason.
“It was a big atmosphere just like last year. It was super fun,” Parker said. “That's all I can say. It was fun and down the stretch, it got even better. It was intense.
"Every play matters in these games. I enjoyed it.”
-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK
