PORT CITY CLASSIC: Claremore boys struggle at free-throw line, fall to Edison
Jan. 21—CATOOSA — Free-throw woes appear to be a recurring problem for the Claremore boys.
The Zebras followed Tuesday's 40.1% outing at the line with a 10-of-23 performance (43.5%) on Thursday, leading to a 61-48 loss to Edison in the first round of the Port City Classic at the Catoosa Activity Center. The Eagles went 8-of-10 in comparison but didn't shoot a free throw until the 5:45 mark of the fourth quarter.
For Claremore, those numbers were especially puzzling given it made 4 of 6 attempts in the first half. That means the team's efficiency at the line was nearly cut in half during the second half (66.7% to 35.3%).
And while Edison shot 10 free throws in the fourth, the Zebras missed that many during the same stretch.
Claremore used a 7-0 run that spanned the final moments of the third period and an early portion of the fourth to cut a 10-point deficit to 45-42, but that is when free-throw efficiency began to dictate the game.
Half of Edison's fourth-quarter points (16) came from the line, including the back half of a three-point play from Jeremiah Johnson that sparked a game-ending 8-0 run.
Johnson finished with 17 points and five rebounds, but Luke Parish — who hit five 3-pointers — led the Eagles with 19 points and one board.
In addition to their free-throw shooting advantage, the Eagles conquered the glass with a 37-23 rebounding edge. They snagged 14 offensive boards, and Jay Overton-Tobie managed a game-high 10 rebounds in all to go along with six points.
Winning those two categories was enough for Edison to overcome its 14 turnovers, though the Zebras committed nearly as many with 12.
Edison scored the game's first eight points, but Claremore battled back and eventually took a 25-24 lead into halftime after a pair of Michael McHugh free throws. However, Parish quickly gave the Eagles the advantage once more with a 3 to open the second half.
The Zebras tied the tally twice from there but never led again. Johnson put Edison ahead for good with a 3-ball of his own, making it a 32-29 spread.
McHugh led Claremore with 15 points and six rebounds while Kort Siedel added 10 and four, though only two of those points came in the second half.
Teegan Mann, who finished with seven points and one board, guided the Zebras on a 6-0 run late in the fourth that saw their deficit shrink to 53-48, but they failed to threaten the Eagles further.
Claremore plays Bishop Kelley, which fell to Tahlequah 56-53, in the consolation bracket at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
