NORMAN — Norman High played neck and neck with No. 10 Edmond North on Friday, but the Huskies pulled away late for a 68-56 victory in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Coach Matt Thornton said before the game he liked the way the Tigers matched up against Edmond North, and the game played out evenly through the first three quarters. NHS stayed within several possessions and was able to cut the lead to three points several times. But Edmond North responded every time, and pulled away in the final minutes to provide the game’s final margin.
“We let them get a lead and we fought back, but we couldn’t get over the hump,” Thornton said. “We chased them all game long, but we couldn’t get the shot we needed.”
The loss ended the Tigers’ season at 9-15. The Tigers graduate several seniors, including starters Daniel Harper, Sam Blodgett, Ryan Cox and Jay Finley.
“I’m very proud of those guys,” Thornton said. “I’m their third coach in four years, and that’s not an easy thing to go through. As much adversity as we’ve faced this year, we still were competitive all year.”
Thornton was most proud of his team for not quitting on the season, despite several injuries and other issues they faced this season, including Thornton’s late hiring.
“A lot of things didn’t go our way, but they never quit,” he said. “There were a lot of times they could’ve checked it in, but they didn’t. I’m extremely proud of them.”
Corbin Hosler
Follow me @Chosler88
chosler@normantranscript.com
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.
