CPHS Boys knock off No. 9 Yukon 66-59 in Playoffs; Colt Savage scores 27

Junior Colt Savage led the Sandites with 27 points in a Regional playoff win. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

CPHS 66 YHS 59

1Q All 14-14
2Q Yukon 14-12
3Q Sand Springs 21-18
4Q Sand Springs 19-13

Free Throws: CPHS 8-of-11, YHS 11-of-15.
Field Goals: CPHS 25-of-50, YHS 21-of-53.
Fouls: CPHS 13, YHS 13

Scoring: (CPHS) Colt Savage 27, Garbey 14, Keener 12, Taber 8, Cale Savage 3, Wash 2. (YHS) Martin 27, Turner 11, Williams 7, Brazil 6, Berg 6, McGee 2.

(CPHS only)
Offensive Rebounds: Keener 2, Wash 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Keener 6, Garbey 3, Colt Savage 2, Taber 2, Cale Savage 1.
Steals: Taber 6, Colt Savage 1, Keener 1, Wash 1.
Assists: Keener 3, Taber 2, Cale Savage 2, Colt Savage 1.
Blocks: Keener 2.
Fouls: Keener 4, Taber 3, Price 3, Colt Savage 1, Garbey 1, Wash 1.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The No. 9 ranked Yukon Millers (15-8) were likely caught off guard by the ferocity of the unranked Charles Page High School boys basketball team (12-12) in their Friday night Regional playoff at Norman North High. 

A quick look at the Sandites' losing record is deceptive considering the number of brutally close losses that Sand Springs has endured in the highly-competitive Frontier Valley Conference. Despite being unranked themselves, the Sandites have topped six ranked opponents this season, including two top-ten teams. They worked their magic again Friday night and rolled to a 66-59 victory, qualifying for the Area Tournament next weekend. 

Head Coach Scott Raper wasn't very happy with how his boys started the first period, but he was likely satisfied with their finish. The Sandites took an 8-0 lead to start the game with a pair of threes from Jacob Garbey and a two point basket from Colt Savage, but the Millers scored nine-straight to claim the lead with back-to-back field goals from 6'10" senior Cameron Martin. Josh Taber snagged a steal and took it coast to coast for a buzzer-beater layup to tie things at 14-14.

The second period was practically a replay of the first as Sand Springs scored the first three baskets of the quarter. University of Central Oklahoma-signed senior Kyle Keener scored the first basket off an assist by Taber, Colt Savage took a rebound coast to coast for a layup, then Taber scored off yet another steal. Then the Millers went to work and took a four-point lead off a seven-straight scoring streak before Colt Savage added a two-point jump shot at the buzzer.

Yukon headed to the locker room with a close 28-26 lead.

Both teams came out of halftime hot, but it was Sand Springs who won the highest-scoring period of the game. Colt Savage scored the opening three, Martin and Jordan Williams hit four from the charity stripe, then Savage scored three more on a layup and foul shot to tie it at 32 apiece.

Martin and Vernon Turner hit back to back jump shots to take the lead, but Cale Savage and Jacob Garbey both hit threes to put Sand Springs back on top.

Tallyn Brazil stole the spotlight for Yukon with a pair of two-point jump shots, but Garbey iced another three, then Colt Savage traded shots and the lead with Martin and Brazil to get the final say at 47-46.

The Sandites had yet another impressive start in the fourth quarter as Taber recorded his sixth steal and took it to the house. Colt Savage drained a three and Keener posted two before Martin broke things up with back-to-back threes.

Garbey and Williams traded blows from two-point range, then Colt Savage added another long ball to make it 59-54. The Millers grew desperate and began racking up the fouls, but the Sandites held strong for the win.

Martin and Colt Savage scored a game-high 27 points apiece, followed by Garbey with 14 and Keener with 12. Turner also broke double digits with 11 points. 

The Sandites will face the winner of No. 5 Norman North (17-4) vs unranked Jenks (3-17) Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Both Regional finalists will advance to the Area Tournament.