Claremore Starts Strong in Port City Classic

Originally Published: Jan 21, 2010 8:26 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

CATOOSA, Oklahoma – Claremore advanced in the winner’s bracket of the 44th Annual Catoosa Port Classic Thursday with a 60-47 win over Victory Christian.

Claremore full-court press gradually wore down Victory Christian in the first half, taking a 12-point lead into halftime. The Zebras got ten points from Dakota Caudill and Robert Boyles in the first half.

Victory Christian had no answer for the Zebras press. Head coach Ryan Wakley tried multiple different guard combinations to break the pressure, but couldn’t find many ways to break free.

Claremore applied the pressure again to start the second half. The Zebras picked up three quick steals that led to break away layups. The spurt kept their lead at double digits.

Victory Christian whittled the advantage down to just eight points heading into the fourth quarter after a couple of clutch jump shots. The late push wasn’t enough, as Claremore put the game out of reach with early baskets, including a long three pointer by Alex Miller, and cruised to the 13 point win.

Victory Christian never went away. LJ Ross led the team with 13 points. Luke Loeber chipped in 12 points as well. Claremore’s first half lead stood up thanks to 32 combined points from Caudill and Boyles. Miller scored 14 points for the Zebras.

Claremore advances to play the winner of Harrah and Catoosa Friday evening at 8:30. Victory Christian falls to the loser’s bracket and will face the loser of Harrah and Catoosa Friday at 2:30 p.m.