When you are playing the #2 team in the state, there is no room for error. The Hennessey Eagles (13-5, #6) found that out in a big way on Friday night (March 5, 2021) at Stride Center in Enid in the Area I Championship Game of the 2021 Class 2A Boys Basketball Championship Series, losing 53-36 to the Hooker Bulldogs (22-2, #2). The Eagles hit the court running in the 1st, jumping out to a 6-2 lead off 2 made three’s from Juan Dominguez. Hennessey knocked down 4 three’s in the 1st and played virtually error-free basketball in a back and forth tilt for the first 8 minutes. The 1st quarter alone saw 10 lead changes and 2 ties, with Hennessey holding on to a 19-16 lead after one. Then the 2nd quarter began. The game’s 11th lead change occurred on the Bulldogs’ 3rd possession of the 2nd, when they went up 21-19. That was the last time Hennessey led. The Bulldogs started the 2nd on an 8-0 run before Wade Vinson got the only points for the Eagles at the 3:20 mark. Dropping the 2nd by a score of 13-2, trailing 29-21 at half, the Eagles’ night only got tougher from there. The Bulldogs were faster, taller, and better in almost every aspect of the game on this night, cruising their way to the Area Championship and a spot in the 2021 Class 2A State Championship Series to be played next week at State Fair Park.After Juan Dominguez led all scorers after one with 7 points, the Senior shooter finished with 11, off 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist. Christian Tovar nailed 3 three’s for 9 points and pulled down 3 rebounds. Freshman Center Jael Torres followed with 8 points, 4 boards, 1 steal, and 1 blocked shot. Senior Point Guard Wade Vinson added 6 points, with 1 rebound, 2 steals, and 3 assists. His brother Garret Vinson got the only bench points with 2 made free throws in the 4th. The Eagles did out-rebound the Bulldogs 24 to 20, with 8 of those boards on the offensive end, but the rest of the statistics were heavy on the Hooker side. Head Coach Brady Page, at 204-62 in his HHS career, goes to 1-2 vs. Todd Kerr and the Hooker Bulldogs. Now with no room for error, Page’s Eagles, in their 8th trip to Area since 2011-2012, will try to make it to the State round for the 5th time in 10 seasons when they play in the Area Consolation Championship on Saturday night versus the Morrison Wildcats (19-5, #15), who took down the Fairview Yellowjackets 55-39 on Friday afternoon. Game time tipoff on Saturday night is at 8:00 pm at Stride Bank Center in Enid. -EagleVoice
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