Class 2A boys basketball live updates: Pocola advances to semifinals

The 2024 Class 2A boys basketball state tournament began Wednesday at State Fair Arena. Here's a look at what happened in the quarterfinals.

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Pocola 65, Hobart 46

His coach says he is “one of the most overlooked guys in the state.”

But after a performance like Wednesday on the biggest stage the state has to offer, more and more basketball fans will learn the name of Pocola senior Garrett Scott.

“That was a perfect example,” Pocola boys’ basketball coach R. Derek Barlow said after Scott’s 29 points helped the Class 2A second-ranked Indians pull away from No. 6 Hobart, 65-46, in a state quarterfinal game at State Fair Arena. “Garrett’s been here for four years and he did exactly what we asked him to do. Take the team on your shoulders, go attack the basket, go to the free throw line and he did all those things while playing great defense.”

Scott poured in 21 points after halftime, including 11 during a 20-6 Pocola explosion in the fourth quarter that saw the Indians turn a slim five-point lead into a blowout.

“I just knew we had to come out and put it on them,” Scott said. “Because I wasn’t trying to go out like that my senior year. We just came out, played aggressively and put it on them.”

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Scott already owns some Division-II football scholarship offers and is beginning to hear from more basketball schools. He picked up a basketball offer from Redlands Community College immediately after the game.

“I’d love to go play basketball,” Scott said. “That’s my first love.”

The win delivers Pocola (27-1) to the state semifinals for the second year in a row. Last year, the Indians were bounced in the semifinals by two-time 2A champion Dale. This year, they will need to get past No.5 Preston (26-4) OR No. 3 Hooker (27-3) in a state semifinal Friday at 9 p.m. at State Fair Arena.

“We have just got to come out and play like we did that second half,” Scott said. “Hit shots, make free throws and attack. Play great defense.”

Pocola junior forward Dakotah Terrell – who has basketball offers from Cal Poly, Sam Houston State and Tulsa, plus football offers from Arkansas and Nevada-Las Vegas – added 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Indians, while senior point guard Austin Hardwick chipped in 13 points with five assists.

Justice Johnson paced Hobart (25-4) with 17 points and seven rebounds.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSSAA Class 2A boys basketball state tournament quarterfinal scores