Bench comes up big as Stillwater wins

Discussion

February 6, 2010

By Ryan Stewart Stillwater NewsPress The Stillwater News Press Sat Feb 06, 2010, 12:03 AM CST

STILLWATER — One name, two players and two clutch performances led the Stillwater Pioneers to a much-needed victory on Friday night.

Junior guard Alex Holt and junior forward Alex Budke provided the necessary spark in Stillwater’s 48-45 victory against Sand Springs in Stillwater.

What makes the collaborative performance of the Alexes all the more impressive is they had to come off the bench to do it.

“Alex Holt and Alex Budke, the two Alexes came up huge for us (Friday),” SHS coach Michael Davis said. “They were great. We wouldn’t have won this game without them and that’s what they’re supposed to do. They’re supposed to come off the bench and give us what the guys out there aren’t giving us. They played their roles to a T.”

Holt provided 11 points off the bench, all in the second half to help the Pioneers overcome a late deficit to earn an important victory in keeping their conference title hopes alive. Budke scored seven points but it was his second-half performance on the defensive end that earned him the most praise from his coach.

Budke had the unenviable task of guarding the Sandites leading scorer Nicholas Tate, who finished with 19 points, but 12 came in the first half before Budke was handed the responsibility of shutting him down. Im the second half, Tate made only one field goal.

“Budke had a little extra role (Friday) because he had to guard Tate and he did a heck of a job on him in the second half, other than him making a couple free throws he really didn’t score,” Davis said.

Budke said drawing the toughest defensive assignment is something that he’s not only used to, it’s something he enjoys.

“They put me on (Tate) to shut him down and that’s what I like to do,” Budke said. “I get to guard great players in our conference and it’s just fun to get that challenge.”

Junior point guard Jordan Pound led the Pioneers with 12 points and tallied double-digit assists. Holt finished with 11 points and Budke had seven with Josiah Woodard contributing six, Jevan Barnett five and Austin Brinker with three rounding out the scoring on the night for the Pioneers.

Holt said the job he and Budke did off the bench did a lot for their confidence while they try to get the rest of the team healthy for a strong push to finish out the season.

“It helped a lot,” Holt said. “And we still have a couple people hurt so when they get back we’ll be even better and have an even better bench, which will be great.

“Our motivation is to win every game from now on in our conference and try to beat Enid and Ponca because they got us the first time around and try to get co-champions or champions.”

Stillwater 12 20 33 48

Sand Springs 12 21 34 45

STILLWATER: Pound 5 0-1 12, Holt 3 4-5 11, Budke 3 1-2 7, Woodard 3 0-0 6, Bennett 2 1-2 5, Brinker 1 1-3 3, Josh Pierre 1 0-0 3. Totals: 18 7-13 48.

SAND SPRINGS: Tate 6 7-8 19, Goggin 4 1-2 9, Barnett 1 4-4 6, Adams 2 0-2 5, Loveless 1 0-0 3, Millikin 0 3-4 3. Totals: 14 15-20 45.

3-pointers: Stillwater 4 (Pound 2, Holt, Pierre); Sand Springs 2 (Loveless, Adams). Total fouls: Stillwater 16, Sand Springs 15.

Fouled out: None.

Text Only

High School Sports

Perkins-Tryon girls whip Chandler by 30
Perkins-Tryon girls rout Chandler 71-41.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
Stillwater High boys, girls sweep Ponca City
The Stillwater High boys and girls basketball teams defeated Ponca City on Friday night.

February 3, 2012
Stillwater wrestlers pin Muskogee 42-33
Stilwater High wrestlers Paul Wilson and Travis Morgan lead the Pioneers to a 42-33 victory over Muskogee.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
Vester staying in Stillwater, signs with Oklahoma State
Hard work pays off for the Stillwater senior with a surprise signing to Oklahoma State

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Minter headed to Evangel, Parker signs with Ottawa (Kan.)
Three former football players signed National Letters of Intent to play in college next season. Andrew Minter will play running back at Evangel University, while Joel Parker will kick for Ottawa University in Kansas. Jesse Vester signed with Oklahoma State as an athlete.

February 1, 2012 2 Photos
Morrison duo wants friendly rivalry in college
Spencer Venus signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State, while James Pitts signed with Northwestern Oklahoma State on Wednesday.

February 1, 2012 2 Photos
UPDATE: Oklahoma State University's football program signs 22
Oklahoma State University's 2012 recruiting class has 22 signees. Scout.com ranks it as the 27th best recruiting class in the nation. It ranks fourth in the Big 12 Conference behind No.1 Texas, No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 25 Texas Tech.

February 1, 2012
UPDATE: Oklahoma State University's football program now has 21 signees
Oklahoma State's 2012 Oklahoma State University football signee list reaches 21.

February 1, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: Stillwater High wide receiver will be an Oklahoma State University Cowboy next fall
Stillwater High wide receiver/kick returner Jesse Vester signs a National Letter of Intent with Oklahoma State University's football program.

February 1, 2012
UPDATE: Oklahoma State University adds signee No. 20 in Eric Davis
John Tyler High defensive end Eric Davis is the 20th signee for Oklahoma State University football.

February 1, 2012
More High School Sports Headlines

High School Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Bench comes up big as Stillwater wins

Site Map

Contact Us