Sanford-Fritch beats Booker to clinch boys basketball postseason berth

The playoffs started early for the Sanford-Fritch and Booker boys basketball teams. Saturday marked a play-in game as the concluding contest of the Randall Playoff Preview. The match-up was meant to determine the fourth place finisher of District 1-2A. Whoever won advanced to the playoffs and the loser stayed home.

In the end, the Fritch Eagles earned the right to play in the bi-district round.

A slow moving contest early that was tight in the first half eventually developed into a 56-43 win for Fritch. The Eagles move to 17-14 on the season and advance to play Clarendon in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.

It was a tight contest early with Fritch leading Booker 16-10 after one quarter before the Kiowas rallied to tie it at 23 at the midway point. Things remained close in the third, but a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Danner Price made it 38-32 Fritch entering the fourth. Game adjustments by the Eagles and foul trouble by the Kiowas allowed Fritch to pull away in the fourth.

"It's been a tough season with injuries all the way throughout the year," Fritch head coach Casey Timmons said. "We've only had two games with all of our starters. The boys have had a lot of resolve and overcome a lot of adversity. I'm just super excited for them and grateful that God gives me an opportunity to come alongside them and watch it."

Price led the way with 26 for Fritch while Aaron Huston added 15 and Cade Athey contributed 10. Hagen Chisum led Booker with 19.

Fritch will face Clarendon on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Bushland.