By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
OKLAHOMA CITY – Piedmont is one step closer to reaching the state tournament.
Walker Kennedy hit five 3-pointers and totaled a game-high 21 points as the Wildcats hammered Lawton Eisenhower 76-40 in their Class 5A West Regional playoff opener at Southeast High School Friday night.
Senior Colton Sydnes scored 17 points with freshman Hudson Hite adding 10.
Playing in a first round elimination game, No. 5 Piedmont (15-9) was never in danger of seeing its season end. The Wildcats opened the game on a 9-0 run and led 23-2 after one quarter.
Rinse, repeat for Walker Kennedy & @Piedmont_Bball tonight. Wildcats rolling Eisenhower 53-23 w/ 2:25 in the 3Q. #OKpreps pic.twitter.com/unSLq2yw0b
— Blake Colston (@CBlakeColston) February 25, 2023
“The start meant everything. We had all the energy we needed from the jump,” said Kennedy, a sophomore sharpshooter. “This was one of, probably, our best games of the year, all the way from the start.”
PHS limited the Eagles (5-17) to just three baskets over the first 10 minutes of the game while quickly putting the game out of reach.
“We always harp on quick starts and then not letting up when you do have a quick start,” head coach Brandon Jackson said. “Everyone played a huge role in this tonight.”
The ‘Cats never let up on their way to totaling their third-highest offensive output of the season, their most since a 94-35 victory over Duncan Jan. 17. The win also snapped a three-game game losing streak.
“We had a long week of practice. The last two and a half weeks we haven’t played well,” Jackson said. “We sat down and had a heart-to-heart with each other. We were honest with our boys in saying that we only have one game guaranteed to us.”
Kennedy splashed home his final 3-pointer of the night with 2:30 left in the third quarter to extend Piedmont’s lead to 53-23. By that point, the Wildcats had all the points they needed, but one final bullseye for Kennedy didn’t hurt.
“I haven’t had a good shooting game in a while, so I was happy to hit some shots,” Kennedy said. “My teammates were getting me open.”
Every player that dressed for PHS got into the game. Connor Beard scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter and senior Blaine Taylor added a late 3-pointer to give a solid contingent of Piedmont fans one final thing to cheer about.
Piedmont has clinched a berth into next week’s Area Tournament and, with a win on Saturday night, can advance to within a game of its first state tournament appearance since 2014.
The Wildcats will take on fourth-ranked Southeast (14-6) in the regional championship game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“We want to play the best teams and Southeast has been one of the best teams all year,” Jackson said. “A lot of teams would love to play tomorrow night and we have a chance to go win a regional championship. Hopefully we come out on the positive side.”
