Alva Review-Courier -

Ranked third in Class 3A, the Alva Goldbugs found a worthy opponent in the Class 2A third-ranked Cashion Wildcats Friday. The teams met in the Enid Festival, played this year at Enid High School.

The Goldbugs trailed at the end of the first quarter 9-7 but took a narrow lead 17-15 at the halftime break. Alva widened their lead 24-19 in the third, but the Wildcats continued to challenge them in the fourth. Although they cut the Goldbug lead to two near the end, the Wildcats couldn't get any closer and Alva won 34-29.

First Half

The Wildcats built a 5-0 lead before Alva got on the scoreboard. Austin Frazier started off with a trey followed by two points from freshman Cole Tichenor. Goldbug Kyler Penco worked his way to the basket for two Alva points followed by a foul. Penco made the free shot. Then Braden Hofen scored and the teams were tied at five.

Penco scored on a put-back to give Alva the lead, but Jackson Vanderuff answered with two for Cashion. Frazier put in the final basket of the quarter on a put-back, and Cashion led 17-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Penco banked the ball off the glass to open the second quarter and tie the game. Mason Manning hit a Wildcat basket to retake the lead, but Jackson Feely tied the game at 11. Penco's shot didn't go in, but he was fouled and made both free throw points. Landon Lagasse hit a Wildcat basket to tie the game at 13. Lagasse went to the free throw line and made both shots, but Penco took the ball to the rim for the tying two points. Penco finished out the half with another basket, and Alva led 17-15 at halftime.

Second Half

Hofen made it through the defenders to score twice as the third quarter got underway. Alva now led 21-15. Frazier narrowed the lead with a couple of free throws, but Kaden Slater found the basket from three-point range, and Alva led 24-17. Jenkins tried to answer with a three-pointer but was fouled. He made two of three free throws. The Goldbugs led 24-19 at the end of the third quarter.

Hofen started off the fourth quarter as well with a basket, but Frazier scored to keep the five-point margin. Then Slater hit another three-pointer on a Hofen assist. Frazier scored from three-point range, and Alva led 29-24.

Desiree Morehead

Goldbug Kyler Penco (12) goes up for two-point in the middle of the Wildcats defense.

Feely collected his fourth foul and went to the bench but didn't stay there long as his help was needed on defense. Lagasse scored two points, and Alva's Austin Reed answered with a basket. Feely was called for a fifth foul and was out of the game. Frazier went to the free throw line, making one of two chances. Lagasse scored on a stick-back, cutting Alva's lead to two.

Reed went to the free throw line and made both shots. Penco was also fouled and made one of two to finish out the scoring. Alva won 34-29.

Wrap-Up

Penco led the Goldbugs in scoring with 14 followed by Hofen with eight and Slater with six. Reed had four and Feely two.

Frazier led the Wildcats with 13 points followed by LaGasse with eight. Tichenor, Vanderuff, Jenkins and Manning had two points each.

The Goldbugs are now 13-4 for the season. Alva travels to Tonkawa to take on the Buccaneers Tuesday night and will back at home Friday to host Frontier.