Alva Review-Courier -

Following a dominating performance by the girls' team, the Alva Goldbugs had a much tougher foe in the Chisholm Longhorns Friday night, Jan. 12. Going into the game, the Goldbugs held a record of 7-5 while the Longhorns were 8-4. The Goldbugs struggled in their first meeting with Chisholm last fall as they were coming off a football playoff run with little time to practice. This time, they secured a different result, winning 60-50.

The outcome of the game was up for grabs during every quarter. The Goldbugs started off strong with a 13-8 lead in the first quarter. Chisholm turned the tables in the second, scoring 22 points while holding Alva to eight for a 30-21 Longhorn lead at halftime. The Goldbugs made a strong comeback in the third quarter to tie the game at 36-36. In the final period, Alva outscored Chisholm 24-14 to take the ten-point 60-50 win.

First Half

Like the girls' game, the first points on the scoreboard were a couple of free throws by Aiden Kimberlin for Alva. Connor Adair and Kash Shipley added baskets to put Alva on top 6-0. Aiden Bird narrowed the gap with a triple followed by an Allen Weber basket to pull within one at 6-5. Kimberlin scored on a three-point shot to give the Goldbugs a four-point edge. Weber hit one of two free throws for the Longhorns, but Shipley sank a three-pointer to give Alva a lead of 12-6. Daylon Malone added a free throw for Alva, and Bird made a basket for the Longhorns. At the end of the first period, Alva led 13-8.

The Longhorns went on a 9-0 run in the second quarter before Aiden Ruiz scored on a stick-back for Alva. Another Chisholm 9-0 run followed. Kimberlin broke the run with a basket, but Chisholm led 26-17. Cooper Westfahl made a three-point shot to extend the Longhorn lead. Adair and Malone added baskets for Alva, and Weber had one free throw for Chisholm. At halftime, the Longhorns led 30-21.

Second Half

The Goldbugs went on their own 9-0 run to open the second half of play and tie the Longhorns at 30. They didn't stop there. Alva added four more points before Chisholm could get on the board. A couple of baskets from Gage Smith broke the Longhorn scoring drought and tied the score at 34. Chisholm took a brief lead on a basket from Bird, but Camron Gaisford was fouled, making both shots to tie the game at 36. Bird's buzzer beater long range shot was in and back out of the basket. The teams were tied going into the final quarter.

Aiden Ruiz broke the tie with two foul shots for Alva. Shipley added two more with a basket. Westfahl made consecutive baskets to tie the game at 38. Ruiz had back to back baskets to put Alva up by four at 44-40. Langley Amon scored two from the foul line for the Longhorns, but Malone countered with a Goldbug basket. Shipley was fouled on a three-point shot, making one of his three tries. Ruiz added another Alva basket, and the Goldbugs led 49-42.

Amon scored for Chisholm. Smith fouled out, sending Kimberlin to the free throw line where he was unable to hit the hoop. On the rebound, Kimberlin was fouled again. This time he made one of his two attempts. Amon added two at the foul line for Chisholm. Kimberlin scored a basket followed by one from Shipley who was fouled. Shipley made the free throw, and Alva led 55-46.

Desiree Morehead

Alva's Adien Ruiz (24) and Kash Shipley (21) go up against Chisholm's Coopper Westfahl (10) for the rebound.

Daniels hit a Chisholm basket. At the Longhorn side of the court, Malone threw a long lob to Kimberlin who made a mid-air catch and dunked the ball to loud cheers from Alva fans. Daniels made one more basket for Chisholm. Gaisford went to the line, making one free throw. Daniels fouled out, sending Kimberlin to the line where he made one of two shots. Then Amon fouled out, sending Shipley to the line where he made one of two to close out the game. Alva took the win 60-50.

Wrap-Up

The win increased the Goldbug record to 8-5 while Chisholm dropped to 8-5 for the season.

The Goldbugs were led in scoring by Kimberlin with 17 points followed by Shipley with 14, Ruiz with 12 and Malone with ten. Adair had four points and Gaisford three.

Westfahl led for Chisholm with 16 points while Weber had nine, Amon eight, Bird seven, Smith six and Daniels four.

Tuesday games with Newkirk were cancelled. Up next for the Goldbugs starting Thursday was the Pawhuska tournament.