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Deer Creek's Garrett Hermanski drives for a basket during a game against Noble. Audrey Dodgen
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Hermanski scores 32 in win over Saints
Matt Bailey knew a couple of wins at the Deer Creek Festival could do wonders for his team’s confidence heading into the Christmas break and Garrett Hermanski made sure that happened. The sophomore poured in 32 points as the Antlers held off a feverish push by Oklahoma Christian School for a 64-60 win Saturday afternoon.
“It’s great to go into the break like that,” Bailey said. “It could have been different. Those two close games could have went the other way. Now we go into the break with some confidence.”
OCS coach Trent Toler was not pleased to see his squad drop their third straight, but liked the way they competed against a couple of talented larger schools.
“McGuinness is a top four team, they’re young and they’re going to get better and Deer Creek is a solid 5A team,” Toler said. “And after not playing in two week, we’re going in the right direction. And we got a chance to get better.”
Hermanski showed his ability to penetrate Friday night against Millwood, but proved he hasn’t lost his touch behind the arc. The sophomore guard hit seven 3-pointers in the first three quarters, before sinking 7-of-8 free throws in the final eight minutes of play.
“He was obviously feeling it, he was great once again,” Bailey said. “Like I said yesterday, it’s just Garrett Hermanski being Garrett Hermanski.”
T.J. Holland led the Saints with 24 points, and was a key piece of their fourth quarter rally. Jack Warren and David Coury also came up big with nine points apiece, and Daniel Blackwood chipped in eight off the bench.
Deer Creek roared to an early lead in the first. Hermanski and Hayden Wagner each hit from long range as the Antlers went up 15-6 after one.
The Saints managed to slow down the Deer Creek offense in the second, and pulled in front with a 7-0 run. Warren capped the rally with a 3-pointer to put the Saints up 22-20 with two minutes in the half. But the lead wouldn’t last as Hermanski hit back-to-back treys pushing Deer Creek in front 26-22 at the half.
Hermanski again took control in the second quarter. The sophomore scored 13 points in the third quarter helping the Antlers take a 42-34 lead into the final quarter of play.
While Hermanski was dominant much of the night, the fourth quarter belonged to Holland. The junior refused to let the Antlers run away with it and came up with several big plays late. Holland pulled the Saints within three when he drained a free throw to complete a conventional three-point play with three minutes left.
Deer Creek later extended the lead to six with free throw by Jurrell Calloway, but again Holland stepped up and hit a 3-pointer as he was fouled. Holland sank the free shot to make it a 62-60 score with 7.3 seconds left. But the Saints rally would come to an end when Jalen Burnett sank a pair of clutch free throws for the four-point win.
“I thought we did a good job making it a little more exciting,” Toler said. “I don’t know that they breathed a sigh of relief until that horn sounded. And this is what we do. We just play in all these really close games. Hopefully we figure it out come playoff time.”
Calloway finished with seven points, while Wagner and Jacob Kasenurm each scored six for Deer Creek.
Both teams are off for the break and will return the first week of January. Deer Creek hosts Piedmont Jan. 5, while the Saints head to the Wellston Route 66 Tournament on Jan.7.
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