When Claflin Hall of Famer Jackie Stiles hugged her father – Central Plains basketball coach Pat Stiles – it was the perfect marriage of past and present for the Oilers.
Claflin’s Jackie Stiles set the all-time scoring record at Claflin, but never played for a state basketball championship from 1994-1997 when Little River swept four consecutive 1A state titles.
Now, her father makes state history every time the Central Plains Oilers capture another state championship. The Oilers’ 50-38 victory Saturday over Rexford-Golden Plains clinched their state record eighth consecutive state championship.
The Oilers own state records with 25 straight state tournament wins and 52 consecutive postseason victories. The Oilers (24-1) are 26-2 all-time at the state tournament and 57-5 all-time in postseason play. Claflin High School captured the 2005 and 2006 1A state titles. The Oilers/Claflin own a 10-0 record in state title games.
Coach Stiles said it was a special moment when his daughter presented the Oilers with their state medals. Coach Stiles laughed when Jackie accidently presented the runner-up medals to the Oilers. The teams exchanged the proper medals minutes after the “official ceremony.”
“That was pretty special seeing Jackie,” coach Stiles said. “That beings back some great family memories.”
The Bulldogs were tied 33-33 through three quarters.
Oiler Kassidy Nixon sparked a game-ending 17-5 fourth quarter after a 33-33 tie after three quarters. Nixon contributed seven steals, seven assists, 10 rebounds and eight points in a brilliant all-around performance. Nixon scored and passed to Madison McGuire to ignite the rally. Brynna Hammeke scored three baskets. Reese McGuire hit a 3-pointer. Sparkplug Kyla Metro capped a 15-point night with two free throws and an assist.
“Golden Plains made the state game a lot of fun. My goal was to do whatever was required to win another state title,” Nixon said. “I wanted to play my best basketball tonight. Their man-to-man defense was phenomenal. No. 2 (Breanna Rath) and No. 12 (Kassie Miller) came out strong tonight.”
Stiles said the Oilers’ defense was up to the challenge. Kassie Miller scored 19 points and Breanna Rath added nine points. The Bulldogs shot 29 percent (6 of 21) after halftime. But the Bulldogs converted 1 of 10 field goals in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs were confident playing aggressive man-to-man defense. Rath held Brynna Hammeke to two points at halftime. Kassie Miller shut down Kassidy Nixon to three points at halftime.
“Golden Plains was tough. That’s the best man-to-man defense we’re faced all year,” Stiles said. “We hadn’t played against a lot of man-to-man defense. We calmed down and adjusted to their defensive pressure. The girls delivered big offensive plays. How about Kyla Metro tonight? Kyla shoots before school every day. It paid off tonight.”
Metro was the Oilers’ unsung hero with a brilliant 15-point outing and a trio of 3-pointers.
“My confidence as pretty high tonight,” Metro said. “Once I made a couple of shots, I tell myself I can make the next shot too.”
The Bulldogs (23-1) were unbeaten heading to the state tournament two consecutive years. They lost to the Oilers 50-39 in last year’s semifinals, almost an identical score to Saturday night (50-38).
The Oilers sprinted to a 9-2 lead as Metro started a 10-point first half. The Oilers led 18-9 when Madison McGuire converted a free throw. The Bulldogs regrouped to outscore the Oilers 10-0 in the final four minutes for a shocking 19-18 halftime lead. Breanna Rath drilled a 3-pointer for the 19-18 lead. The Bulldogs scored seven second-chance points.
Central Plains 11 7 13 17 – 50
Golden Plains 6 13 11 5 – 38
CENTRAL PLAINS (24-1)— Metro 5-7 2-2 15, Hammeke 5-9 0-1 11, Madison McGuire 3-8 5-8 11, Nixon 3-10 1-2 8, Reese McGuire 2-5 0-0 5, Steiner 0-0 0-0 0, Ogle 0-1 0-0 0, Donecker 0-0 0-0 0, Totals 18-40 8-13 50.
GOLDEN PLAINS (23-1)— Miller 5-14 8-9 19, Rath 3-7 0-0 9, Fleckenstein 3-3 0-0 6, Nieman 2-3 0-0 4, Rayna Taylor 0-11 0-2 0, Sidney Taylor 0-3 0-0 0,Morgan Wark 0-2 0-0 0, Totals 13-43 8-11 38.
3-pointers—CP 6-14 (Metro 3-5, Hammeke 1-2, Nixon 1-3, R. McGuire 1-3, Ogle 0-1), GP 4-19 (Rath 3-6, Miller 1-3, R. Taylor 0-10). Rebounds—CP 25 (Nixon 10); GP 31 (Nieman 7). Assists—CP 11 (Nixon 7); GP 8 (R. Taylor 3). Steals—CP 11 (Nixon 7); GP 5 (Miller 2).
