Prep Hoops: Oxford provides the O
Benton was far lacking offensive firepower in their regional semifinal matchup with West Frankfort Wednesday night, but when the Rangers needed a boost, Derek Oxford had plenty of fuel in the tank.
The Ranger freshman guard ran the length of the floor, putting up a floater off the glass with 1.7 seconds remaining to give Benton a 60-58 win over West Frankfort at the Harrisburg Class 2A Regional at Davenport Gymnasium.
Oxford finished with a team-high 19 points, while Nathanael Higgins dropped in 18 as Benton finds themselves back in the regional title picture for the fifth straight season.
Friday night's title tilt against Harrisburg, who eased by Johnston City Tuesday night, will be a rematch from last season.
With 10 seconds to play, West Frankfort's Hunter Johnston knotted the score at 58-all, a quick inbounds to Oxford allowed the freshman to go coast-to-coast for the two point lead.
West Frankfort had a chance at the buzzer, but Christian Dunning's half court shot rimmed out.
Benton head coach Ron Winemiller felt having the ball in Oxford's hands was the best scenario.
"We said in the timeout before that if they tie it, we wanted to get it into Ox and let him attack the rim and see what happens. We knew there wouldn't be much time left and we actually had problems getting it in, but in the end it ended up helping us. Once he got going with his right hand and got the seam, we knew he was going to get a shot at the rim."
Dakota Head added eight points for the Rangers, who watched a 15-point second half lead evaporate by a furious comeback by West Frankfort.
Brendan Ritchason and Kruz Hayes each had six for Benton while Austin Wills had three.
Johnson led all scorers with 22 points, while Dunning had 16 and Braxton Koehl finished with 15 points.
Garrett Karowski finished with four points and Logan Hartley had a free throw.
Benton will meet a Harrisburg team it notched a win over following the Bulldogs winning their fourth straight Eldorado Holiday Tournament title.
The Bulldogs have won four straight regional championships and five in the past six years heading into the season.
Harrisburg has won 20 regionals in its history, while Bulldog head coach Randy Smithpeters has won 11 regional titles.