CAPITOL HILL HOLDS ON

Late in the third quarter of Capitol Hill’s opener of the John Nobles Invitational Tournament at Moore, the Redskins had a double-digit lead and looked as if they’d cruise to the win.

But the Redskins had to hang on late, hitting free throws down the stretch to beat Southmoore 49-43.

“It’s high school basketball,” Capitol Hill coach Donnie Tuley said. “You never know what’s going to happen. They changed the momentum on us. They’re a good basketball team and are going to beat some teams.”

Capitol Hill will take on Bishop McGuinness at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.

In the closing seconds of the third, Capitol Hill led 31-19. But helped in part by junior Preston Smith’s four 3-pointers in the fourth, Southmoore cut the lead to one in the final minute.

Aaron Brown led Capitol Hill with 14, hitting all four of his fourth-quarter free throws.

Smith led Southmoore with 12 off the bench.

OKARCHE ESCAPES

Sam Grellner made two late free throws to put Okarche in the semifinals of Kingfisher’s Buckle of the Wheatbelt Invitational.

The Warriors defeated Kingfisher

led the Chargers with 10 points and four others had at least six. Heritage Hall built its lead to 40-22 after three quarters and held on from there. Michael Byington led McLoud with 20 points.

The Chargers will face Bethany at 5:25 p.m. in Friday’s semifinals. The Bronchos advanced with a 61-48 win over Chisholm behind 22 points from Josh Lout and 18 from Tanner Stiles.

TIP-INS

Mike Jones scored 27 for El Reno, but it wasn’t enough in a 65-44 loss to Norman North at the Shawnee Invitational. Three Norman North scorers reached double-figures, led by Kairo Rutledge with 18. ... Rashawn Thomas had 25 points in Southeast’s 68-44 win over Shawnee. ... David Love’s 21 points led McGuinness to a 68-49 win over Northwest Classen at Moore’s John Nobles Invitational. ... Trel Parker scored 38 points to lift John Marshall to an 80-60 win over Jones at the Jones Tournament.