Chandler’s first trip to the state tournament in 20 years ended with a thrilling but frustrating 5956 loss to Sequoyah-Claremore Thursday.
The Lions fell behind early in the first half, but came back to lead at halftime and held an 8-point lead in the third quarter.
But dismal shooting from the free throw line and a three-point bucket from Sequoyah’s Kyler Moore with less than three seconds to play did them in.
The Lions hit only 10 of 29 free throw attempts and were four of eight in the overtime. Sequoyah hit 12 of 19.
Although it wasn’t the ending the Lions wanted, it capped a remarkable season.
They had a 10-game winning streak, won 16 of 17 at one stretch and were ranked No. 8 in the state.
“We had a really good year,” coach Shawn Blankenship said. “I couldn’t ask for more.
“The kids have a lot to be proud of. We had a great year.”
The Lions will graduate four seniors: starters Zalen Smith and Jake Smithey, sixth man Grant McGinnis and bench leader Joel Telford.
“ All of them made a contribution,” Blankenship said. “Joel didn’t get on the floor, but behind the scenes, he’s the guy they follow.
“Zalen doing it the whole way ,and getting Jake back. And Grant made a big sacrifice to go from being an all-conference kid somewhere else to coming off our bench.”
The Lions started three underclassmen - junior Boston Estes and sophomore twins Jaydan and Jordan Denson.
Against Sequoyah, Jordan Denson led scoring with 18 points, Smith and Smithey had 16 each, McGinnis had four and Estes had a pair.
Last week also marked the end of an era, as it was the last state tournament to be played at the Jim Norrick Arena, known to high school basketball and wrestling fans asThe Big House.
It is being replaced by a new arena being built only steps away.
The arena was built in the 1960s and has hosted the basketball state tournament for 60 years.