Wolves lose more than a game

By CRAIG HALL
Heavener lost way more than a game in the semifinals of the LeFlore County Tournament Friday night to Talihina.

Early in the second quarter, Heavener was leading 13-4 when standout Brandon Kirkland collided with Talihina’s Taggart Lockhart while chasing a loose ball.

As play continued, Kirkland bent over just past halfcourt. In the collision, Kirkland suffered a broken collarbone.

Photo by CRAIG HALL Heavener's Brandon Kirkland, shown scoring earlier in the week against Howe, suffered a broken collarbone in the loss to Talihina Friday.

Heavener coach Scott Gregory knew the injury was bad as soon as he saw it.

“The bone was sticking our vertically and wanted to get out through the skin,” he said. “They did a CT scan to make sure nothing was punctured and will do something with it on Monday.”

Gregory said the injury is more like two breaks with a bone loose in between. Kirkland was sent home from the hospital and will probably have surgery and a pin placed in the collarbone, which will help with the healing process.

Kirkland is likely out for the remainder of the season, a serious blow to Heavener. He was averaging 18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and one block per game with three triple doubles.

Gregory said if Kirkland had not been injured, he had a chance to be the Wolves’ first all-state player.

“I feel bad for him,” Gregory said. “He was on the watch list and still has a chance to get some awards. I don’t see him coming back. He’s a good baseball player and I don’t want to see him lose that.”

Heavener fell apart after Kirkland’s injury. The Wolves already were without Taylor Cheek, out with a broken hand and Koda Glover has been slowed with a sore knee.

Talihina went on to take a 58-38 victory over the Wolves. Gregory thinks the outcome would have been different if Kirkland had not gone down.

“I think our game plan to slow things down was working,” Gregory said. “If we could have kept the style up for four quarters I think we would have had a good shot.”

The Wolves still have several games left and Gregory said the season is far from over.

“We need to regroup and keep playing hard,” he said, “and try to win more than we lose.”