Recap
ENID, OK – The Potawatomi Fire capped off a regular historic season on Sunday afternoon beating the Enid Outlaws 146-113. The win improved the Fire’s record to 20-0 on the year, finishing off the first ever perfect regular season in The Basketball League’s history.
“This was never something we set out to accomplish,” said Fire head coach Mark Dannhoff. “I’m still not sure the guys fully realize what they have done but I hope, once the season is over, they can look back and be proud of what they’ve done.”
As he has all year, Chuck Guy led the Fire with 30 points, five rebounds and five assists.
“In my eyes Chuck is the MVP, not just of our team but of the entire league,” said Dannhoff. “I don’t know what TBL will do but the fact that he is the leader of the best team in TBL and has the numbers to back up his game sets him apart from anyone else in my eyes.”
Sixth Man of the Year candidate Ricky Artis II bolstered his case again on Friday finishing with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and a block off the bench. Paul Harrison, who made his first start since returning to the Fire, paced the Fire early and finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Isaiah Wade finished with his second double-double of the season registering 14 points, 10 rebounds, and a block. Ruston Haywardcontinued his solid play off the bench finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Jachai Simmons made his presence felt on both ends with 13 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Deshawn Munson had another solid all-around performance as he finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. Fire rookie Jaylen Mahone and another strong outing as well finishing with 11 points, one rebound, and one big dunk to put an exclamation point on the win. In all, eight players finished in double figures scoring and all 11 active players saw the floor.
A full box score is available here.
“This was a team win tonight,” said Dannhoff. “Enid is very talented and they have players that can give us tough matchups. To get a win like this takes everyone and we will need everyone to keep playing well and filling their roles as we head into the playoffs.”
The Fire will begin their playoff push on Thursday as they take on the Wichita SkyKings in a best of three series. The Fire swept the SkyKings 4-0 in the regular season. Game 1 will be played versus Wichita at the Stride Bank Center in Enid, Okla. on Thursday, May 30, tipping off at 5 p.m. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will be at FireLake Arena in Shawnee on Saturday and Sunday, with tipoff at 7 p.m. on both nights. Just as in the regular season, you can watch a live stream of the playoff games on TBL TV or listen to the games on KGFF Radio (100.9 FM/1450 AM/KGFF.com).
Be sure to follow the Fire on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X) to stay up to date with all the latest information on the Fire.
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Story by Chris Cox / Photos by Garret Fisbeck