McCLOUD - Seminole High School forward John Randolph melted the nets for a fantastic 42-points as he set a new school scoring record and led the Chiefs to a close 74-70 victory over Purcell here Thursday in the first round of the Class 2A Runners-up Regional Tournament.

The Chieftains advance to the tournament’s semifinals today and will play Prague, who defeated Crooked Oak 77-61 Thursday. The semifinal contest will be played in the Crooked Oak gym at 3:20 p.m.

Winner of the Seminole- Prague contest will advance to the Saturday finals and play the winner of Pauls Valley and Wewoka at 3:20 p.m. at Crooked Oak. Pauls Valley and Wewoka clash today at 8:30 p.m. at Crooked Oak.

Randolph was unstoppable as his teammates fed him the ball and he knifed his 6-3 frame time and again into the inside and tallied from close range. His 42-point performance beats the old SHS scoring record held by Bill Hayes, who posted 40 points in 1970 against Harrah.

What started out as a romp for Seminole in the first half, suddenly turned into a close contest in the second half. One that Seminole had to hustle to win.

With Terry Devore, 6-0 guard, hitting free shots and Randolph and 5-11 Woodrow Island nailing field shots the Chieftains romped to a 19-13 lead in the first quarter. By halftime Seminole maintained a 39-33 advantage after both clubs rimmed 20 points each in the second quarter. The second frame was a chiller, however, as the Purcell Dragons climbed to within three-points of the Chiefs, 35-33, with 1:22 left before intermission. A spinaround jumper by Randolph and a corner blast by 6-3 guard Chris Clark, however, pushed the Chiefs back to a six-point lead.

Both teams matched point-for-point in the third quarter as defense was almost a forgotten word. Seminole nailed 21 points as did Purcell and the score was 60-54 in favor of the Chiefs as the final fourth quarter opened.

Tragedy did strike the Chiefs in the third period. With 4:33 burning on the clock, floor leader Chris Clark re-injured his hurt knee and had to be carried from the court.

Clark did not return to play nor was it known this morning whether he would be able to suit with the Chiefs against Prague.

It was do-or-die for both teams in the fourth quarter. Purcell scored 16 points in an attempt to rally past the Chiefs, but Seminole held its advantage by scoring 14.

Seminole had maintained a lead on the Dragons up until 5:09 was left in the game. At that point Purcell rimmed two free shots and tied the contest 64-64 making it a whole new game – one which anyone could win.

But Randolph made sure that is was going to Seminole’s victory. He banged eight straight points to rocket the Chiefs to a 72-64 lead with 2:26 left in the game.

Purcell hit two free shots as Chieftain Chez Evans fouled out and then swished a fielder to cut the Seminole lead to 72-68 at 1:06.

The Dragons got one additional basket with 33 seconds left on the clock then Seminole took command of the ball and held it as the clock ran itself dead.

Following Randolph scoring were Devore with nine points, Island nine, Clark eight, Evans four and Tom Sanders two. McReynolds led scoring for Purcell with 22-point production.

Seminole is now 10-12 in season play. Purcell finishes its season with a 14-10 record. -oOo Slants – Linda Dyck having trouble playing a piano because of a sore finger… Terry Thomason keeping busy by answering a pesky telephone… T. I. Black running errands for friends… Harold Jones expecting a large number of participants in the Seminole Junior College district high school band meet Friday… SJC classes have been dismissed Friday because of the district contest… Jones is the SJC music instructor… Carl and Myrtle McGehee supplying some needed information… Lilac Williams receiving a compliment… Margie Shultz talking about Genevieve Nall’s delicious cake… Jerva Anderson writing a neat report. -oOo School Daze – There will be some high school students participating in the Second Annual Interscholastic Meet to be held at the Seminole Junior College on Saturday, March 17. It will begin at 8 a.m. Each student will be allowed to enter four events and medals will be given for the first three place winners in each event.

Seminole Junior College will award a one-year tuition scholarship to the outstanding senior medalist in each of the areas of Social Studies, Geological Science, Physical Science Business, Home Economics and Language Arts. Winner must compete in at least three events, two of which are in scholarship area except Home Economics.

The students are invited to visit and eat lunch in the ne Student Union Cafetorium. Both lunches and short orders will be available. All announcements and presentations will take place in the Student Union, also.

An entry fee of $1 will be charged for each student. The high school will pay everyone’s fee.

Entry blanks and fees are to be returned by March 9.

School Daze Slants – Kyla Lenora wanting to hear something… Buster McCoy saying he was Dr. Kildare… Jo Lynn Day being asked why she was here… Greg Smith having an accident with a pole… Cathy Morgan wanting to carry something very badly… Liz Wall starting to do something… Hammet Atyia being teased… Kay Ferguson showing off a picture… Randy Nix passing out paper… Tina Bunch wearing a new jacket… Leslie Richardson wearing a new shirt… Beverly Wilson losing a pencil… Cheryl Brown whispering… Kelly Parks laughing at something… Greg Givens wondering.