Lady Redskins’ season ends at state tournament

The Lady Redskin’s run to a state title was a short one after their loss to the Kiefer Lady Trojans in the first roundofthetournament.The score for the March 11 game was 78 to 45. Both teams came into the tournament with similar records, both were 21 and 6. Kiefer qualified via the loser’s bracket having lost to #3 Jones in the area tournament. In the final OSSAA ranking, Kiefer was #5 and the Lady Redskins were #8. Ironically the Lady Redskins held wins over # 4 Idabel and # 7 Silo yet were ranked # 8.

The Lady Redskins fought as hard as they could. They did not play badly; they just did not shoot the ball as well as they would have liked. It was impossible to stop the long-range barrage that Kiefer had. In the first quarter, Olivia Quapaw was getting to the free throw line on drives in the paint. She was 3 of 4. Kamry Bohannon andEmilyBellettinieachhad buckets. Jaci Hendon and KayaWiebenersubbedinbut the Lady Redskins trailed at the quarter, 24 to 7.

In the second, Bohannon got to work. She had two inside buckets and was 3 of 5 from the line. Bellettini had another inside bucket. Lanie French had a nice three pointer. Herndon, off the bench, caused a stir.

With no fear, she attacked the middle for two inside buckets. Then she added a three pointer. This turned out to be the best scoring quarter the Lady Redskins could muster all night with 19 points. Still, they trailed going to the locker room, 39 to 26.

In most cases one would think and hope the opponent would “cool off” during the halftime. However, another girl took up the charge where the first girl left off. She ripped off a string of consecutive three pointers without a miss.

Coach Chad Rumer changed his lineup to start the second half. He inserted Herndon who had a good offensive first half to bring in more outside shooting. With so many made shots, EthelStewartwasnotgetting much chance of rebounds. So, he sacrificed defense for offense in order to try and catch up. Herndon again responded with another three and a two-point field goal. Quapaw got her first field goal, a three pointer, and was 2 of 2 from the line. Bellettinirespondedwithtwo field goals. The game was still out of reach, 59 to 40.

Inthefourth,Quapawhad the only field goal, a three pointer. Bohannon was 2 of 4 from the line. At the threeminute mark, Coach Rumer subbed in Emily Backenstoes, Tabitha Arnold, Kelsie Cook, Kailee Greg, Maddi Willis, Brooklyn Claborn, and Kandice Felton. Every girl got the state tournament experience.

Box score: Herndon lead the team with 12 points, including two three pointers. Bohannon had 11 points. Quapaw had 11 as well, including two three pointers. Bellettini had eight and French with three.