Frontier Valley Conference Women's Basketball Standings: Week Eleven

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

No. 7 Owasso (14-5 overall, 9-1 conference) took advantage of Gloria Mutiri's brief absence from the Charles Page lineup to knock the formerly undefeated Lady Sandites from the top spot in conference standings. With Owasso's 61-57 victory being the only matchup of the season between the two teams, the Lady Rams can clinch the title by winning their final four games. 

Terryn Milton scored 29 in the win over Sand Springs, 14 in a 56-42 win over Sapulpa, and 23 in a 67-55 win over Muskogee. The Lady Rams hold the No. 3 offense, No. 5 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in the conference. 

Of their remaining opponents, they've already defeated Bishop Kelley 48-32, Jenks 56-45, and Union 45-42. Their biggest obstacle will be Bartlesville, with whom they've split wins. The Lady Bruins prevailed 52-39 in the season-opener, but Owasso got payback 39-33 at the Bixby Tournament, and is now on an eight-game winning streak.

No. 4 Sand Springs (16-1, 9-1) may still be a top contender for the State Championship, but they'll need a lucky break to take the conference title since their loss to Owasso. They'll have to win out and hope Owasso loses one of their final games. On the plus side, Gloria Mutiri is healthy and back in action.

Sydney Pennington scored 22 in the loss to Owasso, Holly Kersgieter scored 19 in a 71-35 win at Jenks, and Destiny Johnson scored 15 in a 56-33 win over Bishop Kelley. The Sandites hold the No. 1 offense, No. 1 defense, and No. 1 margin of victory in the conference. 

Of their remaining opponents, they have already beaten Broken Arrow 66-45, Bartlesville 51-34, Muskogee 62-43, and Bixby 67-51.

No. 15 Bartlesville (11-7, 7-2) still has an outside shot at the conference title if they win out and if the top two drop a few games here and there. The Lady Bruins are currently on a three-game winning streak. Erin Shoemaker scored 15 in a 56-44 victory over Jenks, Avery Allen and Lauren Richter scored nine apiece in a 38-34 win over Broken Arrow, and Shoemaker posted 20 against Union.

The Bruins hold the No. 5 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 2 margin of victory in the conference. Of their remaining opponents they've already defeated Bixby 56-27 and split wins with Owasso, prevailing 52-39 in conference play, but falling 39-33 at the Bixby Tournament. They'll need to avenge a 51-34 loss to Sand Springs, and win back-to-back against Sapulpa to finish the regular season.

No. 14 Broken Arrow (11-8, 6-4) can win the title if t hey win out and if Sand Springs and Owasso both lose all their remaining games. Jalise Smallwood has led the team in the last five-straight games, averaging 19-points-per-game as the Tigers defeated Sapulpa 49-46, Muskogee 49-39, and Bixby 56-53, but fell 48-41 to Owasso and 38-34 to Bartlesville.

The Tigers hold the No. 9 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 5 margin of victory in the conference. Of their remaining opponents, they've already defeated Bishop Kelley 43-37 and split wins with Union. They'll also need to avenge a 66-45 loss to Sand Springs.

No. 16 Union (10-9, 5-5) is technically still in the conversation, but their odds make the Tigers' odds look great. They'll need to win out and they'll need Sand Springs and Owasso to lose out. They'll need Broken Arrow to lose at least one game, and they'll need to beat Owasso by at least four points and Sand Springs by at least 21 points. 

Taylor Malham led the Redskins to a 41-37 victory over Bixby with 22 points, but they fell 50-43 to Bartlesville, 55-45 to Sapulpa, and 79-58 to Sand Springs. The Redskins hold the No. 4 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in the conference. 

Of their remaining opponents, they've already defeated Jenks 61-34 and Bishop Kelley 62-39, and split wins with Broken Arrow. They were defeated 45-42 by Owasso.

No. 19 Sapulpa (8-10, 4-5) defeated Union 55-45 behind 18 points from Kiarra Brooks and topped Jenks 46-40 thanks to 17 points from Michaela Bethel. They fell 56-42 to Owasso, however, effectively ending their shot at a conference title. The Chieftains hold the No. 6 offense, No. 9 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in the conference. 

Jenks (5-13, 3-7) has lost their last three-straight, falling 56-44 to Bartlesville, 71-35 to Sand Springs, and 46-40 to Sapulpa, effectively ending their shot at a title. Makenley Church scored 15 against the Bruins, Emma Wasson posted 12 against Sand Springs, and Makenna Burch scored 16 against Sapulpa. The Trojans hold the No. 6 offense, No. 10 defense, and No. 10 margin of victory in the conference. 

Muskogee (7-10, 3-7) fell 49-39 to Broken Arrow and 67-55 to Owasso, but topped Bishop Kelley 45-37. Trena Mims led in all three games, averaging 22 points per game. The Roughers hold the No. 2 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in the conference. 

5A No. 16 Bishop Kelley (6-10, 2-8) fell 56-33 to Sand Springs and 45-37 to Muskogee this past week. The Comets hold the No. 10 offense, No. 6 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in the conference.

Bixby (6-13, 1-9) has dropped three straight, falling 42-31 to Bishop Kelley, 41-37 to Union, and 56-53 to Broken Arrow. Maddie Bittle led in all three games, averaging 13.6 points. The Lady Spartans hold the No. 8 offense, No. 7 defense, and No. 8 margin of victory.

Remaining Conference Schedule

2/6 Muskogee @ Bixby
2/7 Sand Springs @ Broken Arrow
2/7 Bartlesville @ Owasso
2/7 Bishop Kelley @ Sapulpa
2/7 Jenks @ Union
2/10 Union @ Broken Arrow
2/10 Bartlesville @ Sand Springs
2/10 Jenks @ Bixby
2/10 Owasso @ Bishop Kelley
2/10 Sapulpa @ Muskogee
2/14 Sapulpa @ Broken Arrow
2/14 Bixby @ Bartlesville
2/14 Union @ Bishop Kelley
2/14 Owasso @ Jenks
2/17 Bishop Kelley @ Broken Arrow
2/17 Bartlesville @ Sapulpa
2/17 Sand Springs @ Bixby
2/17 Jenks @ Muskogee
2/17 Union @ Owasso
2/20 Sapulpa @ Bartlesville

Conference Strength:

1. Central Oklahoma (50)
2. Frontier Valley (39)
3. Big Ten (37.5)
4. Green Country (26.5)
5. All-City (10.45)

FVC Leading Scorers
(points-per-game)

1. Trena Mims (Muskogee) 19.6
2. Terryn Milton (Owasso) 16.0
3. Jalise Smallwood (Broken Arrow) 15.4
4. Taylor Malham (Union) 15.3
5. Maddie Bittle (Bixby) 14.7
6. Jena Williams (Bartlesville) 11.9
7. Sydney Pennington (Sand Springs) 11.9
8. Haley Meely (Jenks) 11.4
9. Macy Craig (Bishop Kelley) 10.5
10. Gloria Mutiri (Sand Springs) 10.2

Kendal Zicker signs LOI to play college soccer at Northeastern State University

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Seven Sand Springs High School students signed letters-of-intent Wednesday morning in the Ed Dubie Field House, bringing the grand total of college-bound athletes from the Class of 2017 to fourteen.

Sand Springs has two softball players, two cross-country runners, two baseball players, one basketball player, three football players, one volleyball player, and two soccer players all headed to the next level.

Kendal Zicker accepted a soccer scholarship to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The Riverhawks are coached by Chase Wooten and are an NCAA Division-II team competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. They finished the 2016 season with a 13-5-1 record, falling in the first round of the MIAA Championship. Zicker was the second-highest scoring player on the 2016 Lady Sandite team with 12 goals and two braces. She was an Offensive MVP and was named to the All-District team. The Lady Sandites went 9-6 last season. 

No. 4 Sand Springs steamrolls Jenks 71-35, Kersgieter is force to be reckoned with

Holly Kersgieter scored 19 Tuesday night against the Jenks Lady Trojans. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

CPHS 71 Jenks 35

1Q Sand Springs 15-6
2Q Sand Springs 15-8
3Q Sand Springs 26-6
4Q All 15-15

Scoring: (Sand Springs) Kersgieter 19, Pennington 15, McGee 11, Johnson 10, Taber 7, Regalado 4, Collins 2, Bunch 2, Boaz 1. (Jenks) Wasson 12, Watson 7, Ruley 7, Meely 4, Gilford 4, Smith 1.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Kersgieter 5, Johnson 3, Taber 2, Pennington 2, McGee 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Pennington 6, Kersgieter 5, Collins 4, McGee 4, Regalado 3, Taber 3, Johnson 2, Bunch 2, Grant 1.
Steals: Pennington 2, Bunch 2, Johnson 2, Regalado 1, Taber 1.
Assists: Pennington 6, Taber 3, Kersgieter 2, McGee 2, Johnson 1, Collins 1.
Blocks: Johnson 2, Kersgieter 1.
Fouls: Regalado 4, Taber 3, Johnson 2, Pennington 1, McGee 1, Kersgieter 1.

The Sandites lost their 6'2" Division One-bound center a week ago after Gloria Mutiri sprained her ankle against Union. Her absence was a major factor in the Ladies' first loss of the season Friday at Owasso. Her absence was less noticeable Tuesday night in Jenks as Sand Springs rolled to a 35-point victory for the fifth time this season.

Despite the 30-14 halftime lead, the game was still a slow-starter for the Sandites considering their competition. The Lady Sandites are ranked fourth in Class 6A with a 15-1 record, while Jenks is unranked with a 5-12 record. Sand Springs is 8-1 in the Frontier Valley Conference while Jenks is 3-6.

Oklahoma State University softball-signed senior Sydney Pennington scored the first five points of the night for Sand Springs before sophomore Holly Kersgieter got in on the action with a layup and foul shot. The Trojans' first points came from the charity stripe, shot by Haley Meely. Sand Springs took an 8-2 lead before Rylie Watson hit back-to-back field goals to cut the deficit down. The Sandites had no intention of a close game, however, and Pennington laid up and shot a plus-one, followed by field goals from Kersgieter and Destiny Johnson.

Pennington added four more points in the second period, Kersgieter had two, Kierra McGee got in on the action with four, Johnson added four more, and Isabella Regalado had the final goal of the half on a free throw to make it 30-14.

Sand Springs found the throttle in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 26-6 with eight from Kersgieter. Sophomore Jacie Taber also got in on the action with a layup and free throw. Starting the fourth quarter 56-20, Kersgieter scored four-straight and Johnson hit a two for the forty-point advantage and Sand Springs pulled their starters.

The second string was more equally matched and the Trojans cut things back down to 63-26 with goals from Tatiana Gilford and Watson. Bailey Boaz, Amari Grant, Jessica Collins, and Ashley Bunch all got in on the action for Sand Springs and finished the evening 71-35.

Kersgieter scored a career-high 19 points for the evening and hauled in ten rebounds for her first ever double-double. She also added two assists and a block. Pennington was next up with 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. McGee scored 11 and Johnson scored 10 to put four Lady Sandites in double-digits. Wasson was the lone Trojan to break double digits, scoring 12.

The Sandites will return to action Friday with a home game against 5A No. 16 Bishop Kelley (6-9), who they already defeated 71-36 in the first game of the season. Jenks will travel to No. 16 Union (10-8) next Tuesday.

Lady Sandites win Highway 97 rivalry 61-36 over No. 19 Sapulpa; Johnson scores 20

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

CPHS 61 Sapulpa 36

1Q Sand Springs 18-5
2Q Sand Springs 14-5
3Q Sand Springs 19-3
4Q Sapulpa 23-10

Fouls: Sand Springs 16, Sapulpa, 11.
Free Throws: Sand Springs 4-of-9, Sapulpa 8-of-21.

Scoring: (Sand Springs) Johnson 20, Mutiri 14, McGee 9, Pennington 8, Taber 6, Kersgieter 4. (Sapulpa) Bethel 10, Dement 9, Brooks 9, Osborn 4, Belveal 2, Hall 2.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Johnson 3, Mutiri 3, Pennington 2, Kersgieter 2, McGee 1, Regalado 1, Taber 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Mutiri 11, Pennington 6, Kersgieter 4, McGee 3, Regalado 3, Boaz 1.
Steals: Pennington 4, Kersgieter 1, Regalado 1.
Assists: Johnson 3, McGee 3, Kersgieter 2, Pennington 1, Taber 1.
Blocks: Johnson 2, Mutiri 2.
Fouls: Regalado 5, Kersgieter 3, Mutiri 2, Taber 2, Grant 2, Pennington 1, Boaz 1.

The No. 3 ranked Charles Page High School girls' basketball team (10-0) continued their undefeated start to the season with a blowout win over Highway 97 rival No. 19 Sapulpa (5-6) Tuesday evening at the Ed Dubie Field House.

The Lady Sandites jumped on Sapulpa hard and fast, and at times it looked like the Sapulpans were trying to get past a brick wall. Sand Springs has one of the top-rated defenses in the state and it showed as they absolutely smothered their rivals.  

The home team led 12-0 before letting their foes on the board with a two-point basket by Michaela Bethel. Senior Oklahoma State Softball-commit Sydney Pennington snagged four steals in the first period and junior Ohio State Volleyball-commit Gloria Mutiri led with seven points to finish the quarter 18-5.

Despite their lead, the Sandites only slightly let off the gas in the second quarter and once again smothered their rivals defensively for a 32-10 halftime advantage.  

Mutiri kicked off the third quarter with a defensive rebound that she returned for two points to complete her first double-double of the season. Another basket by Mutiri and sophomore Holly Kersgieter added two more before Taylor Dement put up points for Sapulpa. Destiny Johnson and Kierra McGee both hit back-to-back field goals, Dement tacked on a free throw, and Mutiri and Jacie Taber closed out the quarter 51-13. 

Sand Springs finally let off the throttle in the fourth quarter and ran the bench on their foes. Sapulpa won the fourth quarter 23-10 but it wasn't enough to challenge the undefeated Sandites who ultimately prevailed 61-36.  

Johnson led the Sandites for the second time this season and scored a career-high 20 points. Mutiri scored 14 to bump her season average into double digits. Bethel was the only Lady Chieftain to break double digits with 10 points. 

Both teams struggled from three-point range with the Sandites shooting 3-of-15 while Sapulpa didn't make a single shot. The Chieftains also had a rough time at the charity stripe, making only 8 of 21 free throws. 

Head Coach Dustin Morrow is in his fifth year leading the program and before this year he had never defeated Muskogee, Broken Arrow, or Sapulpa. After Tuesday's game he had effectively toppled all three powerhouse programs by double digits. 

The Lady Sandites will look to continue their undefeated streak this Thursday when they travel to the Interstate Classic in Coffeyville, Kansas. Sapulpa will have a week to recover before hosting unranked Bixby (4-9) next Tuesday. The next conference game on the horizon for the Sandites is next Tuesday when they host No. 13 Union (8-4). 

Oklahoma Girls High School Basketball: Week Nine Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The official week nine rankings have been released from the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association and there's still four teams left vying for the top spot. Four schools received first-place votes, two are still undefeated overall, and five are undefeated in Class 6A.

No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (Last week No. 1)

Edmond Santa Fe (10-0) received nineteen first-place votes after a bye week. They had a big match-up against No. 5 Deer Creek (9-1) that was canceled due to weather. The Wolves hold the No. 6 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 5  margin of victory in Class 6A and will return to action Tuesday at No. 17 Yukon (7-4) before competing at the John Nobles Tournament this weekend.

The pick: ESF 51 Yukon 43.

No. 2 Choctaw (2)

Choctaw (11-1) received five first-place votes after a 75-65 win over 5A No. 13 Del City (4-8). The Yellowjackets are still undefeated in the class with their only loss being to 4A No. 1 Ft. Gibson (11-0). They hold the No. 2 offense, No. 1 defense, and No. 1 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at Putnam City (6-6). They also had a game scheduled last Friday against Putnam City North (1-10) that was canceled for weather. 

The pick: Choctaw 63, Putnam City 46.

No. 3 Sand Springs (3)

Sand Springs (9-0) received two first-place votes after a pair of double-digit conference wins. They defeated Muskogee (3-6) 62-43 and Bixby (4-9) 67-51. Sophomore Holly Kersgieter scored 14 in each game, Gloria Mutiri scored 13 in each game, Sydney Pennington scored 11.5 per game, and Kierra McGee scored 16 against Bixby to average 11.5.

The Sandites hold the No. 3 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host Highway 97 rival No. 19 Sapulpa (5-5) before traveling to the Coffeyville Tournament this weekend.

The pick: CPHS 56 Sapulpa 42.

No. 4 Putnam City West (4)

Putnam City West (11-1) received one first-place vote after dominating Lawton (3-6) 82-52. They are still undefeated in the state of Oklahoma with their only loss being to Campbell County, Wisconsin. The Patriots hold the No. 1 offense, No. 13 defense, and No. 2 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at No. 12 Midwest City (8-4) before competing at the Jenks/Union Invitational this weekend.

The pick: PCW 57 MWC 46.

No. 5 Deer Creek (5)

Deer Creek (9-1) is coming off a bye week after their game against No. 2 Edmond Santa Fe (10-0) was canceled due to weather. The Antlers are still undefeated in 6A with their only loss coming to 5A No. 1 Collinsville (10-1). The hold the No. 7 offense, No. 6 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at No. 6 Norman North (7-2).

The pick: DC 50 NN 48. 

No. 6 Norman North (8)

Norman North (7-2) moved up a couple of spots after a bye week and will have the opportunity to crack the top-five if they can upset No. 5 Deer Creek (9-1) Tuesday at home. The Timberwolves hold the No. 9 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 8 margin of victory in 6A. 

No. 7 Booker T. Washington (7)

Booker T. Washington (11-3) rolled to some dominating wins over unranked opponents last week, 53-25 over Will Rogers (8-6) and 84-11 over Tulsa Central (2-8). Megan Jackson led the team with 22 points against Tulsa Central and ten other girls also got in the scorebook.

The Hornets hold the No. 4 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action this weekend at the Union/Jenks Tournament. 

No. 8 Norman (9)

Norman (9-2) snagged a pair of close ones last week, edging out No. 14 Mustang (5-5) 48-46 and No. 17 Edmond North (6-5) 61-59 in overtime. Curtiera Haywood scored 21 against Mustang. The Tigers hold the No. 10 offense, No. 12 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host Southmoore (2-9), then will take on 5A No. 14 Del City (4-8), 5A No. 11 Carl Albert (7-5), and No. 12 Midwest City (8-4) at the Carl Albert Tournament. 

The picks:
Norman 53 Southmoore 40
Norman 55 Del City 47
Norman 52 Carl Albert 45
Norman 48 MWC 46

No. 9 Westmoore (6)

Westmoore (8-4) suffered a 57-51 upset loss to No. 13 Edmond Memorial (8-4) last week and slipped a few spots in the rankings. The Jags hold the No. 5 offense, No. 19 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at Stillwater (2-10), then will compete at the Carl Albert Titan Classic this weekend. 

The picks: 
Westmoore 56 Stillwater 42
Westmoore 55 Carl Albert 46

No. 10 Owasso (10)

Owasso (9-5) scored a pair of quality wins last week, 56-45 over Jenks (3-6) and 45-42 over No. 12 Union (7-4). Terryn Milton scored 21 against Jenks and 10 against Union. Mya Bhinhar scored 15 against Jenks and 10 against Union. Sierra Williams scored 12 against Union and 10 against Jenks. 

The Rams hold the No. 18 offense and No. 18 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at Bixby (4-9). 

The pick: Owasso 48 Bixby 44.

No. 11 Edmond Memorial (13)

Edmond Memorial (8-4) picked up a pair of notable wins last week, 50-31 over Stillwater (2-10) and 57-51 over No. 6 Westmoore (8-4). The Bulldogs hold the No. 16 defense and No. 19 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at Moore (6-5) before competing in the Deer Creek Blue Grey Tournament this weekend. 

The pick: EDM 44 Moore 43.

No. 12 Midwest City (11)

Midwest City (8-4) topped an unranked Eisenhower (2-9) team 52-36 last week and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 4 Putnam City West (11-1). They will also compete at the Carl Albert Tournament this weekend. The Bombers hold the No. 16 offense, No. 11 defense, and No. 14 margin of victory in 6A. 

No. 13 Union (12)

Union (7-4) split wins last week, topping 5A No. 15 Bishop Kelley (5-5) 62-39, but falling 45-42 to No. 10 Owasso (9-5). Taylor Malham led in scoring in both games with 15 against Owasso and 12 against Bishop Kelley. The Redskins hold the No. 17 offense, No. 9 defense, and No. 13 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at Muskogee (3-6) before hosting the Jenks/Union Invitational this weekend. 

The pick: Union 50 Muskogee 46.

No. 14 Mustang (14)

Mustang (5-5) split wins last week, falling 48-46 to No. 9 Norman (9-2), but topping Southmoore (2-9) 58-34. The Broncos hold the No. 20 offense, No. 15 defense, and No. 17 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at No. 18 Edmond North (6-5).

The pick: Ed North 48 Mustang 45.

No. 15 Broken Arrow (16)

Broken Arrow (6-5) picked up a 43-40 victory over No. 19 Sapulpa (5-5) thanks to 23 points from Jalise Smallwood. The Tigers hold the No. 7 defense in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host Jenks (3-6), then they'll compete at the Jenks/Union Invitational this weekend. 

The pick: BA 48 Jenks 43.

No. 16 Bartlesville (15)

Bartlesville (5-5) pulled out a big 56-27 victory over Bixby (4-9) led by Erin Shoemaker with 20. The Bruins hold the No. 5 defense and No. 15 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at 5A No. 15 Bishop Kelley (5-5). 

The pick: Bartlesville 47 Kelley 40.

No. 17 Yukon (18)

Yukon (7-4) is coming off a bye week and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (10-0). They will also take on John Marshall (5-5) in the first round of the Jones Tournament this weekend. The Millerettes hold the No. 15 offense, No. 20 defense, and No. 16 margin of victory. 

The pick: Yukon 50 Marshall 47.

No. 18 Edmond North (17)

Edmond North (6-5) picked up a 42-29 win over Southmoore (2-9) but fell 61-59 to No. 9 Norman (9-2) in overtime. The Huskies hold the No. 13 offense, No. 15 defense, and No. 12 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 14 Mustang (5-5), then will compete at the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Tournament this weekend.

No. 19 Sapulpa (19)

Sapulpa (5-5) suffered a tough 43-40 loss to No. 16 Broken Arrow (6-5) despite a 15-point performance from Kiarra Brooks. The Chieftains will return to action Tuesday at No. 3 Sand Springs (9-0) in a rivalry matchup.

No. 20 Ponca City (20)

Ponca City (6-3) was topped 60-51 by 5A No. 9 El Reno (7-4) in spite of a 19-point performance by Baylee Fincher. The Wildcats hold the No. 12 offense, No. 10 defense, and No. 10 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action this weekend at the John Nobles Tournament. 

Conference Strength:

1. Central Oklahoma (56)
2. Frontier Valley (38.9)
3. Big Ten (36.7)
4. Green Country (25.8)
5. All-City (10.09)

Kierra McGee scores 16 as undefeated No. 3 Lady Sandites top Bixby 67-51

Senior Kierra McGee scored a team-high 16 points for the Sandites in a double-digit victory over Bixby. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The No. 3 ranked Charles Page High School girls basketball team (9-0 overall, 5-0 conference) continued their undefeated streak with a 67-51 victory over the Bixby Lady Spartans (4-9, 0-5) Friday night at the Ed Dubie Field House. 

The first and second quarters were both blowouts, but each was for a different team.

CPHS 67 Bixby 51

1Q Sand Springs 24-15
2Q Bixby 15-6
3Q Sand Springs 19-11
4Q Sand Springs 18-10

Fouls: Sand Springs 12, Bixby 15.
Free Throws: Sand Springs 9-of-13, Bixby 8-of-11.

Scoring: (Sand Springs) McGee 16, Kersgieter 14, Mutiri 13, Pennington 11, Regalado 9, Johnson 4. (Bixby) Bittle 17, Sloan 10, Pirtle 9, Stout 5, Tyree 5, Fuhr 3, Brown 2.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Mutiri 5, Kersgieter 3, Johnson 3, McGee 1, Collins 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Kersgieter 4, Mutiri 2, Pennington 2, McGee 2, Regalado 1, Johnson 1.
Steals: Pennington 5, Kersgieter 3, McGee 3, Johnson 2, Regalado 1.
Assists: Johnson 3, McGee 3, Kersgieter 3, Regalado 1.
Blocks: Mutiri 3
Fouls: Johnson 3, Pennington 3, Kersgieter 2, Mutiri 2, Regalado 1, McGee 1.

The Lady Sandites came out hot, building a 22-5 lead with back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore Isabella Regalado before letting the visitors back into the game.  Maddie Bittle was fouled on a layup and made her free throw, and officially took the lid off the basket for the Lady Spartans. Cassidy Sloan, Sarah Tyree, and Madison Fuhr all got in on the action and cut the lead to 24-15 to end the first. 

They ran away with it in the second. Regalado hit a three, Mutiri scored a two, and those were the only field goals the Sandites would score in the lopsided quarter, as the visitors outscored their foes 15-6. The Spartans nearly entered the half with the lead after Kenedy Brown sank a two for the go-ahead points with two seconds left. The Lady Spartans cleared the bench and stormed the court in excitement, but there were two seconds left on the clock and Holly Kersgieter got to shoot a free throw on a technical foul to tie it up 30-30.

The Lady Sandites made up for the second quarter in the second half, however, handily dominating both periods. Sophomore Destiny Johnson hit a basket to start the third in the Sandites' favor, but Kyndal Pirtle sank a three and Bittle shot a free throw to make it 34-32. That would be the last time the Spartans led. 

Kersgieter hit a three for the lead, added a pair from the charity stripe, and Sydney Pennington sank a two to make it 39-34. Bittle shot a three to try and slow the Sandites down, but Gloria Mutiri made a layup and a free throw immediately after. Sloan scored the last two Spartan baskets of the evening, but they were broken up by a seven-point run from the Sandites, who led 49-41 going into the final stanza. McGee scored nine in the fourth quarter, including a steal and layup to ice the cake at 67-51.

Bittle led all scorers with 17 points, followed by McGee with 16, Kersgieter with 14, Mutiri with 13, Pennington with 11, and Sloan with 10. 

The Lady Sandites will return to action next Tuesday when they host Highway 97 rival No. 19 Sapulpa (5-5), while Bixby will take on No. 10 Owasso (9-5) next Tuesday at home.