The Marlow Lady Outlaws have become unbeatable in the Stephens County Tournament.Marlow swept three games to win the championship, held at the Tommy Weast Gymnasium in Comanche last week, to extend two streaks.
Saturday
Championship
Lady Outlaws 59, Ryan 45
Marlow picked up its 16th consecutive win in Stephens County tournament play, and won its fifth straight county crown Saturday night.
The latter tied the 1954-58 Bray girls for the most consecutive championships in the tournament’s 81 years of history.
“We played well for most of the game,” said Marlow head coach Kirk Harris. “There were times when I don’t think we played our best, but overall we played well against a very good team.”
Ryan (13-5) came into the tournament as the No. 16 in Class B. The Cowgirls were also the first non-county girls’ team to make the finals since Ringling in 2006.
“Even though they are from a small school, they were one of the biggest teams in the bracket,” said Harris. “There size makes them a tough team to match-up with.”
Marlow broke the game open, scoring 13 of the last 15 points of the first quarter for a 17-6 advantage. The Cowgirls battled back to trim the Lady Outlaw lead to 30-21 at the half.
In the second half, Marlow connected on five of its seven 3-pointers, including three from junior Avery Walker, who finished with 21.
Leading by 11, the Lady Outlaws leaned on junior Ashley O’Dell, who made good on 9-of-12 free throws, and led all scorers with 25. O’Dell earned most valuable players of the tournament.
“When we needed our key players, they stepped up,” said Harris. “We also had good games from our supporting players throughout the tournament as well.”
Third-place game
Comanche 43, Lady Donkeys 34
The Lady Indians held off a fourth-quarter charge by Bray-Doyle, sending the Lady Donkeys to fourth-place in the county bracket.
The Lady Donkeys outscored Comanche, 19-14, in the final quarter, but it was not enough to overcome only two points being scored in the third frame.
Sarah Justus led the Lady Donkeys in scoring with 13, while Makenzy Williams added 12.
Comanche started the game with an 11-5 lead after the first quarter, but Bray-Doyle kept pace, trailing, 20-13 at halftime.
The difference came in the third period, when Bray-Doyle’s only score was a field goal from Williams.
Consolation finals
Lady Bronchos 44, Velma-Alma 37
Central High claimed the consolation crown of the Stephens County tournament for the second consecutive year with a comeback victory over the Lady Comets.
The Lady Bronchos were in a 21-14 hole at halftime before turning it on in the second half.
Lora-Lynn Loomis scoring 13 of her game-high 16 after intermission, including seven in the third quarter, trimming the Lady Comet lead, 31-29.
Central High was 8-of-12 from the free throw line in the final period, and did not allow a single field goal in the final eight minutes.
Nikole Repp was also in double figures with 10.
Friday
Consolation semifinals
Lady Bronchos 64, Empire 47
Three Lady Bronchos were in double figures, as Central High scooted past Empire with ease Friday night.
Lora-Lynn Loomis was 11-for-11 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, helping the Lady Bronchos move to the victory. She led the team with 19.
Central High, which defeated Empire earlier this season, jumped up early, 12-5, before enjoying a 32-17 lead at the break.
Nikole Repp added 18 in the win, while Austyn Taylor had 16.
Thursday
Championship semifinals
Ryan 47, Lady Donkeys 44
A battle of stingy defenses resulted in the first non-county girls’ team since Ringling in 2006 reaching the finals.
Ryan, No. 16 in Class B, outlasted Bray-Doyle, reaching the free-throw line 39 times, and making good on 21 of those shots.
“The girls’ played a great game,” said Lady Donkey coach Jaicee Powers. “I was extremely proud of their effort. (Ryan) was just sent to the line too many times.”
Bray-Doyle took an 11-8 lead after the first quarter, but the Cowgirls scored 19 in the second frame to take a 27-19 advantage at the half.
From short range, the Lady Donkeys were 50-percent from the floor, but was 4-of-17 from beyond the 3-point arc.
Morgan Kovar and Makenzy Williams each had nine for Bray-Doyle, while Sarah Justus led the Lady Donkeys with 14.
Lady Outlaws 48, Comanche 41
Marlow relinquished the lead only once to county-rival Comanche in the semifinals.
The Lady Indians’ Ashley Spann hit two free throws with 8.4 seconds remaining in the first period for a 10-9 Comanche advantage.
Three seconds later, Ashley O’Dell finished a fast break with a lay-up, and Marlow would never trail again.
The 11-10 lead at the end of the first period grew to 23-16 at the half before Comanche would mount a comeback in the third period, outscoring Marlow, 11-4, to end the frame.
The 34-32 lead wilted to a 36-35 advantage with 3:56 left in the final quarter, but Marlow would score 12 of the final 18 points, taking as much as an 11-point lead in the final minutes.
O’Dell led the scoring with 12, as eight Lady Outlaws got into the scoring column in the contest.